STEMconnector®, a consortium of companies and organizations concerned with science, technology, engineering and math education and careers, recently recognized Barbara Koster, senior vice president and chief information officer at Prudential Financial [NYSE:PRU], as one of its 100 Diverse Corporate Leaders in STEM.

“There has never been a more important time to tie diversity and STEM: The key careers are in STEM areas; and minority youth are already the majority of the American population, and within two decades the majority of America will be diverse,” said Edie Fraser, chief executive officer of STEMconnector®. “As we recognize these outstanding 100 Diverse Corporate Leaders in STEM, we salute them as role models for their companies and communities.”

Koster has oversight responsibility for information technology at all Prudential locations worldwide and ensures the privacy and integrity of Prudential’s information. She formulates policies, establishes standards and architectures, and develops guidelines and management practices. Koster also manages the company’s global networks, data centers and other technology infrastructure; and is chairman of the board of Pramerica Systems Ireland, Ltd. and founding member of Prudential Systems Japan, Ltd., both technology subsidiaries of Prudential. In addition, she oversees a companywide program that helps military veterans transition from military to civilian life.

“Statistics show that while young people are avid users of technology, they are not choosing technology careers – especially our girls. That means that it is up to us to think about how to get girls interested in math, engineering, science and technology,” said Koster. “I frequently speak with middle- and high school girls to encourage them to concentrate on math and science and to consider careers in business and technology. I also encourage my leadership team to partner with colleges, universities and non-profit organizations to attract diverse new IT talent into the organization and encourage young people to pursue careers in business and information technology.”

Koster is listed on Junior Achievement’s New Jersey Business Hall of Fame and as one of the top Executive Women of New Jersey. She also has been named one of the Best 50 Women in Business by NJ Biz, CIO of the Year by the Executive Council, a Premier IT Leader by Computerworld , a Top 20 Financial Management Technologists by the CIO Forum and an Elite Eight by Insurance & Technology magazine. She is a member and past chair of ACORD and is a board member of Liberty Science Center, St. Francis College and the Junior Achievement of New Jersey State Board of Directors.

The 100 Diverse Corporate Leaders were selected based on their background and career; their company’s STEM position within its industry; and the nominee’s perspective on a variety of STEM issues, including mentoring and diversity.

STEMconnector® is a consortium of more than 110 companies, associations, academic institutions and government entities at the global, national, state and local levels that are concerned with STEM education. STEMconnector® focuses on the entire STEM workforce pipeline with a particular emphasis on diversity and women.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU), a financial services leader with more than $1 trillion of assets under management as of September 30, 2014, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential’s diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds and investment management. In the U.S., Prudential’s iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit www.news.prudential.com.