GET TO KNOW THE 2020 WOMEN OF COLOR AWARD WINNERS

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR WINNERS

FACTS FROM A FEW OF THE 2020 WOMEN OF COLOR STEM WINNERS

Throughout this virtual conference, we will hear from amazing women in STEM. You will learn about their challenges and accomplishments. You will hear about everything that they’ve done so far in their careers that has led them to this moment.

It’s also a tradition to present cool things you didn’t know about the honorees. This year’s list of people we get to know a little better includes winners from professional achievement, outstanding technical contribution, community service, and other categories. They talk about their STEM inspirations and share some fun facts.

Here are a few of your 2020 Women of Color STEM Virtual Conference awardees with a few tips to help us Reset and Rise.

MS. SHERONDA JEFFRIES

Technical Leader Quality Engineering Cisco

STEM Inspiration: What inspired you to pursue a STEM career?

When I arrived at NC A&T State University, I planned to major in accounting. However, a young man who was assisting me with registration taunted me. He said that if I really enjoyed mathematics, then I should consider changing my major to electrical engineering, but since I was a girl, I probably wouldn’t do it. I changed my major to electrical engineering right then and there. That young man is now the chancellor at NC A&T State University, and I thank him for daring me to pursue a career in STEM.

Favorite Book: The Bluest Eye

YEVETTE R. BRATTEN

Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, & Chief Security Officer DigiFlight, Inc.

My Biggest Challenge:

My biggest challenge was [learning to] balancing work, life, and family. Also, learning to stand tall and do the dance when you’re the only minority [in] a room. This confidence has

helped mold me into the woman I am today.

Advice for Students:

Dream big or go home. Try everything and do what feels good to you. Because if you do what you love, you’re going to be great at it. Never let someone tell you, “you can’t!” The greatest part of being an American is “I CAN”! Learn your craft from cradle to grave.

BY RAYONDON KENNEDY

Fun Facts:

• I play basketball and golf. • I am a jokester. • I love to travel and learn other cultures.

MRS. INDERPAL K. DEOL

Director and Chief Engineer, Fossil Generation DTE Energy

My Biggest Influence:

My mother and maternal grandmother [have] been the biggest influence on my life. They have taught me to be humble yet tough to face whatever challenges life puts in front of you. They taught me to never give up and continue working hard against all odds.

Advice for Students:

Follow your passion and don’t be afraid to take on opportunities that may not directly align with your career goals.

Fun Fact:

I am fluent in three different languages and scared [of] dogs.

TAMBERLIN GOLDEN

Plant Director General Motors

How I Inspire:

I have a transparent and participative leadership style. Engagement of the entire team is what makes a difference in performance. It’s also imperative to create transparency in your organization so that ambiguity doesn’t hinder progress.

Advice for Students:

The best advice that I can give a student pursuing any career path is to seek to demonstrate depth and ensure they can differentiate themselves from others. Don’t blend in with the crowd. The landscape is very competitive, and clear differentiation is critical to success.

Favorite Book:

• The Brand Called You by Peter

Montoya • The Other 90% by Dr. Robert

Cooper • Get Out of Your Own Way by Dr.

Robert Cooper

Fun Fact:

My happy space is with dance and any theater arts. I wanted to be Debbie Allen before I was hired at [General Motors].

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR WINNERS

LATITIA MCCANE, PH.D.

Director of Education Huntington Ingalls Industries

Biggest Challenge:

Work-life balance and finding time to relax has been the biggest challenge.

Biggest Influence:

Luzel and Mae Bolden, my grandparents, had the biggest influence in my life. I learned how to be entrepreneurial, loving, spiritual, and kind to others.

Favorite Books:

• To Kill A Mockingbird Bird by

Harper Lee • Instinct: The Power to Unleash Your

Inborn Drive by TD Jakes • Leadership from the Inside Out by

Kevin Cashman

MS. VANESSA MICHELINI

IBM Distinguished Engineer, Master Inventor IBM

STEM Inspiration:

My mother: She was a computer programmer.

How I Inspire:

I lead by example. I like to be approachable and caring, coaching my team to grow and drive results. However, sometimes I apply some “tough love” to help them stay close to reality. I give them the big picture and like to inspire them to achieve the results.

Advice for Students:

Deliver [on] the commitments you made. Understand your clients’ and users’ challenges and create a solution in collaboration with them.

Fun Facts:

• I have triple citizenship. • I have a ballet teacher diploma.

MRS. DEMETRIA F. HALL

Systems Engineer Staff, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Lockheed Martin Corporation

Advice for Students:

Never give up on your dreams! Persistence is the key to success and ask for help when you need it.

Important Lessons Learned:

• Own your mistakes, quickly correct them, and do not repeat the same mistake if [at] all possible. Respect others Do the right thing

Fun Facts:

• I have a twin brother. [We were]

born 15 minutes apart.

I earned first chair flute for the school band in my [sophomore year of high school] during an impromptu challenge, advancing past all juniors and seniors. I was a high school varsity cheerleader and also performed a piccolo solo for Homecoming night during halftime. My college dorm room number (1913) happened to be the same year my beloved sorority (Delta Sigma Theta) was incorporated.

MS. ADRIENNE SOMERVILLE

Acquisition Group Head, Commander Fleet Readiness Center Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)

Biggest Challenge:

The biggest challenge for my career was learning setbacks are setups for success, and that your breaking

MS. JASMINE LEFLORE

Sr. Project Engineer/Nonprofit Co-Founder, Collins Aerospace/ Greater Than Tech

points equate to your breakthroughs. What you think is happening to you is actually happening for you. So, manage how you handle defeat, because others are always watching you.

Biggest Influence:

My grandmother, Carolyn E. Parker, has been the biggest influence on my life. She taught me mentorship before mentoring was a thing. My grandmother would [be] my mentor and greatest fan if she [were] still with me today.

Fun Facts:

• I love acting young and cool around my two children’s (ages 18 and 21) friends, because their friends love it, and my children think I am crazy. • I love to travel and intend to visit every continent. • I am a strong introvert, but no one ever believes me because I can network and work a room. • I love sip and socials with other amazing women—such great learning experiences. Raytheon Technologies Corporation

How I Inspire:

Firm but fair. Direct but compassionate. If I act too much like a guy, people won’t like me. However, I am trying to dismantle that narrative.

Advice for Students:

Don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially when it seems like everyone else gets it except you.

STEM Inspiration:

I used to live by an airport, and I was always curious about the planes. Then I went on a college tour at [the University of Michigan] and saw the aerospace department.

MRS. TONYA M. NOBLE

Director, International Defense Training The Boeing Company

STEM Inspiration:

I always had an interest in my video games and first computer. I was exposed to “programming” at an early age but had no idea it could be or would be the start of my career. I excelled in math and science, making it a great logical next step in my educational journey.

Biggest Influence:

My parents. Since I was a child, they have always made me feel that any goal was achievable if I set my mind to it. I was never given a blueprint. I was the first person in my family to attend college, so I didn’t have very many examples of career options. My dad was a blue-collar worker. My mom was an office administrator. But they always encouraged me to set high targets and figure out a way to achieve them.