This week, I was proud to visit with Boluwarin Ojo of Spark Defy Gear during Iowa State University’s Day on the Hill. Bolu is the inventive mind behind welding caps designed specifically for long hair—an idea born from lived experience and turned into a growing business that’s opening doors for more women in the skilled trades. Meeting Boluwarin was a highlight for me, I was very inspired by her creativity, determination, and clear commitment to opening doors for others—and proud to see that kind of homegrown talent shaping Iowa’s future.
