In 2009, Brenda and John McCaffrey pledged $25,000 over five years to help support and promote the success of engineering students in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. As a proud engineering alumna of Arizona State University, Brenda knows exactly what it takes to achieve success in today's competitive market.

She developed her skills in semiconductor testing at Motorola before returning to ASU to earn a doctorate in electrical engineering. In 1999, she established White Mountain Labs, based on the conviction that a systematic approach to highly technical, "niche" semiconductor testing could produce clear data, enabling engineers to be successful in developing innovative products.

The business experienced 125 percent growth in sales between 2004 and 2007, and was soon acknowledged as an industry leader. In 2007, she sold the company to Evans Analytical Group, but continued on as vice president of marketing for several months before retiring.

Currently, as founder and president of Kolea Technology, Brenda's goal is to "bring ideas, engineers and resources together to bring innovative products and services to light." She was awarded the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering Distinguished Achievement Award in 2008–09.

Brenda's generous gift to the Fulton Difference Fund is not the only way that she is giving back. For the past two years, she has guest-lectured in ASU engineering classes, discussing how engineers can be successful entrepreneurs.

"For us, it's all about the students," Brenda says. "As engineers with long-standing ties to ASU, we are delighted to see the excitement of engineering students as they work together to solve systems problems in bioengineering and other disciplines. We encourage other ASU engineering alumni to see it for themselves."