Women of Color Volume 13 Number 2 by Career Communications Group

Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

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For Today’s Career Women In Technology & Business

EXCEPTIONAL RISING STARS AND TECHNOLOGY ALL-STARS OUTSTANDING WOMEN OF COLOR STEM WINNERS

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Career Communications Group’s

For Today’s Career Women in Business and Technology

VOLUME 13 NUMBER 2 FALL 2014

CONTENTS

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

24 COVER STORY

6 Women in the News

2014 TECHNOLOGIST OF THE YEAR: ALICIA BOLER-DAVIS

Technologist of the Year Alicia Boler-Davis

Women of Color Honoree is first to reach Navy’s Four-star Rank

10 One on One Innovation is key to Staying Competitive

of General Motors is a leading woman in the automotive industry. Read her story and

14 Career Voices Strategies for Overcoming Hurdles to Leadership Success

find out how she expanded her customer

19 Education

experience role from

Do Research, Gain Experience, And Get a Job. Seeding the STEM graduate fields

a U.S. position to oversee the rest of the world where GM does business.

30 WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS

WOC STEM winner stories spotlight the achievements of women advancing in technology. They are successful women on the move, who never want to stop learning, growing, and improving.

53 SPECIAL RECOGNITION HONOREES

Outstanding women in science, technology, engineering, and math-based careers.

62 2014 TECHNOLOGY ALL STARS

AND RISING STARS

Leaders of America’s future technology

68 COMMUNITY OUTREACH Summer sailing in Baltimore’s inner harbor. 2

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EDITORIAL PAGE

Career Communications Group’s

For Today’s Career Women in Business and Technology EXECUTIVE OFFICE Tyrone D. Taborn, Publisher and Editorial Director Jean Hamilton, President and CFO EDITORIAL Rayondon Kennedy, Assistant Editor Lango Deen, Contributing Editor Michael Fletcher, Contributing Editor Gale Horton Gay, Contributing Editor M.V. Greene, Contributing Editor Frank McCoy, Contributing Editor Garland L. Thompson, Contributing Editor Roger Witherspoon, Contributing Editor GRAPHIC DESIGN Sherley Petit-Homme, Art Director Bryan Clapper, Graphic Designer CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT Eric Price, Vice President, Recruitment and Training Ty Taborn, Corporate Development Imani Carter, Corporate Communications Specialist SALES AND MARKETING Alex Venetta, Associate Publisher, Manager of Partner Services Gwendolyn Bethea, Vice President, Corporate Development Sandra Harris, Senior Account Manager Kehinde Akiwowo, Senior Account Manager Devin Oten, Senior Account Manager ADMINISTRATION Ana Bertrand, Conference Coordinator CONFERENCE AND EVENTS Rutherford & Associates 17304 Preston Rd Suite 1020 Dallas, Texas 75252 ADVERTISING SALES OFFICE Career Communications Group, Inc. 729 E. Pratt Street, Suite 504, Baltimore, MD 21202 Phone: (410) 244-7101 | Fax: (410) 752-1834 Women of Color (ISSN 1937-0555) is a publication for today’s career women in business and technology. Women of Color magazine invites letters to the editor about any topics important to our readership. Article queries and letters should be sent to: CCG – Women of Color magazine, Editorial Department, 729 E. Pratt St., Suite 504, Baltimore, MD 21202. No manuscript will be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Women of Color magazine cannot be responsible for unsolicited art or editorial material. Subscriptions are $13/year. Please write to: CCG -Women of Color magazine, Subscriptions, 729 E. Pratt St., Suite 504, Baltimore, MD 21202. Copyright © 2014 by Career Communications Group Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

A 2010 National Science Foundation (NSF) report on “scientists and engineers working in science and engineering” counted 108,000 Black women, 84,000 Hispanic women, and 271,000 Asian women. Many observers, focused on percentages rather than the actual impact of those numbers, decry the small share of the engineering workforce that represents, compared to the nearly 2.8 million white male engineers out there. But the impact of their achievements in reshaping the product lines, remaking management perspectives as they go, and sharpening the focus on quality in corporations that compete head-to-head against competitors all across the globe cannot be understated, and should never, ever be underestimated. The 19th annual Women of Color STEM Conference draws its stellar crop of Women of Color Award recipients from that diverse group who are leading companies, inventing the future and changing the world—with proven success in being catalysts and engaging underrepresented groups in STEM pursuits. The 2014 Technology All-stars are recognized for demonstrating excellence in the myriad paths of STEM and in innovative organizations where they have broken through barriers, redefining the meaning of “ceiling” as they reach for the stars. Women of Color Rising Stars are part of the generation increasingly responsible for driving the vehicle that carries America’s future. Meet the 2014 class who are helping to launch the next new wave and the next New Big Thing. Get to know 2014’s trailblazers, superstars, all-stars, and rising stars. And be inspired by their amazing achievements and excellence in impacting innovative programs that attract America’s youth—especially underserved and underrepresented minorities into STEM fields of study. A detailed awareness of current trends in STEM education, plus success in developing and implementing hands-on, minds-on/family focused activities to address this issue is key.

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WOMEN IN THE NEWS WOMEN OF COLOR HONOREE IS FIRST TO REACH NAVY’S FOUR-STAR RANK

Michelle Janine Howard, a 2008 Women of Color Career Achievement Winner, became the first woman to attain the rank of four-star admiral in the Navy’s 238-year history during a ceremony at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus presided over the ceremony and administered the oath of office. “Michelle Howard’s promotion to the rank of admiral is the result of a brilliant naval career, one I fully expect to continue when she assumes her new role as vice chief of naval operations, but also it is an historic first, an event to be celebrated as she becomes the first female to achieve this position,” Mabus said. “Her accomplishment is a direct example of a Navy that now, more than ever, reflects the nation it serves — a nation where success is not born of race, gender or religion, but of skill and ability.” Navy Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, chief of naval operations, noted Howard’s success through more than three decades of service. “Michelle’s many trailblazing accomplishments in her 32 years of naval service are evidence of both her fortitude and commitment to excellence and integrity,” he said. “I look forward to many great things to come from the Navy’s newest four-star admiral.” Howard, who most recently has served as the deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans and strategy, will relieve Navy Adm. Mark E. Ferguson III as the 38th vice chief of naval operations. On March 12, 1999, Vice Adm. Michelle Howard took command of USS Rushmore, becoming the first AfricanAmerican woman to command a ship in the U.S. Navy. In 2006, she was selected for the rank of rear admiral lower half, making her the first admiral selected from the United States Naval Academy class of 1982 and the first woman graduate of the academy selected for admiral. She was promoted to three-star rank in 2012. VADM Howard’s initial sea tours were aboard USS Hunley and USS Lexington. While serving aboard Lexington, she received the Secretary of the Navy/ Navy League Captain Winifred Collins award in May

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1987. This award is given to one woman officer a year for outstanding leadership. In January 1996, she became executive officer of USS Tortuga and deployed to the Adriatic in support of a peacekeeping effort in the former Republic of Yugoslavia. Sixty days after returning from the Mediterranean, Tortuga departed on a training cruise where the ship’s sailors, with embarked U.S. Marines and U.S. Coast Guard detachment, operated with the naval services of seven African nations. Howard commanded Amphibious Squadron 7 from 2004 to September 2005. Deploying with Expeditionary Strike Group 5, operations included tsunami relief efforts in Indonesia and maritime security operations in the Persian Gulf. She also commanded a multinational force established to conduct counter-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer in April 2009. Howard’s shore assignments include: action officer and Navy liaison to the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Military Services in the Bureau of Personnel. Adm. Michelle Howard was honored as a 2008 Women of Color Career Achievement Winner, which recognized her career-long achievement in technology and her commitment to the Navy. The Deputy Commander of United States Transportation Command, Vice Adm. Ann Rondeau, acted as the awarding official for the Navy honorees. She is was also selected into the prestigious Career Communications Group Hall of Fame in 2010.

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Corning Incorporated is the world leader in specialty glass and ceramics. We create and make keystone components that enable high-technology systems for consumer electronics, mobile emissions control, telecommunications and life sciences. To learn more about our values and career opportunities, go to www.corning.com. Congratulations to all of this year’s Women of Color in Technology awardees including Corning’s Zarine Havewala-Brown, Dr. Na Li and Li Liu.

Zarine Havewala-Brown Technology All Star

Na Li, Ph.D. Technology Rising Star

Li Liu Technology Rising Star

Huntington Ingalls Industries proudly congratulates our 2014

WOMEN OF

COLOR

AWARD WINNERS TECHNOLOGY RISING STARS Sabrina Austin Mijisha Butts Shineka Dixon Leslie Galon Linda Hammler Arkimla Hill Claudette Hill

Donna Mamolo Artensie Sabino Tawanna Scott Bettina Soost Beverly Thompson Kelley Tucker Towanda Tyler

TECHNOLOGY ALL STARS Lisa Avery Verdie Bradley Luella Farmer Gloretha Garrett Trina Garrett Paula Gibbs Nina Hamilton-Stinson Carolyn Howell

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ONE ON ONE INNOVATION IS KEY TO STAYING COMPETITIVE

Innovative thinking can be a game-changer for entrepreneurs and corporations; however, many don’t fully understand or appreciate the value of expanding one’s view of the applications of innovation. That’s the opinion of Sharolyn Farmer, and she should know. Farmer is director of AT&T’s platform, business and network solutions for the company’s information technology arm — a position she’s held since November 2013. Innovation has been central to practically all the jobs she’s held throughout her long career in telecommunications. Previously she spearheaded the opening of the Atlanta Foundry in August 2013. The foundry — AT&T’s fifth such center — is responsible for innovation of advanced video and converged applications, proof of concepts for mobile broadband services, emerging devices and more. Farmer said many people don’t have a broad enough view of how creative ways of thinking can be applied, limiting it to the production of new products and services but failing to see how it also can be applied to enhance existing goods and services. “It’s not necessarily creating something new but how do you make things better, faster, easier to use,” she said. “Innovation can occur on anything, at any point in time and from anyone. Some of the best innovators are people outside [the industry].” She said innovation is key to staying competitive and forging ahead. “We live in an increasingly competitive world. It’s very important in all aspects of business to innovate new products and services. We always need to differentiate what our company offers to its customers,” said Farmer. Those interested in bringing more innovation to their projects should consider different ways to do things more efficiently, and they should ask questions such as, “How can I add unique features and capabilities?” Farmer said. She said we should avoid continuing to do things in the same old way and shouldn’t fear taking new approaches. “Understand that sometimes it’s going to work,

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Sharolyn Farmer, director of AT&T’s platform, business and network solutions Information Technology

sometimes it’s not,” said Farmer. “Failure is a natural outcome. Learn from your failures.” Farmer, who holds two telecommunication patents, has been in the engineering field for more than 20 years. Initially when she was in high school, she imagined her future as a teacher; however, all that changed. Farmer pursued an engineering degree in the 1970s, partly because she had an aptitude for math and science and partly because a friend’s brother who was studying engineering at Southern University spoke at her high school during a career day. “Then he said the three magic words: ‘We have scholarships,’” she recalled. She was accepted by Southern University in Baton Rouge and received one of those scholarships. At Southern, she felt right at home, enjoying the environment and loving the engineering classwork.

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ONE ON ONE During college she completed two internships with Exxon — one at a refinery in which the work involved monitoring instrumentation. Farmer had taken an instrumentation class the previous semester and found the work fascinating. “I understood the data readings and how it would be applied,” she said. Upon graduating at the top of her class with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Farmer was deluged with job offers in a variety of fields. She said she chose the position with AT&T’s Bell Labs because it involved working with hardware and software at a time when “the country was just starting to understand the power of software development. “I had a chance to be on the leading edge,” she said. Also the company offered financial support and time off to pursue a master’s degree. (Farmer obtained a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Colorado). Farmer’s first job with AT&T was as a member of the technical staff working on developing processors for telephone systems. In her current position, Farmer’s specific responsibility is to support the company’s transformation to a software and platform driven business through the realization of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). In this role, she is responsible for advancing innovation and development of new platforms and APIs supporting growth opportunities for mobility, home solutions, emerging devices, and technology and network operations. During her tenure at AT&T and BellSouth, Farmer has held positions as research director of an engineering group, director of business development, research manager in the science and technology department and as a technical supervisor. Farmer also said she’s a “people person” and enjoys collaborating. “One of the things I enjoy most about my job is the opportunity to engage other people, brainstorm new ideas, solve problems…working to bring those ideas to fruition,” she said

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She cited the opening of the Atlanta Foundry as one of the highlights of her career. “The centers are places where our vendors, start-ups and developers come to collaborate about new ideas that they have,” she said, adding that AT&T helps get them connected and advance their ideas through AT&T technology. At the foundry, the goal is to figure out how best to combine resources and deliver something innovative to the marketplace. AT&T’s other foundries are located in Palo Alto, California, two in Plano, Texas, and Israel. Farmer credits her corporate climb to a number of factors. “I became an engineer back when it wasn’t a particularly popular career for women.” “Clearly I was in the right place at the right time in an industry that was growing,” she said, adding that preparing herself and recognizing trends and which technology was emerging were also strategic maneuvers in her favor. Farmer said the engineering field offers tremendous opportunities for minorities and women with strong economic rewards and an array of positions and areas in which to specialize. “I think it obviously is an excellent opportunity to make a positive impact on our way of life. I encourage young people, particularly those still in school, to think seriously about the field. Explore as many courses in math, science, technology and courses related to problem solving. Look at courses and extracurricular activities that can better prepare them for college coursework.” Farmer added that the benefits of internships are immense — helping young people to understand real work situations, showing how theory taught in classroom is applied on the job and providing an excellent environment for networking. Of her decision to go into engineering, Farmer now said, “It was one of the best decisions I have made.” by Gale Horton Gay, ghorton@ccgmag.com

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From network and program security administrators to systems and manufacturing engineers, General Dynamics offers exceptional career opportunities.

Josephine Fletcher Senior Engineer

Visit General Dynamics online at www.gd.com

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THE VALUE OF

Recognizing Achievement CONGRATULATIONS

WOMEN OF COLOR IN TECHNOLOGY (WoCT) AwardWINNERS

Managerial Leadership Award Shawn Purvis Sector Vice President and General Manager Information Systems

ALL STARS Gina Woullard Aerospace Systems Melissa Botticelli Electronic Systems

Career AchievementIndustry Award

Ragini Saxena, Ph.D.

Acting Hardware Engineering Director and Sensor Engineering Manager Electronic Systems

RISING STARS Emily Blair Aerospace Systems Liliana Bocanegra Electronic System

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CAREER VOICES STRATEGIES FOR OVERCOMING HURDLES TO LEADERSHIP SUCCESS

Achieving leadership success is a challenge for almost everyone with their sights set on moving up the corporate ladder. However, women seeking to be topnotch leaders face unique barriers in the workplace and gender bias is one of those barriers. That bias can come from superiors as well as co-workers, and it can also come from other women. “When we talk about the barriers that prevent female leaders from getting to the top, we often ignore one uncomfortable truth: women often let their personal and generational biases prevent them from helping each other,” said Ted Imes, director of electronic systems talent acquisition for Northrop Grumman Corp. He shares quotes from women on this subject such as: “I am rejected by women at the top. They don’t understand me and won’t take the time to get to know me. I am excluded from the good old boys network but disconnected from the people I thought I could count on — other women.” “If you bring it up, women either deny it or they gloss right over it,” Imes said. “What cuts deepest is the lack of support they get from other women and each other.” Shalani Gupta, Ph.D., principal microelectronics engineer at Northrop Grumman, recalled that early in her career she was made deputy to a woman and initially had a negative reaction to it. “I had just been conditioned by all the things I’d heard over the years working in a technical environment with all these men around me,” said Gupta. The relationship did not get off to a good start. The woman gave Gupta menial tasks — making copies, pasting things on the wall, making things “look pretty” — despite being competent and well paid to do more technical work. Gupta said she was concerned that her boss was setting a harmful precedent for the men to treat her the same way. Gupta confronted her, told her that she wasn’t being used to her maximum potential. Fortunately for Gupta, the woman was open to her concerns and apologized. Gupta began receiving more challenging assignments,

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and eventually the manager asked the company’s vice president to make Gupta the lead on a project. “I think as women when someone gives you a task you better deliver at your first chance because they are taking a risk in their mind,” she said. “If you fail, then it’s very hard to get that second opportunity.” Gupta said she wasn’t sure why some women leaders treat others in this way, however, she suspects it has to do with their own experiences. “I think women…have just been treated this way, just become so cold or hard. They do it subconsciously, do it without really thinking about it,” she said. Gupta said those faced with such situations should go to their managers and ask for their support and

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CAREER VOICES

Pankey said she came across as “very stern.” But as Pankey got to know her through talking to her and learning about her career path, she realized this leader had to “walk a fine line” between being “considered overly aggressive” or “too nice and no one would take her seriously.” Pankey also shared an example that was given at a workplace and dress code meeting she attended in which a consultant spoke about two individuals — one male, one female and both wearing suits but removing their jackets — entering a room and the impressions people had of them. The assumptions were that the woman was the secretary and the man just left his jacket in his office. “Those are the type of unforeseen barriers. No one’s going to say that out loud, but those are the type of things that come to people’s minds when you have a male and female in the workplace — even if they are doing the same job,” said Pankey. Other women have shared that young women beginning their climb up the corporate ladder should develop a “rhino hide” and develop a thick skin to criticisms, upheavals, politics and other negatives that occur in the workplace. A global supply chain director added that bias goes both ways and rising executives should always seek the best people. opportunities to make meaningful contributions. “It’s a battle that we face every single day,” she said. She also recognized the difficulty for women who make it to executive positions. “It’s very challenging to not be so sweet that you get walked over and not so aggressive that people say, ‘Oh she’s a bitch, she’s so moody,’” she said. “It’s a very fine place and hard spot to be in at times.” Iesha Pankey, programs subcontracts administrator at Northrop Grumman, recalled her first meeting at the company six years ago and entering a room where all 1517 individuals involved in a project were men. It surprised her when the vice president and general manager walked in — a woman.

