2020 Women of Color | CONFERENCE - VOL. 20, NO. 2

WOMEN OF COLOR STEM AWARD WINNERS AT THE 2020 VIRTUAL CONFERENCE OVER 400 RISING AND ALL-STAR AWARDEES CONTACT TRACER JOBS: 300K+ WORKERS NEEDED

the

2020

technologist of theyear (RET.) RADM SYLVIA TRENT-ADAMS, PH.D., RN, FAAN Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health U.S. Department of Health & Human Services FALL 2020 | www.womenofcolor.online

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contents VOLUME 20 NUMBER 2 FALL 2020

cover

36| The 2020 Technologist of the Year

Get to Know the 2020 Technologist of the Year, retired RADM Sylvia Trent-Adams, Ph.D., RN, FAAN

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WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2020

www.womenofcolor.online

CONTENTS FOR TODAY’S CAREER WOMEN IN BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY

features

departments

26| Global Health

06| Take Five

Security Concerns at an All-Time High!

Amber Brown shares stories about some of the challenges in her career and how she balances the technical and personal

VADM Adam Robinson, who served as the 36th surgeon general of the U.S. Navy, shares his thoughts and advice

30| Passing the Torch

2019 Technologist of the Year Shares Her Experience as Top Award Winner

10| She Thrives

Marine biologist Symone Johnson Barkley thrives in an industry where there aren’t many people who look like her

12| By the Numbers

Learn more about the state of U.S. Science and Engineering, and the Women of Color STEM conference attendees

16| A Matter of Facts 42| Meet the 2020

Women of Color STEM Awardees

62| Meet the 2020

Women of Color Technology

All-Stars & Rising Stars

The public health industry: What you need to know about women in these fields

18| Women Who Inspire

Two past Women of Color STEM Award winners find tremendous satisfaction in volunteering and encourage us all to find a way to give back

22| Global Sisters in Innovation

Ruth Magona, one of the top global women in cybersecurity, continues to find ways to reinvent herself

74| Executives Share

Exciting

Opportunities at Walmart

Find out more about these

opportunities you may not be aware of

www.womenofcolor.online

80| Career Outlook: Contact Tracing

Here’s everything you need to know about one of today’s most in-demand jobs: contact tracing

WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2020

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PUBLISHER’S PAGE Career Communications Group’s

The 2020 Women of Color STEM Virtual Conference

For Today’s Career Women In Technology & Business

F

or more than a decade, Career Communications Group (CCG), the company behind Women of Color (WOC) magazine and the annual WOC STEM Conference, has offered attendees the opportunity to participate at groundbreaking seminars, networking events, and award shows during the three-day WOC STEM weekend.

VOLUME 20 | NUMBER 2 EXECUTIVE OFFICE Tyrone D. Taborn, CEO and Chief Content Officer Jean Hamilton, President and CFO

Alex Venetta, Associate Publisher, Manager of

Partner Services

Eric Price, Vice President, Recruitment and

Professional Training Rayondon Kennedy, Managing Editor Lango Deen, Technology Editor Michael Fletcher, Contributing Editor Gale Horton Gay, Contributing Editor Garland L. Thompson, Contributing Editor Roger Witherspoon, Contributing Editor

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Beverly Wladkowski, Art Director Bryan Davis, Digital Director Rachael DeVore, Digital Channel Manager Joe Weaver, Global Design Interactive

Live streaming helps those who can’t take part in-person to make the most out of the event’s offering for personal and professional development. This year, our virtual conference has the best aspects of our in-person and online events to match everyone’s schedule.

EDITORIAL AND CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Last year, Randi Lou Franklin said she has had “the honor and pleasure of attending as well as speaking at this conference” for the last three years. “It is such an empowering conference with amazing women in the STEM fields and those who support those fields,” she said.

In 2017, Priscilla O’Neill said that you’re guaranteed to “be motivated and encouraged and challenged to step up and use your talents.” Michele Williams thanked her employer for giving her the opportunity to be an award recipient. “I would love to return for future conferences.”

This year, the prestigious Technologist of the Year Award will be presented to Rear Adm. Sylvia Trent-Adams, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN, the former principal deputy assistant secretary for health.

Trent-Adams’s award couldn’t have come at a better time. Her achievements are as relevant as ever during these challenging times.

Over the past 30 years, the rear admiral has made a difference in the Department of Health and Human Services, which protects the health of all Americans, and in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, which works on the front lines of public health to fight disease, conduct research, and care for patients in underserved communities across the nation and throughout the world.

CORPORATE AND Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd, CCG Alumni Committee ALUMNI RELATIONS Chair and President

Dr. Eugene DeLoatch, Chairman, BEYA Alumni Group

Vice Admiral Walter J. Davis, USN (Ret)

National Chair, BEYA Military Alumni

Oliver “Bo” Leslie, Retired Program Manager,

Historically Black Colleges and Universities/

Minority Institutions, Boeing

Monica E. Emerson, Women of Color STEM

Conference National Chair

Matt Bowman, CCG Military Program Manager

Stars and Stripes Committee Executive Director/

Chief of Staff for VADM Walt Davis, USN (Ret.)

Ty Taborn, Esq., Corporate Development SALES AND MARKETING Gwendolyn Bethea, Vice President, Corporate Development

Kameron Nelson, Account Executive

Jay Albritton, Social Media Specialist JOBMATCH AND STUDENT Ashley Turner, University & Professional Relations DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS Development Manager

Courtney Taborn, Talent Management Specialist

Rod Carter, Recruitment Specialist, College Relations

Shelia Richburg, College Coordinator CONFERENCE AND EVENTS

Ana Bertrand, Conference Coordinator Jennifer Roberts, Customer Success Manager Brandon Newby, Administrative Assistant Toni Robinson, 360 MMG Rutherford & Associates

ADVERTISING SALES OFFICE Career Communications Group, Inc. 729 E. Pratt Street, Suite 504 Baltimore, MD 21202 Phone: (410) 244-7101 / Fax: (410) 752-1837 www.womenofcolor.online

ike us on Facebook: L facebook.com/WOCITC

Like us on Twitter: @woctechnology

Tyrone D. Taborn CEO and Chief Content Officer

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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 © 2019 by Career Communications Group Inc. All rights reserved.

Printed in the U.S.A.

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TAKE FIVE

by Lango Deen ldeen@ccgmag.com

How Amber Brown finds different ways to solve tough problems Amber Brown system engineer, risk manager, and control account manager Raytheon Technologies

“I used to break things and put them back together just to see how they worked,” she said. When she learned household gadgets were off limits, Brown headed outdoors. “I didn’t go outside to play though,” she said with a chuckle. “I went outside to see what I could destroy.”

By sixth grade, although Brown gravitated to what she thought then were not “girly” pursuits, she was struggling with math. One of her teachers took notice and made time to give the young student a powerful life lesson. “Math is not the same process for everybody,” she remembers him saying. “You can take different approaches to get to the right answer.” With a few modifications here and there, Brown has applied that fundamental rule to seemingly intractable problems throughout her academic and career journey.

A

mber Brown is a principal system engineer performing the role of a system engineer, risk manager, and control account manager at Raytheon Technologies in Texas. She has worn three hats simultaneously since joining the system engineering organization in May, after a short stint as a configuration management lead. She also held a similar position at L3 Technologies Aerospace Systems in Greenville, TX, which merged with Harris Corporation and was renamed L3Harris Technologies in 2019.

Previously, Brown spent more than 14 years at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth, TX, holding various jobs such as project engineer and systems engineer. Throughout most of her Lockheed Martin Aeronautics career, Brown was raising her now 11-yearold son—who already has dreams of becoming an engineer like mom—and her younger sister, who recently went off to join the Navy. Brown’s sister is training as a welder to help keep the Naval fleet afloat—not an unusual path for women in the Brown household.

Becoming an Engineer Growing up in Texas, Brown recalls how curious she was.

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Inspired by an older cousin who was a few years ahead of her in high school, Brown chose to go to college at Prairie View A&M University, a public historically Black college and university (HBCU) in Prairie View, TX. Initially, she took up computer engineering, but later opted for electrical engineering as major. In 2002, Brown graduated with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering technology and joined Lockheed Martin Aeronautics as an electrical engineer.

Unwritten Rules After more than a decade as a professional engineer in the defense industry, Brown says she’s learned to be comfortable claiming a seat at the table, even though she’s been reprimanded for being assertive.

“When you become assertive with a dominant male, they feel you have an issue or you’re rude,” she said.

“I’m very assertive. I always have been, but I learn to use the right words, language, and tone to have difficult conversations.”

“Having Difficult Conversations” is in fact the title of one of three industry-standard career development courses that Brown recommends for young professionals. The

www.womenofcolor.online

others are “Full Spectrum Leadership” and “Culture of Accountability.”

“Women can be quite timid,” added Brown. “If they don’t know the answer, we don’t want to be seen as incompetent. But you have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

As a new engineering grad, Brown remembers a manager telling her, “It’s okay to say I don’t know, but I will find an answer,” and come back. “That’s something that helped me as a junior engineer,” Brown said.

My Greatest Challenge Currently, Brown works as a principal system engineer for Raytheon Technologies. She has also worked as a multi-disciplined engineer and configuration management analyst with SAS in McKinney, TX. From 2005 to 2017, Brown was based in Fort Worth, TX for the most part, where she worked in aeronautics operations for the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company. Other projects she was involved in include F-35 Configuration Management, F-16 Avionic System Requirements, and the F-16/F-35 Electrical System Integration/Harness & Interconnect.

She’s received Six Sigma specialist training, is Green Belt certified, and earned an M.B.A. from the College of Business at American Intercontinental University in 2007. During her Lockheed Martin career, she received recognition like the 2016 Women of Color STEM Award for Corporate Responsibility and was one of more than 50 Lockheed Martin employees to receive a ModernDay Technology Leadership Award at the 2012 BEYA STEM Conference. In addition, at Raytheon Technologies, she has been recognized as the 2020 STEAM/STEM Committee Lead Raytheon Women’s Network and was the 2019 North Texas Director Raytheon Women’s Network.

“When I was elected diversity and inclusion lead at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, management came to me and said, ‘If you do this, then we’ll see you as more of a people person than a technical person,’” she said.

Drawing a line in the sand was challenging for Brown—the expectation that she had to choose between being an “HR type person” or a technical subject matter expert (SME).

“Women can be quite timid,” added Brown. “If they don’t know the answer, we don’t want to be seen as incompetent.

But you have to be

comfortable with being uncomfortable.” both? Why can’t I love the people I work with, and also be a SME when it comes to designing harnesses and systems?’”

To this day, Brown struggles with maintaining the balance as she grows in a job where she can be who she wants to be. In her job, she integrates her technical background with schedule and budgets. Brown oversees risk and opportunity, controlling accounts to manage schedules, performance, cost collection, and estimate completion.

Always focused on finding different ways to solve tough problems, she says that driving around Texas has given her perspective on what is happening outside the world of work.

“Social media has made us more aware of what people are feeling,” Brown told Women of Color magazine in July. “The coronavirus, George Floyd’s death, and all the other issues. Sometimes, we overlook things because they are not being shown. They’re not visible. But now we can act for everyone in society. I believe awareness is the first step to making change and making the world a better place,” she said. 

“You had to pick a side, but I thought, ‘Why can’t I be

www.womenofcolor.online

WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2020

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National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NASA Congratulates 2020 Women of Color Award Winners Student Leadership Undergraduate Level

Outstanding Technical Contribution in Government Award

Corporate Responsibility Award

Michelle Dominguez Ames Research Center

Antonella Alunni Ames Research Center

Karen Bradford Ames Research Center

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Ranked the Best Place to Work in the Federal Government

For more information on Artemis please visit www.nasa.gov/artemis www.nasa.gov PS-03276-920

SHE THRIVES

Harnessing the Power of Diversity to Thrive B

orn and raised in Baltimore, MD, Symone Johnson Barkley grew up in the Cherry Hill neighborhood. In an interview with Ray Kennedy of CCG Media, she said that as a little girl, she played often in Middle Branch Park, but wasn’t aware that a nearby river led to the Chesapeake Bay. “Green spaces have evolved,” she said. “But there wasn’t really a whole lot to do except rolling down the hill.”

At some point Johnson Barkley started watching animal shows on Saturday mornings and began noticing the bugs and birds in her neighborhood. During high school, she volunteered at the National Aquarium as an exhibit guide. Her job involved talking to people about what they were seeing, and that role inspired her to become a marine scientist.

“A lot of people come to the aquarium for entertainment,” she said. “But they also come to learn.”

She encouraged young people in urban areas to visit zoos, aquariums, and green spaces. “Explore your backyard; explore your block. You can use an app called iNaturalist to learn about the biodiversity in cities, including birds, insects, etc.”

Johnson Barkley also advised seeking out experiences early because she didn’t sail on a boat until she was an undergraduate student at Hampton University. One of her role models at college was Dr. Deirdre Gibson, who motivated her to do more than her best.

“The Marine Science Department was very small, and it probably had about 15 students,” she recalled. “It was nice that it was so small because we were able to help one another so much.”

Johnson Barkley was accepted at Hampton University as an “early decision” applicant. She had gone to a High School Day event at the historically Black college and university (HBCU) during her junior year and participated in a leadership program over one weekend, she explained.

“I fell in love with the school,” she told Women of Color magazine. “When I visited, I found out about their marine science department and had already decided in high school that I wanted to go to a HBCU. So, it was a nobrainer for me.”

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According to Hampton’s website, the Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences prepares students to pursue career paths in marine biology, oceanography, environmental law, environmental protection, and consulting.

“There are people in so many different disciplines, which speaks to the power of diversity,” Johnson Barkley said.

“They are committed to learning more about this world and the Earth.”

She advised budding scientists to hold on to their plans and dreams. As a young girl, she didn’t know anyone who was Black and a marine biologist.

“Most of my opportunities have come because of networking, volunteering as a high school student, and paid internships,” she said.

The ocean is Johnson Barkley’s favorite place. It’s where she finds the most peace. “It’s calming, just to look at a body of water and feel relaxed. We still don’t know 95 percent of the ocean,” she said.

Johnson Barkley now leads the What Lives in the Harbor program at the National Aquarium, providing a meaningful watershed educational experience for all of Baltimore City Public Schools’ sixth graders. During this program, students take water quality samples and learn about how human actions impact the Baltimore Harbor and Chesapeake Bay and how they can reduce that impact, creating a more suitable habitat for species.

Johnson Barkley has also introduced a new internship within this program between the aquarium and local colleges and universities in Baltimore including Morgan State University, Coppin State University, and Towson University. Additionally, Johnson oversees the Henry Hall Fellowship, a rigorous program designed to extend the legacy of engineer, aquarist, and philanthropist Henry Hall (1896–1979). The program aims to foster the next generation of Baltimore’s leaders to: •

Develop understanding of urban conservation and environmental justice.

•

Explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) careers.

•

Learn, practice, and hone leadership skills.

www.womenofcolor.online

by Lango Deen editors@ccgmag.com

“There are people in so many different disciplines, which speaks to the power of diversity,” Johnson Barkley said. “They are

committed to learning more about this world and the Earth.”

Symone Johnson Barkley manager of education programs, Conservation Education Department, Baltimore National Aquarium

Johnson Barkley also hosts a monthly Web-based educator video resource called NOAA Ocean Today, Every Full Moon (https://oceantoday.noaa.gov/deeperdive/).

This resource is designed to be used by educators, and the public, to share fascinating aspects of the ocean.

On her Web page, hosted on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website, Johnson Barkley is listed as an alumna of the Educational Partnership Program (EPP) and a 2016 Knauss Marine Policy Fellow.

The EPP provides scholarships and internships to outstanding students studying at minority-serving institutions (MSIs). Scholarships provide funds for two years of study to rising junior undergraduate students www.womenofcolor.online

majoring in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields that support NOAA’s mission.

Participants conduct research at a NOAA facility during two paid summer internships. Since 2001, over 186 students have completed the program and over 75 percent go on to graduate school.. 

Check out our one-on-one interview with Symone Johnson Barkley! l.ead.me/bbfDGu

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BY THE NUMBERS

by Lango Deen editors@ccgmag.com

2020 National Science Board Science and Engineering Indicators: The State of U.S. Science and Engineering T

he National Science Board delivered the State of U.S. Science and Engineering report to the president and Congress in January 2020, in fulfillment of the congressional mandate. According to the most recent estimates, the U.S. workforce includes about 17 million skilled technical workers. That is people who are employed in occupations that require science and engineering (S&E) knowledge, and whose educational attainment is some high school or a high school diploma, an associate degree, or equivalent training.

The skilled

technical workforce is

made up primarily of men—only

28% are

women

In the United States, science and engineering workers are concentrated in four categories: construction and extraction (21 percent); health care (20 percent); installation, maintenance, and repair (20 percent); and production (16 percent).

In 2017, skilled technical workers had a higher median salary ($45,000) and a lower unemployment rate (3 percent) than did workers with less than a bachelor’s degree in all other occupations ($29,000 and 5 percent).

The skilled technical workforce is made up primarily of men—only 28 percent are women.

According to the most recent estimates, the United States awarded nearly 800,000 S&E first university degrees in 2016. The 28 European Union countries together produced nearly 1 million of these degrees, with the top 6 EU countries accounting for about 70 percent of the EU total. China produced 1.7 million S&E first university degrees. Much of China’s increase has been in engineering, which accounted for nearly 70 percent of its S&E first university degrees.

In 2017, the United States awarded 93,000 associate degrees in science and engineering fields and another 133,000 in S&E technologies. Among U.S. students who earned science and engineering bachelor’s degrees between 2010 and 2017, about half (47 percent) had done

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some coursework at a community college and nearly a fifth (18 percent) earned associate degrees.

Community colleges play a key role in preparing Americans to enter the workforce with associate degrees or certificates, or to transition to four-year educational institutions.

The report also describes trends in the U.S. science and engineering enterprise, including science and engineering education and workforce, research and development (R&D), R&D-intensive commercial output, and innovation.

In international mathematics and science assessments, U.S. eighth-grade students rank in the middle of advanced economies. Further, U.S. eighth-grade students’ average mathematics scores have been relatively flat over the past decade.

U.S. universities continue to award the most S&E doctoral-level degrees in the world. However, foreign students receive a considerable proportion of U.S. S&E doctorates. As such, the U.S. S&E enterprise includes not only domestic resources, but also the contributions of international students and workers, international collaborations in research, and global markets and trade in R&D-intensive products.

Americans overwhelmingly believe that science creates more opportunities for the next generation (92 percent in 2018) and that the federal government should provide funds for scientific research (84 percent).

However, a “great deal of confidence” in the scientific community is higher among those with more advanced education (68 percent of graduate degree holders, compared with 29 percent of those with less than a high school diploma) as well as among men (50 percent, compared with 39 percent of women) and those with higher income (55 percent in the highest income quartile, compared with 37 percent in the lowest income quartile).

About 68 percent of those with less than a high school diploma agree that science makes life change too fast. For those with a graduate degree, 45 percent share this view.

Although the United States continues to lead globally in R&D expenditures, S&E doctoral-level degree awards, www.womenofcolor.online

and production of highly cited research publications, other nations, particularly China, are rapidly developing their S&E capacity. As a result, the United States has seen its share of global S&E activity flatten or shrink.

As more countries around the world develop R&D and human capital infrastructure to sustain and compete in a knowledge-oriented economy, the United States is playing a less dominant role in many areas of S&E activity.

Many Americans continue to have a “great deal of confidence” in the scientific community (44 percent). This perception has remained stable since 1973 (37 percent) and is second only to confidence in the military (59 percent). A substantial percentage of Americans also think science makes life change too fast (49 percent).

Almost all Americans report that they believe science will benefit future generations and favor federal support for scientific research. 

66.8%

Professional Development

65%

61%

*including finding a mentor

Other*

Job Opportunities

Internships

34%

seniors

the preferred mode of communication with Women of Color STEM Conference organizers. On-site, more

11% s

juniors

freshman

doctoral master’s

6.8%

• College coordinators comprised 2.3 percent of the total number of attendees at the 2019 conference, and recruiters made up at least 8.3 percent. More than half of the organizations at the career fair hired at the conference, with 70 percent of the recruiting teams saying they were impressed with the caliber of students. At least 20 percent of the students seeking

jobs were interviewed for a job or internship.

• Attendees didn’t just come for the award recognition. Only 2 percent of attendees came to the event solely for that purpose.

More than 66 percent said they believed the value of the conference exceeded the costs, and a whopping 94 percent

sophomore

www.womenofcolor.online

• More than 72 percent of students who completed the survey said they heard about the event from a college administrator. Others had read emails or seen flyers. Without a doubt, emails were

rated the conference information as excellent.

34%

9%

• At least 90 percent of attendees said their organizations sponsored their attendance of the 2019 Women of Color STEM Conference.

