On January 22, in the Modern and Contemporary Galleries at The Chrysler Museum of Art, we celebrated the achievements of 25 Coastal Virginia women who are innovators, disruptors and leaders in their respective fields. The CoVaBIZ staff chose to take their portraits alongside the works of artists whose pioneering paintings, sculptures and installations set the tone for a new era, and those portraits accompany their profiles within the pages of this feature.
With a focus on innovation rather than convention, these women embody the dynamic shifts happening across diverse sectors: engineering, construction, healthcare, entrepreneurship, agriculture, medicine, architecture, design, advocacy, marketing, media, STEM, military, education, contracting, community service, and workforce development. Often without fanfare, they’re proving that innovation thrives where there’s diversity.
What sets these women apart is not just their accomplishments, but their commitment to mentoring, inspiring and empowering others. By their example, they’re actively paving the way for those who come after them.
CoVaBIZ is proud to shine a spotlight on these 25 trailblazing women whose impact extends far beyond their individual achievements. You can read their full biographies below. Feel free to share the digital flipbook too!
Lauren Roberts Carter
Lauren Roberts Carter
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
HR Chamber of Commerce
A self-described storyteller obsessed with social media, Lauren Roberts Carter’s exuberant personality and broad multi-media marketing and communications expertise make her a natural network builder. She began her work with the Hampton Roads Chamber in the summer of 2022 where she currently deploys her talents leading the advocacy organization’s communication and marketing efforts in an ever-changing environment. Her obvious enthusiasm for the region and for Coastal Virginia’s business community is expressed through her service in myriad volunteer organizations. What many people may not know is that prior to her communications career, she served as a special education teacher with the Chesapeake Public School system. Carter’s mantra: “When passion and purpose collide, great things will happen!”
Can you highlight a project or initiative that you feel has made a significant difference in your field? I believe that initiating a strong social media presence for the Hampton Roads Chamber has been a game-changer for our organization. The Chamber has been making an impact in our region for decades but we now have a strategy of showcasing all we do on a daily basis and this has had a tremendously positive impact on our business community. What motivates and inspires you to continue pushing boundaries in your industry or profession? I am motivated to stay on the cutting edge of industry best practices. Marketing is constantly changing and I enjoy being in an industry where I am continually learning, always trying a new strategy or implementing a new technique. What advice would you give to your younger self as you were beginning your career journey? The advice I would give my younger self is that a career does not need to be linear. I would remind myself that there is always something to be learned from every experience and that it is never too late to pivot. If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a project, who would it be and why? If I could collaborate with anyone, it would be the incredibly smart, funny and talented, Barbara Corcoran, business mogul and Shark Tank investor. Barbara has a unique story and is completely self-made yet she remains down to earth and kind.
Lynn Clements
Lynn Clements
Executive Director
Dozoretz Hospice House of Hampton Roads
Lynn Clements is a true renaissance woman, and we don’t use that phrase lightly. An Old Dominion University biology alumna, and the first in her family to obtain a college education, Clements began her scientific journey in what was, in the 1970s, a male-dominated field. Despite the obvious, gender-based inequities present at that time, she stayed the course. Clements spent nine years inspiring students as a biology teacher and department head in the Portsmouth Public School System where she started their AP Biology program. From there, her love of science led her to assume multiple roles at the Virginia Aquarium, where she ultimately she became the Department director and CEO, overseeing the addition of a marine research and animal stranding center.
From 2017 to 2022, she served the Slover Library as executive director where she managed all aspects of that state-of the-art facility. Currently, Clements is executive director of the Dozoretz Hospice House of Hampton Roads Foundation, a much-needed inpatient hospice care facility opening in the spring of 2024.