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“We have to remember males are gender too,” she said. “As we move up in our career, we have to also notice those males who are smarter and can do the jobs as well, not just females. And I think that where we may lose credibility is when we focus just on other women. We have to focus on who’s the smartest and who’s the best and who can accomplish the mission or the goal of the team.” In the American workplace, there is also the issue of second generation gender bias and how it affects women. According to the Center for Gender in Organizations, “second generation gender bias includes work cultures and practices that appear neutral on the surface but can result in differential experiences and treatment of women

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and men. Examples include performing ‘invisible’ work, such as resolving problems and bringing teams together, which receives little to no credit; exclusion from key networks necessary for advancement; and being hyperscrutinized while in leadership roles.” “Secondary gender bias does not require intent to exclude nor does necessarily produce direct, immediate harm to any individual, rather it creates something like ‘There’s something in the water,’” said Imes. He likened it to traveling to another county, tasting the water and thinking that something is just not right. “You can’t put your finger on it, can’t give it a name, it’s hard to describe, you can’t look it up and Google it on the Internet, but you know it’s real.” One woman who has ascended the executive ladder gave an example of how things have changed. Earlier in her career while working with a defense contractor, she arranged a meeting with a colonel at the Pentagon. She took along her mentee, who was male and fresh out of college. At the meeting, the colonel turned his back on her and spoke directly to the male. “It’s not as overt [now] as it was in the ‘80s,” she said. “Still you have to be more prepared. It was obvious then. When it’s under the water, it’s much more difficult to handle the situation.” Imes related the experience of another woman frustrated with the status quo who said: “My firm has the very best intention when it comes to women but it seems if every time a leadership role opens up women are not on the slate. The claim is made that they just can’t find women with the right skill set and experiences.” Imes also pointed out that the demographics in America are changing. “However, the workforce is not changing at the same rate,” he said. “We need to open the door if we are going to survive.” Imes, Pankey and Gupta offer the following advice for women for overcoming barriers and making the workplace better:

• Acknowledge your own biases • Decide if you still believe what you learned as a child about women • Make a conscious choice to change beliefs you previously held that don’t hold true • Assess your inner circle and, if necessary, expand it to include different generations and ethnic groups • Accept that growth is not always comfortable • Evaluate if you champion other women and, if you don’t, consider doing so • Ask for help from other women • Leverage employee networks to build new relationships • Realize the value of mentors and develop a solid relationship with one who can guide and support Said Imes of building relationships, “There is no GPS for life in corporate America. The best you can do is get someone else’s map and try to navigate based on their experience.” It was also suggested that women recognize the value of socializing with co-workers after work — whether it’s getting together for happy hour or showing up at a company function. “It makes a huge difference. It got me very well known in the company,” shared one female executive. Imes said women fighting against workplace barriers should keep in mind the acronym PIE, which stands for performance, image and exposure. “Performance, you must be the best,” said Imes. “Image, let’s face it. If they are not comfortable with you, no one will want to bring you onto the team. [Exposure,] so people will know who you are.”

• Admit you don’t know what you don’t know • Become open to gaining new knowledge

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by Gale Horton Gay, ghorton@ccgmag.com

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PROUDLY CONGRATULATES

OUR 2013 AND 2014 WOC WINNERS DEBORAH BAKER

TATONYA HOLMAN

LATONYA BOWLES

2014 CAREER ACHIEVEMENT 2013 MANAGERIAL LEADERSHIP

2014 COMMUNITY SERVICE

2014 SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR MANAGERIAL LEADERSHIP

MINI BALACHANDRAN

BRENDA SANDERS

SELINA VIK

2013 COMMUNITY SERVICE

2013 SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR MANAGERIAL LEADERSHIP

2013 SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR CAREER ACHIEVEMENT

TECHNOLOGY RISING STAR AND ALL-STAR WINNERS: Cynthia Armound

Luwam Hagos

Jennifer Outley

Lola Scott

Teia Fennoy

Emberle Lawson

Petra Robinson

Lauren White

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Oracle congratulates the 2014 Women of Color STEM Award Winners:

Maria Borowski Michelle Cross Gina Miranda

• Toshie Chatman •

Rashanda Grimes • Barb Patterson

We believe that a talented, diverse and inclusive workforce with a broad range of experiences drives creativity, productivity, innovation and business success.

Explore our exciting career opportunities at:

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Oracle is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and protected veterans status or any other characteristic protected by law.

EDUCATION DO RESEARCH, GAIN EXPERIENCE, AND GET A JOB

“At Howard University, we inspire our students to have an interest in serving as leaders in America and in the global community,” says College of Engineering, Architecture and Computer Sciences (CEACS) interim dean Lorraine N. Fleming. Fortunately Fleming can back her talk with an experiential walk. At Howard University, she has created two National Science Foundation (NSF)-backed programs for undergraduate science and engineering students that respectively introduces them to potential domestic and international STEM research careers HUSEM (the Howard University Science, Engineering, and Mathematics program) promotes academic achievement and minority STEM representation in research. GEAR UP (the Global Education, Awareness and Research Undergraduate Program), supports engineering and science research abroad. Fleming, who was always strong in math, was the first member of her family to attend college and grew up knowing people who attended Howard University. She matriculated on the Hilltop planning to teach math, but after taking engineering-related courses took another path to use her skill at calculations. She chose civil engineering and specialties in geotechnical engineering and engineering education. While not engaged in non-academic engineering work, Fleming says she is, “very involved in the civil engineering organizations that create the curriculum for the discipline’s global professionals.” And thus is the perfect person to tell students to: • Achieve technical proficiency in your field, but understand that success will occur if you gain expertise in communicating ideas in oral and written form. • Seek out international travel, study, and internship opportunities. They will expand and enhance your network of friends and colleagues. • Follow domestic and international news, consider how it relates to STEM, and consider what may be its future significance to your discipline.

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Lorraine N. Fleming, interim dean, Howard University College of Engineering, Architecture and Computer Sciences

• Never shy away from seeking advice from your discipline’s professionals. • Be aware that your undergraduate years are irreplaceable, savor, and use them to your best advantage. That remembrance and a desire to give back brought Fleming back to campus after she received her Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering from George Washington University and Howard University, respectively. Now she says, “Many of the students see themselves in me. I have lived in the same dorms and had some of the same professors.”

Seeding the STEM graduate fields In 1998, Fleming noted that most graduating science

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EDUCATION

CONT’D

and engineering students, with top grades, entered the private sector overwhelmingly rather than attending graduate school in pursuit of a master’s or Ph.D. She understood the attraction. Corporations groomed STEM students with job fairs and paid summer internships which often lead to employment after graduation. By contrast, there were no comparable STEM researchoriented programs that cultivated and inspired students to attend STEM graduate school. So in 1999 she created HUSEM. The university-wide multidisciplinary program unites nine CEACS and the College of Arts and Sciences departments to promote academic achievement and increase the minority STEM representation. Since then more than 650 students have gone through the HUSEM program. The program’s objectives are to attract “exceptionally qualified high school students into STEM disciplines and providing a seamless direct path to the Ph.D.” Three related events assisted Fleming’s vision. She

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convinced Howard professors to mentor undergrads, who receive course credit, in their research labs. The National Science Foundation gave HUSEM a $3 million grant to fund undergrad research, and Howard professors found out that including undergraduates in their future research funding proposals was mutually beneficial. All of which Fleming says attracted exceptional STEM students and made it easy for them to make informed decisions about accepting paid research positions at Howard. She says that, “many former HUSEM students now attend graduate school. Two are current NSF grad fellows at the University of California at San Diego and that the students know that most schools that accept them in a STEM discipline will also provide total tuition support. They may have to be students for a few more years, but the delayed gratification is worth it.”

GEAR UP brings Howard to the world and vice versa Fleming created GEAR UP (Global Education, Awareness and

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EDUCATION

Research Undergraduate Program) to meet the “challenge of preparing engineering and science undergraduates for ‘Leadership for America and the Global Community.’” Fleming sees enormous opportunities and challenges on the civil engineering horizon. Issues include providing potable water in Kenya and Ethiopia, expanding transportation routes in burgeoning countries like Nigeria and Indonesia, building and upgrading air, land, and sea infrastructure globally and preparing for natural disasters. GEAR UP, which Fleming created in 2011, was a natural outgrowth of HUSEM, and a way to expand its philosophy internationally. The program has a $3.6 million National Science Foundation grant and support from the Howard University office of the provost. Since then, 96 students have gone through the program, and nine are currently in STEM graduate, including doctoral, programs. Two students attend Howard: one a Ph.D. candidate in computer science education, and the other a prospective Master of Science in chemical engineering. “Previously our STEM outreach to the global community was very limited and our foreign students and faculty members said Howard should go global to do research. But in order to help students maintain their academic schedule and graduate on time, we decided to create four-week summer research projects opportunities in 13 developing and emerging market countries. Students could have a significant research abroad experience while maintaining their academic schedule,” says Fleming. A key person in setting up GEAR UP was Wayne Patterson, a senior fellow for international programs and program review at the Howard University Graduate School, and a professor of computer science. In 2013, GEAR UP sent 32 students to do research, and field work, in South Africa, Kenya, Cameroon, Senegal, Turkey, Mexico, Thailand, and the Philippines. In a university press release, interim dean Fleming said, “Our mission at Howard is to produce leaders for America and the global community. GEAR UP is doing just that by allowing students a first-hand opportunity to practice as engineers and scientists in a global setting.”

CONT’D

A number of the students have gone abroad more than once, but they do not go back to the same country. Students who began in HUSEM have also joined GEAR UP, and then moved on to graduate school. There are also Howard students who are members of both Howard University’s Engineers without Borders (EWB) and the GEAR UP programs, although their focuses differ. Fleming says EWB is a service-oriented organization and GEAR UP is research-driven. For example, GEAR UP might study how to provide clean drinking water in rural Kenya, and Engineers Without Borders would assist Kenyans in building and maintain more efficient wells.

HUSEM and GEAR UP related events Interim dean Fleming says there are other novel STEMrelated events which have a connection to both HUSEM and GEAR UP. One is the Howard University Institute for Entrepreneurship Leadership and Innovation’s Global Entrepreneurship Initiative. Last February, Howard was selected as one of 12 universities to take part in the inaugural cohort of the new Pathways to Innovation program. It was created by the NSF-funded National Center for Engineering Pathways to Innovation to assist universities combine entrepreneurship and innovation into undergraduate engineering education. Of course, everyone wants to know how might HUSEM or GEAR UP experience help you find a job. Paige Piggott, who has both, knows. In 2013, Piggott, who works at SC Johnson & Son, Inc. as a development engineer, packaging, graduated with a Howard B.S. degree in mechanical engineering. In 2011, at Ethiopia’s University of Bahir Dar, she assisted in the development of renewable energy sources to provide increased electricity to small villages. The previous summer at the Universidad Santo Tomas in Chile, Piggott worked towards developing a method to differentiate between high-traffic events and denial of service attacks on web sites. All of which probably looked pretty good on her resume. by Frank McCoy, fmccoy@ccgmag.com

www.womenofcolor.net

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Diversity

makes all the difference. At Sprint, we are committed to encouraging diversity of all aspects. We believe inclusion is an essential foundation to building a unified and successful company and community. Sprint congratulates Women of Color STEM and Sprint Honorees Sandhya Castelino and Nesreen Mansour.

2014 WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS

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www.womenofcolor.net

WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS

2014

Alicia Boler-Davis

2014 Technologist of the Year

A RAPID CLIMB FOR ONE WITH A TRULY RESTLESS MIND By Garland Thompson

ews reports on the drive of Alicia Boler-Davis to the executive suite at iconic American automaker General Motors focus on her role as a maker of history. As Ebony magazine put it last year in a feature describing Boler-Davis, who had just won a Black Engineer of the Year Award for Career Achievement, “Making it in the auto industry is a tough climb for any executive, but when you’re Black and female, it’s doubly so. Which is why the success of [Davis], senior vice president of global quality and global customer experience, is so inspiring.” But there is so much more to say here. It really is time for Americans to give up exulting over the achievement of a single Black American — or any other individual woman of color, that matter — in reaching high rank in the technology enterprise. It is long past time we recognize that, in tracing the arc of a climb like that of Alicia BolerDavis, the picture that emerges shows that she and all the other women of color working in technology are rapidly changing the face — some might even say the heart — of American business.

Weight of numbers Look at the numbers: A 2010 National Science Foundation report on “scientists and engineers working in science and engineering” counted 108,000 Black women, 84,000 Hispanic women, and 271,000 Asian women working in technology. Many observers, focused on percentages rather than the actual impact of those numbers, decry the small share of the engineering workforce that represents, compared to the nearly 2.8 million white male engineers out there. But look again. Those 463,000 women make up a talent pool twice as big as the entire cohort of uniformed officers and enlisted warriors in the U.S. Marine Corps, and 10 times the number of personnel in the U.S. Coast Guard. And no one ever underestimates the impact those warriors have on the security of the United States or, in particular, the behavior of America’s competitors on the world stage. www.womenofcolor.net

So it is also true for the women of color in American industry. The impact of their achievements in reshaping the product lines, re-making management perspectives as they go, and sharpening the focus on quality in corporations that compete head-to-head against competitors all across the globe cannot be understated, and should never, ever be underestimated.

Jumping off at the start That said, let’s look closely at senior “veep” Davis’ career, exemplar that it is of the performance of women who are writing new chapters in the history of American industry. Born in Detroit, Michigan, where as she says, “the auto industry was everywhere,” Davis, who describes herself as “always passionate about cars” as a youngster, got a chance to see automobiles being made when as a high schooler, she took a tour in a GM plant. Her father had worked for the automaker for part of his own career, and it might even be said that young Alicia Boler-Davis, passionate about cars herself, was stamped with GM’s brand on that tour. Education came first, but manufacturing was never far from her mind. At Northwestern University, she majored in chemical engineering, and after her 1991 graduation Boler-Davis joined pharmaceutical giant Upjohn as a manufacturing engineer in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Moving up, she joined Frito-Lay as a project engineer. WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2014

2014 WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS And in 1994 she made the big move to GM, starting as a manufacturing engineer.

Always learning Restless minds are never satisfied with the status quo. As might be expected, Boler-Davis had her hands full learning a new industry, but characteristically, she also went back to school, completing a Master of Science program in the management of technology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1998. She had already begun impressing her managers at GM, and as her official biography says, when she “expressed interest in an assignment inside a GM plant,” she “took on a role [in which] she was responsible for production, build, quality, training and safety of her people in the plants high-paced general assembly area.” If that sounds like a big challenge for a young engineer, read on.

Soon, Boler-Davis got promoted again, to superintendant of the materials department, quality director for the Detroit/ Hamtramck plant and general assembly area manager. “During her time” there, GM drily states, the plant won the J.D. Power Silver Plant Award for making cars with the second-lowest problem reports per 100 units produced in North America. Didn’t we just say that women of color were changing the face of American industry? GM transferred Boler-Davis, along with her husband and children, to Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 2004, 10 years after first hiring her. There, she managed Fort Wayne Assembly’s body shop and then its paint shop, and won plaudits for driving “significant” improvements in quality and cost performance.