• More than 81 percent of the respondents took part in job readiness workshops, and 72 percent attended educational sessions offered during the three-day event in Detroit, MI. Overall, 65 percent

More than 60 percent of attendees found the professional development seminars and workshops at the conference relevant to their science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers. Networking ranked the highest among the top reasons for attending the conference.

31%

• Of the more than 200 attendees who responded to the 2019 Women of Color STEM Conference post-conference survey, the majority identified as professionals (60.4 percent).

Only 36 percent of the total number of professional attendees at the conference didn’t have security clearances.

than 60 percent of conference attendees relied on text messages to keep up with the event’s schedule.

75%

Networking

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10

2019 WOMEN OF COLOR STEM CONFERENCE

described the conference as inspirational, with an equal number saying they would recommend the Women of Color STEM Conference to colleagues and friends. More than 73 percent said they used the conference services to arrange travel and lodging.

6.8%

attendees were students 21% ofcollege

Scan for more stories like this! l.ead.me/bbSxmw

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As the leading staffing provider and engineering services company, we take great pride in our ability to impact the diversity of talent in all STEM fields. We value, respect and learn from the differences that make our workplace, workforce and marketplace unique.

Aerotek and EASi are proud sponsors of the Women of Color STEM Conference and its mission to advance the next generation of women of color in STEM. To learn more about our company and the available career opportunities in STEM fields visit Aerotek.com.

Aerotek is an equal opportunity employer. An Allegis Group Company. Š2020

SCIENCE. SERVICE. STEWARDSHIP.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is an agency that enriches life through science. Our reach goes from the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor as we work to keep citizens informed of the changing environment around them. From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, NOAA’s products and services support economic vitality and affect more than one-third of America’s gross domestic product. NOAA’s dedicated scientists use cutting-edge research and high-tech instrumentation to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers and other decision makers with reliable information they need when they need it.

NOAA employs some of the world’s top Scientists supported by a vast array of Administrative Support Professionals to accomplish this mission and we welcome you!

Join the NOAA team!

On the Web: http://www.noaa.gov/  On Twitter: @NOAA  On Facebook: NOAA

A MATTER OF FACTS

by Kaitlin Anselmo editors@ccgmag.com

Women in STEM: Pandemic Edition D

espite the data that tells us that female students perform at equal or higher academic rates to their male counterparts in STEM fields, they make up less than 30 percent of the science and engineering workforce.

Noteworthy, however, is that women make up either close to, or slightly more than, half of the workforce for biological and social sciences.

This is the time for women to collectively organize and ensure that they play the role

As COVID-19 becomes a more and more prominent concern in our society, it is interesting to consider the role of women in the fight against coronavirus. In fact, in the last decade, the amount of women involved in biological science fields has more than doubled.

they wish to play in the fight against coronavirus.

This increase in women in the field is certainly something to be thankful for, given the group of women who are leading the charge in the fight against COVID-19. From Dr. Qian Zhang, who initially posited that children were less susceptible to the virus than other subgroups, to Dr. Akiko Iwasaki, whose goal is to understand the immune response elicited by coronavirus, women are putting their best feet forward to ensure that society returns to normal as quickly as possible.

There may be more at stake here than the fight for the greater good. Data tells us that women are publishing less during the pandemic, and studies tell us that this looks to be both the result of the different types of science practiced by women as well as the exhaustive role that many women play in the home—managing a role as a newfound homeschool teacher doesn’t lend itself to getting to the lab to further one’s research.

When it comes to the work of women’s research as it pertains specifically to coronavirus, female research papers represent only one-third of the total research available. The Eureka Alert, an online science news

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source, lists three possible reasons for this lack of representation: “women may have less time to commit to research during the pandemic, they may also be denied access to COVID-19 research owing to its anticipated high impact, and such research may also be considered the realm of those in leadership positions, which remain most commonly held by men.”

These claims aren’t unfounded. A study done by the Pew Research Group indicates that 29 percent of women in STEM jobs indicated being paid less than their male counterparts. Twenty-nine percent additionally indicated being treated as less competent than their male counterparts, while another 18 percent indicated receiving less support from senior leaders than a male counterpart in a similar role. Finally, with less than 12 percent of all leadership roles in the science and engineering space occupied by women, it is no surprise that women’s voices are underrepresented in present events.

It’s critical, however, that women do not get discouraged by these numbers. Instead, this is the time for women to collectively organize and ensure that they play the role they wish to play in the fight against coronavirus. Just as Zhang and Iwasaki have done, it is critical that we raise our voices in order to showcase that women are just as capable of assisting in this fight as our male colleagues.

If you are not presently employed in a field capable of fighting against coronavirus, consider using some of the time the pandemic may be offering you to engage in closing the gender gap in science and engineering.

Simple acts, such as mentoring young women to learn more about the field in which you work, or volunteering at your local school to engage young women in handson science experiences can prove critical in creating the next generation of research scientists. Whether you are helping cultivate the next generation of great minds or applying your mind to restoring health and order to society, you are playing a critical role and have our sincerest support. 

www.womenofcolor.online

WOMEN WHO INSPIRE

by Gale Horton Gay editors@ccgmag.com

Pay it Forward with Volunteering L

ending a hand to others is ingrained in the lives of some senior-level executive women. Delilah Nunez at The Aerospace Corp. and Adriana Ocampo at The Boeing Company find tremendous satisfaction in volunteering and encourage us all to find ways we, too, can be a part of giving back. Here are their stories:

Delilah Nunez Delilah Nunez is a senior project engineer with The Aerospace Corp. She’s been working in engineering for 26 years.

According to Nunez, her success in the engineering field didn’t happen by her efforts alone. She credits help from mentors who guided her along the way. That mentorship spurred her to become deeply involved in volunteerism.

“I volunteer and support various STEM events at elementary, middle, and high schools… I have also done about two events for the student chapter of Hermanas Unidas at UCLA,” explained Nunez via email. “I also support ALMA, Aerospace Latino Members Association, an employee resource group at my company… One of the organizations I have supported the most and longest is MAES, a student chapter at Cal State Long Beach. MAES (Latinos in Math, Engineering, and Science) was once known as Mexican-American Engineers and Scientists when I first joined as a student.”

She said in most cases, she serves as a mentor, speaker at events such as career day, and technical panelist.

“If the opportunity arises, I also help connect students with other mentors or internship opportunities,” said Nunez.

It was during her college years that Nunez first realized the power of volunteering.

“I started out as an undergrad student and ultimately became a student officer for MAES,” she recalled. “MAES really helped connect me with mentors and opportunities that lead to scholarships. As a first generation in my family to go to college, I really appreciated being involved with organizations like MAES. We also gave back to the community as well, like helping middle school kids realize it is possible to go to college.

“Once I became a professional, I felt the need to continue

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to give back and help those that follow. Especially when I still see the same issues and questions for many first-generation Latino students. While I have supported MAES for many years in various ways (resume workshops, mock interviews, key note speaker, helping organize/sponsor STEM engineering extravaganza for middle school kids), I have extended a lot of the outreach and mentoring on my own to various schools…”

Asked why volunteering is so important to her, Nunez pointed to one person who mentored her while she was an undergraduate student.

“I would not have come across this person without folks volunteering their time to be mentors and support organizations like MAES. It made an impact on my education and career, so I felt the need to pay it forward and have been ever since. While I don’t limit my outreach and support to just MAES, it has a special place, and I am always looking to see how I can help. Even when times get tough and busy and I always can’t support as often as I like, I always try to find a way for others to help.

And what better use of time to help and support in the development of future STEM leaders in our communities?

Especially in Latino families, often they don’t realize the opportunities and potential they have to pursue STEM careers.”

Adriana Ocampo Adriana Ocampo is chief of staff and business integrator, Boeing Global Services, The Boeing Company, with more than 20 years of experience in engineering, operations, supply management, strategic work placement, and corporate audits.

Ocampo currently serves on the national board of directors of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). She was one of the founding members of Boeing Women in Leadership and Boeing Hispanic Employees Network Business Resource Group in St. Louis, MO, and Dallas, TX. She has promoted STEM by mentoring, volunteering, and presenting at the St. Louis Science Center and at underserved middle schools and high schools in St. Louis, South Florida, South Carolina, and the Dallas/Fort Worth area. She’s also talked about STEM careers to pre-college and college students.

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Left: Adriana Ocampo, chief of staff and business integrator, Boeing Global Services, The Boeing Company.

Right: Delilah Nunez, senior project engineer, the Aerospace Corp.

Lending a hand to others is

ingrained in the lives of some senior-level executive women who find

tremendous satisfaction in volunteering

and encourage us all to find ways we, too can be a part of giving back.

to make sure my father and uncle got their educations.

My grandfather’s own father died young, and his mother was blind, so he had to drop out of school to support the family. However, my grandfather made education a priority for my father and my uncle, and they eventually both became engineers. My mother is Colombia’s first female marine biologist, so it was no surprise that I found myself studying the sciences. And when I look back at the opportunities I had, I feel a need to give back to my community.

“Following in my grandfather’s footsteps, I am committed to education. For example, I helped pay for one of my cousin’s college tuition in Colombia. She is the third of four siblings, and she lost her father at the age of 6. I am also helping to pay for my nephew’s college tuition so he can graduate debt-free.”

Ocampo reaches out internationally and promotes STEM in other countries such as Colombia, Bolivia, and Chile.

Ocampo encourages everyone to find avenues to help others.

She cites her community service as her most significant work.

“You need to identify what moves you, what’s important to you, and find a way to make a difference in someone else’s life,” she said. “You can be a mentor, volunteer your time by helping the elderly, clean the beach or the bottom of the ocean. There are many different ways. Just make a difference.” 

Family sacrifices are part of what has compelled Ocampo to make helping others a priority.

“My passion to help others hit home personally when I traveled to my family’s hometown in Colombia after my grandfather passed away,” she said. “While I was there, I discovered the sacrifices my grandfather made

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GLOBAL SISTERS IN INNOVATION

by Lango Deen ldeen@ccgmag.com

Why Ruth Magona keeps reinventing herself F

or someone who was nominated as one of the Top 50 Women in Cybersecurity—Africa 2020, Ruth M. Magona is a reluctant rising star. The award ceremony, which was held this July during QuarterCon, Africa’s Quarterly Cybersecurity Conference, recognizes women in cybersecurity in Africa who have made significant contributions to advance the industry and are shaping the path for future generations of professionals.

The top 50 finalists are compiled in collaboration with Women in Security & Resilience Alliance, a sub-network of the Security Partners’ Forum.

Growing up in Sierra Leone, Magona says she wasn’t sure what she was interested in. Her father had a Ph.D. Ruth Magona in philosophy and her mother was a chief operating officer medical doctor. Her older brother passed Africa Risk Management away in 2006, while serving as a futures and Compliance Partners. analyst in the United Kingdom. Two years later, she lost her father, who had spent years in local politics after retiring from academia.

Magona’s mother died on April 19, 2012.

Early Days After middle school, young Magona spent a year at Annie Walsh, an all-girls secondary school in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Reputed to be the oldest girls’ school south of the Sahara, legend has it that the Annie Walsh Memorial School was named after a British girl who dreamed of one day becoming a missionary. Unfortunately, Walsh’s life was cut short. The story goes that on her deathbed, Walsh asked her parents that the money that would otherwise have been spent on her sea passage to Africa should go to a charitable organization. In honor of Annie, her parents provided substantial funding for the Annie Walsh Memorial School when it was started by the Church Missionary Society, a British mission society working with the Anglican Communion and Protestant Christians around the world.

In the 1977-78 school year, Magona moved to Moulsham

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High School in Chelmsford, the county town of Essex in England. According to the school’s website, Moulsham is an inclusive community that welcomes students from all backgrounds. During high school, Magona worked part time at a gas station in Chelmsford.

“I pumped gas, checked tires, oil, and air, and changed as necessary,” she said. “My friend’s parents owned it, so I was taken home at night, and they took good care of me.”

Three years later, Magona moved south to Canary Wharf, a financial and business district on the Isle of Dogs, a dock island area in London. She also began attending classes at a community college in Hackney. An ethnically diverse borough in London, Hackney famously has a mix of whites, Blacks, Asians, Chinese, Turkish, Kurdish, and a large Hasidic Jewish population.

“Whilst at Hackney Community College doing my A-level, I worked for Islington Adult Education as a community education worker and tutor, teaching English as a second language to ethnic minorities, and cooking classes, a hobby of mine,” Magona said.

Once Magona gained the prized General Certificate of Education Advanced Level, or A-Level, a school leaving qualification in the United Kingdom, she went on to university. In 1990, Magona graduated from King Alfred’s College, part of the University of Southampton, with a bachelor’s degree in history. During her student days at King Alfred’s, she traveled to the United States as part of an exchange program to the University of Southern Maine. Magona won a place with funding from her student grant and money earned from temporary administrative roles. She also served as chair of the International Club at King Alfred’s. Some of her campus achievements include encouraging diversity in a 99.9 percent white university and creating International Day with proceeds going to local charity as well as concerts, discos, and other events.

The World of Work Magona’s first job as a college graduate was as an assistant project manager with London Underground Civil Engineering.

“Mel Gardner started mentoring me when I began work

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at London Underground, and he still is now,” Magona said. “I talk to him regularly.”

Since August 2018, Magona has worked as COO of Africa Risk Management and Compliance Partners.

“I worked my way up, with some luck I presume,” Magona said wryly. “This role was about the right time, right place, and I was available. The UK is interesting, in that I have had some good roles, but it has been an upwards struggle,” she notes.

Scouts of America (completely independent of UK Scouts) filed for bankruptcy, as it faced hundreds of lawsuits from men who say they were sexually abused as Scouts. The organization said it will use the Chapter 11 process to create a trust to provide compensation to victims.

Climbing the Career Ladder Magona says she climbed the career ladder by moving to new companies.

In one position as a program manager, she was asked to assist the administrative staff with making tea and coffee for the team meeting by someone who had never met her before. In another position, she was the only Black person in a team of 20, and the only woman as well.

Lateral career moves came “whenever I felt stifled,” she said. “But also, taking risks in the roles I accepted. I was never afraid to ask or apply for positions I was told that I shouldn’t apply for. I was lucky enough to have won some.”

“It meant the guys came to me for advice on wife and girlfriend crises,” she recalls. “But they also supported me with training and mentoring.”

She also said that a focused attitude helped her meet targets. Although she started post-graduate study in computing, which she did not finish, Magona says she has delivered complex projects on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of the client or customer.

Since 1995, Magona has worked for Balfour Beatty, an international infrastructure group, Siemens Business Services, the Lloyds’s Banking Group, Royal Bank of Scotland/National Westminster Bank, commonly known as NatWest, Barclays Wealth, Ealing Council, and as a consultant business analyst in the Office of The Deputy Prime Minister, United Kingdom. During the 2010s, Magona spent four years as a project manager at Atkins Ltd, a British multinational engineering, design, planning, architectural design, project management, and consulting services company. She also served as an independent consultant for a number of projects, mostly for Balfour Beatty, reviewing UK Department of Transport bids before submission.

As a volunteer, she supported the Stroke Association in a digital project management role. Some of the projects she managed and delivered include mystrokeguide.com, a bespoke website including social pages and video hosting that is adaptable for different platforms and operational systems. From December 2018 to April 2019, she was an interim product officer for the Scout Association, supporting the British scouting organization by ensuring that its digital platforms were fully functional.

“I have run projects worth multiple millions and with large, complex multi-national teams,” she said. “As a Black woman in senior project/program management roles, I worked in banking, engineering, and IT,” adding that her current role is about investing in Africa, and she took it because a friend asked her to join his startup as his COO. “As part of my giving back, I am also chair for Tech Excellent Africa, an organization created by women to provide a platform to encourage and develop women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in Africa, but specifically in risk management, compliance, cybersecurity, IT, and project management.

“The group is run by professional African women,” Magona added. “We have an ambitious outlook on the development of girls.”

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Magona has worked from home, a situation she sees as permanent for the future of work. 

A few months later, across the Atlantic Ocean, the Boy

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WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2020

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GLOBAL HEALTH SECURITY

AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE PARADIGM OF NATIONAL SECURITY Dr. Adam M. Robinson, Jr., director of the VA Maryland Health Care System, recalls reading about COVID-19 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) during November or December of 2019. As a physician, Dr. Robinson gets the peer-reviewed journal regularly, which, among other things, publishes opinions of leading scholars on a range of medical issues.

"It wasn't an alert," Dr. Robinson said of the JAMA article. "It was a mention of a SARS-type of pulmonary infection that seemed to be coming around the world."

The next time Dr. Robinson heard about the coronavirus was on television in January.

"The rest of the history is pretty clear," added the surgeon who has over 30 years of experience as a senior leader in the United States Military Healthcare System.

While serving as the 36th surgeon general of the U.S. Navy (2007–2011), he said it was given that within a period of 36 hours, any infectious disease could move around the world.

"Public health has no borders," Dr. Robinson said, paraphrasing something he heard from The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, part of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, 26 ‹

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MD. "In that regard, we should really think about how we acquire the proper knowledge."

Here's what Dr. Robinson suggested: Marshall scientific leadership and expertise. “That includes laboratory capacity, and also the innovation that must occur to develop tests for not just COVID-19, but any type of disease,” Robinson said. “How can we do it safely?"

Collect the data and use analytics to drive impact. “Because that's going to be how we reach the solution and mitigate or overcome the disease,” he explained.

Human services. "The first part of acquiring knowledge is the analytic part, and then the second part is coupling the analytics with human services,” Robinson said. “What are human services?

Social workers, non-governmental workers, educators with a passion for understanding the specific culture and being culturally competent. What does all this mean? We need to have contact tracing and education, so people will understand what they should do. If we're talking COVID-19, then we need to have conversations around masking and social distancing, and handwashing. And doing these things consistently and properly."

Community-based intervention model.

"We need to know what we're going to do in any given community," he said. “A model geared towards New York City, a high-density impact area, will be different from Montana, a low-density area. Unless we have cultural competence and are culturally aware, we will not be effective in the different areas that we have to go," he said.

The one-time chief executive officer for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps healthcare systems said global health security helps reduce the disease burden in whatever community you live, adding that health security promotes economic and political stability and resilience.

Robinson referenced various outlets and regional newspapers, which have argued that in light of what has happened during the coronavirus pandemic, the United States must place a greater emphasis on human security in the national security discourse.

"Pandemics have a health consequence— that's obvious—but they also have a tremendous economic and political effect," he said. "There can be economic and political instability, which is fomented directly because of an infectious disease or illness that affects a community."

The whole point of people being secure— not being afraid, not going hungry, and www.womenofcolor.online

having the means to survive—means not being threatened with pandemics, which disrupt the normal social or medical order of a society. Robinson said that climate change should be added to the human security arena of the national security discourse.

He’s also concerned that with the onset of the flu season in the fall and an underutilization of vaccines, there might be an additional outbreak of measles and influenza with the COVD-19 pandemic.

"We can try to keep diseases from spreading, but we do not travel by ships or cross-country wagons, which take days or weeks. We travel by cars and airplanes,” he said. “We travel fast. We can go to remote areas of the world and be back in metropolitan areas quickly, so we have to make sure we can keep up with the disease burden that we may carry when that occurs."

Robinson says the Women of Color STEM Conference has an intersectional approach of empowering women for these goals and objectives. As biologists, electrical or chemical engineers, data scientists, computer engineers, or mathematicians, students and professionals from this community can fall into any of the global health security or cultural competencies.

“People like Katherine Johnson put us on the moon,” he said of the now-legendary NASA mathematician who helped sync Project Apollo’s lunar module with the lunar-orbiting command and service module. He also cited the achievements of hidden figures/women inventors and innovators of medical devices and equipment.

“The Women of Color STEM Conference makes sure we leave no one behind and that we tap into those areas that we need to,” he said. “Our world has so many people who will never do the things they’re supposed to, unless we as an international conference make sure we get the diversity that will provide the next life-saving discovery or invention that we need in the future.”

The son of a medical doctor, Dr. Robinson received his doctor of medicine from Indiana University School of Medicine and completed his residency in general www.womenofcolor.online

surgery at the National Naval Medical Center and fellowship in colon-rectal surgery at the Carle Foundation Hospital, an affiliated hospital of the University of Illinois School of Medicine.

Robinson also has a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Florida.

As the surgeon general (2007–2011), Dr. Robinson served as the principal Tricare Health Plan representative for active duty sailors and marines, their families, and Navy and Marine Corps retirees and their families, numbering over 2.5 million people. Dr. Robinson led a team of 63,000 Navy Medicine personnel in over 220 healthcare facilities located worldwide with an annual budget of $3.5 billion. By 2007, when he became surgeon general, the basics of health issues had become pretty clear, he said.

"Medicine has its own language, and so no matter what language people speak, they can still understand the grasp of what happens in medicine," he said.

