Meet Mackenzie Chan - 2025 PBWC Financial Trendsetters Scholarship Recipient

The 2025 PBWC Financial Trendsetters Scholarship was awarded to Mackenzie Chan of San Mateo, CA. She stood out among the scholarship finalists for her innovation, resilience, and leadership through Girls Who Code and FIRST Robotics.

While Mackenzie’s primary interests lie in STEM, PBWC’s Scholarship Committee felt she embodied the spirit of this award: breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields and creating pathways for others to succeed. In her essay, she wrote:

“Through my efforts to promote inclusivity in STEM, I have grown from a hesitant freshman into a perceptive, proactive leader. Most importantly, the team now fosters a love for robotics in all students, regardless of their experience level or gender.

As an incoming Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (EECS) major at the University of California, Berkeley, Mackenzie is excited to explore how robotics can improve lives. In particular, she hopes to develop Socially Assistive Robots (SARs) that support individuals with disabilities such as ADHD and autism.

Her determination to lead with purpose and advocate for equity reflects the kind of mindset this scholarship seeks to elevate.