“Within six months, Boler-Davis caught the eye of plant leadership,” GM says, and she got promoted to utility supervisor, a role usually saved for the most seasoned of plant employees. She turned that group around in six months, and after two and a half years in that plant, Boler-Davis had moved up again, to plant planner, “responsible for all planning activities, implementing changes and working with program teams on product launches.”

Two years later, Boler-Davis was back in Michigan, where she became assistant plant manager at Pontiac Assembly Center, overseeing operations for a plant running two shifts to make light-duty and heavy-duty pickup trucks. For GM, Boler-Davis was managing a $400 million annual operating budget, directing the activities of teams in production, the supply chain and quality control.

Product launches?

Then GM gave Boler-Davis an even more critical post: plant manager at Arlington Assembly. The first African-American woman ever named plant manager, Boler-Davis provided strategic planning, direction and operational leadership for the automaker’s most profitable assembly plant. With a near $400 million operating budget there and 2,700 employees, Boler-Davis boosted efficiency by 12 percent. She also pumped up product launches, bringing out new sport-utility vehicles ahead of GM’s schedule.

How carmaker beat the pack Ahem. It may be remembered that product launches are the “big sha-boom” in the auto industry. Going all the way back to the early history of General Motors, when the company took over the Chevrolet brothers’ auto plants and introduced rivals to Henry Ford’s Model T — with buyers able to choose what color car they wanted to take home and put an end to the dominance of Ford products that were “any color as long as it’s black” — bringing out new products has been the way automakers everywhere stay on top in consumers’ minds. Thus, it is no coincidence that the Detroit Auto Show, in the city where the U.S. Big Three are headquartered, is where automakers from around the world show up to show off the products of their design and manufacturing prowess. And here was Alicia Boler-Davis, not yet 40 years old, involved in launching the car models that meant profits or (shudder) market losses for General Motors. Let’s put this another way. In her first decade working at the automaker whose budgets, supply contracts, employment rosters and wage outputs deeply affect America’s economy, Alicia Boler-Davis had already marked herself as a person of significance. A leader.

Running on the fast track

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Driving, driving

Is anyone still talking about small percentages of women of color in engineering? Next, Boler-Davis stepped up to run two assembly plants and one stamping plant in Lansing, Michigan. There, she led a multi-disciplinary staff of 3,750 employees responsible for producing 300,000 vehicles a year, this time with a $600 million annual budget. And just to keep busy, on Fridays, when the Lansing assembly works were not running, BolerDavis dropped in on the stamping plant, GM says, “where she rotated performing line jobs in the facility, from loading parts [to] inspecting part quality. This is an example of her hands-on approach, commitment to learning and desire to connect with employees.” Too bad the “Undercover Boss” program staff didn’t see her then.

www.womenofcolor.net

WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS

2014

Alicia Boler-Davis with then-chairman and CEO Dan Akerson during a gathering to celebrate GM receiving a record number of J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study Awards in June 2013.

Launching a critical new product

The boss speaks

In 2010, GM tapped Boler-Davis to lead the Orion Project to bring back online a shuttered plant and launch the Buick Verano and Chevy Volt. These two vehicles were critical to GM’s effort to compete in small cars, a market Detroit had mainly eschewed. Here, Boler-Davis held the roles of vehicle line director, vehicle chief engineer and plant manager for the Orion and Pontiac Assembly plants. As GM says, this was the first time in automotive history that one person held dual roles in product development and manufacturing while overseeing the operations of two assembly plants.

Note what Barra wrote to the selection panel about Boler-Davis:

Still climbing, Boler-Davis got promoted again, this time to U.S. vice president of customer experience. And as if that was not enough, GM then named her vice president of global quality activities, for another first. No other individual had ever held two vice presidential roles at General Motors at the same time. Recall that we earlier noted her consummate restless mind. J.D. Power underscored the trust GM placed in BolerDavis when in 2013 it named General Motors the original equipment manufacturer with the highest initial quality in the automotive industry, in a competition in which GM’s products won eight first-place finishes. Laurels like that on Boler-Davis’ watch got her promoted yet again, to senior vice president, global quality and customer experience, leading a team of 1,400 people and reporting directly to chief executive officer Mary Barra.

www.womenofcolor.net

“I have known Alicia for many years, and I am proud to attest to the quality and value of her work and her unparalleled performance as a role model within General Motors, the automotive industry and the community at large. “Within GM, Alicia is a pioneer. Her remarkable success [has] led to increasing responsibility until, in 2010 she was named plant manager of our Orion Township (Michigan) assembly facility, where we build the only sub-compact car assembled in the United States. She oversaw both the engineering and the manufacturing of the car — a huge assignment and another first for GM. “Alicia’s penchant for making a difference extends beyond GM to the community at large. She is a board trustee for the Care House of Oakland County and a member of Links Inc., a volunteer organization for women. She serves as the leadership liaison for the GM women’s employee resource group, and is an active and avid mentor of fellow GM employees. In June 2014 she [delivered] the commencement address to Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science. “Personally, I have tremendous respect for Alicia and all that she had achieved, and it is an honor to recommend her for this award. She has accomplished much, she will accomplish much more.” And that, as we say, is all that needs to be said.

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NCC.USAJOBS.GOV

We are driven to excel. At Exelon, we recognize the value of inclusive and diverse teams. As the nation’s leading competitive energy company, we are driven to perform, and our employees bring the background and training that help drive our progress. From engineering to information technology to operations and beyond, there are opportunities throughout the Exelon family of companies for you to create a brighter future.

www.exeloncorp.com/careers

Exelon is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and employees or applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. © Exelon Corporation, 2014

Apply Your Talent. Shape the Future. We are seeking people who want to make a difference. The staff members of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) are thwarting sophisticated cyber attacks, engineering pocket-sized robots that can navigate and maneuver in difficult environments, and testing the ability of body armor to protect soldiers against blast and ballistic impacts. We are exploring the expanses of the solar system from Pluto to Mercury, and developing methods to detect and characterize biological pathogens. We are primarily seeking candidates with experience in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, cyber security, information systems, systems engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, applied math and applied physics to join our team of dedicated contributors. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship. Applicants may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet the eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Confront the nation’s toughest challenges and help shape the future at one of the nation’s premier engineering, research and development centers. Sound like a future meant for you? Visit our website: www.jhuapl.edu to find out more about your career at APL. Congratulations to Dawnielle Farrar-Gaines and Nykia Jackson, who received the 2014 Women of Color Technology Awards for their accomplishments in (STEM)-related fields at APL. Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that complies with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, as well as other applicable laws, and values diversity in its workforce.

Laurel, MD

www.jhuapl.edu

2014 WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS

2014

Women of Color Award Winners

“INSPIRING CHANGE AND SHAPING THE FUTURE”

uccessful women are women on the move. They never want to stop learning, growing, improving and achieving, noted the editors of Women of Color magazine some years back. Helping women advance by spotlighting their achievements in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) has been the core mission of Women of Color magazine’s almost two decade magazine event.

The 19th annual Women of Color STEM Conference showcases another stellar group of Women of Color Award recipients. They are leading companies, inventing the future and changing the world — with proven success in being catalysts and engaging underrepresented groups in STEM pursuits. Get to know 2014’s trailblazers, superstars, all-stars, rising stars, and distinguished achievers. And be inspired by their amazing achievements and excellence in impacting science and technology.

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT – GOVERNMENT

first Black woman to hold an upper management position within the EA-6B program organization, says Ms. Yvonne Davis, head, Range Operations Division, NAVAIR. In this role, Ms. Baker works with the program manager and deputy program manager on multiple programs and projects that include a government, military and contractor support team of more than 450 multiple-discipline professionals, across geographical locations. She supports strategic planning, tactical execution, resource management and process control and improvement of the entire portfolio of systems under program office purview in excess of $300 million.

Deborah Baker

Chief of Staff (PMA 234), Airborne Electronic Attacks (AEA) & EA6B Office Naval Air Systems Command

nthony Manich, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), deputy assistant commander for acquisition, calls Ms. Baker, now at work on her Ph.D., “a role model for government employees.” Ms. Baker is credited with more than 15 years of leading Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) aircraft development, testing, and sustainment of systems at NAVAIR. She serves as the first chief of staff in the Airborne Electronic Attack Systems, EA-6B office, the third-ranking civilian in the program office and the

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The WOC Career Achievement Award is not Ms. Baker’s first accolade. She has many performance awards and letters of appreciation to her credit. A member of the Defense Acquisition Corps, she is Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level III career field certified in program management and logistics. She is a member of the NAVAIR Women’s Advisory Group (WAG), African American Pipeline Advisory Team (APAT) and Federally Employed Women (FEW) — all of which provide an open forum to discuss topics related to women in the workplace. The WAG charter addresses the need to develop a culture within which women can work effectively in satisfying and rewarding careers. WAG promotes family friendly workplace policies, increasing participation by girls of all ages in STEM initiatives, barrier analysis and barrier removal, women in the military, and enlarging the applicant pool to place more www.womenofcolor.net

WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS women in high-level government positions. APAT’s charter enhances engagement of African-American workforce members in career planning and development, and promotes career growth and developmental opportunities. FEW works to end sex and gender discrimination and encourage diversity for inclusion and equity for women at work. In addition, Ms. Baker served as the past president for the local chapter at Fort Monmouth Blacks in Government (BIG) organization leading a membership of 68. BIG is an advocate of equal opportunity and professional development for black government employees in local, state and federal governments and others dedicated to justice for all. During her term as president, membership increased by 34 percent.

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT – GOVERNMENT

2014

engineer of SAS and architect of E-2D Advanced Hawkeye INCDS hardware. That position required her to lead multidisciplined electrical, mechanical, reliability, safety, and test engineering teams through successful delivery six months ahead of first flight. Her career achievements also include six patents. Out of the six, one is the first 17-inch ruggedized display for the all-glass cockpit of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye NAVAIR aircraft. The display enables the pilot and co-pilot to read the same screen without contrast reversal or washout in ambient sunlight. It is important to note that Dr. Saxena also performs a great deal of community service. She feels an obligation to inform others about the importance of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). She likes to interact with students of all ages, from elementary and high school, college/university, to advanced degrees. She believes the long-term success of technology in business depends on a continuous supply of diverse talent with degrees in the STEM fields. Dr. Saxena has a bachelor’s with physics honors and a master’s in nuclear physics from Banaras Hindu University in India. She has a Ph.D. in quantum optics from Hyderabad University in India.

COLLEGE-LEVEL PROMOTION OF EDUCATION

Ragini Saxena, Ph.D. Manager, Sensor Engineering Northrop Grumman Corporation

hile growing up in India, Dr. Ragina Saxena’s father encouraged her interest in math and science. She gladly nurtured her love of math and science, which was not a popular choice for females in India at that time. That little girl is grown now, and her love of math and science has allowed her to create a thriving career. Her career achievements prove she was destined to succeed as a scientist. In 1988, Dr. Saxena began her career as a senior scientist and principal investigator with Rockwell Science Center. Technology development on Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, USAF and Office of Naval Research programs were her responsibility. She soon developed patented display designs used in Allen-Bradley’s Operator Interfaces, Collins ARC-210 radios, and Boeing 777 and 737 all-glass cockpits. Dr. Saxena began her Northrop Grumman career in 2001. Her first position was working on Hollow Core Fiber as a senior technical advisor. She soon advanced to chief systems www.womenofcolor.net

Serita Acker

Director, Women in Science and Engineering Program Clemson University

rue. W.I.S.E. is an acronym for an academic initiative at Clemson University: It stands for Women in Science and Engineering at the College of Engineering and Science. Yet, WISE also reflects the caliber of director Serita W. Acker, who set it in motion 15 years ago and continues to oversee a network of programs that lead college, high school and middle school students to pursue STEM degrees and careers. Who has benefited from Ms. Acker’s vision? WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2014

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Visit MyNovant.org anytime, day or night, to find a doctor and schedule an appointment.

2014 WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS “My story is one of thousands of girls who have had opportunities provided to them by Serita and the W.I.S.E. program at Clemson. I cannot think of a more deserving person for the Promotion of Education Award than Serita Acker — the woman whose program defined my college career and who continually provides counsel not only to me, but to anyone who walks through her always-open office door,” says Heather Sprague, University of California, Davis, M.S., civil and environmental engineering, class of 2015. Tiffany C. Washington, now a field industrial engineer with Lowe’s Companies, recalls: “I was the typical freshman with minimal understanding of the college world. As a woman and a minority, I learned early on that we are a small population in the engineering world. Going into my sophomore year at Clemson, I began to struggle maintaining my GPA in civil engineering. Ms. Acker took note of my strengths and weaknesses and exposed me to other majors I hadn’t considered. I later changed my major to industrial engineering and immediately saw my GPA improve. I cannot say that I would have stayed in a STEM field had it not been for her encouragement and dedication to my success.”

COLLEGE-LEVEL PROMOTION OF EDUCATION

Under the W.I.S.E. umbrella are: the W.I.S.E. Experience, a one-week camp for incoming female freshman planning on majoring in engineering, math, or science; W.I.S.E. Choice, which brings young women to the university for a day to explore careers in engineering and science; the Big Sister Mentoring Program that builds bonds between new students and older peers; and W.I.S.E.R., a living and learning community of students majoring in engineering and science. Ms. Acker summarizes: “The W.I.S.E. program at Clemson University has made a significant contribution to the College of Engineering and Science by helping to retain women who are pursuing a degree. The program is also a pipeline for young ladies in K-12. It gives students of all ages the opportunity to learn about the fields of engineering and science.” Just this year (2014), Ms. Acker was honored with two awards: Introduce a Girl to Engineering from the National Engineering Foundation, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Award from the university.

graduation rate from low single digits to double digits. While Dr. Incera was engaging her faculty and students in creating a richer department, the state of Texas was reviewing all the programs of public universities whose graduation rate were below a certain benchmark, leading to the closure of several underperforming physics programs. The UTEP Physics Program was saved because by the time this decision was made, it had demonstrated a clear revamping by all indicators.

Vivian Incera, Ph.D.

Dr. C. Sharp Cook Chair in Physics, Professor, Department of Physics University of Texas at El Paso

ost recently, Dr. Incera devoted herself to such a large degree to the physics program at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) that she saved the life of the department itself. At UTEP in January 2009, she began a five-year term as the physics chair when the program was at a critical stage. With only 15 majors in the fall of 2008 and 22 when Incera arrived, her challenge was evident. The deep transformation she led during these five years touched every aspect of the department and gave rise to significant improvements in research funding and faculty productivity, a larger and more advanced graduate student body, a jump in physics majors’ enrollment to 100+, and an increase in the physics

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During January 2014, Dr. Incera stepped down from her UTEP position to research and mentor, and to grow an innovative physics bridge program she created in collaboration with top research institutions like MIT, University of Arizona, UT Austin, and the University of Chicago. Its primary goal is to up the number of underrepresented minorities and women earning Ph.D.s in physics; it has already placed several UTEP physics majors in competitive physics Ph.D. programs. Again, the credit goes to Dr. Incera: She received a grant from NSF to support this initiative. Dr. Incera’s leadership and the impact she has had on educating under-represented minorities in physics has led to many invitations to serve on STEM national committees and to present at national conferences and meetings organized by the American Physical Society (APS) and the American Association of Physics Teachers. Recently, she was nominated for vice-chair of the Texas section of the APS. If elected she will serve for three consecutive years, as vice-chair, chair, and past chair, a position that will give her the chance to promote a career in physics and impact more students and under-represented minorities throughout the state. www.womenofcolor.net

WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS COMMUNITY SERVICE

2014

prepare for job interviews. She has shares her knowledge about STEM by speaking at community events, such as the Delta Academy STEM Activity Day. She is also a youth advisor at her church.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Pamela Y. McDonald

Electrical Engineer/Series 0850, NH-03 U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command

s. Pamela Y. McDonald has built a successful career as an electrical engineer for the Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC). Ms. McDonald earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Alabama A&M University in 1986. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Phoenix in 2007. Her engineering skill has earned praise and recognition from her peers and superiors. In addition to her career achievements, she excels in the area of community service. Ms. McDonald continually makes significant contributions to America through her work with the U.S. Army. However, community service is important to her as well. Through community service, she promotes equal opportunity and public service, both within the civilian community and the U.S. Army. She works hard to increase minority representation in the field of engineering. By volunteering time and experience, she works with high school students in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) venues. Ms. McDonald is active in her community. She is a member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Since joining the NSBE in 1998, she has held the position of vice president, secretary and membership chair. She currently serves as the finance chair. She recently served on the scholarship committee and the Summer Engineering Camp, where 500 students participated in a NSBE one-week robotics camp. She believes in encouraging students to pursue STEM activities and education. Ms. McDonald also believes mentoring is important, as she has served as a mentor in several schools, including the Academy of Science and Foreign Language and Grissom High School. College students at Alabama A&M and the Universe of Alabama benefit from her expertise when she helps them www.womenofcolor.net

Jo Ann Joyner-Loyd Sub-Contract Management Staff Lockheed Martin Corporation

s. Jo Ann Joyner-Loyd has built a successful 17-year career with Lockheed Martin. In her current position, she is responsible for procuring Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS) for the F-16 Program and Fuel Probes for the F-2 Program. She has received many honors for her work with Lockheed Martin, and her community service work receives recognition as well. Ms. Joyner-Loyd is dedicated to working with the Irving Arts of Science program. The program is a science workshop for students in grades 1-12. The goal is help students excel in science, improve their learning skills and succeed in life. Ms. Joyner-Loyd participates in the program by conducting science and robotics workshops at Valley Ranch Elementary School for Coppell ISD students. Workshops also occur at Riverchase Elementary School for Carrolton/Farmer Branch ISD students. A fun and challenging curriculum keeps students interested, and that is how Ms. Joyner-Loyd approaches her workshops. The students engage in projects that help them gain confidence in their science skills, and teach them how to think from a scientific point of view. It is her hope that her workshops will encourage students to become innovators of tomorrow. In addition to workshops for the Irving Arts of Science program, Ms. Joyner-Loyd conducts weekend workshops for middle and high school students in Plano, Carrolton and WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2014

2014 WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS Valley Ranch ISD. The weekend workshops focus on science, chemistry and physics.

elementary and high schools. She feels that is the best way to prepare students to compete for careers in science.