In the global health security sphere, he urges high school, college, and university graduates to first consider the United States military in general and the U.S. Navy in particular.

“The military is a great place to start because it has wonderful global health initiatives that are longstanding and based around the world,” he said. “The U.S. Department of State has similar activities,” he said.

As surgeon general of the United States Navy, medical diplomacy was one of the areas that the retired vice admiral worked on in Africa and Asia. “Those experiences still exist,” Robinson said. “The Army and Air Force have the same.”

“Be available to have the mentoring and preparations that you need. You must also put in the hard work,” he urged.

“You have to be willing to make sacrifices and make sure you are prepared when the opportunity arises. Preparation and passion will always carry you through,” he said.

Robinson recommended his alma mater, Indiana University Bloomington, a public research university that now has a global health security component like many

“Be available to have the mentoring and preparations that you need.

You must also put in the hard work,” he urged. “You have to be willing to make sacrifices and make sure you are prepared when the opportunity arises.

Preparation and passion will always carry you through,” he said.

Adam M. Robinson, Jr., MD Medical Center Director, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System

other universities across the United States. He also suggested that students should consider starting their careers in public health service in agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) where many men and women have spent their entire careers making a difference in the world.

Robinson says he’s looking forward to an inclusive meeting at the Women of Color STEM Conference. “I’m not interested in perfection,” he said. “But I’m interested in clarity in what we can do as individuals to address and mitigate the problem. It’s not about one person; it’s about all of us,” he said. “The knowledge we accrue as a group is exponential in terms of its growth, its power, and its impact.”  WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2020

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2020 WOMEN OF COLOR STEM AWARDS

Innovation driven by diversity Raytheon Technologies celebrates two of our leading engineers, Shanique Smith and Jasmine LeFlore, for their achievements and contributions to STEM fields.

Shanique Smith

Managerial Leadership in Industry Raytheon Missiles & Defense

Jasmine LeFlore

Community Service in Industry Collins Aerospace

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PA SSI NG TH E TORCH

PASSING THE TORCH

by Gale Horton Gay

For Pamela McCauley, Ph.D.,

2019 was an exceptional year, and 2020 was following in its wake.

McCauley, an internationally recognized industrial engineering researcher and STEM advocate, was named Women of Color Magazine’s 2019 Technologist of the Year. The honor brought with it a flood of requests for speaking engagements, an invitation to join a board of trustees, and, according to McCauley, contributed to an offer for a new position.

“It’s such an honor to be Technologist of the Year,” said McCauley.

However, despite her unbridled enthusiasm to travel the country delivering messages of encouragement to women in STEM and share with leaders the importance of minimizing the loss of talent, she, just like everyone else, was slowed in her tracks earlier this year by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Just before she was supposed to go to Kent State University in March for a speaking engagement, the nation started shutting down due to the virus. That engagement was postponed indefinitely.

Still, McCauley remains exuberant about the honor of being Technologist of the Year and the exposure and opportunities that have come with it. The recognition also has heightened her credibility and made it possible for her to achieve a $10,000 speaker’s fee.

She credits the prestigious award with being a factor in her selection as the new associate dean of academic programs, diversity, and inclusiveness at Wilson College of Textiles at North Carolina State University.

“I am super excited about this,” said McCauley as she was in the process of moving from Florida to North Carolina in July for her new post. “I will have an opportunity to lead in a way to make sure everyone knows they are a valued member of the team.”

Wilson College in Raleigh, NC, is a leader in textile education, research, and service.

Dr. Pamela McCauley

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2020

OPPORTUNITIES IN TIMES OF CRISIS FOR THE 2019 TECHNOLOGIST OF THE YEAR

“I am very much about innovation and taking ideas from lab to market to useful products,” said McCauley, noting that the college has participated in making masks during the global health crisis.

McCauley is known for work in the development of fuzzy set theory-based mathematical models, human engineering, ergonomics, biomechanics, as well as engineering leadership and women’s leadership in STEM.

Wilson will begin the school year with a hybrid formula of some classes on campus and some online, McCauley said.

One of the messages McCauley has addressed during her travels and speaking engagements is the need to reduce the number of women leaving STEM early in their careers.

“Safety is a priority,” she said.

McCauley, a certified professional engineer, is also a seasoned entrepreneur and innovator. She led the National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps Program, which prepares scientists and engineers to extend their focus beyond the university laboratory and accelerates the economic and societal benefits of NSF-funded basic research projects that are ready to move toward commercialization. She’s also authored the following books: • Ergonomics: Foundational Principles, Applications, and Technologies • Transforming your STEM Career Through Leadership and Innovation: Inspiration and Strategies for Women • Winners Don’t Quit…Today They Call Me Doctor

ONE OF THE MESSAGES MCCAULEY HAS ADDRESSED DURING HER TRAVELS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS IS THE NEED TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF WOMEN LEAVING STEM EARLY IN THEIR CAREERS. “I THINK THAT COULD BE ONE OF THE GREATEST HUMAN CAPITAL CRISES OF OUR TIME,” SHE SAID.

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“I think that could be one of the greatest human capital crises of our time,” she said.

It’s imperative that women have mentors and sponsors who can support them during the difficult times in the early and middle parts of their careers. She noted that she is well aware of the many challenges women in STEM face and she, too, has experienced negative situations that often drive women from continuing. Women in STEM often feel isolated, marginalized, and frustrated.

She said women of color often are treated differently in STEM workplaces and made to feel like they are the problem.

“We need to hold each other up and call them out,” she said.

Employers should realize the financial investment they’ve made in these critical female members of the workforce in recruiting and training and be alarmed at “this talent that’s walking out the door,” McCauley said.

Despite the many limitations that the next Technologist of the Year might face making her mark during the pandemic, McCauley said the health crisis also has generated some upsides. The explosion of reliance on virtual meeting apps and services such as Zoom and GoToMeeting means there is now an opportunity to reach more people and have a broader impact without the expense, travel, and consumption of time for faceto-face gatherings.

“You can be in so many more places than before,” she said, adding that more can be done more effectively through these platforms.

“I would encourage the next Technologist of the Year to take advantage of online culture to spread their message. I think people will be very receptive to it.” 

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A DV E RTO R I A L

Army Chaplain Corps Honors

First African-American Female Colonel

by Sean Kimmons, Army News Service

As the Army’s first African-American female chaplain to pin on colonel rank, Monica Lawson had a message to the naysayers during her promotion ceremony September 2, 2020.

Even after several leadership roles in her Army career, as well as earning two master’s degrees and being an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, some may think her promotion was only affirmative action.

Monica, who serves as the chief of recruiting for the Army chaplaincy, sought to nip any of those thoughts in the bud.

“What it was, it was an affirming action,” she said, as a small crowd gathered for the ceremony cheered her on.

“Because God affirmed me so that I could be here. When God calls you, he will open doors for you that no man can close,” she added. “Not only did God open the door, but he provided a seat for me at the table.”

With Lawson’s assistance, Maj. Gen. Thomas L. Solhjem, the Army chief of chaplains, hopes to bring more women to that table.

As women only make up about 5% of the active-duty Army Chaplain Corps, Solhjem said the newest colonel has been

Col. Monica Lawson receives her colonel rank during a promotion ceremony Sept. 2, 2020. (Courtesy photo )

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charged with increasing its recruiting mission for female candidates.

“We need healers in our Army,” he said. “We need practitioners of the faith in our Army. We need people who have right relationship with God to bring people in direct relationship with God in our Army. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors.”

Honoring legacy While the ceremony was for Lawson, she made it a point to speak of those who came before her.

She recognized five different chaplains who helped pave the way for her and others: Capt. Ella Gibson Hobart, the first woman to serve as a military chaplain, and Henry McNeal Turner, the first African-American chaplain in the Army, who both served in the late 1800s. Col. Louis Augustus Carter, the first African-American chaplain to be promoted to colonel in 1936.

Maj. Alice Henderson, the first woman of any race to serve as an Army chaplain in 1974, followed years later by Col. Janet Horton, the first female Army chaplain to be promoted to colonel.

“You’ve seen too many times when people write history, we tend to leave out the history of those who made it possible for us to achieve our historic moments,” Lawson said. “I wanted to allow

Maj. Gen. Thomas L. Solhjem, the Army chief of chaplains, right, speaks during Col. Monica Lawson’s promotion ceremony. (Courtesy photo)

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Col. Monica Lawson, who serves as the chief of recruiting for the Army chaplaincy, speaks during her promotion ceremony Sept. 2, 2020. Lawson became the Army’s first African-American female chaplain to be promoted to colonel.

(Courtesy photo)

the world to see that you can make history and still embrace the history of other people.”

Acknowledging the accomplishments of others, regardless of race, religion or gender, does not diminish your own accomplishments, she added.

As a woman of color, she said she understands what it feels like when people try to discount her work.

“I know what it is like to have your contributions for the greater good not count and make you feel like it doesn’t matter,” she said. “But I am here to tell you that they do matter. My belief and my life, and what I do in this world, matters.”

She went to thank those in the Chaplain Corps who let her be herself. “You never asked me to tone it down,” she said. “You always allowed me to just be me.”

To her, the promotion was not a tick in a box, but part of the “heart-changing dialogue” currently underway across the nation to end racism.

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“I know and I understand there were and are still women of color who served before me and are serving today,” she said. “And I acknowledge their sacrifice, their hard work and their tears.”

Before he administered the Oath of Commissioned Officers to Lawson, Solhjem made it clear that she was not being recognized due to her race or gender, but because she exhibited to a board that she has the potential to lead.

The general then asked her not to let the historic accomplishment define her.

“You make the definition of what that means,” he said. “Because what we don’t need, Monica, is someone with a singular lane. We need somebody with a big canopy, arms wide open -- willing to sacrifice, willing to selflessly serve others and to empower those who are beneath you to succeed.

“That’s what comes with the rank of that eagle.”

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TH E 2020 TECH NOLOG I S T OF TH E YE AR

by Lango Deen ldeen@ccgmag.com

ON THE

FRONT LINES PUBLIC HEALTH

OF

T H E 2 02 0 T E C H N O LO G I ST O F T H E Y E A R About a month after the novel coronavirus was first detected at the end of 2019, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency under the Public Health Service Act.

A

year earlier, with very little fanfare, retired Rear Admiral Sylvia Trent-Adams of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps quietly took up an assignment as principal deputy assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services. One of America’s uniformed services, the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps fills essential public health roles within government agencies, such as Health and Human Services, which works to protect the health of all Americans, as well as foster advances in medicine, public health, and social services.

Since joining the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps in 1992, Trent-Adams has been part of an elite team of medical, health, and engineering professionals dedicated to caring for patients in underserved communities and conducting research. Currently, as principal deputy assistant secretary for health at Health and Human Services, Trent-Adams works with the assistant secretary for health to plan, coordinate, and direct program priorities covering a range of public health activities within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. The office oversees public health offices and programs, several presidential and secretarial advisory committees, 10 regional health offices, the Office of the Surgeon General, and the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.

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Speaking to Women of Color magazine via an online meeting shortly after she was nominated Women of Color 2020 Technologist of the Year, Trent-Adams said SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that’s causing outbreaks of the coronavirus disease COVID-19) is still a “new, emerging, and changing virus.”

“It’s still critical for all of us to protect ourselves, our families, and communities,” she advised. “Be informed about COVID-19, and practice safety measures that have been put forward by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),” she said.

Guidelines from the CDC, which is the nation’s health protection agency, include social distancing, routine handwashing, and wearing a face covering in areas where you’re going to be exposed to others. “Take heart,” the rear admiral added. “We must believe the science.”

Best preparation for a nursing career Trent-Adams’ career in science began at Hampton University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing.

The school has prepared nurses to serve humanity for over a century.

As a high school senior, she won a scholarship from the United States Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps

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2020

(RET.) RADM SYLVIA TRENT-ADAMS PH.D., RN, FAAN Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

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(ROTC), which offers financial aid to students who promise to serve as an officer in one of the uniformed services after they graduate.

“I chose Hampton University School of Nursing because I thought it would give me the best preparation for a nursing career,” the rear admiral told Women of Color magazine. “The nurturing and mentorship that I received at Hampton I would put up against any in the world,” she said proudly.

Trent-Adams gave credit to Elnora D. Daniel, who was dean of the Hampton University School of Nursing in 1980. Dr. Daniel went on to serve as administrator for the Interdisciplinary Nursing Center for Health and Wellness at Hampton in 1985 and earned the rank of colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve Nurse Corps in 1991.

“She emanated positivity,” Trent-Adams recalled, adding that it was expected each cohort would go on to be nursing leaders and create a space for excellence in nursing care.

Another of her role models at Hampton University was Dr. Pamela V. Hammond, who also served as the dean of the School of Nursing. Through her efforts, Hampton implemented the first Ph.D. program in nursing at a historically Black college or university in 1999, increasing the numbers of racial and ethnic minority nurses with doctoral degrees. After graduating from Hampton, Trent-Adams went on to earn a master’s degree in nursing and health policy from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and a Ph.D. in public policy, also from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Lifelong learning inspired career choices In addition to preparing her with education and training to enter the career of her choice, Trent-Adams said the Hampton University program helped her to not only survive in the workplace but thrive as a nursing executive. Prior to joining the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Trent-Adams was a nurse officer in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps for five years in the oncology unit of Walter Reed Army Medical Center. She also worked as a research nurse at the University of Maryland and completed two internships in the U.S. Senate, where she focused on the prospective payment system for skilled nursing facilities, community health, and infectious disease. Trent-Adams began her career in the Commissioned Corps in 1992. Since then, she has held several leadership positions in the Department of Health and Human Services, including her current assignment as principal deputy assistant secretary for health.

“I can’t say I consciously made decisions about all these choices,” Trent-Adams said of the jobs she has held over the last 30 years. “Some of them were opportunities that came with some challenges, and I like challenge,” she said. “I started off in the Army primarily because I had received a four-year ROTC scholarship. The ROTC opened my eyes to many things outside just being a clinical nurse,” she said. “It taught me about 38 ‹

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leadership, building teams, and running an organization.”

From doing voluntary work as a student nurse on campus, she grew to understand the importance of access to health care and the policy decisions that drive health care, which clinicians were not always a part of. As a clinician and administrator, she has had a direct impact on building systems of care to improve public health for marginalized populations as part of the Commissioned Corps in the Department of Health and Human Services.

“It seems that for much of my career, I was hopscotching all over the place, but it was tying all these areas of the clinical world into this larger, problem-solving matrix,” she said.

While working in the emergency department of one hospital, she found some of the trauma was caused by violence, unmet healthcare needs, and chronic conditions that should have been addressed. Moving to the oncology area, she observed bad decisions made from a public health standpoint.

“Well, how do I solve that? Let’s go to community health, and on from there. So, it was this continuum of learning that I developed over my career,” she said. “At some point in the clinical arena, especially in the uniformed, military, and public health services, you have to make a choice. Are you going to stay in the clinical area, go into research and policy, or get on a leadership track?”

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2020 “IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE WORLD IS COUNTING ON THE WOMEN OF COLOR IN THE STEM COMMUNITY TO GET IT RIGHT,” THE 2020 TECHNOLOGIST OF THE YEAR SAID. “THE WORLD NEEDS US TO BE FOCUSED ON SERVICE, COMMUNITY, AND GIVING BACK. FOR THOSE OF US WHO REACH A LEVEL OF SUCCESS IN OUR CAREER, WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO SERVE OTHERS AND HELP OTHERS GET TO THEIR DESTINY.” For Trent-Adams, leadership was important, because it helped her develop the skillsets to help others find their way to decision making and a seat at the table.

“If I could do that, then I could open the door for so many junior officers and civilians who were trying to create a path and share that knowledge with those coming behind me,” Trent-Adams said. “There were hurdles; there were walls that I either had to climb or knock down,” she continued. “You’ll work for people who are not so nice sometimes. You’ll work for people who are disconnected from the mission of public health and lack the passion that you have. But you can’t lose sight of your goals and the mission of public health, clinical science, or research.”

Moving up the ladder Trent-Adams also learned that it wasn’t just about getting to the next level. For career progression to be beneficial, it is important to learn the lessons of each job to become skilled and competent, with the help of mentors, colleagues, and senior leadership. Prior to joining the Office of the Surgeon General, Trent-Adams served as the deputy associate administrator for the HIV/AIDS Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration, also part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

At the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), she worked with many agencies to help provide health care to people who are geographically isolated and/or economically or medically vulnerable. This includes people living with HIV/ AIDS, pregnant women, mothers and their families, and those otherwise unable to access high-quality health care. HRSA supports the training of health professionals, the distribution of providers to areas where they are needed most, and improvements in healthcare delivery.

Asked about HIV/AIDS in the time of coronavirus, Trent-Adams had a big reveal: “COVID-19 is affecting the same population www.womenofcolor.online

that are impacted by HIV,” she said. “The poor, the underserved, and those who have underlying health conditions. We have longstanding health conditions in this country that we have not been able to address. As a community, we must galvanize support for diabetes, hypertension, sickle cell, and the high rates of asthma in children in underserved communities,” she said.

The rate of sudden death has also increased, as well as heart attacks because people are afraid to go to the emergency room. According to one study by doctors who looked at data from general hospitals in Massachusetts, many patients with cardiac disease were fearful they would contract the coronavirus at a doctor’s office or hospital, and that led to more severe complications—even death.

Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women—and this disparity increases with age, CDC researchers said in a recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Mental health is also an issue, with a sharp increase in suicide rates. A recent paper from the Center for Public Information on Population Research (CPIPR) at the Population Reference Bureau said nearly one quarter of all applicants to the military are medically disqualified because of excessive weight and body fat.

“We must be more focused on disease prevention. Everyone has to know how to prevent disease,” she said.

The rear admiral also hopes more people of color will take part in clinical trials, which are currently overrepresented with white males. Thus, researchers can’t be sure that Black males, Black females, Hispanics, and Asian communities are going to respond the same way to medications and treatments that are developed by the pharmaceutical industry. However, she acknowledged that not enough work has been done to address the bias that drove decisions in the tragic Tuskegee study. In 1932, the Public Health Service, working with the Tuskegee Institute, began a study to record the natural history of syphilis in hopes of justifying treatment programs. Although originally projected to last six months, the study went on for 40 years. According to the CDC, the men were never given adequate treatment or the choice of quitting the study, even when new treatment became widely used. However, Trent-Adams is confident that with more researchers of color, and research in poor communities other than the populations that scientists have worked with, things might begin to change.

Career Peaks In 2015, Trent-Adams was selected to serve as deputy surgeon general of the United States, a trusted and critical advisor to the surgeon general, helping support a variety of critical issues, including efforts to combat the opioid crisis. The rear admiral served as the deputy surgeon general from Oct. 25, 2015 to Jan. 2, 2019. Trent-Adams also served as acting surgeon general of the United States from April 21, 2017 to Sept. 5,

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For young professionals working toward senior-level jobs or high school students aspiring to careers in public health, the rear admiral offers these tips and advice: 1. Have a fundamental understanding that you can learn how to do anything. But first, “develop skills and training in public health and health care, as well as expertise in science fields that are related to areas, you’re interested in. It does take a wide range of skills, and a wide range of knowledge,” she said.

2. Go to work every day with a passion for people and public health. “Be passionate about what you do, whether in public health, clinical medicine, or science.”

3. Take time to grow in a position. “Over the course of one’s career, don’t try to jump over experiences that will help you grow because you will need those experiences to become an executive, to become that senior official in public health. It’s important to take on challenging assignments, but it’s also important to understand the level of responsibility when you’re in these types of positions. It does require that you have skills in business, know how to manage budgets and the financial aspects of running an organization. It’s also important that you understand the impact of public health in decision making.”

2017. During May of that year, she was part of a historic photo taken during the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences commencement exercise, when graduating medical students recited their respective service commissioning oath, led individually by each of the surgeon generals. The 2017 photo shows Trent-Adams, the acting U.S. Public Health surgeon general; U.S. Air Force Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Mark Ediger; U.S. Navy Surgeon General Vice Adm. Forrest Faison; and U.S. Army Surgeon General, Lt. Gen. Nadja West.

“Becoming the deputy surgeon general was one of the truly humbling experiences of my career,” she told Women of Color magazine. “I was shocked and stunned that I was selected, but one of the things I took away was the opportunity to shape the future of the Commissioned Corps and to help the surgeon general provide the best science and public health advice to the nation.”

Working in that office helped her understand the importance of one voice, she continued. “The importance of messaging that was received in a way that was non-partisan, scientifically based, and evidence-based for the health of the nation.”

In 2014, Trent-Adams was elected a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN). Along with 2,700 members, or fellows, she works to drive reform of America’s health system.

