Grace Stanke Vanderhei

Grace Stanke Vanderhei is a nuclear engineer, clean energy advocate and Nuclear Fuels Engineer & Clean Energy Advocate at Constellation Energy, whose work sits at the intersection of science, leadership and public trust. Best known as Miss America 2023, she gained global recognition for using one of the world’s most visible platforms to champion nuclear power as a reliable, zero-carbon energy source. Her ability to communicate complex scientific ideas with clarity and confidence has positioned her as one of the most distinctive voices in the global energy conversation, while her academic credibility sets her apart in the speaking circuit.

Grace grew up in Wausau, Wisconsin, where curiosity and problem-solving were encouraged from an early age. The daughter of a civil engineer, she developed a natural interest in how systems work, alongside a passion for music as a trained classical violinist. She entered the Miss America system initially as a teenager to fund her musical development, holding several state-level Outstanding Teen titles that helped refine her stage presence and communication skills. At the same time, she pursued academic excellence, enrolling at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to study nuclear engineering. Balancing demanding engineering coursework with competitive pageantry required focus and resilience, experiences that later shaped her message around discipline, adaptability and purpose. Grace returned to the Miss America system as an adult with a clear mission, to use public platforms to improve understanding of science, engineering and energy.

Her career achievements are both rare and wide-ranging. In 2022, she became the first woman to hold both Miss Wisconsin Teen and Miss Wisconsin titles, before being crowned Miss America 2023, earning a $50,000 scholarship. During her reign, Grace travelled more than 270,000 miles globally, visiting nuclear facilities, universities and international conferences while advocating for clean energy and STEM education. She addressed industry leaders at major scientific and energy events, and her work led to her being described by the Wall Street Journal as ‘the new face of nuclear energy’. In 2024, she was recognised on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Energy list, highlighting her growing influence in the sector. Following her reign, she joined Constellation Energy as a Nuclear Fuels Engineer & Clean Energy Advocate, contributing to reactor design and energy reliability projects while continuing her public engagement work.

Grace Stanke Vanderhei is hired as a keynote speaker because she brings authority, relatability and real-world experience to conversations that matter. She speaks on nuclear energy, clean power, women in STEM, leadership, science communication and challenging misinformation. These topics are critical for organisations navigating energy transition, workforce diversity and public confidence in technology. Her talks combine technical insight with human storytelling, making complex issues accessible without oversimplifying them.