Ms. Joyner-Loyd is also responsible for a 26-week after school science workshop. The 26-week workshop program is now three years old. Average enrollment is 35-40 students each school year.

Over the past 10 years, Ms. Joyner-Loyd has logged more than 5,000 volunteer hours in activities that mentor youth in education and social development. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina. She received two Department of the Army, Army Commendation Medals and several Department of the Army, Army Achievement Medals while in the military.

She believes exposing elementary students to STEM programs gets them interested in science while young. Ms. Joyner-Loyd would like to see increased funding for STEM education in

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Women of Excellence’s (W.O.E.) Divas, Diamonds and Denim event. At first, I did not want to attend. Mainly, I did not want to attend because it was a rainy Saturday, I did not really know anyone attending, or what to expect. However, my mother encouraged me to attend, and I was really thankful she did. Although there were multiple on-going activities, the event was very well organized. I learned a lot of crucial information about how to take care of myself, to include acting like a young respectable lady with proper manners. Also, I found the event very informative because there was good information about the dangers and life-long impact of sexting and maintaining ageappropriate relationships with boys.

Tatonya Holman

Senior Community Management Specialist Naval Air Systems Command

here are many women who can be said to passionately mentor younger women to achieve their personal goals. But when one receives an unsolicited letter from one of those “younger women,” you know you have served “the cause.” Tatonya Holman, who currently serves as a Senior Community Management Specialist for Command Strategies, Force Planning, and Analysis Department within Corporations, at Naval Air Systems (NAVAIR) in Patuxent, Md., is one such woman. Here’s the letter.

Moreover, the most fascinating aspect was the insight the allmale panel provided about how and what the guys my age truly think when it comes to friendships and boy/girl relationships. I liked this aspect of the event most because the panel members were young and seemed very sincere about not wanting girls to make poor choices and ruin their lives. Also, I appreciated the discussion about sexual predators and what they do to young and old girls. I needed the reminder to always be cautious when on Facebook and other social media networks. Overall Ms. Holman, this was an awesome experience for me to come to the Divas, Diamonds and Denim event. I enjoyed learning and meeting new people, which is very hard for me. I want to thank you for the hard work you and the ladies of W.O.E. selflessly invested in this evening, filled with amazing guest speakers, spiritual, curse-free rap music, and relevant, interesting topics young girls my age need to hear more often. Thanks to you and your community outreach efforts, I am a step closer to being better prepared in the future when faced with sticky, uncomfortable situations, which is every day in the life of a teenager. For participating in this and other life-changing events, Ms. Holman has earned the Women of Color Community Service Award.

Dear Ms. Holman, My name is DS, and I am 14 years old. Recently, I attended the

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Community Service Award: Jo Ann Joyner-Loyd Subcontract Management Staﬀ

Technical Innovation Industry Award: Saroja Raj Corporate Energy and Water Eﬃciency Program Lead

Technology All-Star Winners:

Technology Rising Star Winners:

Mary Brodie Henderson Julia Chu Jane’l Dixon Yolanda Liu Josina Woodruﬀ

Joan Antony Nikki Boone Brandy Brooks Caroline Chan Janine Collins Geetha Eadala Toyin Faleimu Barbara Green April Gruhn Harriet Haibeck Annitta Haywood

Special Recognition Award:

Melonie Parker Human Resources Director

Lamia Spedden Website Designer Staﬀ

Lynnae Hughes Brenda Lingo Nicole Lokey Maria Lopez Lea Mak Mikiala Malabon Loan McAllister Lena Mubarak Sheronda Nash Crystal Ngo Olivia Nguyen

Nicole Patton Territa Poston Ping Qian Amanda Rhames Maritza Rosario Rosslyn Ruﬃn Jenny Shen Angela Sullivan Heather Thompson Mona Trahan Irene Yeung

CHARACTER, COURAGE &

COMMITMENT. AT LOCKHEED MARTIN, WE’RE ENGINEERING A BETTER TOMORROW. We are proud to honor our Women of Color 2014 awardees — women who exemplify outstanding scientiﬁc and technical achievements with their leadership, innovation and inspiration. Learn more at lockheedmartin.com/diversity

WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS COMMUNITY SERVICE

2014

personal interest in the lives of students, often attending sporting events and student functions. Ms. Edwards earned a Masters of Business Administration in management from Seattle Pacific University in 2012. She earned a Masters of Science in electrical engineering in 2006 and a Bachelors of Science in electrical engineering in 2005, both from the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

CORPORATE PROMOTION OF EDUCATION

Jovonia Edwards

Airplane Systems Senior Skill and Strategy Leader The Boeing Company

s. Jovonia Edwards understands the importance of community service and reaching out to help others. She has benefited from several mentors, who taught her the benefits of delivering results, having high expectations, and good communication skills. Based on her actions, it is clear she believes community service can make the world a better place. She has more than 11 years of engineering experience, and is a well-respected leader at The Boeing Company. Ms. Edwards is valuable to the company because of her engineering skills, but also because she has the ability to improve workplace morale, manage risks and establish strategies to help the company grow. Her engineering skills have helped her build a great career, but her dedication to helping others puts her above the crowd. Ms. Edwards is a respected leader in her community. She often volunteers to help others improve their lives. She was recently in Haiti with a team from her church to help young women who escaped the slavery of human/sex trafficking. While in Haiti, she taught the women about self-defense, nutrition, health and self-confidence. She was in charge of planning for the mission, and responsible for finding supplies, self-defense instructors, and volunteers. She is a board member of the Snohomish County NAACP, and played a role in developing its NAACP Youth Development Program. As a mentor to students between the ages of 15 to 22, she helps them develop life skills. She participates in pound discussions that focus on topics such as financial basics, proper use of social media, and career choices. Ms. Edwards dedicates a great deal of time to working with high school students. She prepares them for college by helping them with interview techniques, dressing for business, and math and science tutoring. She takes a www.womenofcolor.net

Stephanie Brown-Houston Education Program Specialist NASA Glenn Research Center

sing her talents as a natural-born teacher, Ms. BrownHouston contributes to the development of the nation’s STEM workforce of the future through a diverse portfolio of education initiatives that target America’s K-12 students, especially those in traditionally underserved and underrepresented communities. As part of her responsibilities as the NASA Research Announcement (NRA) technical officer for the agency, she advises the selection of officials at NASA for competitive selection of grants, assists with the recruitment of external peer reviewers, and provides civil servant oversight to JPL for external expert review for online and face-to-face review of proposals, and reviews proposals for compliance with the NRA to advise the selection official on eligibility. The selecting official for this NRA is the deputy associate administrator for education at NASA. This position requires a mastery knowledge of K-12 education concepts and principles to develop new approaches to attract and retain students in STEM fields of study along with an in-depth knowledge of the mission, activities and polices of the Glenn Research Center, and of the Agency in order to develop educational activities that are aligned with NASA’s vision and mission. WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2014

2014 WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS As the U.S. STEM workforce ages, innovative educational programs are required to attract America’s youth — especially underserved and under-represented minorities — into STEM fields of study. A detailed awareness of current trends in STEM education, plus success in developing and implementing handson, minds-on/family focused activities to address this issue is key to resolving our nation’s future workforce problem. Being field-current with regard to STEM education and possessing strong project management and leadership skills is essential for developing educational activities to align to the agency’s investment in the next generation technical workforce by attracting and retaining students in STEM disciplines. The projects must engage and educate students and informal educators to ensure the nation’s future workforce. The ability to interface with scientists and engineers as well as develop partnerships with academia, industry and other stakeholders is essential to ensure that project content is relevant, accurate, and usable.

CORPORATE PROMOTION OF EDUCATION

technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers. The CSPI officer program is the highest producing minority officer program. CSPI filled a critical need for STEM officers, and recently the CSPI program hired 30 minorities, 17 women, and 18 students with STEM degrees. Lt. Downing supervised 42 officer trainees, active duty Coast Guard enlisted members, enrolled at 30 different MSIs throughout the nation, including the nation’s top ranked Historically Black Colleges and Universities. She allocated more than $450,000 in scholarship funds, and oversaw the academic and military performance of the officer trainees. Lieutenant Downing’s dedication to promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematic (STEM) educational programs is apparent in all that she does. She has worked hard to increase STEM awareness while promoting STEM education. She graduated Spelman College in 2006, where she earned a bachelor’s in English (cum laude). She has also received several personal awards, including the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, Coast Guard Achievement Medal, Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon and various unit and team awards.

K-12 PROMOTION OF EDUCATION

Lt Leslie M. Downing

College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative Program Coordinator U.S. Coast Guard

ieutenant Leslie Downing is a champion of education. She takes every opportunity to educate when she can, which she often does as a premier leader and mentor at her unit and within her community. She has a reputation for excellence, enthusiasm, and respect which has earned her the respect of her peers, superiors and those in her community. She received praise for her performance as the Coast Guard Recruiting Command’s College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative (CSPI) program manager. Her experience with the CSPI scholarship program began in 2007 after graduating Officer Candidate School at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. Lt. Downing worked to improve the program by demonstrating her commitment to enhancing the opportunities for minorities in science, 40

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Dionne Cross Francis, Ph.D Associate Professor, Mathematics Education Indiana University School of Education

ionne Cross Francis is currently an associate professor in the mathematics education program at Indiana University. As a leader within the School of Education, her outreach work has a positive impact on Indiana University, and on teachers throughout the state of Indiana. Her influence reaches beyond Indiana University, as she is dedicated to helping teachers improve mathematics understanding in elementary school children from underrepresented groups. www.womenofcolor.net

WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS As a teacher, Ms. Francis realized the difficulties involved with getting students excited about math. Her experience encouraged her to seek ways to increase interest and sustain students’ engagement in mathematics. Her belief is that sustainable educational change will occur by establishing and sustaining university-school- community partnerships. Ms. Francis discovered her love of teaching and mathematics while living in Jamaica. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from the University of the West Indies at Mona, Ms. Francis accepted the chance to teach math at her former high school. This is where she became passionate about learning and teaching. Soon after, she earned a postgraduate degree in education to become a licensed teacher. When the opportunity arose to teach high school math in Lithonia, Georgia, Ms. Francis gladly accepted the position.

MANAGERIAL LEADERSHIP – INDUSTRY

2014

Ms. Francis has come a long way since her days in Jamaica, and created a successful career. She has worked with teachers in Indiana communities who have a history of low student performance in mathematics. The students improved their knowledge of statistics, and developed positive attitudes toward mathematics. Ms. Francis has spent more than 200 hours designing and implementing mathematics and science instructional units with K-6 students in the form of spring and summer camps. Ms. Francis is a prominent and active leader at Indiana University. She served as a member of the agenda committee for the School of Education during 2013-2014, as an elected representative of the faculty on policy council from 2012-2014, and is currently a member of the Faculty Affairs/Budgetary Affairs committee. Her activities give her a voice concerning important policy and budget decisions concerning the university.

technology solutions and business consulting services across a wide range of government agencies and programs, including Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid eligibility, child care, child support enforcement, and child welfare.” As a winner of the Women of Color STEM Managerial Leadership Award, Ms. Mills-Brinkley has been recognized for her “excellent negotiation and relationship management skills with the ability to inspire teams to outperform expectations.” Nicole Gardner, vice president, global business services, lauds Ms. Mills-Brinkley for her most recent achievements. “Her efforts resulted in a 100 percent year-to-year growth in sales and eight times planned revenue and gross profit.”

Shelley Mills-Brinkley

Partner and Global Integration Executive IBM Corporation

ne wonders whether Ms. Mills-Brinkley expected, as a graduate student, to soar to the heights she would reach as a professional. A 14-year veteran of IBM and now a partner, IBM Global Business Services, she has taken her passion for social services, dived into the corporate world, and transformed lives — the lives of her young mentees and most important, the lives of the nation’s citizens most in need. A widely acknowledged “deep subject matter expect in the field of social work,” Ms. Mills-Brinkley is considered by IBM as “a visionary, forward-thinking executive focused on the public sector with 30-plus years [of] transforming and improving social services delivery that enhances the lives of citizens and communities.” She has enjoyed “outstanding success selling and delivering www.womenofcolor.net

But it is not only her colleagues or corporate leadership who attest to her abilities and character. Her young protégés speak glowingly about her, as well. Alex Freidin, now manager, Grant Thornton, LLP, global public sector, espouses the admirable qualities of Ms. Mills-Brinkley. “My first job after earning my graduate degree was working for Shelley on a proposal to help a state transform its unemployment insurance modernization system. Just on this one engagement alone, Shelley showed me the ropes [in] the corporate and consulting environments. “Over the next five years, I supported her in delivering transformative IT solutions to several other public sector clients across the country. Shelley was always easy to talk to and had an interest in my professional growth. I make note of this because in a company with over 400,000 employees, it is [often] rare to find an executive who pays close attention to the advancement of employees new to the corporate world. “Shelley stressed that to be successful in a multi-cultural, global workforce, I would need to understand the WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2014

Siemens PLM Software women recognized for outstanding community leadership. Siemens PLM Software All-Stars: Mia Fuji, Candice Robinson, Erica Simmons and Yolanda West.

Several leaders from Siemens PLM Software were recently recognized by US Black Engineers and Information Technology magazines as “All-Stars” during the Woman of Color STEM Conference. This science, technology, engineering and math conference recognizes the significant

accomplishments of minority women in the digital world. Siemens PLM Software is proud to have such talented women in professional and technicals positions, helping the organization’s culture of innovation thrive.

siemens.com/goplm

2014 WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS importance of communication with teams and clients, be accountable to project stakeholders, promote candidness in the workplace, and plan strategically,” Freidin said. Ms. Mills-Brinkley’s support of students outside the office has been realized by the Mills Diversity Scholarship to support those pursuing a college degree.

MANAGERIAL LEADERSHIP – INDUSTRY

productive culture with more than 600 employees in more than 15 locations across the country and outside of the U.S., including customer sites in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and Central and South America,” Ryan says. “No easy feat, Shawn has been able to assimilate existing technology and products with totally new capabilities to bring new, innovative solutions to the intelligence and DoD communities.” Apart from her corporate mission, Ms. Purvis is a founding member of Be a Blessing, a women’s giving circle that creates opportunities to assist organizations that serve women and children. For the calendar year 2013, the Be a Blessing team decided to serve the Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter, the newest homeless shelter in Fairfax, Virginia, which can accommodate up to 20 families. The shelter uses the “housing first/rapid rehousing” model, which calls for moving families into permanent housing as quickly as possible and continuing services to families once in permanent housing. The Be a Blessing team ran a successful back to school drive, providing over $2,000 dollars in supplies for every child living in the shelter. Ms. Purvis is also member of the board of directors for the Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS), a private, nonprofit community service organization dedicated to helping individuals and families find new paths to self-reliance and brighter futures. Her volunteer efforts extend to developing, guiding, and executing strategic initiatives, fundraising, gathering items for the thrift store, and recruiting corporate support for the training futures to help individuals re-enter the workforce.