More recently, she was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2018 and the two National Academies of Practice (NAP). A nonprofit organization, NAP practitioners and scholars are elected by their peers from 14 different health professions to join the group of healthcare practitioners and scholars dedicated to supporting affordable, accessible, coordinated quality health care for all. Honored by these recognitions, Trent-Adams says she sees these milestones as her peers thinking about her as someone who could help build a better tomorrow, work with her colleagues across health and science fields to shape policy,

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bring new science and technology to the field of health and public health, and identify those areas of science that need to be explored and communicated to the public so that they can understand where the state of science sits, and how all of us can improve our health, and our society.

“It is important that the world is counting on the women of color in the STEM community to get it right,” the 2020 Technologist of the Year said. “The world needs us to be focused on service, community, and giving back. For those of us who reach a level of success in our career, we have an obligation to serve others and help others get to their destiny.”

Reflecting on a famous quote from the founder of modern nursing, Trent-Adams said there’s a lot to be learned from the words “I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse.”

The rear admiral is the recipient of the International Red Cross Florence Nightingale Medal, the highest international honor bestowed upon a nurse. She told Women of Color that it is was humbling to be considered in the same sentence as Nightingale.

“There are so many things that Florence did in her lifetime that served the benefit of other people,” Trent-Adams said. “She was multitalented, with a multisectoral skillset, and she never once stopped achieving the next level of success through humility and service or helping her community. We must do everything we can to help our community, to support those in the STEM community, be gamechangers, and shift the curve for our youth.

We have to reset and rise. The world is waiting on us to do great things.”

Trent-Adams is married, and she and her husband have two adult daughters. The oldest is a practicing accountant, and the youngest is an international communications major in college, looking forward to law school. 

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Nebiat Abraha IT International Regional Engagement Specialist

YOUR FUTURE IS BUILT HERE Join a diverse team that is united in pushing the boundaries of imagination and excellence. Come shape the future with us. boeing.com/careers Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

2020 AWAR D W I N N ER S

by Lango Deen and Jessica Rafaeil

GET TO KNOW THE 2020

WOMEN OF COLOR STEM CONFERENCE

AWARDEES W

hether it’s demonstrating commitment and dedication to providing information and guidance to the public that saves lives, or breaking down barriers so work teams can complete groundbreaking missions, this year’s winners of Women

of Color in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medicine awards all have the same goals: Service to humanity,

because the world is counting on them. Some of the nominating agencies include names we have become familiar with over the course of the pandemic. There’s the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which protects the health of all Americans and provides essential human services; the National Institutes of Health; the U.S. Department of Agriculture; and the National Science Foundation (NSF). We’d be remiss if we didn’t hail some of the NSF-funded research, which is playing a crucial role in flattening the curve of COVID-19. Many of the award-winning women are involved in the science and engineering behind diagnostic tools and medical devices, novel solutions that help communities, businesses, and individuals across America navigate the challenges of this difficult time. Some of the technology making a difference includes 3D printing, which numerous colleges and universities have used to produce personal protective equipment (PPE). Other award winners are leading artificial intelligence (AI) and software-asa-service (SaaS) for personalized patient care, part of a revolutionary approach in the healthcare industry also known as precision medicine. Throughout their careers, Women of Color Award winners inspire us all as they overcome multiple personal and professional challenges.

TECHNOLOGIST OF THE YEAR (Ret.) RADM Sylvia Trent-Adams, Ph.D., RN, FAAN

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT IN INDUSTRY AWARD Karen Rodriguez, Ph.D.

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY AWARD Ms. Karen Bradford

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health

Division Vice President Corporate Engineering

Director, Strategic Partnerships NASA Ames Research Center

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Abbott

NASA

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT AWARD COL Antoinette Gant

COMMUNITY SERVICE IN GOVERNMENT AWARD Mrs. Priscilla L. Ford

DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP AWARD Tamberlin Golden

Commander, Louisville District

Electronics Engineer & Workforce Development Specialist Fleet Readiness Center Southwest

Plant Director

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT AWARD Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Ph.D USDA Agricultural Research Service Administrator and USDA Acting Chief Scientist United States Department of Agriculture

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT IN INDUSTRY AWARD Mrs. Tonya M. Noble Director, International Defense Training The Boeing Company

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)

COMMUNITY SERVICE IN INDUSTRY AWARD Mrs. Demetria F. Hall Systems Engineer Staff Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Lockheed Martin Corporation

COMMUNITY SERVICE IN INDUSTRY AWARD Ms. Jasmine LeFlore Sr. Project Engineer/Nonprofit Co-Founder Collins Aerospace/Greater Than Tech

General Motors

EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP – COLLEGE-LEVEL PROMOTION OF EDUCATION AWARD Bushra Ahmad Saeed, Ph.D. Associate Professor University of the District of Columbia

EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP – CORPORATE PROMOTION OF EDUCATION AWARD Mrs. Claudia Morales Supplier Quality Assurance Systems Staff Specialist Bell Textron Inc

Raytheon Technologies Corporation

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www.womenofcolor.online

2020 MANAGERIAL LEADERSHIP IN GOVERNMENT AWARD Ms. Shitarria Battle

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT AWARD Ms. Monique Brisson

Chief Engineer, C2 Systems Development

Research Electrical Engineer

Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, & Chief Security Officer

Missile Defense Agency

Air Force Research Laboratory

DigiFlight, Inc.

MANAGERIAL LEADERSHIP IN GOVERNMENT AWARD Beethika Khan, Ph.D.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT AWARD Ms. Jasmine Gilliam

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD Mrs. Inderpal K. Deol

Program Director

Physical Security Inspector, Region III

Director and Chief Engineer Fossil Generation

National Science Foundation (NSF)

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

DTE Energy

MANAGERIAL LEADERSHIP IN INDUSTRY AWARD Mrs. Shanique L. Smith

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT AWARD Ms. Tekia Govan

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD Stacey A. Dixon, Ph.D.

Project Manager Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

Director, SPY-6 Air & Missile Defense Radar, LRIP Raytheon Missiles & Defense Raytheon Technologies Corporation

NEW MEDIA LEADERSHIP IN GOVERNMENT AWARD Ms. Barbara Pilate Computer Scientist Engineer Research and Development Center

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD Yevette R. Bratten

Deputy Director

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD Ms. Sheronda Jeffries

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN INDUSTRY AWARD Xiomara Calderón-Colón, Ph.D.

Technical Leader Quality Engineering

Senior Materials Scientist/Project Manager

Cisco

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD Latitia McCane, Ph.D.

NEW MEDIA LEADERSHIP IN INDUSTRY AWARD Ms. Rachel V. Smith

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN INDUSTRY AWARD Rayna Matsuno, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Director of Education

Assistant Vice President - Technology

Epidemiologist III

AT&T

Leidos

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD Ms. Kavita Vigneau

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION IN GOVERNMENT AWARD Ms. Antonella Alunni

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN INDUSTRY AWARD Mrs. Jenine Patterson

Vice President, Engineering

Aerospace Engineer NASA Ames Research Center

Principal Systems Engineer

NASA

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION IN GOVERNMENT AWARD Ms. Trena Jackson Operations Research Analyst Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION IN INDUSTRY AWARD Carol A. S. Brevett, Ph.D.

The MITRE Corporation

STUDENT LEADERSHIP – UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL AWARD Ms. Michelle Dominguez Engineering Student NASA Ames Research Center

Principal Scientist Leidos

Air Force Research Laboratory

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION IN INDUSTRY AWARD Ms. Vanessa Michelini

TECHNICAL INNOVATION IN INDUSTRY AWARD Yufang Hou, Ph.D.

IBM

Quicken Loans

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD Ms. Sucheta Walimbe Executive Vice President Information Technology Ford Motor Credit Company

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD Ms. Stephanie V. Watson, Ph.D. Senior Engineer III

TECHNICAL INNOVATION IN GOVERNMENT AWARD Candice Hatcher-Solis, Ph.D. Team Leader Neurobiology of Cognitive Performance 711th Human Performance Wing

IBM Distinguished Engineer Master Inventor

Huntington Ingalls Industries

Consumers Energy

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD Mrs. Cindy P. Woods Operations Division Chief National Weather Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Research Scientist IBM Research Europe – Ireland

PRESIDENT’S AWARD Ms. Adrienne Somerville

IBM

Acquisition Group Head Commander Fleet Readiness Center

TECHNICAL INNOVATION IN INDUSTRY AWARD Mrs. Evelyn N. Moore

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)

F/A-18 & EA-18G Director of Engineering & Chief Engineer Strike, Surveillance, and Mobility Engineering (SSM) Boeing Defense, Space, & Security (BDS) www.womenofcolor.online

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CAREER ACHIEVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT AWARD

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT AWARD

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT IN INDUSTRY AWARD

COL Antoinette Gant

Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Ph.D

Mrs. Tonya M. Noble

Commander, Louisville District

USDA Agricultural Research Service Administrator and USDA Acting Chief Scientist

Director, International Defense Training

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Colonel Antoinette Gant serves as the commander of the Louisville District, Great Lakes and Ohio River Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), a command she assumed in July 2017, responsible for providing strategic direction, command and control, and the management of a yearly budget of over $1 billion. Currently, she is the senior African-American female officer in the Engineer Regiment.

Gant’s career over the years has included positions such as the engineer for the 4-star Headquarters, Kabul, Afghanistan; military assistant to the assistant secretary of the Army—Civil Works; district commander of the Albuquerque District, USACE; brigade engineer for the 4th Infantry Division, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and executive officer, Special Troops Battalion; and the chief of operations, Engineering Directorate of Army South in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. She is a committed role model, mentor, and advocate for young people, including those interested and involved in STEM. Throughout her career she has worked to develop partnerships with agencies and organizations to promote STEM initiatives, particularly during her time as commander of both the Albuquerque and Louisville districts.

“It is my observation that Col. Gant is destined for higher levels of service to the Army and our nation.” — Linda R. Murphy, P.E. Deputy District Engineer

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United States Department of Agriculture Dr. Jacobs-Young is the administrator of the USDA Agricultural Research Service and the Acting USDA chief scientist. Dr. Jacobs-Young is the first woman and person of color to lead the billion-dollar research agency. Dr. Jacobs-Young is a 2016 recipient of the Presidential Rank Award and an elected fellow in both the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the National Academy of Public Administration. In her commitment to giving back, she serves as an AAAS IF/ THEN ambassador to actively engage in outreach and serve as a scientific role model to attract middle school girls to the STEM professions. Her role as an influential woman in science was recognized in the book Black Stars: African American Scientists and Inventors and the AAAS IF/THEN statue exhibit highlighting women scientists.

Dr. Jacobs-Young is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. “Chavonda is unique in her vision for educating and empowering the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs who will make breakthrough discoveries, develop the disruptive technologies, and launch startups that will lead to global change.”

— Keegan Autzky, Director of Global Programs and Partnerships, The World Food Prize Foundation.

The Boeing Company Tonya Noble has total responsibility for program management activities for a global portfolio of defense training programs, bringing in significant revenue in contracts. Examples of the products and services her team handles include developing and delivering flight simulators to international customers, providing instructional training for aircrew and maintenance training to customers of military platforms, as well as sustaining and operating customer flight simulators and training devices.

Prior, she served as the director responsible for sustainment services in Southeast Asia, India, and Australia.

Noble has served as T-45/AV-8B program manager for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps and all F/A-18 International Sustainment Programs. In this role, she captured more than $10 million in cost savings. She has also held leadership and technical roles for military and space support programs including the Commercial Crew Transportation System for NASA. In her community, Noble is a shining role model to young girls from minority backgrounds, who might otherwise not see people like themselves in engineering and leadership positions.

“She is an outstanding engineering leader who demonstrates her commitment to sharing the magic of STEM with youth, as well as mentoring fellow employees on their career paths.”

— Nicole Graves, Boeing WOC Executive Focal

www.womenofcolor.online

2020

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT IN INDUSTRY AWARD

COMMUNITY SERVICE IN GOVERNMENT AWARD

COMMUNITY SERVICE IN INDUSTRY AWARD

Karen Rodriguez, Ph.D.

Mrs. Priscilla L. Ford

Mrs. Demetria F. Hall

Division Vice President Corporate Engineering

Electronics Engineer & Workforce Development Specialist Fleet Readiness Center Southwest

Systems Engineer Staff Lockheed Martin Aeronautics

Abbott Karen Rodriguez is the divisional vice president of engineering at Abbott and is the first female scientist to lead the company’s Corporate Engineering group. While providing oversight for a global corporate capital budget of greater than $1 billion, Rodriguez ensures all aspects of Abbot infrastructure comply with local regulations and company standards, operate within budget and meet internal client needs. Less than a year after rejoining Abbott as the director of design transfer and process engineering, Rodriguez was tapped to lead Corporate Engineering as divisional vice president. She now leads a global team of almost 600 in 29 countries across a wide variety of disciplines.

She advances the Abbott engineering community through her involvement in the Engineering Institute training programs as chair of the Engineering Executive Council, the engineering representative on the Global Operations Council, executive sponsor of the Global Capital Council, and through her commitments to engineering sustainability and global citizenship.

“Based on her accomplishments, adaptability, and her humanity, I see great things in Karen’s and Abbott’s future as she forges a path all her own and proves the indelible value of pursuing STEM and believing in yourself.” — Corlis Murray, Senior VP, Quality Assurance, Regulatory and Engineering Services

www.womenofcolor.online

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Priscilla Ford currently works for the Workforce Management Department on the Workforce Development Team.

Because of her love for her community, Ford has served on the Diamond Community Investors (DCI) Advisory Counsel for 10 years, a group of 450 community investors that invested in a $10 million shopping plaza called Market Creek Plaza. This plaza is a commercial and cultural center in San Diego and the first project of its kind to be designed, built, and eventually owned by neighborhood residents.

Ford is also the co-founder of Mercury San Diego Track & Field, a 501(3)c youth track team with over 100 athletes each year from the ages of 5-16 years old and has been the president since the teams’ inception in 2002. The support and services provided by MSDTF go well beyond athletics and include mentorship, academic support, community service, support to families, and prevention and intervention support to high-risk children. The great majority of her student athletes transition to local high schools where they are excelling academically, athletically, and in the community.

“Ford is a top performing Community Leader with a drive which drives our young to aspire to the highest level of their future careers.” — Rhonda Hunt Phillips

Lockheed Martin Corporation Demetria F. Hall is a systems engineer for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and was on the design team that built the F-35 jet fighter that is currently flying our military. Her primary role was working on the Wind Tunnel Research and Development team that helped define the best performance of the airplane. Hall is very passionate about exposing students to engineering and currently leads a diverse team of volunteer engineers that promote STEM at local area schools and national events. Hall also initiated event collaborative efforts with Talent Acquisition, Diversity & Inclusion, and Business Resource Groups showcasing the innovative F-35 Cockpit Simulator and Virtual Reality experiences. Her direct impact made during events sparks student interest and results in the hiring of a diverse talented workforce. She is an active member of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics NSBE Professionals and serves on the executive board focusing on the Pre-College Initiative (PCI) Committee and helps to lead the College Prep Day impacting over 400 local area high school students.

“Demetria demonstrates a strong commitment to technical leadership by promoting STEM and impacting her community. Her actions exemplify the core values of what it means to be a great leader and role model.” — JD McFarlan, VP, Functional Engineering

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2020 AWAR D W I N N ER S

COMMUNITY SERVICE IN GOVERNMENT AWARD

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY AWARD

Ms. Jasmine LeFlore

Ms. Karen Bradford

Sr. Project Engineer/Nonprofit CoFounder Collins Aerospace/Greater Than Tech

Director, Strategic Partnerships NASA Ames Research Center

Raytheon Technologies Corporation Jasmine LeFlore is a senior project engineer, a non-profit co-founder, and a dual degree graduate student.

LeFlore is the first African-American woman to work as the senior special project engineer (chief of staff) for the Aerostructures VP of Engineering. She began making contributions towards diversity and inclusion (D&I) in STEM as soon as she began her journey with Collins Aerospace in 2015. As chair of the African American Forum (AAF), she led a multitude of outreach and internal D&I events that inspired students to pursue STEM and improved cultural awareness in the workplace.

She co-founded the non-profit, Greater Than Tech (GTT), which is dedicated to increasing the number of women technology business leaders and owners by integrating engineering and business education for girls of color. She has shown her commitment to always “pay it forward” by being a resource for those, especially in underrepresented communities.

“In Jasmine’s short 5-year career, she has shown a lot of promise by exemplifying the characteristics our company values in a leader in and outside of work.”

— Stephane Dion, VP, Engineering & Technology, Aerostructures at Collins Aerospace.

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NASA Karen Bradford serves as the director of strategic partnerships at NASA Ames Research Center. She is also the chair of the Partnerships Review and Evaluation (PRE) Team at NASA’s Ames Research Center and served in this role even prior to her current position ever since she was asked by the center director to develop a review and evaluation process to the Space Act Agreements that are a central part of the center’s partnership work. Over the course of the past 15 years, Bradford has served as the center’s partnership agreement liaison/lead to NASA HQ, and to key partners such as Intel, Google, and the Breakthrough Foundation. She has also been the Ames Research Center sponsor for the United Negro College Fund STEM program for more than five years, an effort in collaboration with Google, Howard University, and other Bay Area companies to start a foundation for possible HBCU West presence in Silicon Valley. The program continued to grow in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University and as of last year had over 25 students participating from minority institutions.

“Over the decades I’ve known her, Karen has impressed me with her hard work and dedication towards mentoring students and expanding STEM career opportunities for students. I cannot think of anyone who is more deserving of this recognition.” — Eugene L. Tu, Center Director

DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP AWARD

Tamberlin Golden Plant Director General Motors Tamberlin Golden is the plant director of Flint Engine Operations for General Motors. She has a diverse background of progressive executive leadership that includes manufacturing, quality, human resources, and global facilities at multiple locations in a career that spans more than 30 years at General Motors.

She has served as the president of GM WOMEN, an employee resource group that comprises over 10,000 women.

Golden is executive chair for GMAAN (General Motors African Ancestry Network) and an Executive Leadership Board member, where she mentors minority talent both internally and externally. She supports Get WISE (Get Women in Science and Engineering), a nonprofit organization focused on reaching young elementary and middle school girls to get them exposed to opportunities in STEM and has hosted up to 130 fifth-grade girls from the local elementary school at one time. Golden is committed to using her platform to ensure the development of our youth and minority talent.

“She has a passion to elevate those around her and I find that truly inspiring as a senior leader within this company.

I am confident that whatever role Tammy assumes inside and outside of the workplace, she will purposefully find ways to connect with others to encourage them to “lean in” and drive the change you want to see within yourself and the world around you.”

— Doneen McDowell, Manufacturing Executive Director.

www.womenofcolor.online

2020

EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP – COLLEGE-LEVEL PROMOTION OF EDUCATION AWARD

EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP – CORPORATE PROMOTION OF EDUCATION AWARD

Bushra Ahmad Saeed, Ph.D.

Mrs. Claudia Morales

Associate Professor

Supplier Quality Assurance Systems Staff Specialist

University of the District of Columbia Dr. Bushra Ahmad Saeed has been teaching in higher education for 10 years, primarily in the field of biosciences. She is an active member of the professional education community and serves as the director of the Division of Nursing, Allied Health, Life and Physical Sciences at the University of the District of Columbia Community College. Saeed has played a key role by mentoring and leading the faculty toward writing self-study reports for the accreditation of the AAS Nursing and Mortuary Science programs from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the American Board of Funeral Education Service. She was also the co-PI of a Nanotechnology Education Workforce (NEW) grant awarded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop, along with the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, a series of new courses pertaining to nanotechnology.

Due to the introduction of the new nanotechnology course, many students are now interested in STEM fields. She has also encouraged her faculty and staff to procure grants and recently received a grant from the League of Innovation to conduct career health fairs at UDC-CC. “Dr. Saeed brings professionalism and compassion for her students and their success and brings engaging points of view and energy to the academic community.” — Dr. Victor McCrary, VP for Research & Graduate Programs

www.womenofcolor.online

Bell Textron Inc Claudia Morales has worked at Bell Textron Inc for the past 27 years, and now holds the role of supplier quality assurance systems staff specialist. Her accomplishments include leading the requirements and testing of quality systems during the Business Systems Modernization project, developing computer applications, and solving system issues for inspectors and factory workers that prevent them from doing their job. Growing up, her home only had two bedrooms but also a small library where books and encyclopedias covered two walls from the floor to the ceiling. Education was a top priority for the family. At Bell, she plans events such as the Bell Family Day-STEM Experience, and coordinates Bell volunteers to support Engineering Week at the Perot Museum of Science in Dallas, TX, and other STEM-related activities hosted by organizations and school districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She mentors students in middle school and high school participating in the FIRST Lego League and FIRST Robotics Competition respectively—activities she’s been committed to for several years.

