Breaking Barriers
The theme of National Women's History Month for 2024 centers around "Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion."
The theme emphasizes the crucial need to eradicate bias and discrimination, while acknowledging the exemplary efforts of women who are committed to embracing everyone and excluding no one in the pursuit for freedom and opportunity.
As a people always organization, Draper takes pride in cultivating an inclusive, diverse environment that honors and respects individuals and all their identities.
For Women's Month we are thrilled to spotlight an outstanding team that includes:
- Kimberly Faunce, Business Area Lead/Program Manager (PM), Comms, Sensor and Cyber Systems Business Area
- Shay Blechinger-Slocum, Technical Director (TD), Antennas & Fields Group
- Hannah Goldstein, Individual Contributor (IC), Antennas & Fields Group
- Tyler Klein, Individual Contributor (IC), APNT & Tracking Group (not pictured)
This dynamic team exemplifies how technical prowess transcends gender boundaries and propels individuals to excel at Draper.
This team is engaged in a program focused on RF sensing, signal processing and special packaging in support of customer missions within the national security domain. This program has evolved through multiple phases, starting with an engineering study to explore the art of possibilities for specific customer missions. It originated as a collaborative effort between Draper's instrumentation electronics, electromagnetics and RF, and signal processing groups. Leveraging previous internal R&D work at Draper, the team has progressed through various stages, from studying and proof of concept to prototype which was used in customer demonstration. Their expertise spans RF sensing, signal processing and special packaging, showcasing how technical skills and interdisciplinary collaboration drive innovation and success at Draper.
We interviewed the team members below:
Q | In an industry where predominantly women engineering teams are rare, what distinguishes your team's dynamic and sets it apart?
Kim (PM):
"Through every phase of the program, this team has consistently been very cohesive and collaborative."
"So much so, that our customer has taken notice and expressed appreciation for how well the team works together to generate creative out-of-the-box ideas and carries them forward to prototype and demonstration. The team dynamic is that of ambitious, creative, and technically savvy engineers. The key here is that high functioning team is just that – successful regardless of demographics.
"The team has seen a mix of both men and women in technical and management roles, but the current phase staffing is predominantly female. Throughout the phases, the collaboration across the team has been outstanding, independent of the gender mix at any point in time.From previous phases of the program to the present, the team's effectiveness is rooted in the can-do attitude of its members and the mutual respect they hold for one another."
Q | Does the culture and environment at Draper empower you and instill confidence when making decisions?
Shay (TD):
"I started on this program as a co-op in an entry-level research role, and as the only woman on the team. Initially I was tasked with researching various sensors and presenting findings to the team. Over time, I transitioned into a key contributor role and now hold the position of TD. Throughout my journey, my team consistently valued my technical expertise, treating me with professionalism and respect, just like any other engineer. From the outset, I felt included in both technical discussions and social interactions, such as inside jokes, fostering a sense of inclusivity. I did not experience the unconscious biases often associated with being a minority, which speaks to the constructive and collaborative nature of this program, driven by individuals involved."
Q | What are your thoughts on the strengths of your team that contribute to its success?
Hannah (IC):
"We attribute our success to two-way communication and a discussion-based environment."
"Each team member not only focuses on their responsibilities but fosters open communication to promote synergy among all members. We regularly communicate about program updates, progress and task status. When we encounter obstacles, we explore various paths forward and determine the best way to focus our efforts. While this communication and collaborative environment are not solely due to our predominantly female team, they are significant factors that contribute to our success."
Kim (PM):
"As touched on above, the team exemplifies technical acumen, mission focus and understanding, creativity, mutual respect, collaboration and communication, all of which contribute to the program's success."
Tyler (IC):
"One thing that stands out about this team is how often we communicate (both about work and life in general). The team is collaborative, and we spend a lot of time listening to each other, debating different approaches and working as a team to make decisions. Despite being the signal processing subject matter expert, I feel my inputs are valued for all aspects of the program. Everyone's friendly and inclusive attitude fosters a work environment where we all feel empowered to help mold the program into what we want it to be."
Q | What significance does female representation hold within the fields of STEM/engineering?
Shay (TD):
"Being a woman engineer is still isolating, particularly in terms of seeing yourself in leadership roles. However, through representation at all levels, women envision a clear path to technical leadership success at Draper. The Women in the Workplace 2023 Key Findings highlights that the "broken rung" phenomenon is often the primary obstacle preventing women from reaching senior leadership positions, as opposed to the traditional notion of the “glass ceiling. By ensuring representation at the lower levels of technical leadership, we provide a pathway for female engineers, starting from the earliest stages of their careers and extending all the way to program management roles."
Kim (PM):
"Recognizing female engineers as engineers first and foremost for their technical contributions, work ethic, and accomplishments fosters their continued pursuit of a technical career path. Over time, this approach promotes equal representation at all levels within the field. By reinforcing the idea that female engineers are valued as technical contributors, rather than being solely defined by societal gender-based stereotypes, we promote diversity of thought and creativity in problem solving. Female representation in engineering is essential to achieving this objective."
Hannah (IC):
"Having female representation in engineering is crucial because it fosters diversity of thought. Individuals from various backgrounds and demographics offer unique perspectives and innovative solutions to engineering challenges. Diverse perspectives and creativity stemming from varied thinking serve as catalysts for technical innovation. Therefore, a substantial female presence in engineering drives a different approach to problem-solving, ultimately pushing the boundaries of technical knowledge."