Shawn N. Purvis

Sector Vice President & General Manager, Cyber Division Northrop Grumman Corporation

es, Shawn Purvis leads the life of a busy exec. And yet, people outside of the company count on her every bit as much as her colleagues — and she delivers her best in both aspects of her life. According to David L. Ryan, sector vice president and general manager, Northrop Grumman Information Systems, Ms. Purvis, vice president, integrated intelligence systems business unit, Northrop Grumman Information Systems, “has direct profit and loss responsibilities for the integrated intelligence systems business unit, which delivers approximately $400 million in value-added business to critical customers across the intelligence community.

Ms. Purvis is the executive sponsor for the Pride in Diversity Alliance (PrIDA) Employee Resource Group (ERG), a diverse community that builds and sustains an inclusive environment for all employees, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. This enables Northrop Grumman and its employees to maximize engagement, innovation and performance. PrIDA supports employee recruiting and ensures cross-ERG collaboration within each sector as well as throughout the enterprise to increase employee engagement. The African-American Task Group at NGIS facilitates the achievement of sector and enterprise initiatives, objectives and goals by bridging resources of an inclusive work environment on behalf of African-American employees. It leverages information sharing and networking, resulting in a sense of urgency, commitment, and achievement in its membership, and by example, to the rest of the enterprise. Ms. Purvis is a member of this ERG, formed in 2007.

“Under Shawn’s leadership, she has created a diverse and 44

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WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS NEW MEDIA/IT LEADERSHIP

2014

As one of the few woman of color in a traditionally male field, she has worked hard to build a successful career. Ms. Sooudi received her master’s degree from St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California.

NEW MEDIA/IT LEADERSHIP

Janice Sooudi

Assistant Vice President, Technical Operations, Planning and Solutions AT&T

s. Janice Sooudi is an example of how hard work and dedication can create an amazing career. AT&T benefits from her expertise in technology, and she has earned the respect of her peers. She accomplished this by developing innovative technology solutions for AT&T. Her contributions to AT&T speak for themselves. As assistant vice president in network process and quality, Ms. Sooudi improved cost and capabilities for all of AT&T’s frontline technicians and managers. This was possible due to numerous factors, including leveraging apps, application programming interfaces (API) and innovative technology, cloud and other devices to their fullest advantage. One of her most notable career accomplishments is driving the creation of mobile workforce solutions to better equip frontline managers and technicians with more than 37,000 tablets, and adopting a mobile-first mentality to stay in touch with new technology. She also played an important role in making improvements to AT&T network audit and compliance efforts, analytics and reporting client solutions and utilization of the cloud. Ms. Sooudi also eased the burden of AT&T care agents by eliminating more than 8,600 monthly customer calls. This was possible by using automation to keep customers updated about information concerning technician appointments.

Jessica Jia Sun

Information Technology Program Manager Northrop Grumman Corporation

essica Sun is currently the Information Technology Program Manager (ITPM) supporting multiple sector staff functions for Northrop Grumman. She has several responsibilities, including delivering cost effective, timely, high-quality information technology (IT) products and services to the staff functions of a sector with over 18,000 employees. Ms. Sun is successful because she loves technology and media. Ms. Sun loves to challenge herself, and solve complex problems with new and innovative ideas. As an information technology program manager, she helps provide advanced solutions for defense, intelligence, civil agency and commercial customers. She defines and executes the IS sector’s IT strategy, and delivers innovative and cost-effective solutions which improves business performance. She is responsible for more than $5 million in savings through application rationalization, innovations and process enhancements. Ms. Sun’s recent accomplishments include deploying the sector-wide SCALA digital signage solution.

Ms. Sooudi has received recognition and several awards for her career accomplishments. Her IT teams have received recognition such as the CIO Magazine Innovation Award, InfoWeek Top 100, and Retail Design Institute Award for Retail Technology.

Ms. Sun consolidated intranet and collaboration systems platforms to SharePoint. This allows the organization to create websites, and supplies a secure place to store, organize, share, and access information from almost any device. Her SharePoint expertise helped achieve 99 percent remote accessibility for company resources.

She was also one of 35 leaders from AT&T chosen for the 2014 General Manager’s Accelerated Development Program.

During her 16 years with the Northrop Grumman Corporation, she has held several technical leadership

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2014 WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS roles. She was a senior software engineer manager for the information technology sector from 2005 to 2007. From 1997 to 2005, Ms. Sun was a software engineer for the mission systems sector. Ms. Sun began preparing for her career by earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Maryland at College Park. She also earned a master’s degree in software engineering from the University of Maryland University College. Ms. Sun was vice president of education for the Toastmasters International Accenture Club, and is currently a member of IEEE Women in Engineering, and Women in Northrop Grumman.

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION – GOVERNMENT

“During her internship, Ms. Catlin had the opportunity to be involved in many different projects. In one assignment, working with the Human Systems Integration (HSI) team, she was exposed to new areas of research and development where she was able to contribute significantly. During this internship, she was involved with Habitability Simulation Testing (HST) for the United States Marine Corps. The purpose of this research was to measure degradation in Marine performance due to the effects of differing sea states during long transits at sea. Ms. Catlin’s performance was superior and her contributions so significant, that special arrangements were made for her to return after that year during her winter break. “Still prior to hiring her permanently, we brought her back in May 2012 to participate in human subject research for the Navy and Marine Corps. Since coming on board permanently, Ms. Catlin has taken on ever-increasing responsibilities, starting with planning human subjects testing, and rapidly progressing into a position where she directs the execution of research protocols and the work of others on the HSI team. She has become an expert in biomedical concepts and medical applications, which made her essential to the Medical Motion at Sea Study conducted this past year. This study assessed the impact of sea state on U.S. Navy medical professionals and their ability to perform medical procedures while out to sea. “In this, her most significant technical contribution, Ms. Catlin was responsible for running the medical performance test. She planned the testing, wrote the protocol, achieved Independent Review Board (IRB) approval to conduct the research using human subjects, oversaw the entire operation, analyzed data, and wrote the final report. Ms. Catlin’s work, in particular her analysis of the data and her final report, will result in medical procedures being performed aboard smaller U.S. Navy ships that were not previously thought possible. There is little doubt among those of us familiar with her work, that this outstanding technical contribution will save lives.” From the Human Systems Integration Team Lead, Eric Pierce: “Ms. Catlin’s outstanding technical contribution is her validation of life and limb saving medical procedures under high sea state.

Sarah Ashley Catlin Biomedical Engineer Naval Surface Warfare Center

s. Catlin has never shied away from challenges, even as a young intern. Since then, she has literally become a life-saver. According to A.D. Bond, head, test and evaluation and prototype fabrication division, by direction of the commanding officer, “Ms. Catlin began working in my division as an intern during the summer of 2011, while earning her master’s degree in systems engineering from Tuskegee University. Having proven herself in the top 1 percent of all interns I have had the opportunity to supervise, she was converted to a fulltime employee upon her graduation in 2012. 46

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“Prior to Ms. Catlin’s efforts, the U.S. Navy outfitted ships and medical personnel based on a supposition that ship movements preclude many medical procedures from being executed. As a consequence, wounded soldiers and sailors often have significant delays in receiving essential medical treatment. While working with the Office of Naval Research, Ms. Catlin planned, organized, and conducted a series of tests using a full-motion simulator in which she duplicated an at-sea surgical arena. Under her direction, U.S. Navy surgeons and corpsman executed dozens of advanced medical procedures under simulated adverse environmental conditions. Her contribution likely will result in life and limb saving procedures effectively being performed aboard U.S. Navy ships.”

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At Bank of America we are inspired by all of your achievements

Bank of America is proud to be a sponsor of the Women of Color STEM Conference Congratulations to Bank of America leaders Gloria Odom-Spry, Tonya Pettis and Alla Whitston on your recognition Life’s better when we’re connected® Bank of America and its affiliates consider for employment and hire qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, protected veteran or disability status or any factor prohibited by law, and as such affirms in policy and practice to support and promote the concept of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, in accordance with all applicable federal, state, provincial and municipal laws. © 2014 Bank of America Corporation. | ARB3VVMS | D&I-091014

2014 WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION – INDUSTRY

Sapna Jain Director, IT, AT&T

forefront of evaluating and adopting evolving technologies, architectures and standards. Her technical savvy, architectural acumen and guidance to her teams, ensure that the CSI API platform has continued to evolve and remain an industryleading cutting-edge application. Her leadership abilities have led to critical initiatives that have contributed handsomely to the company’s bottom-line growth. Her leadership and technical guidance on game-changing Uverse, iPhone, goPhone, shared data, eWallet, Toggle and connected car initiatives, to name a few, speak volumes of her contribution to the organization and the company, Koneru explains. Ms. Jain is a board member and active contributor to ShikshaSinkalp.org. She is also a member of OASIS, a diversity group that serves individuals across AT&T. She is a technical leader in her department who completed a master’s degree while working full time and as a full-time mother of two.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT – GOVERNMENT

apna Jain, director of IT for API Platforms and Common Services Delivery, leads a large, technical team with responsibility for several critical initiatives central to AT&T’s network leadership and accelerating new businesses. Her teams lead design and delivery of IT platforms — foundations for developer ecosystems, emerging devices, and an IP-based network. As such, she has held a significant leadership role in a number of service-critical and high-profile projects, from the launch of iPad on AT&T networks to connected car platforms and re-architecting the enterprise experience. Ms. Jain is recognized by her peers as a leader and subject matter expert. She is routinely called on to give advice on complex issues, from strategic planning or production support to critical project planning. She is a leader who understands both the people and the technology involved in achieving our goals and she is always looking for innovative ways to accomplish goals with her team, according to Sorabh Saxena, vice president, IT architecture and common services. Ms. Saxena says Ms. Jain has a patent (#8250213) on “Methods and Apparatus to Allocate Resources Associated with a Distributive Computing Network,” making her truly a valuable asset to her team, to AT&T and to the IT industry in general. Venu Koneru, senior technical director, says Ms. Jain currently leads the ACSI BPM, governance and framework architecture teams responsible for the CSI API platform and Blackflag. She spearheads a team of architects responsible for consistently growing and evolving the platform into an industry-leading middleware application. She plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the team stays in the

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MG Gwen Bingham

Commander TACOM Life Cycle Management Command Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Michigan

ajor General Gwendolyn Bingham has been a trailblazer throughout her 32-year military career. An exceptional leader, she is currently commander of the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command headquartered at the Detroit Arsenal in Michigan—part of the Army Materiel Command. She previously served as the first female commanding general and senior mission commander of the Department of Defense’s largest land installation, White Sands Missile Range. Prior, Maj. Gen. Bingham was the first female commandant of the U.S. Army Quartermaster School. At White Sands, Maj. Gen. Bingham safely and securely operated the Army’s last remaining nuclear test reactor. She provided training and live fire support to the Air Force, Navy, Special Operations Command (SOCOM), and Army operational forces as well as managing an annual budget of $400M and a total investment value of $12B. On December 2, 2013, Gwendolyn Bingham was promoted to the rank of “Major General” making her www.womenofcolor.net

WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS one of the eight women currently serving in the United States Army holding this prestigious rank. Maj. Gen. Bingham has shown dedication to enhancing career opportunities for officers, noncommissioned officers, civilians and individuals she mentors. Over the course of her career Maj. Gen. Bingham has been the recipient of numerous military and civic awards, a few of which include: the Defense Superior Service Medal Army Achievement Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Iraqi Campaign Medal; NATO Service Medal; Global war on Terrorism Service Medal. She is authorized to wear the Join Staff Identification Badge. Maj. Gen. Bingham has truly established herself as an outstanding officer. Her leadership style and character will leave a legacy that will last for decades.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT – GOVERNMENT

2014

overseeing Search and Rescue missions, and assigning aircrews to multiple joint agency exercises and pollution response scenario trainings across the state of Alaska. Lt. Menze has shown extraordinary dedication to strengthening the community. In response to a 2009 Coast Guard Diversity Initiative, she dedicated hundreds of off duty hours to design a program providing students access to scholastic mentorship by all levels of Coast Guard unit leadership. Her initiative was recognized as the first formal Coast Guard sponsored club, and as the first time Coast Guard personnel were allotted the use of the school’s curriculum hours. She expanded her efforts to inspire diversity by establishing the Tampa Bay area National Naval Officers Association chapter. Her incredible enthusiasm and drive has nearly tripled membership and won the chapter the Outstanding New Growth Award.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT – INDUSTRY

LCDR Jeanine Menze Aviator U.S. Coast Guard

t. Jeanine Menze’s lifelong passion for aviation has led her to a successful career with the United States Coast Guard. While attending college at Florida International University (FIU), she earned her private pilot certificate in the fall of 1999. Soon thereafter she pursued and obtained an Instrument rating, and then earned a Commercial Pilot certificate in the fall of 2000. The following summer Menze earned her Flight Instructor certificate and Advanced Ground Instructor certificate - ratings that less than 15 percent of pilots ever achieve. On June 24, 2005 Lt. Jeanine Menze made history by becoming the first African-American female aviator in the 224-year history of the United States Coast Guard. She has since achieved the highest possible military aviation rating in record time. Lt. Menze currently serves as the Air Station Zodiak Assistant Operations Officer, the most demanding and important role available to Air Station officers in the rank of Lieutenant, and, a position usually reserved for more senior officers. She is in charge of coordinating operations of five HC-130 aircrafts, www.womenofcolor.net

Marachel Knight VP- Program Management AT&T

s. Marachel Knight has experienced many impressive professional achievements since joining the AT&T organization. She is currently responsible for leading AT&T’s strategic program office, which focuses on programs important for the evolution of the business including AT&T’s LTE, cloud, Universal Services Platform (USP) and project stream (video). It is a big responsibility, but she handles the challenge with grace and professionalism. She previously served as chief of staff for the office of the senior executive vice president of AT&T Technology and Network Operations (ATNO). ATNO is a major part of AT&T, as it includes the company’s global IT and network strategy, WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2014

Make a Difference Through Public Service DoD Offers Diverse Opportunities You don’t need to wear a uniform to serve your country. Throughout the U.S. Department of Defense, we rely on civilian employees to help protect our national security. Civilians serve throughout the Department in a wide range of careers including Finance, Personnel, Medical, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. We are also committed to growing our employees into the leaders of tomorrow through career development and leadership programs. At the Department of Defense, we believe that diverse backgrounds and experiences give us a strategic advantage in developing the technologies and innovations that enable mission success. Diversity encompasses more than race and gender – we seek to include diversity of thought, abilities, background, language, culture, and skills. Help us grow our diverse workforce and support national defense. Learn more about civilian and military career opportunities in the Department of Defense by visiting http://diversity.defense.gov. Connect with us: #doddiversity

WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS planning, engineering and operations, global supply chain and corporate fleet operations and corporate real estate. During her more than 18 years with AT&T, Ms. Knight has had several leadership positions. These positions have been in network planning, network engineering, network operations and marketing. She also lists “inventor” as one of her professional achievements, as she is the inventor of the “Systems for Use with Multi-Number Cellular Devices” patent and has two other patent filings pending. In addition to her list of professional achievements, Ms. Knight is passionate about community service. She was the co-creator and is a national advisor for AT&T Women of Technology & Network, and is a member of the board of advisors for oxyGEN, Young Professionals of AT&T. Ms. Knight is also the Chairperson for Carnegie Mellon University’s Information Networking Institute (CMU INI) alumni leadership council and is the AT&T client executive for CMU. Ms. Knight has received several awards and recognitions, including the 2013 Black Engineer of the Year President’s Award and a Women of Color in Technology award. She is a licensed professional engineer and certified project management professional. Ms. Knight received a master’s degree in information networking from Carnegie Mellon University’s Information Networking Institute. She also has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Florida State University.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

2014

working on the development of new energy storage systems. The goal is to develop an ultra-high energy cell for biomedical and aerospace applications. Even as a student, Ms. Hernandez-Lugo has received acclaim for her work. She received the Bridge to Doctorate Fellowship from the National Science Foundation in 2008. NASA awarded her the NASA Harriet Jenkins Pre-Doctoral Fellowship in 2010 and the NASA Ambassador Award in 2012. Ms. Hernandez-Lugo has honed her leadership skills by participating in outreach and education activities for minority high school students. She coordinates chemistry demonstrations, and serves as a science fair judge for middle and elementary school students. Her other activities at NASA include volunteering in STEM symposiums and being an active member of NASA’s Hispanic Advisory Board. She has also authored several research papers that have appeared in national peer-reviewed journals. These accomplishments are only a small example of her numerous achievements and activities. Ms. Hernandez-Lugo has excellent interpersonal skills. She is able to communication with everyone – from senior and young professors to master and doctoral students. Her additional educational accomplishments include a bachelor’s degree in natural science with concentration in industrial chemistry from the University of Puerto Rico. She has also worked as a teaching assistant and a photochemistry specialist for the chemistry department at the University of Puerto Rico. In 2009, Ms. Hernandez-Lugo participated in the STEP Program as an engineering technician on the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. She was responsible for working on materials that would create efficient electrodes for lithium-ion batteries.