“Claudia is an asset to our education outreach programs at Bell. She has a passion for it, and it shows! I am very proud to serve with her.” — Tricia Hiros, Airworthiness Lead and Project Engineer, FLRAA Program, Bell

MANAGERIAL LEADERSHIP IN GOVERNMENT AWARD

Ms. Shitarria Battle Chief Engineer, C2 Systems Development Missile Defense Agency As chief engineer, Shitarria Battle leads four engineers and manages over 250 government and contractor personnel on 13 distinct product teams. She directs technical activities of individual product teams, while managing requirements, ensuring test quality, and overseeing integration across the entire program.

Under her leadership, the Command and Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) program passed three successive major milestone reviews. She led the program through the transition from waterfall-style software development to the Scaled Agile development method, establishing new Missile Defense Agency policies and procedures. Her outstanding management ensured the program demonstrated excellent performance in its first integrated Missile Defense Agency-wide, multi-system test where C2BMC met all objectives. In addition, Battle demonstrated considerable skill in team building. Her skills and positive attitude enabled her to assume leadership of the Spiral 8.2-5 development and garner support from her colleagues. She has also extended her leadership, influencing the broader Missile Defense Agency.

“Besides her superior technical acumen, what impresses me most about Ms. Battle is her ability to lead multiple teams of engineers and analysts while ensuring a common vision.” — John M. Bier, Program Director, Command and Control Battle Management and Communications WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2020

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DELIVERING LIFE-CHANGING

technology

At Abbott, we’re all about helping you live the best life you can through good health. Every day, more than 107,000 of us bring you information, medicines and breakthroughs to manage your health and make life better in the 160-plus countries we serve.

We’re bringing together our diverse perspectives to change the face of healthcare. Join us in this life-changing work while achieving your career and personal goals.

Learn more at: abbott.com/careers.

Connect with us:

An equal opportunity employer (EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/ Disabled), Abbott welcomes and encourages diversity in our workforce.

TOMORROW’S WORLD IS DIGITAL AND FULL OF AMAZING OPPORTUNITIES. A CAREER WITH INFOSYS MEANS BEING READY FOR THOSE OPPORTUNITIES. Working at Infosys is about devoting your energy to something that discernibly improves the world around us and the lives of those living in it – it means having a career that matters. We ensure you have the tools, support and opportunities you need to navigate your career even further than you first thought. Experience a culture of inclusiveness and openness, and share in our mindset of exploration and innovation.

Move forward. Take the world with you.

© 2020 Infosys Limited, Bengaluru, India.

2020 AWAR D W I N N ER S

MANAGERIAL LEADERSHIP IN GOVERNMENT AWARD

MANAGERIAL LEADERSHIP IN GOVERNMENT AWARD

NEW MEDIA LEADERSHIP IN GOVERNMENT AWARD

Beethika Khan, Ph.D.

Mrs. Shanique L. Smith

Ms. Barbara Pilate

Program Director

Director, SPY-6 Air & Missile Defense Radar, LRIP Raytheon Missiles & Defense

Computer Scientist Engineer Research and Development Center

Raytheon Technologies Corporation

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Shanique Smith is director of Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) for Air and Missile Defense Radar within Raytheon Missiles and Defense. She is responsible for program management and execution of the Navy’s AN/SPY6(V) LRIP contracting including build, test, and delivery for integration onto the Arleigh Burke Flight III Destroyers.

Smith has been credited for building a high-performing team across multiple disciplines. Through her collaborative leadership style, she is able to engage the team to create the greatest possible impact. She creates an environment where everyone is comfortable sharing their ideas, which allows the team to work through challenging issues.

As an active member of multiple employee resources groups (ERG), Smith promotes Raytheon’s diverse and inclusive culture. Recently, she participated in ERG mentoring events with the Raytheon Women’s Network and Raytheon Black Employee Network.

She was selected to be on these panels with some of the most senior leaders in the organization supporting inclusive advancement in the workplace.

Barbara Pilate is a computer scientist with the Information Technology Laboratory of the Army Engineer Research and Development Center.

She leads test and evaluation efforts on the Map Based Military Planning (MBMP) project. MBMP falls under the Joint Planning Services program, which supports military planners by providing tools to assist with operations. These tools are tested within the system before release and hotfix on three environments. In addition, Pilate utilizes high-performance computing (HPC) resources to perform testing capabilities.

To support this, Pilate had to learn the user environment of the HPC systems, as well as develop a test suite. Pilate has several certifications. In 2014, she received the Information Assurance Professional certification from Mississippi State University. She also received the Security+ CE Certification from the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). In 2019, she received the International Software Testing Qualifications Board Software Tester Certification.

National Science Foundation (NSF) Dr. Beethika Khan serves as the Program Director for Science and Engineering Indicators within the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics.

Indicators provides comprehensive information on the health of science, engineering, and technology in the U.S.—including education, workforce, research and development, innovation, economic competitiveness, and public attitudes—within the context of global developments in science and technology. Indicators, widely recognized nationally and internationally for its high-quality, unbiased, and authoritative data and analysis, provides a statistical picture of the current environment in order to inform the development of future policies. She is an advocate for datainformed policymaking to broaden participation in STEM disciplines, particularly for underrepresented groups. Her efforts to highlight the disparity in STEM participation by race and ethnicity, and to convey through the statistics the need for the development of domestic STEM talent over the years is a testament to her dedication.

“Dr. Khan inculcates a fervent concern for the inclusion of diverse talent in science and engineering and expresses her concerns for inclusion in the Indicators publication and is what Dr. Khan personifies as she was the recipient of a 2015 National Science Foundation Director’s Award for Excellence.” — Dr. Victor McCrary, VP for Research & Graduate Programs, University of the District of Columbia 50 ‹

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“Bottom line, Shanique represents the best of our future. She takes on the challenges and gets the required results—the right way, based on strong values.” — Thomas A. Kennedy, Executive Chairman of Raytheon Technologies

“Pilate exhibits the qualities as a leader as well as a great scientist who excels both academically and professionally in handling the technically challenging demands in her work with the Joint Planning Services program. I admire her for her sincerity, honesty, and integrity and am impressed by her discipline as an independent learner.” — Timothy Dunaway, Chief, Scientific Software Branch www.womenofcolor.online

2020

NEW MEDIA LEADERSHIP IN GOVERNMENT AWARD

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION IN GOVERNMENT AWARD

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION IN GOVERNMENT AWARD

Assistant Vice President - Technology

Ms. Antonella Alunni

Ms. Trena Jackson

AT&T

Aerospace Engineer NASA Ames Research Center

Operations Research Analyst

Ms. Rachel V. Smith Rachel Smith serves as assistant vice president, technology in AT&T’s Chief Information and Data Office. She has made a significant impact in the field of new media/IT. Being selected as one of the original members of AT&T’s Data Science organization, Smith led startup activities and established strategic vision for the organization. Her skills in strategic planning, business intelligence, and cloud implementation led to the team’s successful establishment as the premier, data-driven solution provider across multiple technologies and business units, including Internet of things and technology operations.

Smith’s technical ability and leadership ensured that the team met its multimillion-dollar annual budget. She often uses her innovative skills to develop and deliver transformation initiatives.

These initiatives saved millions of dollars and significantly changed how the organization operates. Smith has a deep and abiding passion for STEM and wants others, especially young women, to feel supported and invited to nurture their passions in the disciplines as well. She works diligently to pay it forward and shares her experiences and learnings by mentoring young girls and women, encouraging them to pursue STEM careers.

“Rachel takes her job as a mentor and coach very seriously. She devotes significant energy into making her extended team as effective as possible.”

— Kate Hopkins, VP Data Platform, Chief Information and Data Office AT&T Services, Inc. www.womenofcolor.online

NASA Antonella Alunni has worked at NASA Ames Research Center since 2007, first as a research scientist in the Thermal Protection Materials Branch, and then as an aerospace engineer in the Entry Systems and Vehicle Development Branch since 2018. She is the lead systems engineer of Pterodactyl, a project that is designing innovative guidance and control systems for deployable entry vehicles. Alunni leads experts through processes she develops. Her contributions include producing a trade study framework to direct the development and comparison of multiple control system designs.

This methodology was used to down select the project’s best design, and it was used to structure the down select rationale, supporting technical results that were vetted by an independent review board. She also guided the planning and execution of a subsequent design analysis cycle and is formulating the technology maturation plan for the down selected control system.

“Antonella is a deserving candidate for the Outstanding Technical Contribution Award. She is a capable, dedicated, and enthusiastic engineer who has a positive impact on NASA missions and projects and ultimately contributes to the advancement of our nation’s space research and success.” — Eugene Tu, Center Director for NASA Ames Research Center

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Ms. Jackson has dedicated her professional life to providing technical support to the men and women who make up our Navy and Marine Corps Naval Aviation Maintenance and Supply Fleet. For the last 25 years, she has worked as an operations research analyst, providing her expertise and technical knowledge in solving difficult logistic issues affecting fleet readiness. A large problem plaguing Naval Aviation Maintenance was the misalignment between the components that were coming in for Intermediatelevel (I-level) repair and the parts that were needed and available to repair these components. Jackson addressed this issue with the development, programming, integration, and deployment of the Buffer Management Tool (BMT). Ms. Jackson assumed all of the roles of designer, developer, tester, documenter, programmer, trainer, configuration manager, and system help desk of the BMT. The latest version of the BMT (v.15) took nearly three months to install and upgrade due to the variety of IT configurations across fleet units.

Due to her persistent coordination, BMT currently runs properly in the latest NALCOMIS upgraded environment.

“Ms. Trena Jackson is a technical expert in her field who has developed a tool that has great value to the Navy and Marine Corps. She is an outstanding instructor and has a true desire to better the Fleet.” — Michael Berkin ASG Flight Line Reliability Division Head, NAVAIR

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2020 AWAR D W I N N ER S

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION IN GOVERNMENT AWARD

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION IN GOVERNMENT AWARD

Carol A. S. Brevett, Ph.D.

Ms. Vanessa Michelini

Principal Scientist

IBM Distinguished Engineer Master Inventor

Leidos Dr. Carol Brevett started working at GEO-CENTERS/SAIC/Leidos, in support of the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC), in 2013. During this time, she has presented at numerous conferences, published peer-reviewed publications, and served as a SAIC/ Leidos leader. Brevett was responsible for ensuring that reports for projects over a million dollars were submitted to the funding agencies. Brevett led the conversion of her team’s laboratory data into technical reports. These reports are still considered to contain a wealth of data and informed the updating of the U.S. Army atmospheric models. As a subject matter expert, Brevett has led the documentation, organization, storage, analysis, and dissemination of the physical and chemical input data used to calculate risk and consequences for the Chemical Terrorism Risk Assessment (CTRA).

In collaboration with the editors and other CTRA analysts, Brevett generated approximately 1,000 pages of documentation for the physical, toxicological, and chemical input data for the CTRA chemicals.

“She brings a wonderful diversity of thought, culture, and experience to our team that truly lifts us up, makes us better, and brings us closer together.”

— Shannon Fox, Director, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Chemical Security Analysis Center (CSAC)

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IBM For the last six years, Vanessa Michelini has been leading Watson for Genomics (WfG), an artificial intelligence (AI) software-as-a-service (SaaS) offering for personalized cancer patient care.

WfG identifies genetic mutations detected in the tumor and it associates drugs and clinical trials based on evidence in the medical literature helping oncologists to make informed decisions. WfG is part of a revolutionary approach in the healthcare industry also known as precision medicine.

Michelini led a global team to develop and commercially launch WfG, which is the first HIPAA-compliant AI system to perform genomics interpretation in clinical oncology. She also played a key role scaling the offering to a multimillion-dollar business. Throughout her career, Michelini has worked in a variety of emergent technologies and markets, leading projects and teams worldwide to solve client business problems, develop products, technologies and standards, define strategies, and help trouble accounts.

“Vanessa is a strong, personally committed advocate for women in technology. She actively coaches and mentors individuals leveraging various programs in the company, as well as seeks and promotes ways to attract diversity talent to IBM.” — Rhonda Childress, Vice President, IBM Fellow, Master Inventor.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT AWARD

Ms. Monique Brisson Research Electrical Engineer Air Force Research Laboratory From the beginning of her Air Force career, Monique Brisson has led the way. She successfully secured Air Force Research Lab sponsorship of her master’s degree research and leveraged that into a full-time position as an Air Force electronics engineer at Robins Air Force Base. Playing a critical role in the Commander’s Challenge team, she led the development of the sensor fusion component and was recognized with the Air Force Civilian Achievement Award Medal. Brisson later moved to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base as a research electrical engineer. Eager to tackle new challenges, she focused on modeling, simulation, and virtual reality (VR), enabling a novel study incorporating human motion tracking, VR, biometric monitoring, and aircraft maintenance. Beyond her contributions in her primary duties, Brisson is always looking for new training and educational challenges, recently choosing to earn a second master’s degree while completing the Air Force’s Air Command and Staff program.

“Monique’s performance accomplishments are consistent and impressive, she is always seeking professional challenges, and has served as a tremendous role model.” — John L. Camp, Ph.D. Chief, Multi-Domain Systems Section, Mission Analytics Branch

www.womenofcolor.online

2020

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT AWARD

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT AWARD

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN INDUSTRY AWARD

Ms. Jasmine Gilliam

Ms. Tekia Govan

Physical Security Inspector, Region III

Project Manager Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Xiomara Calderón-Colón, Ph.D.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Jasmine Gilliam joined the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Region III Office in 2007 after graduating from Tuskegee University with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. Gilliam’s knowledge and effectiveness were recognized by managers in multiple technical areas. As a result, they frequently requested her participation in inspections. Her work ethic enabled her to receive two temporary promotions to senior reactor engineer at a time when few such opportunities were available.

Gilliam’s leadership extends beyond the work environment. She has been a champion of diversity, co-chairing the Diversity Management Advisory Committee (DMAC). The DMAC strives to help the NRC create and support a positive work environment that enables employees to use their diverse talents to achieve the agency’s mission.

“In the nuclear industry, which historically has been limited in gender and racial diversity, Ms. Gilliam demonstrates to others both within our agency and outside our organization that women of color can achieve tremendously positive accomplishments in their careers and for the benefit of the American public.” — Darrell J. Roberts, Deputy Executive Director for Materials, Waste Research, State, Tribal, Compliance

www.womenofcolor.online

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Tekia Govan has worked as a project manager for the NRC for the past 12 years. Currently, she is the lead project manager for the review of regulatory guidance for making digital instrumentation and control modifications to nuclear power plants. As the project manager, Govan planned, coordinated, and facilitated a public meeting to refocus the scope of digital instrumentation and control modification regulatory guidance to gain alignment on the path forward for the project. Govan also worked with NRC experts to understand the regulatory guide endorsement process and she developed a schedule for an expedited review for a draft regulatory guide. For the past seven years, Govan has served as an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) counselor for NRC staff. As part of her responsibility, Govan was a counselor in the use of the agency’s informal process to resolve claims of discrimination to provide an economical advantage to the agency when cases can be resolved informally.

“I cannot say enough about her ingenuity, dedication, and professionalism in how she went about managing her position and ensuring the projects she was managing were coordinated in an effective manner.”

— Chris Miller, Division of Reactor Oversight

Senior Materials Scientist/Project Manager Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory Dr. Xiomara Calderón-Colón’s innovation in biomaterials, nanomaterials, composite materials, advanced coatings, and surface chemistry have led to national defense solutions. Her problem solving has been critical to the success of key projects. CalderónColón is a valued member at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, and her ability to tackle unique material challenges has resulted in numerous publications in biomedicine and material sciences.

Her contributions span regenerative biomedical engineering to materials for protection and detection. She has delivered highly effective solutions to complex problems by collaborating with experts in the field. For the Armyfunded Eye PATCH (Protection and Treatment for Combat Healing) project, she developed a regenerative membrane made out of collagen, the ideal material for corneal repair. In addition, CalderónColón is active in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) outreach efforts and serves as a role model to many young women with aspirations to pursue STEM careers.

“I strongly endorse Dr. CalderónColón for this award. She has made significant contributions toward solving Department of Defense challenges in biomaterials and nanomaterials, and her sustained achievements make her a deserving recipient of this award.” — Adam Maisano, Section Supervisor WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2020

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2020 AWAR D W I N N ER S

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN INDUSTRY AWARD

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN INDUSTRY AWARD

STUDENT LEADERSHIP – UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL AWARD

Rayna Matsuno, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Mrs. Jenine Patterson

Ms. Michelle Dominguez

Epidemiologist III

Principal Systems Engineer

Engineering Student

Leidos

The MITRE Corporation

NASA Ames Research Center

Throughout her career, Dr. Rayna Matsuno has had a number of impressive accomplishments. Upon completion of her master’s degree, she was invited to pursue research under the Cancer Research Training Award—a National Cancer Institutespecific fellowship award program—as a predoctoral fellow within the NCI’s Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics Biostatistics Branch. While a doctoral student, Matsuno was asked to join the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, where she continued to focus on racial disparities in cancer risk and outcomes. Today, Matsuno serves as lead epidemiologist for the Millennium Cohort Study, the largest longitudinal study of U.S. military service members, and as a co-lead for both the Chronic Disease and Women’s Health Program Areas. She has totaled 48 peer-reviewed publications in top-tiered journals and has served as an expert in cancer research by serving as a peer reviewer to evaluate the scientific quality of potential publications.

Jenine Patterson is a principal system engineer in MITRE’s Law Enforcement and Domestic Security Division. Before she came to MITRE, she served at the Department of Defense where she had impact at the national level. During a year-long detail away from DOD, she advised the White House on addressing supply chain threats to national and economic security as director on the National Security Council staff. She was handpicked by a White House senior director who recognized her as one of the top experts on the topic. She applies expertise in strategic planning, systems thinking, and change management to advanced analytics, and managed attribution communications for law enforcement partners. She also has a record of success, having spent a decade implementing policy and process changes to mitigate national security risks resulting from reliance on global, commercial IT systems.

Patterson oversaw implementations of data management for a sponsor in law enforcement and domestic security.

Her system enables the right people to receive the right data in the right format to save lives, avert disasters, and track down criminals.

Michelle Dominguez is a hardworking first-generation college student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at San Jose State University. During the course of her academic career, she has also managed to accrue five years of work experience. With her outstanding skill set and dedication, Dominguez was selected for the highly coveted NASA Pathways Program as a student trainee (engineering). Since 2013, Dominguez has been working at NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) and is a Pathways mechanical engineer for the Aeromechanics Branch. Besides work, school, and raising her daughter, Dominguez is an active member of the Society of Latino Engineers and Scientists (SOLES) and dual chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at her university. She is passionate about inspiring other students and advancing Latino success in STEM. Outside of school, Dominguez has served as a bilingual election officer since 2012, helping break down the communication barriers to allow people to vote.

“As a mentor, Rayna’s constant support and kindness has been instrumental in helping me to grow as both a researcher and as a leader within our team. She is always responsive and encouraging of my goals and is able to motivate others to improve their own skills by demonstrating her considerable expertise when collaborating on projects.” — Felicia Carey, Epidemiologist

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“Jenine has had—and continues to have—a meaningful impact on issues of national consequence. She is a creative leader who can carve a path through the most complex challenges.

Her opinion is valued at the highest level of government.” — Dr. Jason F. Providakes, President & CEO of The MITRE Corporation

“As a student, Michelle has significantly contributed to the programs and projects within NASA Ames Research Center and has an impact on NASA and the advancement of aerospace research.” — Eugene Tu, Center Director

www.womenofcolor.online

2020

TECHNICAL INNOVATION IN GOVERNMENT AWARD

TECHNICAL INNOVATION IN INDUSTRY AWARD

TECHNICAL INNOVATION IN INDUSTRY AWARD

Candice Hatcher-Solis, Ph.D.

Yufang Hou, Ph.D.

Mrs. Evelyn N. Moore

Team Leader Neurobiology of Cognitive Performance 711th Human Performance Wing

Research Scientist IBM Research Europe – Ireland

F/A-18 & EA-18G Director of Engineering & Chief Engineer Strike, Surveillance, and Mobility Engineering (SSM)

Air Force Research Laboratory Dr. Candice Hatcher-Solis is the leader of the Neurobiology of Cognitive Performance Team in the Performance Optimization Branch, Airman Biosciences Division, Airman Systems Directorate at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Currently, Dr. Hatcher-Solis manages a research team at the Air Force Research Labs that studies the underlying mechanisms for the effects of stress and neuromodulation on the brain. She conducts basic science research (6.1) using rodent models that allow invasive tissue isolation and electrophysiology procedures that are not possible in humans. Dr. HatcherSolis’s research answers fundamental questions for the Air Force including how brain stimulation affects protein expression and how brain stimulation affects learning and memory through changes in synaptic plasticity. She also serves on the board for Air Force Women in Science and Engineering.

Dr. Hatcher-Solis has published in highly cited peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences.

