News & Press

Bridget Chatman Named 2024 Women of Color Technologist of the Year

Mon, 1 Jul 2024 21:00:00 GMT

Career Communications Group is proud to announce that Bridget Chatman, Vice President of Business Development Transformation & Growth Academy at SAIC, will receive the top honor as the 2024 Technologist of the Year at the upcoming Women of Color (WOC) STEM DTX Conference.

The award is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to promoting diversity in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Chatman is a distinguished leader within SAIC whose dedication to fostering an inclusive workplace and extensive community engagement efforts make her a role model for aspiring professionals.

With nearly thirty years of experience, Chatman has established strategic industry partnerships and spearheaded initiatives that enhance diversity and inclusion. She has also demonstrated exceptional business development and transformation skills in her field.

The award ceremony will be part of the 29th annual WOC STEM DTX Conference, scheduled from October 3-5, 2024, in Detroit, Michigan. The event will also be accessible online via the WOC STEM DTX platform ( www.wocstemdtx.com). This year's conference theme, "Ocean of Change, Waves of Opportunities," will explore the transformative power of embracing diverse perspectives and the vital role of inclusivity in advancing the future of STEM.

The WOC STEM DTX Conference brings together influential and underrepresented women and leaders to celebrate diversity, innovation, and the achievements of women in STEM. The conference will host multiple award presentation events, panel discussions, and networking opportunities where Chatman and other outstanding women in STEM will be recognized.

"Bridget exemplifies all aspects of 'Build. Shape. Inspire.' that the Technologist of the Year Award aims to honor," said Alana Winns, Chief Content Officer and Editor-in-Chief at Career Communications Group. "Her contributions have shaped change for women pursuing careers in STEM and will continue to inspire professionals for years to come."

Conference registration is now open. www.womenofcolor.net

About the Women of Color STEM DTX Conference
The Women of Color STEM DTX Conference is organized by Career Communications Group, Inc. (CCG), a leading advocate for workforce diversity, collaborating with companies of all kinds to promote multiculturalism and gender equity in STEM fields, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. For nearly three decades, the WOC STEM DTX Conference has led the way in professional development, networking, and empowerment for women. For more information about the 2024 WOC STEM DTX Conference, please visit www.womenofcolor.net.

Dr. Ken Washington of Medtronic Honored as the 38th Black Engineer of the Year Awardee

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 15:36:00 GMT

The Black Engineer of the Year Award is a coveted honor that acknowledges the outstanding achievements of Black professionals in STEM industries. It stands as a beacon of diversity and inclusion, promoting excellence and inspiring future generations to pursue careers in these critical fields.

Ken Washington, Ph.D. is the Chief Technology & Innovation Officer at Medtronic where he plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of mobility and advancing technological innovations. Born and raised in inner-city Chicago, his innate curiosity and determination to succeed led him to pursue a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering, becoming the first African American to earn this distinction at Texas A&M University.

Dr. Washington's journey includes roles at Sandia National Laboratories, Lockheed Martin, Ford Motor Company, and Amazon. His diverse career experience spans nuclear safety, information technology, aerospace technology, consumer robotics, and groundbreaking work on Amazon's Astro, the world's first multipurpose affordable home robot. He's an inspiring leader who continues to make a difference in both the corporate world and the community, embodying the values of innovation, leadership, and service.

"We are thrilled to present Ken Washington with the Black Engineer of the Year Award," said Dr. Tyrone D. Taborn, CEO of Career Communications Group and Editor in Chief of US Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine. "His dedication to advancing technology and engineering, coupled with his commitment to mentoring and encouraging the next generation of STEM leaders, truly embodies the spirit of the BEYA STEM DTX Conference."

The 38th BEYA STEM DTX Conference is a three-day event that promises a unique opportunity to celebrate leaders in STEM through seminars, inspiring panel discussions, networking, and unforgettable experiences. For those unable to attend in person, the conference will also be accessible through BEYA STEM DTX (Digital Twin Experience). This immersive metaverse platform ensures everyone can participate and experience the event.

To learn more about the 38th BEYA STEM DTX Conference and to join in celebrating Dr. Washington's achievements, please visit www.beya.org.

Women of Color STEM DTX Conference Announces 2023 List of Award Recipients

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 18:34:00 GMT

The annual conference, now in its 28th year, gathers leaders, innovators, and disruptors in STEM industries and education for a three-day event of keynotes, panels, awards, and activities.

DETROIT - June 22, 2023 -- For 28 years, the Women of Color (WOC) STEM Digital Twin Experience (DTX) Conference has been a beacon of recognition for outstanding achievements in STEM, shedding light on the glaring lack of women's representation in these fields and their under-representation at senior levels across all disciplines.

The annual three-day event, hosted in Detroit, Michigan, October 12-14, 2023, honors the impactful achievements of diverse leaders in STEM. This year's theme is "Waves of Change, Oceans of Opportunity."

Employers dedicated to fostering inclusivity have consistently turned to the Women of Color STEM DTX Conference as a vital platform for sharing best practices and implementing strategies to attract and retain more women in scientific and technical careers.

Alongside a diverse range of events designed to foster collaboration, education, and personal development, the conference organizes a prestigious awards ceremony to recognize extraordinary women from diverse backgrounds.

Each year, a panel of esteemed WOC judges evaluates a dynamic pool of candidates, including outstanding college students, emerging talents, accomplished mid-career professionals and managers, influential C-suite executives, innovators, visionary inventors, and impactful change agents.