Did You Know? Dionne M. Hernández-Lugo, Ph.D. Research Electrical Engineer, Photovoltaic and Electrical Systems Branch NASA Glenn Research Center

s. Dionne Hernandez-Lugo is a student with a bright future ahead. She is a Ph.D. candidate in physical chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico. She is also completing an internship at the Glenn Research Center www.womenofcolor.net

2002 Technologist of the Year, Duy-Loan Le, was the first woman to be elected a senior fellow at Texas Instruments in 75 years.

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2014 WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS STUDENT LEADERSHIP

She also belongs to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Bioengineering Division Student Leadership Committee. As part of the committee, she helps plan educational and social events for students. During 2013 and 2012, Ms. Knight was a teaching assistant. She gave weekly lectures, and held office hours to provide students with additional help.

TECHNICAL INNOVATION – INDUSTRY

Katrina Knight

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow Department of Bioengineering University of Pittsburgh

s. Katrina Knight is a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow in the department of bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh. She entered the graduate program with a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from Claflin University. In spite of having a non-engineering degree, she completed the required engineering studies and acquired knowledge to excel academically and in the laboratory. Ms. Knight’s hard work and dedication sets a positive example for students, and earns her recognition for her efforts. She received the K. Leroy Irvis Fellowship by the Engineering Office of Diversity, which provided financial support for her first year in the program. Soon after, she received the NIH T32 Biomechanics in Regenerative Medicine Training Grant, which supplied two years of financial support. She excels in the classroom, and her talents outside of the classroom are commendable. Her various leadership roles and community outreach projects show how she wants to help others succeed. Ms. Knight holds leadership positions in organizations on and off campus. She is an active member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., where she is also the advisor for the undergraduate chapter. She sets herself apart from other student advisors by being very involved with the undergrads that she advises. In spite of her busy schedule, she attends all bi-weekly meetings and educational sessions hosted by the sorority. In addition to her activities with the sorority, Ms. Knight is vice president of the Engineering Diversity Graduate Student Association (EDGSA). EDGSA provides a community, particularly of minorities, that strives for unity, identity, and academic inclusive excellence. As vice president, she helps plan academic and social events. She is also responsible for organizing community outreach events.

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Dawnielle Farrar-Gaines, Ph.D. Senior Electrical and Materials Engineer Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

r. Dawnielle Farrar has built a successful 14-year career at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). Thanks to her strong research and leadership skills, she has made great contributions to the scientific community. Her work on middle ear technologies to improve hearing restoration earned praise from her colleagues. Dr. Farrar’s management of the micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) electronics box and radiator project drew praise as well. One of her most recognized projects is the fundamental materials science investigation into piezoelectric polymer fiber materials. Her thesis work on this subject at Johns Hopkins University resulted in a basic technological understanding of this subject. Following a successful collaboration with NASA Langley researchers, she gained grant funding to investigate the application of piezoelectric polymer fibers and fibrous sheet metals for noise reduction of aircraft engines. Her outreach, educational and mentoring activities have succeeded in encouraging women of color to pursue careers in math, science and technology. Her membership in organizations such as the National Society of Black Engineers and Women in Engineering allows her to have a positive influence on many young minds. www.womenofcolor.net

WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS She often speaks about the importance of engineering, and participates in several panels. Some of her past engagements include participating in a panel for APL Technology Leadership Scholars Program, speaking at the APL College Prep Summer Program, and representing the Society of Women Engineers at Swansfield Elementary. Dr. Farrar has also taken time to mentor young students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Farrar earned a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from John Hopkins University is 2010, in 2009, she earned a M.S. in materials science and engineering, and in 2003 earned an M.S. in electrical and computer engineering, all from Johns Hopkins University. She also has an electrical engineering degree from the University of Maryland College Park and a degree in physics from Lincoln University.

TECHNICAL INNOVATION – INDUSTRY

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four years at the Top 30 energy-using sites using a “tiger team” of internal and external facilities and energy experts dedicated to reducing energy usage. The teams identified more than $30 million in achievable, annual energy cost savings at these sites. Their target is to continue driving down the $180 million annual cost of energy and water, with $19 million in Go Green savings shown in 2013. Lockheed Martin’s 2013 carbon dioxide reductions are equivalent to more than 40,000 cars using 20 million gallons of gas or 28,000 homes worth of energy. Ms. Raj’s leadership in this area earned significant external environmental and sustainability recognition for Lockheed Martin including: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Climate Leadership awards, EPA Green Power Purchase award and high ratings from Newsweek and the Carbon Disclosure Project leadership index for both performance and disclosure. Her technical skills, leadership and ability to work with all levels – from maintenance technicians and facility engineers to executive management – has led to her success with both the SIAs and the Energy Leadership team, says Hal Ehrhardt, environmental engineering senior manager. Her awards and honors include: Corporate Energy Environmental Safety and Health Special Recognition Excellence Award, 2013; Enterprise Business Services Shining Stars of Excellence Award for Team Excellence, 2012; Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Controls Facilities Excellence Award; 2012; LM21 Operating Excellence Shining Star Award, 2011; and Lockheed Martin Technical Operations Special Recognition Excellence Awards, 2007 and 2004.

Saroja Raj

Environmental Health & Safety Engineer Principle, Corporate Energy and Water Efficiency Program Lead, Lockheed Martin Corporation

ith an M.B.A., M.P.H., and M.S. securely in her back pocket, Saroja Raj is at the forefront of Lockheed Martin’s energy team as they strive for lower carbon emissions by reducing energy use and associated energy costs. The environmental health and safety engineer principle has guided the facilities and energy leadership teams of senior managers and directors as they have identified and implemented strategic and tactical plans related to achieving energy, water, and Go Green goals. This included development of new Go Green 2020 goals, after helping Lockheed Martin achieve its original five-year Go Green goals a year early. Ms. Raj’s concept of Energy Structured Improvement Activities (SIAs) has successfully identified implementable improvements at sites that consistently show strong return on investment analysis and results. She has led these over www.womenofcolor.net

SPECIAL RECOGNITION Cheryl Moo-Young Senior Infrastructure Manager Accenture LLP

heryl Moo-Young has built a successful career out of her love of information technology. She is a leader in technology, who has the skill and knowledge to help companies make successful technology transformations. Ms. Moo-Young put her talents to use as the delivery lead for a multi-million dollar service center build-out associated with the Affordable Care Act. She managed more than 70 people responsible for building a healthcare exchange call center, customer relationship management tool and print processing for enrollment and eligibility documents. The project was so successful, until the client expanded the contract to include sales and marketing. WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2014

PROVIDING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS AND A DIVERSE CULTURE

TO ACCELERATE TOMORROW.

WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS She is now in charge of implementing strategy to increase the number of residents enrolling for healthcare. This goal is possible by using existing technological infrastructure Ms. Moo-Young helped to deploy and integrate with the state’s new healthcare application. Without Ms. Moo-Young’s management efforts, Accenture would have been at a disadvantage on this project. The client has praised her and her team for surpassing their high expectations. Her contribution played a huge part in making the Affordable Care Act a success. Ms. Moo-Young has had success in several industries, including healthcare, telecommunications and financial services. She began her career as a consultant who designed infrastructure and gathered requirements for massive software implementations. She is now an Infrastructure Senior Manager with talent that extends beyond technology. Thanks to her talents, businesses can transform their technology ideas into tangible realities. She graduated from Morgan State University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering. She was the top student in industrial engineering with a cum laude grade point average. After graduation, she joined Andersen Consulting/Accenture and began building a successful career. She has more than 13 years of IT experience, and has managed multi-million dollar, large-scale network transformations for several industries, including the government, financial services and telecommunications.

Jo Ann Minor

Chief Financial Officer PEO Aircraft Carriers Department of the Navy

s. Jo Ann Minor is currently the chief financial officer of PEO Aircraft Carriers. Her position is one of importance, as she is responsible for all aspects of managing execution of more than $22 billion in aircraft carrier acquisition funding and budgeting. She is also responsible for management and guidance in balance program priorities, milestones, and strategic goals. As the chief financial officer, she is also responsible for advising and leading project managers as they develop, organize, and execute projects. Ms. Minor’s numerous professional achievements have resulted in a successful career. Ms. Minor began her career with the Department of the Navy Headquarters in 1986 in Arlington Virginia. She started with the Naval Sea systems command in the weapons and combat system directorate, gun ammunition division. Two years later, she moved to the planning and analysis branch as an appropriation analyst. www.womenofcolor.net

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In 1997, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Graduate School Women’s Executive Leadership Program chose Ms. Minor as a participant. She completed the program with a graduate certificate in executive leadership. While participating in the USDA program, she completed an assignment with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Acquisition and Technology, acquisition resource division. She also completed an assignment with Assistant Secretary of the Navy Acquisition Reform Office. During that time, she was the acquisition reform team leader for the Department of Defense Change-Through-Exchange initiative. In 2003, Mr. Minor served as the in-service carriers assistant program manager for financial management. An addition to her professional achievements, Ms. Minor has several educational achievements. Ms. Minor is a graduate of NCU Chapel Hill Navy executive business course. She earned her degree in business administration from Strayer University, and her master’s degree in public administration from American University. In 2010, she earned a doctoral certificate of advance graduate studies in financial management from Northcentral University.

Angela Zielinski

Uconnect Service Management Lead Chrysler Group LLC

s. Angela Zielinski is a well-respected leader at Chrysler who understands the importance of community service. She is dedicated to her Chrysler career, but is just as serious about shaping young minds and connecting with the community. Ms. Zielinski previously served as adjunct professor of development and general math at Baker College. Sharing her love of math with students allowed her to help them grow, and encouraged them to pursue careers in math. The Kettering University “Lives Improve Through Engineering” (LITE) mentoring program is another way in which Ms. Zielinski connects to the community. LITE introduces 11th-grade girls to engineering, and explains how engineers improve lives through science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The aim of the two week residential program is to highlight the importance of engineering, and to encourage girls to pursue STEM careers. In addition to LITE, Ms. Zielinski spends time as a high school mentor in the Flint and Beecher schools. For the past four years, she has provided guidance, encouragement and support for students in low-income WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2014

World Wide Technology is Proud to Support the 2014 Women of Color STEM Conference

CELEBRATING WOMEN OF CHARACTER, COURAGE & COMMITMENT World Wide Technology (WWT) brings an innovative and proven approach to how organizations explore, evaluate, architect and implement new technology. Our customers have hands-on access to cutting-edge data center, virtualization, security and collaboration products in our Advanced Technology Center. In addition, we offer technical expertise from our expansive team of engineering resources and accelerated global product delivery, powered by a sophisticated supply chain management infrastructure. With more than $6B in annual revenue, WWT is a ﬁnancially strong, privately-held systems integrator that ranks among the top tier of partners with industry leaders like Cisco, HP, EMC, NetApp, VMware and Citrix. WWT is dedicated to supporting women of color pursuing STEM studies and career paths. Our goal is to bring positive change by supporting these efforts and we are excited to be a part of this year’s conference.

Visit us online: www.wwt.com • 800.432.7008

WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS

communities. Students discuss their personal and educational concerns with Ms. Zielinski, who is a trusted confident and advisor. Many engineers within Chrysler see Ms. Zielinski as a mentor as well, due to her effective leadership skills. Ms. Zielinski has spent the last four years as part of the Chrysler family. Ms. Zielinski had successful positions at GM and Ford prior to joining Chrysler, and she has 19 years of industry experience. Her exceptional work ethic, desire to learn and ability to set an example for coworkers on the Uconnect team make her valuable to Chrysler. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering from GMI Engineering & Management Institute. She also has a Master of Science degree in operations management from Kettering University.

Anna Yang

EPM Manager Chrysler Group LLC

nna Yang (Kunping Shu) has worked hard to hone her management skills, and become a respected leader within Chrysler. In 2013, Ms. Yang became the early product management manager for the advanced manufacturing engineering product group. It is a demanding position with many responsibilities. Ms. Yang accepts the challenge, and performs the job with determination and skill. She is responsible for leading a cross functional team to initiate and develop proposals for product improvement. The position also demands that she is responsible for implementing and researching product standards to minimize plant losses and eliminate last-minute changes. Since joining Chrysler in 1996, Ms. Yang has put her talent to good use. As the central stamping operations industrial engineering (IE) lead, she lead a team that was able to improve die change time by 36 percent across the stamping organization. At the end of 2010, stamping time was 40.4 minutes. At the end of 2013, stamping time was 25.9 minutes. Her team also improved throughput by 20 percent by going from 368 hits per hour to 442 hits per hour. Ms. Yang believes in the power of teamwork, and works diligently to guide her team to success. She also has a strong worth ethic, and is committed to excellence. www.womenofcolor.net

2014

She is a mentor in the IE mentoring program, and a member of the Chrysler Asian Network (CAN). She is also recognized as one of the most influential and helpful Chinese persons in the Detroit area. In 1984, Ms. Yang earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Shanghai University of Technology. She came to America in 1990 with her husband to pursue educational and career opportunities. In 1993, she earned a Master of Science in manufacturing management from University of Toledo.

Melonie Parker

Human Resources Director Lockheed Martin

s. Melonie Parker is currently the director of human resources for Lockheed Martin mission systems and training (MST). She has more than 16 years of professional experience, and several achievements that support Lockheed Martin’s business objectives. When she received a master’s in human resources from Villanova University, she knew exactly what she wanted to accomplish. Ms. Parker has worked in several positions dealing with human resources disciplines, including equal employment opportunity, diversity and inclusion, corporate staffing, human resources lead and workforce analytics and acquisition. One thing all of these roles have in common is that they allow Ms. Parker to help develop, train and mentor employees. Currently, Ms. Parker manages a team of nine human resource business partners supporting the undersea systems line of business. Her responsibilities also include the business development and legal functional areas. During her career, she has managed major workforce restructuring during difficult economic times. She has also facilitated change management across her client areas. Ms. Parker leads the human capital strategy for MST. This includes leading a cross-functional HR strategy team that focuses on attracting the best talent to meet business goals and objectives. Ms. Parker would like to inform more African-Americans about the career opportunities at Lockheed Martin. To accomplish this, she spends time connecting with students at historically Black educational institutions. She is instrumental in recruiting key talent from historically Black colleges and universities. Her personal efforts at Hampton University yielded a 55 percent offer rate for students interviewed for intern and full-time entry-level employment. WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2014

2014 WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS She headed an information session, conducted career discussions and helped students find appropriate openings. Ms. Parker took it upon herself to personally follow-up with each student through each step of the recruitment process. Her mentoring extends to younger students as well, as she successfully developed K-12 STEM outreach initiatives on behalf of Lockheed Martin. These initiatives include National Engineering Week and Take Your Child to Work Day activities. Ms. Parker believes that professional achievement is not only about a career. It also includes helping others succeed with their life goals.

During the assembly, one hundred students participated in building a webpage. They learned how easy it is to add real time updates to the site. Ms. Spedden even showed the broadcast of the NASA Mars Rover with simple clicks the students could replicate at home. Ms. Spedden has a Bachelor of Science in information systems management. She also has several certifications, including a PMP — Certified Project Management Professional.