“Her distinguished accomplishments utilizing cognitive enhancement technologies and interventions are worthy of this honor because of their unique and important contributions, not only to the Air Force and Department of Defense missions, but to the field of Cognitive Neuroscience.” — Kevin Geiss, SES (federal Senior Executive Service)

www.womenofcolor.online

IBM Yufang Hou joined IBM Research in 2015. She was selected to join Project Debater, the first AI system that can debate humans on complex topics. Together with colleagues, Hou developed AI algorithms to identify argument units (evidences) from texts.

Hou was recognized as a trailblazer in computational argumentation. In collaboration with universities, she published six papers at AI conferences on topics related to argumentation mining. Hou has recently been expanding her Natural Language Processing (NLP) research area. She led a team of researchers to work on “knowledge base population for scientific literature.” The team not only published two papers at ACL 2019 and EMNLP 2019, they also released open-source software that can extract tables from scientific papers in PDF format. Another project Hou led was the Human Behaviour Change Project funded by the Wellcome Trust in the UK, where she applied cutting-edge NLP techniques to extract information from clinical scientific publications to provide insights for healthcare professionals.

“Yufang is a well-respected young scientist in her field of research. Her passion and enthusiasm for text understanding keep her focusing on designing new algorithms for anaphora resolution, and she serves as a great role model for others.” — Dr. Ruoyi Zhou, Director, IBM Research-Ireland.

Boeing Defense, Space, & Security (BDS) As the director of engineering and chief engineer responsible for leading strategic direction and technical execution of the F-18 Program Engineering organization, Evelyn Moore brings outstanding technical excellence, leadership, and a heart for diversity and inclusion to her role. In her current role, she is responsible for leading strategic direction and technical execution of the Boeing Company’s F-18 Program Engineering organization, which comprises nearly 1,000 engineers and managers. She also led a multi-billiondollar fighter aircraft electronic warfare source selection for the Air Force, which had to be completed on an accelerated plan to meet USAF’s installation plans.

Her team completed the competition, selected the source, and negotiated a contract from the Air Force in 13 months per the accelerated plan. At the time, this was unheard of for this type of contract. Moore has participated in NSBE since her college days and is now an executive focal for the Boeing Chapter.

“Evelyn is a gifted leader with impressive scope that includes both technical excellence and leadership skills. Despite the obstacles, she relishes her role as a team leader and continues to break down barriers so her teams can successfully complete their missions.” — Carolyn Nichols, Director, Navy/Marine Corps Services WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2020

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2020 AWAR D W I N N ER S

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

Yevette R. Bratten

Mrs. Inderpal K. Deol

Stacey A. Dixon, Ph.D.

Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, & Chief Security Officer

Director and Chief Engineer Fossil Generation

Deputy Director

DigiFlight, Inc.

DTE Energy

Yevette Bratten is one of the founders of DigiFlight, a cyberspace, enterprise IT, and aerospace firm that was incorporated in 1999. At that time, several partners worked their day jobs, while working nights for DigiFlight and attending board meetings every Saturday morning. DigiFlight struggled early on working on an expired contract for Health and Human Services (HHS).

Along with other owners, Bratten put together a plan to recover expended funding and obtain a new contract.

The DigiFlight team was triumphant, which led to a major contract. The objective was to build a wireless warehouse information management system using Java J2EE and WebLogic.

These technologies were new at the time. Thus, DigiFlight was one of the first small businesses to deploy and integrate Java J2EE and WebLogic backed by an Oracle Database. Bratten prepared the cost proposal and assisted with the technical proposal for the effort. Bratten served as the program manager for this innovative cuttingedge project that formed the basis for how Web Portals and Sites work today.

Inderpal Deol is the director of engineering and chief engineer for Fossil Generation at DTE Energy, a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide.

Deol is responsible for the central engineering organization supporting the fossil generation fleet in reliability analysis and technical support, capital project management, and Warren Service Center laboratory and testing services. She is responsible for supporting strategy development in a time of changing environmental regulations and leading continuous improvement initiatives to improve the efficiency and results of technical support and project management processes. Deol joined DTE Energy in 2006 as an operating system strategy expert. Since then, Deol has served as fossil generation continuous improvement manager and chief of staff; as well as manager of fuel supply; production, and plant manager for the Monroe Power Plant. Prior to joining DTE Energy, Deol worked in the automotive and steel industries.

“Yevette Bratten’s cradle-to-grave knowledge of business operations is second to none. She is absolutely deserving of this award.” — Stanford Oliver, President and CEO of DigiFlight, Inc.

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“Inderpal is a natural leader and problem-solver and is determined to work through any and all challenges that come her way.” — Ben Felton, Sr. VP Fossil Generation DTE Energy

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Dr. Stacey Dixon is currently serving as the third female and the first African-American deputy director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Throughout her career, she has been a vocal and visible advocate as a woman of color in a technical field, and inspired others to be open to unexpected career opportunities. Dr. Dixon was a professional staff member and then budget director for the U.S. House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee (HPSCI). She has also held a variety of leadership positions within the Intelligence Community and has received a number of prestigious awards, including the Meritorious Defense Intelligence Senior Level Presidential Rank Award and the ODNI Exceptional Achievement Award. As a woman of color in STEM, Dr. Dixon is always willing to share her experiences and makes time to participate in events that promote diversity. She continues to mentor and advise a variety of minority women professionals, many with STEM backgrounds, who see her as a role model as they continue along their career paths.

“Dr. Dixon’s exemplary professional achievements, service to our country, and demonstrable commitment to improving and lifting others make her an exceptional candidate for this prestigious award.”— Rita M. Sampson, Chief IC EEOD

www.womenofcolor.online

2020

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

Ms. Sheronda Jeffries

Latitia McCane, Ph.D.

Ms. Kavita Vigneau

Technical Leader Quality Engineering

Director of Education

Vice President, Engineering

Cisco

Huntington Ingalls Industries

Quicken Loans

Sheronda Jeffries is an influential leader. She provides innovative consulting solutions, develops effective training, and deploys educational programs. Jeffries represents Cisco Systems at TIA QuEST Forum, an industry collaboration of telecom companies dedicated to information and communications technology (ICT) supply chain quality. At TIA QuEST Forum, she chairs the Integrated Global Quality Working Group, which has more than 220 members, and she is responsible for updating TL 9000, a two-part quality management system standard developed to meet the needs of the ICT/telecom industry. Under her leadership, the TL 9000 Requirements Handbook was the first industry standard to incorporate revised quality requirements, which afforded ICT/ telecom organizations time to transition to new requirements. Jefferies is the first leader of the TIA QuEST Forum Academy, which successfully launched in 2014 to attract new members and provide knowledge, education, and training on hot topics. Along with industry experts, Jeffries helped the academy to deliver webinars and member education, which were highly rated, well attended, and are currently engaging learners from 27-plus countries worldwide.

Dr. Latitia McCane is the director of Huntington Ingalls Industries—Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School.

She is the first female and the first African American to lead the school in its 100-year history. The apprentice school serves as a production leadership factory, with nearly 900 students and 19 trade and eight advanced optional programs. Upon taking the position, McCane made an immediate impact on the culture and business practices of the school by focusing on making it more student-centric.

She established town hall meetings so that apprentices could communicate face-to-face with faculty. She also helped set up numerous scholarships for the school in conjunction with local community colleges. Her efforts reach beyond the company that she works for as she serves on the Greater Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Board, Virginia Apprenticeship Council, and Chesapeake Robotics Board. Over the course of her career, as a chemist and former professor, McCane looks to give young students a chance at having a successful career through an education in STEM.

Kavita Vigneau is a vice president within the Technology team at Quicken Loans, a mortgage lending company with more than 17 years of experience in technology. Currently, she leads a team of technologists focused on developing applications and services.

Her team is also focused on building next-generation origination systems and transforming the lending industry.

She has been nominated multiple times for internal company awards.

Her nominations have been in the categories of “Top Producer” and “Best Direction.” Most importantly, Vigneau acknowledges no boundaries in what is possible and who can achieve it. She has a continued track record in developing the careers of engineers and leaders on her team by taking a measured and iterative approach toward progress. She achieves this by having a keen sense of perspective in identifying potential, surfaces it by setting aggressive and challenging goals, and balances it with direct coaching to lead to the individual success of each of her team members.

“Sheronda Jeffries is relentless in her pursuit of excellence—striving to leave her legacy in the global telecommunications world.” — Peter Schulz, Manager, Cisco Business Assurance and Certifications

www.womenofcolor.online

“Dr. McCane is a serious and thoughtful leader of the very highest caliber and strongest character.” — Robert McKenna, President and CEO, Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

“Kavita’s technical and leadership contributions, combined with her relentless pursuit towards excellence, have had huge impacts on the success of Quicken Loans, and have literally helped shape the future of the mortgage industry.” — Josh Zook, Senior VP of Engineering, Quicken Loans

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2020 AWAR D W I N N ER S

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARDD

Ms. Sucheta Walimbe

Ms. Stephanie V. Watson, Ph.D.

Mrs. Cindy P. Woods

Executive Vice President Information Technology

Senior Engineer III

Ford Motor Credit Company

Consumers Energy

Sucheta Walimbe is responsible for managing Ford Credit IT functions worldwide. Previously, she led global strategy and operations for connected vehicle and connected consumer products and services within Ford Motor Company’s Mobility organization.

Prior, she led a team of IT professionals based in Asia, Europe, and the Americas supporting marketing and sales.

During her tenure, Sucheta has been responsible for enterprise technology, infrastructure architecture, and large program development and deployment within the Mobility, Marketing and Sales, Product Development, Enterprise IT, and Manufacturing skill teams. Her work on the FordPass and Lincoln Way mobile apps is a key example where she delivered complex, quality products to millions of customers worldwide, through innovative leadership, while empowering her teams and encouraging accountability.

This initiative launched a new avenue of business for Ford, positioning the company as a technology competitor in the OEM space.

As senior engineer III at Consumers Energy, Dr. Stephanie Watson’s current role is leading the implementation of the safety management system for the gas utility, which includes approximately 27,000 miles of gas distribution main, 2,400 miles of gas transmission pipeline, 15 storage fields, and eight compressor stations. Watson is very passionate about helping her colleagues develop their career paths at Consumers Energy. Throughout the years, she has shown dedication to shaping the future of Consumers Energy while displaying her leadership abilities in the process.

She has participated as a mentor for employees through the Minority Advisory Panel (MAP) Mentorship Program. The Minority Advisory Panel was developed to provide a mechanism for identifying problems and solutions unique to minorities. Watson served on Consumers Energy’s Women’s Advisory Panel (WAP) in various leadership roles.

WAP events included a professional development lunch and learning and workshop sessions.

“Sucheta goes above and beyond to develop people—inside and outside of her organization. She exemplifies the future generation of leaders at Ford contributing to both Ford and the greater global community.” — Rich Strader, IT Director at Ford Motor Company

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“I have known Stephanie since her arrival at Consumers Energy in 2010. Stephanie distinguished herself immediately as an engineering professional filled with anticipation, passion, and enthusiasm for her professional pursuits.” — Evangeline R. Harvey, Principal Engineer Lead

Operations Division Chief National Weather Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Cindy Woods currently serves as the National Weather Service’s operation division chief, where she oversees the National Operations Center and the performance brand. She has served in roles from forecaster to division chief, and when called upon, served in dual roles by managing two divisions within the NWS headquarters office.

In her current role, she is responsible for coordinating high-level leadership and support to 122 weather forecast offices, 21 center weather service units, 19 river forecast offices, and six regional operations centers across the country.

Regardless of the role, Woods has a passion for ensuring that the NWS is performing and meeting requirements with excellence. Outside of her daily responsibilities, she dedicates her time to the development of her subordinates and the next generation of scientists.

She served as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Education National Center for Atmospheric Sciences Technical Monitor to develop and advance collaboration with minority-serving institutions.

“Ms. Woods has demonstrated sustained commitment and dedication to supporting NOAA’s mission of providing weather information and guidance to the public, our partners, and leadership to save lives and property across our nation over the past three decades, and she is eminently deserving of this award.” — Benjamin Friedman, Deputy Undersecretary for Operations, NOAA

www.womenofcolor.online

2020

DID YOU KNOW? PRESIDENT’S AWARD

Ms. Adrienne Somerville Acquisition Group Head Commander Fleet Readiness Center Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Adrienne Somerville is winner of the 2020 President’s Award, recognizing her contributions in support of the Naval Air Systems (NAVAIR). Over the last 26 years, she has led cost-efficient contracts, program, and acquisition teams, and received Department of the Navy Competition and Procurement Excellence awards. She made Command history when she created a relationship with Apple and Google, and designed NAVAIR’s Mobile Career Guidebook.

The NAVAIR workforce of about 36,000 people now have career roadmaps, shadow assignments, and training online. Somerville earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Norfolk State University, a master’s in management from Florida Institute of Technology, and certifications from Georgetown University, the Harvard Kennedy School Executive program, and NAVAIR and Navy Senior Executive and Leadership programs. She was a Naval Reserves Supply Corps Officer and is president of the Carolyn E. Parker Foundation. She has received the Maryland Governor’s Outstanding Award for Community Service, and the George Bush Foundation’s Daily Point of Light Award.

“During my numerous interactions with Ms. Somerville, it has become clear to me that she is a leader who will continue to grow, learn, and use her many talents to better the condition of those around her,” — Bryan M. Scurry, executive director, commander, Naval Air Forces

www.womenofcolor.online

• Rear Adm. (RADM) Sylvia Trent-Adams, Ph.D., RN, FAAN was the first non-physician to hold the position of acting surgeon general in 2017.

• Emails were the preferred mode of communication with Women of Color STEM Conference organizers. On-site, more than 60 percent of conference attendees relied on text messages to keep up with the event’s schedule.

• Many of the 2020 award-winning women are involved in the science and engineering behind diagnostic tools and medical devices, novel solutions that help communities, businesses, and individuals across America navigate the challenges of this difficult time.

• Nominating agencies for Women of Color STEM Awards include the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which protects the health of all Americans; the National Institutes of Health; the U.S. Department of Agriculture; and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

• Some of the technology making a difference today include 3D printing, which numerous colleges and universities have used to produce personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Women of Color Award winners are leading artificial intelligence (AI) and software-asa-service (SaaS) for personalized patient care, part of a revolutionary approach in the healthcare industry also known as precision medicine.

• Women of Color Award winners inspire us all as they overcome personal and professional challenges.

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2020 TECH NOLOGY AL L-S TAR S AN D R I SI NG S TAR S AWAR D W I N N ER S

THE 2020 WOMEN OF COLOR

TECHNOLOGY ALL-STARS & RISING STARS

F

or more than a decade, TECHNOLOGY ALL-STARS at the Women of Color in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Conference have been nominated for recognition by the largest global companies. The winners of this award in 2020 are joining an impressive group of scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians, who have been honored for bringing their expertise to some of the world’s most challenging problems in technology, health care, communications services, energy, and more. Congratulations to the Class of 2020!

The Women of Color STEM Conference is honored to recognize the TECHNOLOGY RISING STARS of 2020. These outstanding leaders in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields work to provide innovative solutions every day for their employers, communities, and the world. The Women of Color STEM Conference continues to be the forum to recognize the significant accomplishments of forward-looking women in in the digital world.

TECHNOLOGY ALL-STARS Faye Alexander Senior Planner, Production and Projects (Operations Planning) Abbott

Sharon McAllister

Priti Amin

Bhavana Dua

Clerk 2 Good Manufacturing Practices Abbott

Associate Director - Technology AT&T

Assistant Vice President - Access Construction & Engineering AT&T

Mary Olsen

Associate Director - Technology AT&T

Divisional Staff Microbiologist Abbott

IT Director Tech Debt Program Business Solutions and Services (BSS) Abbott

Paula Brown

Kaushika Patel

Zenabu Bawa-Mamudu

Divisional Design Control Manager Abbott

Preciosa Buhay-Miller

Supervisor Quality Assurance – Environmental Monitoring and Microbiology Abbott

Instrument Product Support Manager Abbott

Zankha Patel

Anna Clausen

Stacia Thorson

Director, Regulatory Compliance Abbott

Global Marketing Manager Abbott

Director, Quality Assurance Abbott

Monica Hill

Su-Ann Murdock, Ph.D.

Senior Analyst/Data Engineer Abbott

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Division Chief of Client Services Division, Supervisory Chemist, GS-14 Army Public Health Center

Jocelyn Bartz Jacqui Bashford Area Manager Operational Assurance AT&T

Phelicia Boone Senior Design Network Engineer AT&T

Colette Burke Senior Business Management AT&T

Anny Chiou Lead Product Marketing Manager AT&T

Pam Choy Area Manager - Technical Program/Project Management AT&T

Maggie Escalona Director - Technology AT&T

Cynthia Fikes Director - Government Program Management AT&T

Danalakshmi Gopalakrishnan Associate Director - Technology AT&T

Lynnee Hopson Assistant Vice President Channel Marketing AT&T

Sylvia Knox Professional - Business Manangement AT&T

Rian Koduvath Senior Member of Technical Staff AT&T

www.womenofcolor.online

2020

Anca Leoveanu

Gabriela Munguia

Cynthia Brown

Lakisha Cugliari

Senior-Quality Assurance AT&T

Staff Engineer Bell Textron Inc.

IT Business Analyst DTE Energy

Wei Lin

Sumaiya Alloo

Olufemi Gaffar

IT Manager - Operational Efficiency General Motors

Principal Member of Technical Staff AT&T

Senior Lead Technologist Booz Allen Hamilton

IT Software Developer DTE Energy

Kesha McDade

Andrea Hobley

Elaine Harvell

Senior Consultant/Staff Engineer Booz Allen Hamilton

Senior Technical Analyst DTE Energy

Christa Jordan

Latha Jacob

Senior Lead Technologist Booz Allen Hamilton

Principal Account Manager DTE Energy

Sian Lewis

Yvette Johnson

Lead Scientist Booz Allen Hamilton

Director - Major Accounts Services DTE Energy

Sales Director AT&T

Swathy Ramaswamy Lead Product Marketing Manager, IOT AT&T

DeWanda Ricks Area Manager Network Customer Service Center AT&T

Cheree Rumley Senior Tech Solutions Manager AT&T

Vanessa Scott Principal Network Planning Engineer AT&T

Geeta Shah Principle Member of Techincal Staff AT&T

Uma Sharma Associate Director - Technology AT&T

Seynabou Sow Director - Business Product Services AT&T

Traci Walton-Jerald Associate Director - Technology AT&T

Cindra Wright Manager Network Ops Center AT&T

Patty (Pingying) Xia Lead Product Marketing Manager AT&T

Katia Gutierrez-Ugarte Engineering Manager AT&T (Xandr)

Mythilli Maduraiveeran Senior Software Engineer - Team Lead AT&T (Xandr)

Andrea Chavez Manager Innovation Capture Team Bell Textron Inc.

www.womenofcolor.online

Sonya Rahmani Senior Associate/Chief Engineer Booz Allen Hamilton

LaToya Robinson Senior Lead Engineer Booz Allen Hamilton

Crystal Simmons Senior Lead Technologist Booz Allen Hamilton

Monica Simpson Senior Pricing Analyst Booz Allen Hamilton

Geetika Tandon Principal/Director Booz Allen Hamilton

Ling Wu Lead Engineer Booz Allen Hamilton

Corietta Meeks Project Manager III Consumers Energy

Natalie Barringer Project Manager, Continental Engineering Services Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.

Alexandra Savu Senior Project Manager, Continental Engineering Services Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.

Riziki Kura Manager Deloitte

Anitha Tirukottiyur Senior Manager - Technical Lead Deloitte

Demita Beard Manager - System Operations DTE Energy

Syeda Mallick IT Senior Business Analyst DTE Energy

Tanzania Tetteh IT Manager - Cloud Center of Excellence DTE Energy

Natosha Tolbert IT Supervisor DTE Energy

Helen Rosca

Malini Dusey Senior Manufacturing Engineer General Motors

Maria Frontado Digital Lead Technical Sculptor General Motors

Grace Griffin Engineering Manager - Paint Facilities General Motors

Radhika Jankay Senior Software Test Lead General Motors

Trinette Moore Environmental Engineer General Motors

Becky Moulton Supply Chain Manufacturing Launch Manager General Motors

Sangeeta Nori Senior Software Engineer General Motors

Assistant Vice President, Manager Operations Engineering Processing Factory Mutual Insurance Co.