Award Winners List

Award Category	Winner(s)
Technologist of the Year	Mary Hor-Lao Director, Software Engineering Abbott Neuromodulation Abbott

Career Achievement in Government	Patricia Sullivan Deputy Director U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center
Career Achievement in Industry	Kathleen Jolivette Vice President Vertical Lift The Boeing Company
Career Achievement in Industry	Melissa Welch, MD Chief Medical Officer Health Catalyst
Community Service	Shaneka Lawson, Ph.D. Research Plant Physiologist USDA Forest Service
Community Service	Maria Thorpe Human Systems Engineering Department Director Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Systems Acquisition Group, Human Systems Engineering Department

Corporate Responsibility	Teresa Blanco Vice President –Supply Chain Readiness The Boeing Company
Corporate Responsibility	Toyin Ogunfolaju Director, Social Value & Equity Americas Jacobs

Diversity Leadership in Government	Karen Hudson Chief, Avionics Engineering Division Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Engineering Directorate
Diversity Leadership in Government	Lyndsey McMillon-Brown, Ph.D. Research Electrical Engineer NASA Glenn Research Center

Diversity Leadership in Industry	LaDavia Drane GlobalHead of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Diversity Leadership in Industry	Deepa Shankar Director, Partnerships UL Research Institutes

Educational Leadership –College-Level Promotion of Education	Whitney Gaskins, Ph.D. Assistant Dean University of Cincinnati
	Anne-Marie Kosi-Koupe, PhD Lecturer 1 University of Detroit Mercy

Educational Leadership –Corporate Promotion of Education	Kelly Keena, Ph.D. Senior Director UL Research Institutes
	Kadidia Thiero SOARS® Principal Investigator/Program Lead University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

FinTech Leadership	Madhura Damle Business Intelligence Specialist Lordstown Motors Corporation

Managerial Leadership	Manasi Reardon, Ph.D. Director, R&D Abbott
	Christina Upah Vice President Attack Helicopter Programs & Mesa Senior Site Executive The Boeing Company
	Dakeesha Wright Operations & Site Leader Raytheon Technologies, Collins Aerospace

New Media/IT Leadership	Amanda Hundt VP of Corporate Communications Health Catalyst

Outstanding Technical Contribution	Michelle Chen Software Systems Engineer The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
	Yagna Pathak, Ph.D. Manager Medical Affairs Abbott
	Ning Yu, Ph.D. Chief Research Scientist Leidos

Pioneer Award	Jessica Jones, Ph.D. Staff Aeroelastician Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing Company
Pioneer Award
Professional Achievement in Government	Ariel Ash-Shakoor, Ph.D. Biomedical Engineer/Acting Team Lead United States Food and Drug Administration
	Natasha White, Ph.D. Program Manager National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Professional Achievement in Industry	Ashley Johnson-Long, Ph.D. Plant Engineering Manager, IDM Corning Incorporated
Professional Achievement in Industry	Laura Luengo Vehicle Integration -Voice of the Customer Supervisor Lordstown Motors Corporation

Student Leadership –Graduate Level	Tracy Edwards Graduate Research Assistant, Isotope Harvesting Group Michigan State University, Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB)

Technical Innovation in Government	Chenelle Covin Technical Writer-Editor Department of Defense
	Patricia McDaniel, Ph.D. Senior Research Scientist for Chemistry U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center

Technical Innovation in Industry	Clara Rivero-Baleine, Ph.D. Lockheed Martin Fellow Lockheed Martin
	Rashmi Prasad, Ph.D. Staff Researcher General Motors LLC

Visionary Award	Anike Sakariyawo Founder and Executive Director S.E.E.K. Foundation, Inc.

Special Recognition	Sabrina Bailey Vice President of Operations –Integrated Product Support HII
	Diedra Hollins Deputy Chief Information Officer Idaho National Laboratory
	Qiana Jackson Engineering Program Manager 3 Penn State Applied Research Lab
	Judith Jeevarajan VP & Executive Director UL Research Institutes
	Yoko Kawai Parker Scientist, Systems Engineering L3Harris Technologies
	Autumn Leake Chief Engineer Naval Air Systems Command –NAWCWD
	Melody Martinez Chief, Prototypes and Flight Experiments Branch, Section B Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/RV)
	Gitanjli McRoy Chief Engineer, Electric Vehicle Energy Management Systems Ford Motor Company
	Ana Lucia Ochoa-Lorenzini Director Supply Chain Management AAM

For more information on WOC STEM Award Winners click here.

About the Women of Color STEM DTX Conference

The Women of Color STEM DTX Conference is an annual event that celebrates outstanding achievements in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). With a rich history spanning nearly three decades, the conference provides a platform for individuals and organizations to recognize excellence, foster career development, and facilitate networking opportunities.

Media Contact
Jessica Rafaeil
pr@ccgmag.com
410-244-7101

Call For Nominations: 38th Black Engineer Of The Year Awards Conference

Tue, 23 May 2023 15:35:00 GMT

Nominations are now open and will run until August 31, 2023. We invite industry leaders, colleagues, and mentors to put forward names of outstanding individuals who have significantly contributed to the field of engineering and continue to pave the way for the success and representation of Black engineers in the industry.

To submit a nomination, please visit the following website: www.ccgheroes.com.