I love how networks and relationships work. Connections. Collaborations. Seeing how parts and pieces and people are connected. How they can work together. How multiple, seemingly disjointed efforts overlap and, when combined, can create a greater solution, system, or impact.

A longstanding relationship started in college between two college student organization leaders and was maintained through social media.

Both of us have parallel, complementary passions for equity and access – coming at it from different angles, but related passions, nonetheless.

Both of us have an interest in serving in ways to make our world a better place using our engineering minds, passions, experiences and networks.

This all led to…

An invitation to join the Navy Community Ambassador Program.

The Navy Community Ambassador Program stood up in September 2021 to develop a network of non-DoD civilian community leaders who understand the strategic communication challenges facing the Navy, and who can present engagement opportunities made possible by their experience, connections, and audiences. The first seven ambassadors joined the program in 2021 to represent D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. In 2022, the program aims to add additional ambassadors to the program who have access to audiences comprised of young women and communities of color, for both in-person and digital engagement.

2022 Navy Community Outreach Plan

The Navy Community Ambassador Program is a Secretary of the Navy initiative to strengthen relationships with communities and audiences outside traditional Navy circles. Each state will have two ambassadors – individuals who are respected, engaged, and have strong relationships in the communities they live – to serve as unpaid advisors who will provide ideas, feedback and advice on how the Navy can better serve, reach and engage diverse audiences.

2022 Navy Community Ambassador Program Flyer

I readily accepted and became the first ambassador for the State of Texas.

In November, I was invited to the Pentagon to meet with amazing Navy leaders (including Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro – see photo below; Navy Chief of Information, Rear Admiral Ryan Perry – his daughter plays my favorite sport of volleyball; and Force Master Chief, Delbert Terrell, Jr. – a Sooner, but we’ll look past that), to learn about Navy operations, opportunities, and challenges, and to connect with other Navy Community Ambassadors. STEM is embedded everywhere throughout the Navy and the need for more women to engage is apparent:

• The technological advances across the Navy need the diversity of perspectives and experiences that women can bring to the table.
• The family-friendly policies women often initiate or drive in the workplace can create a more equitable and inclusive environment for all in the Navy.
• More women in visible and diverse leadership positions throughout the Navy could transform recruitment and retention – you have to see it to want to be it…or to know you can be it at all.

I hope that my expertise in advancing gender equity in STEM will provide insights, ideas, and inspiration for the Navy and its mission to maintain, train and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas.

Thanks to amazing leader, parent, and engineer Michelle (and Navy husband, Cass) for the inspiration and invitation to join in. And thanks to Ben for serving in the Navy and for being an amazing, lifelong friend to my son, Kale.

Stay tuned as I share more about this journey!