Saejin Park

Candyce Allen

Amanda Posey

Project Chief Engineer - Body Exterior Trim FCA US LLC

Area Manager Quality Engineering General Motors

Saretta Wallace

Imelda Trevino-Ingman

Process Improvement Manager Paint Shop FCA US LLC

Engineering Group Manager General Motors

Cynthia Williams

Security Compliance Manager General Motors

Global Director, Sustainability, Homologation, and Compliance Ford Motor Company

Director Global Data Transformation & Insights General Motors

Sunitha Vinnakota April Bilbo

Devon Blue

Welding General Foreman Huntington Ingalls Industries

Program Quality Manager General Motors

Karen Chan

Eltaneice Bolden Manager, Global Industrial Hygiene General Motors

Candace Butler Global Manager, Economic Development General Motors

Senior Engineer Huntington Ingalls Industries

Margaux Hall Manager 2 - Systems Engineering Huntington Ingalls Industries

Temeka Hills Manager Production Planner and Scheduler 1 Huntington Ingalls Industries

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2020 TECH NOLOGY AL L-S TAR S AN D R I SI NG S TAR S AWAR D W I N N ER S

Willie Mena Martin

Charu Agarwal

Bianca Sias

Josina Woodruff

Financial Analyst (Cost Price) Huntington Ingalls Industries

Senior Project Manager Infosys

Vice President JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Chief Engineer Leidos

Letitia McDonald

Malathy Balakrishnan

Carmen Anderson

Arlene York

Manager IT Software Engineer 2 Huntington Ingalls Industries

Senior Project Manager Infosys

TRICARE Global Training Manager Leidos

Heather Ray

Ruchika Bansal

Senior Specialist, Systems Engineering L3Harris Technologies

Manager Programs 3 Huntington Ingalls Industries

Associate Manager - Client Services Infosys

Andrea Greene

Application Software Engineer LG Chem Michigan Inc.

Tanuja Bhattiprolu

Ngina McLean

Technology Architect Infosys

Senior Manager, Engineering Management L3Harris Technologies

Jasmin Wilch Engineer Metrology 4 Huntington Ingalls Industries

Christina Wilson Manager Contract Administration Huntington Ingalls Industries

Oznur Alkan, Ph.D. Research Scientist IBM

Diana Arroyo Senior Software Engineer IBM

Anuradha Bhamidipaty

Pramila Deshmukh Senior Project Manager Infosys

Arathi Devi Harikumar Senior Project Manager Infosys

Kirti Jindal Senior Manager - Client Services Infosys

Senior Technical Staff Member (STSM) IBM

Deepthimol Moolathody

Natalie Brooks Powell

Cynthia Pope

AITS Profession Leader, Learning Development Innovator IBM

Senior Member of Technical Staff - Systems Engineering Infosys

Wendy Frazier

Ushma Thiagarajan

Director Consumer Software Engineering IBM

Senior Project Manager Infosys

Rashida Hodge

Senior Technology Architect Infosys

Vice President, North America Insurance IBM

Ramya Rachamadugu Program Director – GTS Business Information Security Officer IBM

Valinda Scarbro-Kennedy University Relations Program Executive IBM

Sai Zeng, Ph.D. Principal Research Staff Member and Manager, Compliance and Application Lifecycle Management IBM

Technical Test Lead Infosys

Rashmi Tyagi Cynthia Wiesenthal Manager - Client Services Infosys

Jacqueline Alphonso-Bullock Vice President JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Leslie Garcia Vice President JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Traci Jackson Executive Director JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Daphne McRae Vice President JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Hong Bo Zhao

Ann Savage

Advisory Project Manager IBM

Vice President JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Manager, Mechanical Engineering L3Harris Technologies

Annie Wang Manager, Applied Systems Engineering L3Harris Technologies

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Linda Greene, Ph.D. Senior Software Validation Engineer LG Chem Michigan Inc.

Toni Black Engineering Manager Lockheed Martin Corporation

Lisa Coleman

Stephanie Alley

Program Management Manager Lockheed Martin Corporation

Human Geography Linguist Leidos

Anissa Mack

Surafiel Berek

Quality Assurance Engineer Staff Lockheed Martin Corporation

Software Engineering Manager Leidos

Sheila Noriega

Rita Chavez Program Manager Leidos

Candace Ellerbe Test Manager Leidos

Vanessa Graves Smith Project Manager Leidos

Donna Jones

Systems Engineering Senior Manager Lockheed Martin Corporation

Komal Patel Program Manager Lockheed Martin Corporation

Terri Roberts, Ph.D. Software Quality Engineer Staff Lockheed Martin Corporation

Leila Sykes

Senior Systems Engineer Leidos

Systems Engineering Senior Manager Lockheed Martin Corporation

Nicole Mathern

Sherry Turpin

Aeronautical Information Specialist Leidos

Ethics Analyst Senior Staff Lockheed Martin Corporation

Sandra McDaniel Principal Software Engineer Leidos

Deputy Director, Brute Krulak Center, Marine Corps University Marine Corps University

Vasu Peterson

Carolyn Milton

Solution Architect Leidos

Ground Test & Cyber Lead Data Manager Missile Defense Agency

Letisha Spaulding-Smith Information Systems Security Officer Leidos

Melissa Strohmeyer Engineering Director Leidos

DeChanta Walker Enterprise Services Manager Leidos

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Sirul Bhandari

Lieutenant Colonel NaTasha Everly

Vanessa Stewart The Advanced Research Center (ARC) Lead & Supervisor Missile Defense Agency

Imelda Terrazas-Salinas Group Leader, Test Engineering Group NASA Ames Research Center

www.womenofcolor.online

2020

Vanessa Wyche

Carissa Hernandez

Penny Earl

Alita Salley

Deputy Director NASA Johnson Space Center

Department Manager Raytheon Technologies

Principal Contract Analyst The MITRE Corporation

Gloria Smith

Karen Kaneko-Baker

Change Management Service Lead The Boeing Company

Operations Reach Analyst Naval Air Systems Command

Senior Electrical Engineer Raytheon Technologies

Mara Fernandez

Michele Cofield-Clay

Anitra Reinehr

Industrial Engineer The Boeing Company

Systems Engineer/Business Process Analyst The MITRE Corporation

Core Avionics Engineer Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division

Engineering Fellow Raytheon Technologies

Yvonne Gonzalez

Jessica Yu

Structural Analysis Engineer The Boeing Company

Mary Henderson

Material Program Manager Raytheon Technologies

Group Lead & Lead Human Centered Engineer The MITRE Corporation

Operations Research Analyst Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division

Margelyn Massey Supervisory Logistics Management Specialist Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division

Veronica Wesson Program Analyst Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division

Shondra Hines Information Technology Specialist Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic

Hattie Webb System Engineer Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division

Sravanthi Bodana Head, Information Systems & Data Analytics Branch Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport

Norma Lopez Head, Combat Systems Trainers Branch Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport

La’Naia Jones Deputy Intelligence Community Chief Information Officer (Deputy IC CIO) Office of the Director of National Intelligence

Karla Sanchez Barrow Shurn Product Support Engineering, Director Raytheon Technologies

Ogechi Singh Senior Principal Systems Engineer Raytheon Technologies

Shawane Smith Principal Systems Engineer Raytheon Technologies

Marjori Yanagawa Program Manager III Raytheon Technologies

Angela Cini-Braund Team Leader Rock Central, LLC

Sheila Ambruster, DCS Senior Manager, Digital Enterprise Strategic Architecture The Boeing Company

Madeline Augustin Fabrication Program Integration Senior Manager The Boeing Company

Laura Badolato Enterprise Automation Product Manager The Boeing Company

Carolyn Burkhead Manager Import Administration The Boeing Company

Priscilla Christopher

Director, Technology Quicken Loans

Manager, Business & Supply Chain Systems Chief of Staff & Global Transformation Leader The Boeing Company

Karen Shen

Asha Dash

Senior Systems Engineer Quicken Loans

IT Manager The Boeing Company

Mireya Gelchion

Mary Dinda

Program Manager Raytheon Technologies

Systems and Data Analyst The Boeing Company

Cong Fan

www.womenofcolor.online

Yeakia Johnson

Lowanda Studevent, DSc.

787 Fulfillment Strategy and Integration Business Process Analyst The Boeing Company

1st Lt. AaSHAE Eberle

Vaibhavi Katyal Program Manager The Boeing Company

Superintendent, Field Assistance Service U.S. Air Force

Erica Parrott

Audrey Smith

Industrial Engineering Capability Senior Manager The Boeing Company

Chief, Policy and Governance/GS-15 U.S. Army

Terrilyn Price-Aaron

Supervisor Archaelogist U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Information Technology Senior Manager The Boeing Company

Tyria Riley, Ph.D. Senior Manager, BDS IT Digital Acceleration Office The Boeing Company

Edna Sharpley Senior Trade Controls Specialist The Boeing Company

Flavia Shelley Product Manager The Boeing Company

Kimberly Sledge Threats Data Generation & Analysis Lead The Boeing Company

Josie Taitague Cyber Security Governance, Risk and Compliance Specialist The Boeing Company

Program Manager U.S. Air Force

Tanesha Lewis

Jerica Richardson Lisa Samilton Lead Electonics Engineer (Hydrologic) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Yee Roo Lulu Edwards Research General Engineer U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center

Victoria Moore Computer Scientist U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center

Reena Patel, Ph.D. Research Mathematician U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center

CWO Shikeiyunda Savain Chief Storekeeper U.S. Coast Guard

Commander Janet Days

Natalie Tolliver

Director of Maritime Warfare U.S. Navy

Value Engineering Leader The Boeing Company

Nadiyah Morgan

Sandy Zhang 2nd Century Enterprise Systems Direct Procurement Functional Analyst The Boeing Company

Risa Danan

Reactor Inspector U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Sharon Parker, Ph.D. Program Manager for Science Synthesis USDA Forest Service

Program Manager The MITRE Corporation

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Defining tomorrow with today’s leaders At Lockheed Martin, inclusion drives success. Diverse backgrounds, experiences and points of view help us create incredible work, solve customers’ toughest challenges and engineer solutions around the world.

We don’t know what’s going to change the world next.

But we’re probably already working on it.

Learn more at lockheedmartin.com/diversity

© 2020 Lockheed Martin Corporation VC19-17139

2020 TECH NOLOGY AL L-S TAR S AN D R I SI NG S TAR S AWAR D W I N N ER S

TECHNOLOGY RISING STARS Melissa Brown Senior Product Engineer Abbott

Charletha Cade Manufacturing Process Engineer Abbott

Brooke Cannon Senior Field Clinical Operations Specialist Abbott

Itzel Carlson Order to Cash Sr. IT Project Manager Abbott

Jessica Chung Engineering Supervisor Abbott

Lisel Forbes Manager, Shipping Services for Lake County Distribution Center Abbott

Nicole Joison Manufacturing Process Engineer Abbott

Youn Jin Ku Process Scientist Abbott

Lashonda Miller Business Manager, Third Party Manufacturing Abbott

Saheela Mohammed Operations Graduate III Abbott

Kenzie Niestrom Senior IT Business Analyst Abbott

Wan-Ju Wu Senior Specialist Planning Abbott

Shanee Pacley, Ph.D. Research Materials Engineer Air Force Research Laboratory

Carmelita Hobbs Team Leader, Technology Amrock

Sirgut Adamu Professional Network Design Engineer AT&T

Swapna Buccapatnam Tirumala Principal Inventive Scientist AT&T

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Nathalie Claes

Saba Ali

Caroline Roath

Lead Channel Manager AT&T

Staff Scientist Booz Allen Hamilton

Keshia Clarke

Alexis Brown, Ph.D.

Transmission Pipeline Project Engineer Consumers Energy

Senior Business Manager AT&T

Senior Consultant Booz Allen Hamilton

Jane Lee

Lucy Han

Assistant Vice President Financial Analysis AT&T

Lead Technologist Booz Allen Hamilton

Yi Liu

Associate Booz Allen Hamilton

Principal Member of Technical Staff AT&T

Katrina Hawkins Angela Kim

Brittany Mason

Senior Lead Technologist Booz Allen Hamilton

Senior Client Delivery Manager AT&T

Murielle Larissa Mengue Obam

Sylvia Roach

Lead Engineer Booz Allen Hamilton

Manager AT&T

Myranda Moye

Asha Shamdasani

Senior Consultant Booz Allen Hamilton

Lead Product Marketing Manager AT&T

Sadaf Qazi

Tasasha (TK) Tell Lead Product Marketing Manager AT&T

Josephine Vazquez-Rivera Senior Software Engineering Manager AT&T

Lead Associate/Senior Lead Engineer Booz Allen Hamilton

Kathryn Ruhl Lead Scientist Booz Allen Hamilton

Ashleigh Smith

Shikha Choudhury

Lead Technologist Booz Allen Hamilton

Senior Operations Manager AT&T (Xandr)

Sherika Sylvester, Ph.D.

Mansi Nahar

Lead Scientist Booz Allen Hamilton

Software Engineer II AT&T (Xandr)

Kaila Tanskley

Srushti Desai

Senior Consultant Booz Allen Hamilton

Autonomy Engineer Bell Textron Inc.

Andrea Villamin

Anaizat Hereim Cost Analysis Engineer III Bell Textron Inc.

Alejandra Ortiz Electrical Engineer II Bell Textron Inc.

Kylie Richardson

Lead Associate/Senior Lead Engineer Booz Allen Hamilton

Jia Zhao, Ph.D. Senior Lead Scientist Booz Allen Hamilton

Blanca Samano

Senior Engineer Bell Textron Inc.

Program Specialist in the Executive Operations Team Cisco Systems

Johnna Sargent

Montserrat (Monty) Diaz

Senior Engineer Bell Textron Inc.

DIMP Analyst (Engineer) Consumers Energy

Dianna Abreu

Tiffany Dolley

Lead Technologist Booz Allen Hamilton

Senior Engineer II Consumers Energy

Vincey Chui Safety Functions Group Leader, BU ADAS Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.

Maria Militaru Software Engineering Manager/ Supervisor, BU ADAS Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.

Jenny Kim, Ph.D. Senior Research Scientist Polymers Corning Incorporated

Melissa Torres Process Engineer I Corning Incorporated

Liying “Lily” Zhang, Ph.D. Glass Development Associate Corning Incorporated

Pradnya Pisal Senior Consultant Deloitte

Shilpa Roy Manager, Digital Engineering DRT, Inc.

Alpana Bajpayee Senior Engineer DTE Energy

Sherea Brown Senior Project Engineer DTE Energy

Mary Lynn Holmes IT Technical Specialist DTE Energy

Carolina Garcia Senior Change & Release Management Specialist Factory Mutual Insurance Co.

Haritha Srinivasan Lead Research Scientist Factory Mutual Insurance Co.

Sirieshareddy Thirumalareddy Principal Quality Assurance Specialist Factory Mutual Insurance Co.

Laura Fabian Senior Engineer - Body Exterior, Lighting, and Vision FCA US LLC

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2020

Madhuri Ponugoti

Bei Chen, Ph.D.

Foram Patel

Anjali Manly

Powertrain Data Specialist FCA US LLC

Research Staff Member IBM

Technical Test Lead Infosys

Lead, Project Engineering L3Harris Technologies

Yvonne Gloria

Umamaheswari Devi, Ph.D.

Vibha Kavoor Prabhu

Regina Cer

PD - Supervisor Core Speech Technology Ford Motor Company

Senior Research Scientist IBM

Technology Lead Infosys

Bioinformatics Division Chief Leidos

Sravanthi Manthripragada

Megan Hampton

Daria Pulyaeva

Audrey Lambert

Research Engineer Ford Motor Company

Software Engineer - z/OS Security Development IBM

Associate Manager - Client Services Infosys

Deputy Program Manager Leidos

Jacqueline Arcos

Samaya Madhavan

Dhivya Durai Raj

Manufacturing Engineer General Motors

Software Engineer IBM

Project Manager Infosys

Accountant II LG Chem Michigan Inc.

Dominique Fajardo

Ramya Raghavendra, Ph.D.

Kirti Rani

Software Developer General Motors

Research Staff Member IBM

Technical Test Lead Infosys

Catherine Maberry

Susanne Tedrick

Ipsita Ray

User Experience Optimization Manager General Motors

Cloud Platform Technical Specialist IBM

Consultant Infosys

Senior Software Validation Engineer LG Chem Michigan Inc.

Haley Nichols

Yada Zhu, Ph.D.

Roohi Sahota

Rachael Brooks

Process Engineer General Motors

Research Staff Member IBM

Associate Manager - Client Services Infosys

Software Engineer Associate Lockheed Martin Corporation

Trenita Anderson

Deepi Agarwal

Navodita Sinha

Supervisor Material Handling 1 Huntington Ingalls Industries

Technology Lead Infosys

Consultant Infosys

Systems Engineer Senior Lockheed Martin Corporation

Maya Archer

Swati Arora

Pallavi Sinha

Process Improvement Analyst 2 Huntington Ingalls Industries

Technology Analyst Infosys

Consultant Infosys

Paula Barial

Jayalakshmi Avutupalli

Delmy Thomas

Cost Estimating Analyst II Huntington Ingalls Industries

Technology Analyst Infosys

Technology Lead Infosys

Andrea Collier

Kavitha Kumari Babulal Shahjee

Samantha Allen

Mechanical Engineer Huntington Ingalls Industries

Anna Gannon Manager Pricing Cost Estimating Huntington Ingalls Industries

Parisa Ghandehari Naval Architect 4 Huntington Ingalls Industries

Quineice McGee IT Systems Engineer Huntington Ingalls Industries

Obiajulu Obi Mechanical Engineer 2 Huntington Ingalls Industries

Candace Cox-Wimberley CEO I Am A Genius

Nupur Aggarwal Research Engineer IBM

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Technical Test Lead Infosys

Section Supervisor Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Divya Deepthi

Martha Cervantes

Technology Lead Infosys

Associate Staff Engineer Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Sandhya Kanneboina Technology Lead - US - Expert Infosys

Shrija Karki Consultant Infosys

Madhulika Technology Lead Infosys

Mini Nair Technical Test Lead Infosys

Akshatha Pai Technology Analyst Infosys

Maritza Abzun Associate JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Brittney Hicks Associate JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Chene Vines Associate JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Michelle Washington Associate JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Hanna Davis Specialist, Electrical Engineering L3Harris Technologies

Soo Young Cho Heather Lyons Engineering Supervisor LG Chem Michigan Inc.

Bhargavi Vuddadi

Kiersten Jackson Miss’Ola Tate Proposal Analysis Manager Lockheed Martin Corporation

Torian Wright Systems Engineer Associate Lockheed Martin Corporation

Rosemary Sacris Engineer Missile Defense Agency

Jeanette Davis, Ph.D. Policy Analyst National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Jennifer Dickens IT Project Manager National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Melissa Hooper Permits and Monitoring Branch Chief National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Tanaya Bondon Lead Avionics Systems Engineer Naval Air Systems Command

Lieutenant Jordan Johnson Fleet Communications Security Training Department Head Naval Communications Security Material Systems

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IBM would like to congratulate our award winners for a job well done!

Laura Bennett Veena Ganti Shanelle Gayle Venus Hipolito Rashida Hodge Virginia Mayo

2020

2020 TECH NOLOGY AL L-S TAR S AN D R I SI NG S TAR S AWAR D W I N N ER S

Taneka Lewis

Jordan Addison

Katrina Lim

Ambreen Tasawar

Engineer Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific

Electrical Design and Analysis Engineer The Boeing Company

Certification Engineer The Boeing Company

Integrated Project Team Lead – Satellite Subsystem Products The Boeing Company

Lety Gonell

Jiselle Arbeeny

Ship Design Manager - USS TRIPOLI (LHA 7) Naval Sea Systems Command

Software Developer The Boeing Company

Systems Integrator The Boeing Company

Irene Mkhize

Electromagnetic Effects Engineer The Boeing Company

Materials, Process, and Physics Engineer The Boeing Company

Mitali Bajpai

Mireille Mballa

IT Common Services Database Administrator The Boeing Company

Electrical System Design Engineer The Boeing Company

Sira Toure

Shawn Blake

Velia McDonald

MacKinzie Washington

Project Manager The Boeing Company

787 Final Assembly Industrial Engineer The Boeing Company

Manufacturing Research and Development Engineer The Boeing Company

Sirena Merfalen

Chasity Watson

Senior Industrial Engineer The Boeing Company

Talent Acquisition Manager, Global University Recruiting The Boeing Company

Supervisor/Program Analyst Naval Sea Systems Command

Jessica Perez Torres Computer Engineer Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport

Natasha Kapoor Technology Relationship Manager Quicken Loans

Gladys Amaya Senior Systems Engineer II Raytheon Technologies

Angelica Ceniceros Systems Engineer II Raytheon Technologies

Marlene Contreras

Morgan Arline

Kavitha Chidambaram HR Employee Relations Partner The Boeing Company

Vickie Cooper Senior IT Process Analyst The Boeing Company

Irah Dizon

Vandana Madhavan Dorekia Martin

Pragyan Mohanty Process Analyst The Boeing Company

Keleghai (Kiki) Tatah Mentan Seats Integration Team-Structural & Payloads Design Engineer The Boeing Company

Lesslie Terrell Integrated Project Team Lead The Boeing Company Systems Engineer The Boeing Company

Claire Gryphon Lead Data Scientist The MITRE Corporation

HBCU Strategy Program Manager/Talent Advisor The Boeing Company

Sriya Ngo

Senior Electrical Engineer II Raytheon Technologies

Teena Facemire

Nancy Do

Mellissa Nguon

Program Manager Raytheon Technologies

Propulsion Systems Engineer The Boeing Company

Takecia Madden

Lisa Folsom

Motunrayo Fajobi

BGS Analytics and Program Management Operations Leader The Boeing Company

Senior Systems Engineer II Raytheon Technologies

Materials, Physics and Process Engineer The Boeing Company

Barbara Nunez

Chandra Donelson

Systems Engineer The Boeing Company

Mariah Glowicz

Azzréal Pugh

Intelligence Specialist/OSINT Data Team Lead/CIV/GG13 U.S. Army

Propulsion Engineer The Boeing Company

Chemical Engineer The Boeing Company

Yusra Hamidani

Andrea Romeros

Emerging Technology Analyst The Boeing Company

Supply Chain Strategy & Integration Specialist The Boeing Company

Ashley Haldeman Senior Systems Engineer I Raytheon Technologies

Hollie Kumpaitis Lead Space Vehicle Engineer Raytheon Technologies

Damilola Shonaike Manager, Software Developer Raytheon Technologies

Bineta Umar Senior Systems Engineer I Raytheon Technologies

Brittany Wheeler Work Transfer Manager Raytheon Technologies

Swetha Bakka Associate Systems Engineer Rock Central, LLC

Amanda Obidike Founder and Executive Director STEMi Makers Africa

Ieisha Hinson Materials & Process Engineer The Boeing Company

Lisa Huntsman

Product Specialist The Boeing Company

Senior Computer Scientist The MITRE Corporation NCOIC, Quality Assurance U.S. Air Force

LT Isabelle Patnode Port Engineer U.S. Coast Guard

Anne Saad Electrical Engineering Manager The Boeing Company

Business Operations Senior Manager The Boeing Company

Jazmyne Smith

Charity Ikpe

Sucheng Soeung

Structural Engineer The Boeing Company

System & Data Analyst The Boeing Company

Sindhuja Kalyanasundaram

Therese Suaris, Ph.D.