LaTonya Bowles

Industrial Engineering Technician Supervisor Naval Air Systems Command

Lamia Spedden

Website Designer Staff Lockheed Martin Corporation

s. Lamia Spedden has spent 14 years creating a career that encompasses innovative and creative approaches to system development and communications marketing. She is a respected leader and mentor to customers and employees at Lockheed Martin. Although she is dedicated to her job, Ms. Spedden is also serious about her commitment to community service. Education plays an important role in Ms. Spedden’s community service activities. Her commitment to education is for self-improvement, and the betterment of everyone around her. She is an advocate and champion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Her list of volunteer activities shows she takes every opportunity to support STEM activities in the community. Ms. Spedden tapped into her creativity and created a program to introduce kids to STEM. The program, Coloring Books to iPads, combines STEM with early childhood education. The program is for first grade students at Ashland Elementary School in Manassas, Virginia. Another creative idea allowed her to raise the level of excitement around the I Love STEM Day at Featherbed Lane Elementary School. With the use of an interactive video, she convinced the students and faculty to dance around the gym. The multimedia presentation also showed students how science is part of their morning routine, such as when brushing their teeth, and how riding a bike to school is engineering at work. Ms. Spedden taught students how to create a website during a technology and social media session at Springbrook High School. She taught the students about blogging, and demonstrated how it can help them communicate with other students, teachers, friends, and family. 58

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s. Bowles’ letters of recommendation read like she’s a rock star. It is apparent that those voicing their endorsements for a Managerial Leadership Award spent precious time nailing just the right adjectives to convey her performance. Among her staunch supporters are Daniel Conley, NAVAIR, Fleet Readiness Center Southwest, 6.3.1 competency manager; Captain Tim Pfannenstein, NAVAIR, Fleet Readiness Center Southwest, executive officer; and D.B. Simmons III, commanding officer, Fleet Readiness Center, Southwest. Ms. Bowles is Conley’s branch manager of his Industrial Engineering Technicians (IET) group. Conley says Ms. Bowles’ group “has developed a close-knit culture of mutual respect and they all look to Ms. Bowles for the solution and her systematic approach to working on issues as they arise. This has led to inspiring her personnel to achieve goals and work outside of their basic expectations. Her people see her as a role model and look up to her as their voice in the organization. The Navy will benefit from her mentorship of her employees long into the future.” Conley also called Ms. Bowles a “go to” point of contact for the entire senior leadership, the commanding officer and executive officer. “It is rare to find a talent that will take on as much technical and soft skills issues and be able to resolve them equally well. I am certain she has a storied career ahead of her.” Simmons explains that Ms. Bowles 24-person IET performs the work of 50 employees. He attributes this exemplary performance to her leadership, innovation, organizational skills and systematic approach to both strategic and tactical tasks [that] motivates her associates to work hard, overcome obstacles, and work at a high level.” Captain Pfannenstein adds: “From day one, it was obvious to me this phenomenal employee would be an ‘All-Star’ regardless of assignment or task. She proves this each day through her exceptional leadership, team-building, and www.womenofcolor.net

WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS analytical skills. In doing so, she has become a vital member of our team and as a subject matter expert, she is laying the groundwork for Navy operations for decades to come.”

2014

Kelly Fling

Supervisory Meteorologist U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center

Cora Ingrum

Director of Multicultural Programs, The School of Engineering and Applied Science University of Pennsylvania

s. Cora Ingrum is a champion of education. She has spent more than 45 years mentoring and fostering the careers of students at the University of Pennsylvania and elsewhere. She is currently the director of multicultural and academic support programs at Penn’s School of Engineering and Applied Science. She also serves as assistant to the dean. One of her main areas of focus is the recruitment, retention and support of underrepresented graduate and undergraduate students. The students know that Ms. Ingrum will provide guidance, friendship and solace when they need it. Ms. Ingrum’s activities are a testament to her dedication to education.

s. Kelly Fling has built a successful career with the U.S. Army. She has dedicated more than 10 years of her life to being an important member of the U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center (ATC). She has earned the respect of her peers as a leader and a scientist. She began her career with the Aberdeen Test Center as an intern, but quickly earned her way into the supervisor position. Ms. Fling is now a respected team leader who plays an indispensable role in the mission of ATC. Ms. Fling’s input has resulted in improved data assets on the test ranges. She is also responsible for making sure effective data products are available in real time to test participants. Her team has also successfully developed innovative ways to support test events in the field with portable atmospheric devices. This is important because weather data is critical to ATC test missions. Since joining ATC, Ms. Fling has had several major achievements.

She is a co-founder and former secretary of PRIME, Inc. (Philadelphia Regional Introduction for Minorities in Engineering). From 1973 to 1999, she sat on the PRIME board of directors. Since the early ‘70s to now, she serves as the staff affirmative action compliance officer for Penn’s School of Engineering and Applied Science. She has also been a member of the Penn Women’s Center since 1980. Ms. Ingrum is also active with the Graduate Consortium for Minority Degrees in Engineering and the Council on Career Development for Minorities Inc. Many other organizations and committees, including the Penn Committee on National Women of Color, benefit from Ms. Ingrum’s participation.

Ms. Fling played an important role in the revised air quality risk management strategy for open burn/open detonation operations at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Her contribution ensured open burn/open detonation activities, which are crucial to ATC’s mission, could continue without mishap. The revised strategy put Ms. Fling’s team in an important role as part of daily operations. The team has the responsibility of providing weather data and modeling expertise for go/no go decisions.

Under her guidance and leadership, there has been an increase in local, state and national levels of women and minority students earning Bachelor of Science degrees in engineering, the Master of Science in engineering, and joint degrees in engineering and business, and doctorates.

Ms. Fling and her team also support the Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG). Her team is essential to the accurate forecasting of severe weather that affects the Garrison, allowing emergency response teams and the APG Emergency Operations Center to make decisions regarding the safety of the 21,000 personnel. In 2012, during Super Storm Sandy, Ms. Fling was instrumental in early preparations for the storm that minimized damage to the Aberdeen Test Center and to the Garrison.

Because of Ms. Ingrum’s leadership and guidance, Penn is currently a leader in producing under-represented students in the Ph.D. program. As of 2013, the Penn Alliance for Minority Participation has provided more than 913 minority STEM students with academic counseling, advising and mentoring.

Ms. Fling is a well-respected leader, individual and mentor. She has received several awards and commendations, including a letter of commendation from commander, Aberdeen Test Center for bringing into operational status the first moveable sonar system.

Ms. Ingrum has received several honors, including the 1997 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. www.womenofcolor.net

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2014 and T

Technology All-Stars

STEM Rising Stars

he 2014 list of WOC Technology All-stars are recognized for pursuing perfection and demonstrating excellence in the myriad paths of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The All-stars design products and develop materials for products that don’t exist yet in an age when competition has no borders. In American enterprises — innovative organizations where they have broken through barriers — they redefine the meaning of “ceiling” as they reach for the stars.

TECHNOLOGY ALL-STARS April Acosta Structural Analysis Engineer The Boeing Company

Mary Brodie-Henderson Senior Technical Support Lead Lockheed Martin Corporation

Toni Adafin BT/IT Manager Order, Scheduling, Shop Floor, ERP IBM Corporation

Eva Carrillo Integrated Product Team Lead The Boeing Company

Lisa Avery Electrical Foreman Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. Nina Batie Associate Booz Allen Hamilton

Gail Clarke Information Technology Consultant Booz Allen Hamilton

Maria Borowski Solution Architect Oracle

Kim Cook-Boyd Advisory Software Engineer IBM Corporation

Melissa Botticelli Director, Battlespace Awareness & Intelligence Northrop Grumman Corporation

Mary A. Cunningham Enlisted Gender Policy Advisor U.S. Coast Guard

Verdie Bradley Manufacturing Analyst 3 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

Julia Chu Systems Engineer Sr. Manager (Missiles & Fire Control) Lockheed Martin Corporation

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Purvi Dave Project Engineer The Boeing Company Jane’l Dixon Project Engineering Associate Manager Lockheed Martin Corporation

Erika Doles Technology and Innovation Lead The Boeing Company Elizabeth Ede Senior Principal Infosys Limited Luella Farmer General Foreman Pipe Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. Irma Fuentes Architect/CADD System Manager DHS USCG CEU Miami Trina Garrett Nuclear Engineer Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. Gloretta Garrett Production Planning and Scheduler III Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc Paula Gibbs Pipe Foreman Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc

Cathy Gillenwater Engineering Technical Specialist The Boeing Company Deborah Goldschmied Director HR Business Partner – Emerging Business Markets AT&T Services, Inc. Susan Gonzalez Contracts Representative The Boeing Company Annette Green Senior IT Specialist IBM Corporation Sharda Gupta Associate Partner Infosys Limited Nina Hamilton-Stinson Boat Foreman Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. Melinda Hanczyc Project Engineer The Boeing Company Zarine Havewala-Brown Manager- Materials Process Engineering Corning Incorporated www.womenofcolor.net

Qiana Hicks Software Development Manager The Boeing Company Jo Ann Hill Solution IT Architect IBM Corporation Narva Hoeffken Engineering Technical Specialist The Boeing Company Carolyn Howell Administration Generalist 3 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. Mia A. Huff Assistant to the Deputy Commandant of Mission Support U.S. Coast Guard Sherra Hughes Administration F unctional Support 2 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. Deborah Jackson Deputy Director, Division of Intergovernmental Liaison and Rulemaking U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Patricia Jenkins Managing Consultant IBM Corporation Renee Jones Facilities Analyst The Boeing Company Inez Jordan Executive Project Manager IBM Corporation Pon Khamvongsa General Management Consultant - Test & Evaluation Engineer Booz Allen Hamilton

www.womenofcolor.net

Kakoli Kim, Ph.D. Senior Associate Chief Scientist Booz Allen Hamilton Jennifer Larsen Business Integration IT Process Analyst The Boeing Company Rachel Lee Electrical Foreman Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

Teresa Padilla Chief Petty Officer Health Services Technician U.S. Coast Guard

Wipawi Vanadit-Ellis Research Civil Engineer U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center

Sandhya Parameshwara Associate Manager, Client Services Infosys Limited

Carla Walker-Miller President and CEO Walker-Miller Energy Services, LLC

Barb Patterson Human Resources Director Oracle Corporation

Althea Washington Electrical Foreman Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

Yolanda Liu Systems Engineer Senior Staff Lockheed Martin Corporation

Shaterria Perry Information Technology The Boeing Company

Jerry Llave Software Engineering Manager - NX Siemens

Nelly Pitocco Executive Director - Sales AT&T Business Solutions

Judy Martin Ship Superintendent Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

Robin Poppenhouse Administrative Generalist 4 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

Joscelyn McCauley Versatile Technologist The Boeing Company

Cathy Riley Senior Business and Planning Analyst The Boeing Company

Dorothy Jean McGilvary Project Executive IBM Corporation

LaToya Robinson Lead Technologist Booz Allen Hamilton

Denise Moore Progress Coordinator/ Administrative Aid Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

Lola Scott Acquisition Policy and Processes Deputy Department Head Naval Air Systems Command

Gloria Odom-Spry SVP, Sr. Technology Manager Bank of America Dara O’Neal Administration Functional Support 3 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

Harriet Stephens Information Technology Consultant Booz Allen Hamilton Mary D. Taylor Craft Director Electrical Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

Patricia Werthing Software Engineer IV BAE Systems Diane Wilkerson Systems Engineer/ Project Manager Booz Allen Hamilton LaShina Williams Sr. Project Manager IBM Corporation Karla Williams Website Administrator Booz Allen Hamilton Kathy Williams WebSphere on System z Operations Manager & Quality Champion IBM Corporation Josina Woodruff Business Application Programmer Senior Staff Lockheed Martin Corporation Gina Woullard Director, Production ExcellenceGlobal Quality & Analytics Northrop Grumman Corporation

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TECHNOLOGY RISING STARS

omen of Color STEM Rising Stars are part of the generation increasingly responsible for driving the vehicle that carries America’s future. They create opportunities for greater success in organizations that make diversity work. Their careers are on the right track and they are all moving closer to achieving their goals in a world of constant change. Meet the 2014 class who are helping to launch the next new wave and the next New Big Thing. Joan Antony Multi-Function Information Systems Analyst Senior Lockheed Martin Corporation

Emily Blair Quality Analyst Northrop Grumman Corporation

Y. Meriah Arias-Thode Scientist SPAWARSYSCEN PACIFIC

Liliana Bocanegra Senior Embedded Software Engineer Northrop Grumman Corporation

Cynthia Armound Contracting Officer Naval Air Systems Command Sabrina L. Austin Administration Functional Support 3 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. Wanwisa Baker Business Development Executive Infosys Limited Lysa Banks Lead Architect & Program Manager for Industry Cloud Solutions IBM Corporation Erica Banks Lead Associate Booz Allen Hamilton April Barr Senior Business Manager AT&T Kimberly Barron IBM Software Group SWG Business Controls - Application and Data Security IBM Corporation

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Nikki Boone Systems Engineer Staff Lockheed Martin Corporation Brandy Brooks Embedded Software Engineer Senior Lockheed Martin Corporation Patricia Brown Regional Storekeeper, Property Administrator, Contracting Officer U.S. Coast Guard Junia Bryant Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command Mijisha Butts Subcontracts Administrator 3 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. Sandhya Castelino Telecom Design Engineer III Sprint Caroline (Sea Wing) Chan Senior Systems Engineer Lockheed Martin Corporation

Toshie Chatman Customer Escalation Manager Oracle USA

Marta Ellies Engineer The Boeing Company

Amna Chaudhary Functional Analyst Boeing Engineering, Operations & Technology

Toyin Faleimu System Engineer Sr Lockheed Martin Corporation

Li Chen Embedded Software Specialist Chrysler Group LLC Janine Collins Supply Chain Lead - Northern Material Acquisition Center Lockheed Martin Corporation Michelle Cross Sr. Education Consultant and Account Manager Oracle Corporation Rasheeda Daanyal Organic Materials Development Engineer Chrysler Group LLC Betty David Principal Consultant Infosys Limited Magdarine Davidson Sr. Quality Assurance Engineer 1 Raytheon Company Shineka Dixon Structural Engineer Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. Geetha Eadala Computer Systems Architect Principal Lockheed Martin Corporation

Yongrui Fan Data Scientist Booz Allen Hamilton Teia Fennoy Electrical Engineer Naval Air Systems Command Yesenia Figueroa Integrated Systems Production Lead (Systems Analyst) The Boeing Company Rona Ford Engineer/Operations Research Systems Analyst U.S. Army Evaluation Center Alpna Gainda Principal Consultant Infosys Limited Leslie Galon Structural Engineer Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. Luciana Ganley Regional Leader U.S. Coast Guard Geetika Garg Technology Architect Infosys Limited

www.womenofcolor.net

Clara Garza Director- Product Marketing Management AT&T Tamika Grandy Chief of Staff to IT Engineering Systems Director The Boeing Company Barbara Green Configuration Analyst Lockheed Martin Corporation Rashanda Grimes Regional Manager of Business Development Oracle April Gruhn Software Engineer, Staff Lockheed Martin Corporation Usha Gulati Senior Database Administrator Dovel Technologies Ping Hagler, Ph.D. General Engineer, Advanced Research Missile Defense Agency Luwam Hagos Chemist Naval Air Systems Command Harriet Haibeck Electronics Engineer Staff Lockheed Martin Corporation

Karen Hendrix Senior Managing Consultant IBM Corporation Arkimla Hill Shipfitting Foreman Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

Yi-Chin Lai Information Technology Career Foundation Program The Boeing Company

Mikiala Malabon Cyber Intel Analyst Senior Lockheed Martin Corporation

Emberle Lawson Mechanical Engineer Naval Air Systems Command

Donna Mamolo Welding Foreman Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

Claudett S. Hill Coating Foreman Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

Na Li Development Scientist and Technical Project Manager Corning Incorporated

Nesreen Mansour Manager Indoor PICO Development Sprint

Teresa Hoang Technical Analyst Booz Allen Hamilton

Yen-Ting Lin Senior Electrical Engineer II Raytheon

Iliana Martinez ICT Lead Chrysler Group LLC

Regina Holley Information Security Advisor IBM Corporation

Brenda Lingo Project Engineer Senior Lockheed Martin Corporation

Heather Martinez Asset Management Team Lead Booz Allen Hamilton

Lynnae Hughes Items Analyst Lockheed Martin Corporation

Li Liu Scientist Corning Incorporated

Rahma Iqab Lead Technologist Booz Allen Hamilton

Tiffany Palmer Logan Delivery Operations Manager AutoTrader.com

Lindsay May, Ph.D. Engineer Systems Northrop Grumman Corporation

Nykia Jackson, Ph.D. Project Manager/Test and Evaluation Engineer The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Nicole Lokey Advanced Technical Leadership Development Program, Integrated Logistics Support Functional Manager Lockheed Martin Corporation

Kelli Jackson Digital Audio/Visual Systems Manager Coppin State University

Maria Lopez System Engineer Senior Lockheed Martin Corporation

Loan McAllister Senior Systems Engineer Staff Lockheed Martin Corporation Kishia Mills Chat Center Team Leader U.S. Coast Guard Jessie Mills Electronic & Electrical Engineer, Design and Analysis Engineer 2 The Boeing Company