Information Technology Manager The Boeing Company

Phantom Works Mission Systems Manager The Boeing Company

Angela Lessington

Mandira Hegde

Equipment Engineer The Boeing Company

Product Manager The Boeing Company

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WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2020

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SAVE THE DATE FEBRUARY 11-13, 2021 Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel • Washington, DC

Ad www.beya.org

35th

The

For more information, call us at 410-244-7101 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/BEYASTEM

Follow us on Twitter: @BlackEngineer

Walmart InfoSec team talks about leveraging STEM to build a world class team According to Walmart’s website, you can use technology, data and design to power the future of retail and enable new ways for customers to shop, associates to work and the enterprise to operate.

What does the Technology and Information Security unit do in one of the world's largest organizations? How is Walmart demonstrating innovation?

Walmart’s Global Technology division is made up of thousands of technologists across Bentonville, AR, Silicon Valley, Bangalore, India and beyond. At Walmart we like to say we are people-led, tech empowered – and our Global Tech team is all about building capabilities to power our associates and save our customers time and money. We are made up of Segments that span across our three major business units – Walmart U.S., Sam’s Club, and Walmart International – and Horizontals like Data, Platforms, Core Services, Global Business Services, and Information Security.

Within Infosec we look for high performing talent with Critical knowledge in the areas of Cryptography, Cloud Security, Identity & Access Management, Digital Forensics, Advanced Malware Prevention, Incident Response, Networking and Systems Engineering, and Governance Risk and Compliance (GRC).

Through pursuit of this talent we build high functioning diverse teams capable of taking on any situation.

It is critical that Walmart execute against a robust information

security technology strategy that meets the needs of technology and business partners while ensuring security is in place to maintain our status as the most trusted retailer. To aid in this effort, we must hire the best and brightest talent we can find and recruit from diverse pools of resources.

If you not yet heard of ViperMonkey, it is a VBA Emulation engine written in Python, designed to analyze and de-obfuscate malicious VBA Macros contained in Microsoft Office files (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher).

Kirk Sayre, one of our Incident Management associates, is the primary developer and maintainer of this Open Source tool. We use it as part of an automated process to quickly identify when new maldocs are created and used to attack our environment. We were recently notified that the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center is leveraging this tool extensively in their mission to protect critical infrastructure and perform counterterrorism work. It is amazing that the work Kirk is doing is not only being used to protect Walmart but is used to protect our country. We are humbled and honored to work alongside such bright and capable associates. Well-done, Kirk!

Kierra Smith, a Senior Software Engineer and graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, a historically black college and university, developed the Walmart initial MFA credential provider for the company.

Brenda Pacheco became the first one

Gary Simms Sr., Distinguished Architect, Information Security Strategist, Walmart

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WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2020

www.womenofcolor.online

ADVERTORIAL

Career Areas • Cybersecurity • Data Science and Analytics • Information Technology • Product Management Technology • Project and Program Management Technology • Software Development and Engineering • UX Design in her family to obtain an undergraduate degree when she graduated from George Mason University in 2018. As cyber threats increasingly emerged, her interest grew and led her to obtain her Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity Strategy and Information Management from The George Washington University in May 2020. During her short time with the company, she has learned on-prem Identity Access Management skills while managing identity for a 2.2. millionmember ecosystem. Brenda now splits her time managing on-prem identity and access management as well as learning Microsoft Azure Cloud Identity. This technical knowledge allows her to better serve her customers while maintaining a security focus.

Vanessa King joined Walmart with vast experiences from Telecommunications, Banking, and Major League Baseball which helped mold her into the dynamic Cybersecurity resource she is today. She graduated from Rutgers University in 2010 with a degree in Information Technology.

Her immense levels of experience and education allowed her to add value to the

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team immediately. Vanessa is currently focused on efficiently optimizing reporting in the Identity Access Management environment to allow faster analytics to better manage Identity across the Walmart digital ecosystem.

Why is it important to recruit people of color and veterans at events like BEYA? It is critically important that we create an inclusive culture that drives creativity of thought through partnership and collaboration with a diverse set of resources and capabilities.

Events like WOC, BEYA, and other such diverse platforms provide us the opportunity to recruit innovative and creative humans capable to help evolve our IT and Cyber Security organizations.

How will a virtual internship contribute to this strategy?

Virtual internships allow extended support mechanisms to address capacity and demand management challenges that have strategic impact on business

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Walmart employees Vanessa King, Kierra Smith, Brenda Pacheco, and Kirk Sayre.

imperatives. These virtual internships provide talent utilization and resources required to execute on strategic priorities and aspirational goals regardless of their geographical location.

Walmart’s internship program has been a differentiator in Walmart’s talent pipeline for years. Looking at InfoSec alone, many interns over the years have converted to full-time hires and remain at Walmart today.

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Walmart’s internship program has been a differentiator in Walmart’s talent pipeline for years. Looking at InfoSec alone, many interns over the years have converted to fulltime hires and remain at Walmart today.

What will virtual internships do to contribute to the different functional areas?

Virtual internships will provide alignment with various functional areas within Walmart to diversity of thought to the organizational operations and allow for new and emerging insights as the interns participate in design thinking sessions and innovative projects.

Virtual internships are a contributing component of functional area delivery.

Interns will work on real-world projects and deliver solutions that are directly related to functional area goals and objectives.

What sort of skills, qualifications, and certification should applicants have for internships with Walmart Information Security?

Interns should be self-starters (proactively engage with others and initiate work activity, at some level, on their own).

A good number of students today have their security+ and are involved with Infosec specific student groups.

Interns should be studying Information and Cybersecurity and have some background in information systems and engineering.

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Interns should be comfortable connecting with others in a virtual format to include virtual collaboration and communication.

Why are virtual internships popular currently?

Virtual internships are popular at this current time in corporate America due to the constraints of the global pandemic of Covid19 and the need to accommodate a remote workforce. Additionally, it aligns with the way the millennials and gen x students are accustomed to working via social media and digital platforms.

Virtual internships can provide employers with a larger pool of candidates (i.e., employers are not restricted to specific locations).

Virtual internships likely align well with today’s interns – they are accustomed to online/virtual communications and typically excel in that way of working.

eDiscovery and Forensic Services Laboratory The eDiscovery and Forensic Services Laboratory (eD&FSL) is accredited under the internationally recognized standards defined by ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) National Accreditation Board (ANAB). The Accreditation is an independent confirmation that the laboratory meets or exceeds the standards for technical competence and effective laboratory administration.

The eDiscovery Team focusses on assisting in identifying, collecting and processing ESI (Electronically Stored Information) both structured and unstructured data sources in support of Walmart’s Worldwide Legal portfolio.

The Forensic Services Team assists Global Investigations with technical expertise as they collect and obtain evidence ranging from the various WM systems, laptops and mobile devices. The FS Team also consists of an internal team dedicated to Hard Drive repair and recovery of data from the most technical devices in their environment.

Most recently they have added a Forensic Video Unit which supports the collection, enhancement and analysis of all Walmart Video obtained in major incidents and/or investigative support. All of these associates within the Laboratory are certified in their area of expertise and come to Walmart with various

backgrounds and technical knowledge.

Tell us about Walmart’s Live Better U Program?

Live Better U launched a year ago, and associates have been jumping at the opportunity to earn a college degree for just $1 a day. Since its launch, more than 7,500 Walmart associates from all 50 states have been accepted into at least one of the programs.

To help prepare even more associates for the future, we are expanding our Live Better U education benefits to include 14 new technology degrees and certificates for – also for $1 a day. These developing options include cyber security, computer science, computer and network security, and computing technology —on top of the business and supply chain degrees currently offered. We won’t stop there because in the coming months, we plan to add even more educational opportunities in additional fields, so if you do not see a degree that matches what you’re interested in, stay tuned.

We are also offering high school students a bridge to the future by extending access to the full menus of Live Better U’s learning programs to our younger associate base.

2020 BEYA participants Jerry Geisler, Chief Information Security Officer: We must double down on BEYA to recruit people of color, women, and military talent present at the event.

Nick Givens, Senior Director II, Security Engineering and BEYA Award Winner: We saw an amazing amount of diverse talent at BEYA. It a great talent pipeline that we need to have a greater stake in going forward to grow the organization.

Melissa Yandell, Senior Director, Identify and Access Management: The diversity and caliber of talent at BEYA was extremely impressive. BEYA provides a forum for connecting with future leaders in the STEM fields, it draws the type of motivated, skilled, individuals we are always looking to recruit into our company.

To Learn more information about the many opportunities at Walmart, please visit www.careers.walmart.com

www.womenofcolor.online

Where wild ideas work.

DIVERSITY. INCLUSION. CREATIVITY. INNOVATION. This is what drives us to ensure

our global employees are empowered to contribute their unique ideas, experiences and perspectives to build innovative solutions and reinforce our reputation as leaders in our industries and communities. We value smart, diverse, sometimes wild ideas... and it is our people who help turn the best ones into reality.

With global presence and a heritage of hands-on innovation, Textron’s dynamic business is built on precision, momentum, and market-leading brands.

BE A PART OF OUR FUTURE. APPLY TODAY AT TEXTRON.COM/CAREERS

CONGRATULATIONS ALEJANDRA! ALEJANDRA ORTIZ

Electrical Engineer - Textron Systems 2020 WOC TECHNOLOGY RISING STAR TEXTRON IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE 2020 WOMEN OF COLOR STEM CONFERENCE

Women in STEM at the National Security Agency

‘Amazing’ Network Moves Careers Forward

THE POWER OF PEOPLE Jenaye Minter wouldn’t be where she is today without that one very special quality of the NSA community. “There are tons of people to help you get to where you need to be.”

Jenaye Minter Computer Engineer

As a Co-op Program intern, she gained experience in signals intelligence and product testing. Now an employee, Jenaye is developing expertise in network engineering. She says the career options at NSA are limitless, and the people you meet will help you navigate your next move.

“The networking is amazing.”

Learn more at IntelligenceCareers.gov/NSA

U.S. citizenship is required.

NSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

NSA offers: • Tuition Assistance • Professional Training and Development • Leadership Opportunities • A Friendly Environment that Fosters Innovation • The Time to Enjoy Family and Friends • An Opportunity to Contribute to the Good of the Nation

C AR EER OU TLOOK : I N D U S TRY OVERVI E W

COVID-19 PANDEMIC TIMELINE HOW CONTACT TRACING WORKS

According to the CDC, contact tracing has been used for decades. It is a core disease control measure employed by local and state health department personnel and will be a key strategy for preventing further spread of COVID-19.

The CDC recommended that communities across America scale up and train a large contact tracer workforce that will work together across public and private agencies to stop the transmission of COVID-19.

Various job advertisements for contact tracers have called for candidates with a least a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a state’s Department of Education.

What Contact Tracers do in Public Health • Contact tracers trace and monitor contacts of infected people.

• Many make calls from call centers to conduct phone interviews with people diagnosed with COVID-19.

• Contact tracers gather information about a case, elicit the case’s contacts, notify and educate any household/close contacts who are present during the interview, and assess case and household contact needs for services to support isolation/quarantine, including medical care.

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The CDC notes that contact tracing is a specialized skill. It requires people with training, supervision, and access to social and medical support for patients and contacts.

The CDC says that requisite knowledge and skills for contact tracers include: • Understanding the medical terms and principles of exposure, infection, infectious period, potentially infectious interactions, symptoms of disease, pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic infection, and • Most importantly, understanding patient confidentiality.

According to the CDC, six skills that contact tracers need are: 1. Ability to conduct interviews without violating confidentiality (e.g., to those who might overhear their conversations) 2. Excellent interpersonal, cultural sensitivity, and interviewing skills such that they can build and maintain trust with patients and contacts 3. Basic skills of crisis counseling, and the ability to confidently refer patients and contacts for further care, if needed 4. Resourcefulness in locating patients and contacts who may be difficult to reach or reluctant to engage in conversation 5. Understanding of when to refer individuals or situations to medical, social, or supervisory resources 6. Cultural competency appropriate to the local community

Candidates for supervisory contact tracer positions were required to have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, and two years of full-time satisfactory experience in a public health program, or an associate degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by 12 semester credits in health education or health, social, or biological sciences; and four years of experience. The salary for this position was $65,000.

In New York, job advertisements required: • Public health experience and training • Experience supervising diverse teams • Experience working with different communication styles • Ability to be respectful, sensitive to, and understanding of the diverse perspectives of staff and work with them to resolve differences • Ability to understand the concepts of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities • Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact professionally with people from diverse cultural, racial, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic backgrounds during a time of crisis and distress. In addition, candidates were required to show a commitment to supporting communities who have experienced systemic oppression and bias (e.g. people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and immigrants). 

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BELOW IS A GUIDE TO SOME OF THE ACTIONS FEDERAL AND STATE ENTIES HAVE TAKEN SINCE THE SPREAD OF THE COVID-19 VIRUS IN JANUARY 2020.

JANUARY

The United States declares a public health emergency.

Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said the plan to reopen the United States will involve ramped-up testing, and, “very aggressive” contact tracing to “block and tackle.”

By mid-April, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced an initiative aimed at speeding innovation, development, and commercialization of COVID-19 testing technologies.

During the last week of April, the New York City mayor’s office, in partnership with a nonprofit organization announced 1,000 contact tracer positions.

At the end of April, the CDC published a document highlighting the basic principles of contact tracing.

FEBRUARY

MARCH

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March 16 — The first participant received the investigational vaccine designed to protect against COVID-19 at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) in Seattle.

APRIL May 18 — Moderna, Inc. announced positive interim clinical data of mRNA1273.

MAY

JUNE

JULY Aug 16 — Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) announced the launch of a program that will provide regular COVID-19 testing and contact tracing to school staff, students and their families.

First person in the United States with a confirmed case of the 2019 novel coronavirus.

AUGUST

May 21 — The Trump administration and AstraZeneca announce a collaboration to speed development of a COVID-19 vaccine called AZD1222.

June 16 — HHS Announces COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Will Be Free for Some.

July 22 — Dr. Robert R. Redfield statement on SARSCoV-2 infections says CDC estimates that there were 10 times more cases than reported from the period where they have been examining antibody data: March through May.

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C AR EER OU TLOOK : JOB HOR IZON

Contact Tracing:

America Needs ‘an Army of 300,000 People’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Robert Redfield has called for “substantial expansion of public health fieldworkers” to undertake aggressive contact tracing. He called the campaign “block and tackle.” Other experts have said state and local governments will have to train people and have a system that works. In this section, we look at where contact tracing jobs will be, what employment options will look like for people entering this field, skills/focus areas/majors/trades people will need to have/acquire in order to obtain these jobs, and starting salaries.

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F

ormer CDC director Tom Frieden told STAT that America needs “an army of 300,000 people.”

STAT is a magazine focused on health, medicine, life sciences, and the business of making medicines. It provides insights on changes in the life science industry.

During the last week of April, the New York City mayor’s office, in partnership with a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of the health and well-being of all New Yorkers, announced new contact tracer positions. The City was looking to hire 1,000 people by the end of May with an immediate start date.

On May 1, Ventris Gibson, director of the Washington, D.C. Department of Human Resources, said that its 900 Contact Trace Force jobs involve speaking remotely with those who have had the virus and others who have come into close contact with those who have had it.

Various job advertisements for contact tracers have called for candidates with a least a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a state’s Department of Education.

Across the country, contact tracer job advertisements called for people with public health backgrounds to investigate and trace COVID-19 cases and contacts. According to the scope of work, job requirements, salary, benefits, and application guidelines for New York, candidates with health-related professional experience or public health training were preferred.

By April 28, the St. Louis County Department of Public Health, which was hiring, training, and supervising a contact tracing team across St. Louis County in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, had stopped accepting applications.

With a projected 300,000 contact tracer jobs available, we took a look at what contact tracers do in public health systems around the country.

Contact tracers trace and monitor contacts of infected people. Many make calls from call centers to conduct phone interviews with people diagnosed with COVID-19. Contact tracers gather information about a case, elicit the case’s contacts, notify and educate

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any household/close contacts who are present during the interview, and assess case and household contact needs for services to support isolation/quarantine, including medical care.

The CDC notes that contact tracing is a specialized skill. It requires people with training, supervision, and access to social and medical support for patients and contacts. The CDC says that requisite knowledge and skills for contact tracers include understanding the medical terms and principles of exposure, infection, infectious period, potentially infectious interactions, symptoms of disease, pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic infection, and most importantly, understanding patient confidentiality.

With a projected 300,000 contact tracer jobs available, we took a look at what contact tracers do in public health systems around the country.

According to the CDC, six skills that contact tracers need are: • Ability to conduct interviews without violating confidentiality (e.g., to those who might overhear their conversations) • Excellent interpersonal, cultural sensitivity, and interviewing skills such that they can build and maintain trust with patients and contacts • Basic skills of crisis counseling, and the ability to confidently refer patients and contacts for further care, if needed • Resourcefulness in locating patients and contacts who may be difficult to reach or reluctant to engage in conversation • Understanding of when to refer individuals or situations to medical,

social, or supervisory resources • Cultural competency appropriate to the local community Candidates for supervisory contact tracer positions were required to have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, and two years of full-time satisfactory experience in a public health program, or an associate degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by 12 semester credits in health education or health, social, or biological sciences; and four years of experience. The salary for this position was $65,000.

In New York, job advertisements required: • Public health experience and training • Experience supervising diverse teams • Experience working with different communication styles • Ability to be respectful, sensitive to, and understanding of the diverse perspectives of staff and work with them to resolve differences • Ability to understand the concepts of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities • Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact professionally with people from diverse cultural, racial, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic backgrounds during a time of crisis and distress In addition, candidates were required to show a commitment to supporting communities who have experienced systemic oppression and bias (e.g. people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and immigrants).

The World Health Organization says people who closely watch contacts after exposure to an infected person, help the contacts to get care and treatment, and prevent further transmission of the virus perform a monitoring process called contact tracing, which can be broken down into three basic steps: 1. Contact identification 2. Contact listing 3. Contact follow-up 

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DIVERSITY OF IDEAS NEEDS DIVERSITY OF PEOPLE General Motors is honored to be a workplace of choice for multicultural women. Congratulations to everyone recognized for their achievements at this year’s 2020 Women of Color STEM Conference, including our own award recipients.

Diversity Leadership Award Tamberlin Golden Technology Rising Star Award Dominique Fajardo • Jacqueline Gil-Arcos • Catherine Maberry • Haley Nichols Technology All-Star Award Devon Blue • Eltaneice V. Bolden • Candace J. Butler • Kisha Cugliari • Malini Dusey • Maria V. Frontado • Grace N. Griffin • Radhika R. Jankay Trinette Moore • Rebecca A. Moulton • Sangeeta Nori • Saejin Park • Amanda Posey • Imelda Trevino-Ingman • Sunitha B. Vinnakota

gm.com ©2020 General Motors. All rights reserved.

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