Vaibhavi Katyal Business Operations Specialist The Boeing Company

Dannielle Lowe Business Operations Specialist The Boeing Company

Gina Miranda Senior Administrative Asst. and Project Manager Oracle America

Navdeep Kaur Interior Cockpit Engineering Chrysler Group LLC

Ruchi Mahindru Senior Software Engineer IBM Corporation

Sura Mittal GoArmyEd Technical Manager IBM Corporation

Catherine Harris Procurement Technician U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Shalawn King System z Websphere Technical Sales Specialist IBM Corporation

Phuong Mai Fellow Systems Engineer Northrop Grumman Corporation

Martha Morris IBM Certified Senior Project Manager IBM Corporation

Annita Haywood Systems Engineer Senior Lockheed Martin Corporation

Ann Kong Uconnect Product Manager Chrysler Group LLC

Lea Mak Senior Mechanical Engineer Lockheed Martin Corporation

Lena Mubarak Software Engineer Lead Lockheed Martin Corporation

Welela Haileselassie STG Strategy Program Manager IBM Corporation Linda Hammler Procurement Planning Rep 3 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

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WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2014

Sharmistha Mukherjee Manager, Finance Systems Chrysler Group LLC Nithya Nallasura Project Manager Infosys Limited Sheronda Nash Member Engineering Staff Lockheed Martin Corporation Thaiphi Ngo Program Manager Chrysler Group LLC Crystal Ngo Software Engineer Sr. Lockheed Martin Corporation Olivia Nguyen Configuration Analyst Associate - Apache Fire Control (MTADS/Arrowhead) Lockheed Martin Corporation Roopa Sree Nirikhi Technical Test Lead Infosys Limited Jennifer Outley Pilot Flight Equipment (PFE) Program Manager Naval Air Systems Command Nicole Patton Computer Systems Analysis Manager Lockheed Martin Corporation Tonya Pettis SVP, Business Control Manager Bank of America Territa Poston Software Engineer Staff Lockheed Martin Corporation Vasudha Prabhala Principal - Business Consulting Infosys Limited Aurelina Prado Manufacturing Operations Analyst The Boeing Company

WOMENOFCOLOR |FALL 2014

Ping Qian Staff Systems Integration Test Engineer Lockheed Martin Corporation

Soleakhena Sam Electrical Engineering II Raytheon Intelligence, Information & Services

Magaby Quintero-Lopez Electrical Engineer Naval Undersea Warfare Center

Priyanka Samanta Project Manager Infosys Limited

Raka Rajanigandha Sr. Program Manager Infosys Limited Temppest Reed Industrial Engineer The Boeing Company Amanda Rhames Project Manager Lockheed Martin Corporation Lydia Richardson IT Information Security Chief of Staff The Boeing Company Emily Roberts Information Technology Career Foundation Program Participant The Boeing Company Petra Robinson P-8A Maintenance Lead System Engineer Naval Air Systems Command Maritza Rosario Intelligence Analyst Sr Lockheed Martin Corporation Anuradha Roy Principal Consultant, MCS Life Sciences Infosys Limited Rosslyn Ruffin Project Engineer Stf Lockheed Martin Corporation Artensie Sabino Coating Foreman Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

Lupita Sanchez Cornejo Director of External Affairs AT&T Sonia Scott Technical Support- IT Operations General Motors LLC Tawanna Scott Planning/Scheduler Manager 2 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. Rakhee Sengupta Senior Program Manager Infosys Limited

Beverly Thompson Procurement Planning Control Rep. III Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. Heather Thompson Software Engineer Senior Lockheed Martin Corporation Mona Trahan Information Sys Anlst Sr. Lockheed Martin Corporation Kelley Tucker Manager Subcontracts Administration 2 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. Towanda Tyler Nuclear Engineer Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

Jenny Shen Software Engineer, Senior Lockheed Martin Corporation

Gretchen Valle Systems Engineer Northrop Grumman Corporation

Candice Smith Program Management Specialist The Boeing Company

Gengmei Wang Manager Chrysler Group LLC

Bettina Soost Manager, Systems Engineer Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. Delisha Stanley Manager III: Section Manager Raytheon Company

Sonya West Systems Engineer Subcontract Requirements The Boeing Company Lauren White Systems Engineer Naval Air Systems Command

Kimberly Greene Starks Certified Senior Architect IBM Corporation

Vanessa Wood IT Career Foundation Program Participant The Boeing Company

Angela M. Sullivan Design Engineer, Staff Lockheed Martin Corporation

Jessica Woon Integrated Scheduler The Boeing Company

Haiying Tang Lubricant Fuel Engineer Chrysler Group LLC

Cynthia Yang Systems Engineer Booz Allen Hamilton

Ashley Thomas Officer Program and Policy Leader U.S. Coast Guard

Irene Yeung System Integration/Test Engineer Senior Lockheed Martin Corporation www.womenofcolor.net

IT IS IN OUR DIFFERENCES THAT WE ARE MADE STRONG Infosys is a global leader in consulting, technology and outsourcing solutions. We enable clients in more than 30 countries to outperform the competition and stay ahead of the innovation curve. With $8.25B in annual revenues and 160,000+ employees, Infosys transforms enterprises to thrive in a changing world through strategic consulting, operational leadership and co-creation.

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EOE/Minority/Female/Veteran/Disabled

COMMUNITY OUTREACH SUMMER SAILING IN BALTIMORE’S INNER HARBOR

Linda McClelland, Cynthia Jackson, Valerie Hawkins, Yvonne Oliver, and Claudia Johnson have over 10,000 hours of community service between them and more than 100 years of promoting student access into the science, technology, engineering, math, music and art (STEMMA) pipeline. But in the now famous words of Brown University biologist Andrew G. Campbell, they’re not just “stuffing the pipeline and walking away.” This summer, the party of five — three science and technology middle school teachers, a school social worker and social studies educator — stepped up their shared optimism for engaging students in the pleasures of science. The women are all board members and volunteers of You Make A Difference STEMMA Inc., an organization focused on exposing underrepresented young people in grades 3-12 to experiences that inspire them to pursue careers related to STEMMA fields. In July, members of You Make A Difference, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., the Nu Sigma Sigma Chapter, and Maryland MESA, partnered with the Baltimore Downtown Sailing Center to give diverse children an experience of a lifetime. The summer sailing camp ran from July 7-11, 2014 with 22 Baltimore city and county public and private school students. “Our students came from different outreach programs for one week of STEM activities. It’s our goal to create a seamless pipeline for 4th-7th graders to embrace their responsibility with our waterways using STEM activities,” explained Mrs. Claudia Johnson, vice president, You Make A Difference STEMMA Inc. “I’m currently a member of the Downtown Sailing Club and my goal is to increase minority membership. I’d love to have a sponsor such as the Navy or the Coast Guard for our sailing program.” Johnson was born at Fort Hood, a U.S. military post in Killeen, Texas, and spent a part of her childhood on another base in Monterey, California, watching whales. She is now in her 19th year of teaching reading and computer applications in Baltimore County schools and is a longtime Maryland MESA advisor. MESA, a 3-12 science, technology, engineering, and math initiative, works to identify and support students — specifically minority and female students, in order to prepare them to matriculate and graduate with a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.

WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2014

Last summer, Johnson contacted the Baltimore Downtown Sailing Center at the Baltimore Museum of Industry and met with Lynn Handy, the executive director, about bringing some students for an “Introduction to Sailing Day!” Handy told Johnson the REACH Sailing Program was offering a day’s training and she asked to include two other volunteers, Mrs. Hawkins and Ms. McClelland. McClelland recently retired after 40 years of teaching Earth and space science and computer applications in Baltimore County schools and Hawkins still teaches computer technology. “It took several partnerships to make this work,” Johnson said. The group included the Downtown Sailing Center Baltimore, You Make a Difference STEMMA Inc. L.A.C.E. Girls Program, Maryland MESA and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., and the Nu Sigma Sigma Beta Club. Highlights of the 2014 Sailing Camp included activities from the U.S. Sailing REACH STEM curriculum. REACH utilizes sailing as an educational platform combining educators, sailing instructors, engineers, and scientists with today’s youth to provide them with a one-of-a-kind learning experience, giving students the opportunity to apply classroom learning in a cooperative work environment. Water safety, measuring wind, buoyancy, sail area and perimeter, simple machines on sailboats, upwind sailing angles, and water quality testing were just some of the experiences enjoyed by the campers, Johnson said. All of which will prepare students for certification on the water. Students also learn to work as a team and build confidence. “The activities were very engaging and the students were involved and motivated,” Oliver said. “The students had the opportunity to learn how to sail the boats as well as participating in several hands-on STEM activities related to sailing,” Jackson added. “Many youth do not have the opportunity to experience and explore a unique activity such as sailing,” said Hawkins, who is currently director of communications and media for You Make a Difference and a Maryland MESA coordinator. Hawkins was a 2013 Women of Color K-12 Promotion of Education Award winner. “In partnership with the Baltimore Downtown Sailing Center, You Make a Difference provided students the

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH

dream of becoming sailors. Understanding water and wind currents, along with the engineering design of sailboats, our students were enriched with a new knowledge of being on the water. This was an experience that I am sure they will never forget.”

“Twenty-two students were able to attend a one-week sailing camp for a minimal cost due to a generous grant provided by Lynn Handy. Next summer we hope to increase this opportunity to 50 students,” Johnson noted. by Lango Deen, ldeen@ccgmag.com

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WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2014

ACT NOW. BE BOLD. STAY TRUE. Congratulations to Tiffany Palmer Logan for her recognition as a technology rising star!

To learn more about the opportunities Cox Automotive has for professionals in the STEM field please visit www.CoxAutoInc.com/find-a-job

Cox Automotive is proud to support the 2014 Women of Color STEM Conference.

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It takes the best and the brightest to

be L-3

L-3 is a top ten U.S. defense prime contractor, Fortune 250 company, and key provider of mission-critical technologies to military and commercial customers. But more than anything else, L-3 is its people. Every individual in our company brings a unique background, perspective and set of abilities. These differences improve our creativity, innovation, agility and execution. Diversity is a key part of our business strategy — and a big factor in our ongoing success. We have assignments in the U.S. and around the world in Engineering, Program Management, Business Development, Cybersecurity and more! Share your ideas and help us develop the game-changing technologies of the future. Learn more and apply at www.L-3jobs.com

L-3 Communications Corporation is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. L-3 provides equal employment opportunity for all persons, in all facets of employment. L-3 maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks. We encourage minorities, women, protected veterans, and disabled individuals to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified.

RAYTHEON PEOPLE

INNOVATION.

DRIVEN BY DIVERSITY. As one of the world’s foremost technology leaders, Raytheon takes on some of the most difﬁcult challenges imaginable. Meeting those challenges requires a diversity of talent, ideas, backgrounds, opinions and beliefs. Diversity helps our teams make better decisions, build stronger customer relationships and feel more inspired, supported and empowered. It is both a catalyst and an essential advantage to everything we do.

Raytheon.com/careers Connect with us:

© 2014 Raytheon Company. All rights reserved. “Customer Success Is Our Mission” is a registered trademark of Raytheon Company. Raytheon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and welcomes a wide diversity of applicants. U.S. citizenship and security clearance may be required.

Make a power move. If you’re looking for a career move that can make a real difference, consider Southern Company. Think about the fact that Southern Company is on the leading edge of researching and developing innovative ways to provide customers with clean, safe, reliable, affordable energy. Think about joining a company that values a culture of diversity and teamwork, where you have the opportunity to grow and develop professionally. Think about Southern Company, where Energy, Innovation and Opportunity meet.

www.southerncompany.com/careers

Alabama Power • Georgia Power • Gulf Power • Mississippi Power • Southern Company Generation Southern Company Services • Southern Company Transmission • Southern Nuclear Southern Power • Southern Telecom • SouthernLINC Wireless

Create Your New Space With Lowe’s T

he excitement of summer has come to an end and now you’re thinking of a great way to welcome fall into your home. What better time than now is there to renovate your space? Redecorating may not always be as cost effective as we like, but Lowe’s offers the most affordable and practical ways to renovate your space. Lowe’s fall collection offers the perfect complements to create a warm and cozy atmosphere. With various accessories such as artwork, vases, lamps, and rugs, you’ll be living comfortably in your space in no time. Check out the items below to get a head start on your new project.

76 WOMENOFCOLOR |FALL 2014

www.womenofcolor.net

Storage Bin: allen + roth Grey Fabric Bin, #8380

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Rug: allen + roth 24x36-in Plaid Neutral Rug, #472392

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Throw: allen + roth 50x60-in Ivory Polyester Throw, #592793

Vase: allen + roth, glass amber vase, #594007 www.womenofcolor.net

WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2014

WE LIKE THE WAY

YOU THINK.

If thinking outside the box comes naturally to you, you’re what we call a “Pioneering Spirit.” We’re looking for innovative IT and technology professionals who dare to face challenges head on. Sound like you? Visit us at Lowes.com/Careers.

THE MOST SATISFYING CAREER MOVE... IS ONE THAT PROTECTS PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

NRC. Powered by You. Is there a higher calling? A more compelling ambition? The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is powered by people whose mission is focused on just that—protecting people and the environment. Add your skill, professional experience, and passion to our cause. NOW HIRING:

Nuclear Safety Professional Development Program (various locations)

An equal opportunity employer, M/F/D/V. U.S. citizenship required.

nrc.gov

WORK AT AN EXCEPTIONAL COLLEGE Bellevue College offers excellent job opportunities for faculty, administration and staff members. We provide great employee benefits, reduced tuition and a friendly work environment.

Bellevue is the 5th largest city in Washington where 40% of the population is of a minority race or ethnicity, 33% are multi-lingual and 60% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our campus is just 15 minutes from the creative hub of downtown Seattle with its thriving economy, renowned cultural scene and exceptional year-round recreational opportunities. Home to world-class pacesetters like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Starbucks, T-Mobile, Nintendo and Boeing. We are also 15 minutes from the natural beauty of the mountains and the Puget Sound. And just 15 minutes in another direction from the home of the Super Bowl Champion Seahawks. Bellevue College is a vibrant, innovative, inclusive campus community. We strive to offer our students an educational experience that reflects the diverse perspectives found in their future working environments. As the third largest higher-ed institution in Washington State, we open the door to more than 37,000 students each year. We’re a student-focused open-access institution, placing a strong emphasis on excellent teaching and small class sizes. ❱ Basic Skills, Running Start, Worker Retraining, & Continuing Education ❱ Six Bachelor’s Degrees with more in the pipeline ❱ Transfer Programs & Associate’s Degrees ❱ Professional & Technical Degrees & Certificates

www.bellevuecollege.edu/jobs

VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE N O O R D I N A RY C O L L E G E . N O O R D I N A RY L I F E .

Don’t do ordinary. Science • Technology • Engineering • Math • Liberal Arts Small Class Sizes • Civilian and Military Career Paths For quality of education, affordability, and post-graduation outcome, VMI ranks 18th out of the 665 schools in Money magazine’s 2014 Best Colleges.

VMI.EDU

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imagine the possibilities . . .

is the second oldest public institution of higher education in Texas. Offering baccalaureate degrees in 50 academic majors, 41 master’s degrees and four doctoral programs, the University has an established reputation for producing thousands of engineers, nurses, educators and corporate leaders. Since 1876, PVAMU has been dedicated to fulfilling its land-grant mission of achieving excellence in teaching, research and service.

The Roy G. Perry College of Engineering (COE) has distinguished itself as a premier program at Prairie View A&M University, maintaining a reputation for integrating theoretical knowledge with advanced hands-on industry experience. Many of its graduates are employed throughout the business and technological communities through Fortune 500 companies and as successful entrepreneurs. Overall, the Roy G. Perry College of Engineering produces graduates who are equipped to exercise a competitive advantage in today’s critical engineering disciplines.

COE Degree Programs

Chemical Engineering........BSCHE*, MSENGR Civil and Environmental Engineering ........................BSCE*, MSENGR Computer Science..............BS*, MSCS Computer Information Systems...............................MSCIS Computer Engineering.......BSCPEG* Electrical Engineering........BSEE*, MSEE, PhD Mechanical Engineering....BSME*, MSENGR Computer Engineering Technology..........................BSCET* Electrical Engineering Technology..........................BSEET*

*All Undergraduate Programs Are Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) Certified

Roy G. Perry College of Engineering

P.O. Box 519, MS 2500, Prairie View, TX 77446 - (936) 261-9890 Office - (936) 261-9868 FAX

www.pvamu.edu

Earn a Baccalaureate, Master and Doctor Degree

For more information Contact: The Office of the Dean (443) 885-3231 Growing the Future and Leading the World

Excellence Through Diversity in Engineering

Women of Color Volume 13 Number 2

Articles inside

Women of Color Volume 13 Number 2

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

SPECIAL RECOGNITION HONOREES