Can you highlight a project or initiative that you feel has made a significant difference in your field? To align with my values surrounding education and mentoring, I created donor-sponsored, funds for staff development at the Virginia Aquarium and Slover Library to elevate the professionalism of the staff. This ultimately created a higher functioning organization. The staff learned best practices and traveled to conferences to present research. Then they were required to share their learnings upon their return. What motivates and inspires you to continue pushing boundaries in your industry or profession? I’m motivated by achieving personal goals through service with different community organizations, most currently as a consultant working with several organizations over the last year and a half. Life experiences shape you. I studied marine biology in Jamaica, held government positions that connected me to the community’s needs and participated in a National Arts Strategies CEO experience for nonprofit executives that revealed opportunities beyond my current position. Find out what you are passionate about and follow that star! What advice would you give to your younger self as you were beginning your career journey? Do what you are passionate about and that which brings you joy. As your confidence grows, don't worry about “Impression Management.” If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a project, who would it be and why? In 2009 I met scientist, conservationist, peacemaker, mentor, and author Dr. Jane Goodall, now age 86. She connected to her passion at age 26, and made a significant contribution to primatology. I’d love to expand her global Roots & Shoots program that nurtures compassionate future leaders.
Jenny Crittenden
Jenny Crittenden
President & CEO
Retail Alliance
Are you hearing more and more about the importance of vibrant Main Streets to the health of communities? Are you becoming more retail-aware? If so, then it’s probably due to the tireless efforts of Jenny Crittenden who for 16 years helped to guide Gloucester, Virginia’s Main Street Preservation Trust. There, with no blueprint to guide her, she developed strategies to attract businesses to the downtown area and retain them, with an eye toward preserving the charm of the classic American Main Street. The Trust won one of the Main Street America organization’s Main Street Forward Awards for it’s e-commerce platform, and for it’s downtown resiliency initiatives.
In 2023, after serving the Hampton Road’s Retail Alliance in multiple capacities, Crittenden became the organization’s President and CEO—only the second woman to be named to that role in the organization’s 121-year history. Crittenden and her talented team’s core belief is that “Virginia Retail Matters” and they’re working to build a thriving retail community through education, collaboration, and innovation. Crittenden is creating the kinds of programs and initiatives that elevate the Retail Alliance organization and help retailpreneurs navigate emerging trends to become more nimble and resilient.
Can you highlight a project or initiative that you feel has made a significant difference in your field? Retail Alliance commissioned a new in-depth retail data study in partnership with Main Street America in 2023 to study the “State of Retail” for small brick and mortar in Virginia. The study is the first of its kind in Virginia and now 30+ Main Street organizations across the state have access to it. It will serve as an annual game plan of how to respond to the rapidly evolving retail industry. At its core, it showcases ways those in the economic development space can support local retail and gives those retailers insight on trends in retail and consumerism that power better decisions in their business. What motivates and inspires you to continue pushing boundaries in your industry or profession? It’s simply the people we serve. I have respect for anyone that ventures into their own business but those that choose retail choose an industry that requires constantly pushing boundaries and innovating to compete. Retailers are fearless in their business so I believe we should be fearless in our initiatives to serve and support them. What advice would you give to your younger self as you were beginning your career journey? Never self-limit or let anyone else place their self-limiting beliefs onto you. Be open to opportunities, embrace change, and don’t be afraid to leap. This is when the magic happens. It’s one life so go get it! If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a project, who would it be and why? Dolly Parton. Through her talent, creativity, energy, and business savvy she’s created a brand that has and will continue to span generations. She’s diversified her business holdings. She’s championed childhood literacy and unapologetically is who she is but still relates to all. She’s smart and no matter her age, she continues to reinvent herself. Her approach aligns with retail. Innovate. Change. Be authentic. And let’s face it, anyone that is inducted into two entertainment Hall of Fame is cool in my book.
Capt. Janet H. Days
Capt. Janet H. Days
Commanding Officer
Norfolk Naval Air Stations
A Chicago native, Captain Janet H. Days is the first black female commanding officer of the world’s largest naval base. Days graduated summa cum laude from Old Dominion University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Business and received her commission through Naval ROTC via the Enlisted Commissioning Program. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the Naval Postgraduate School and concurrently earned the Naval War College command and staff diploma. She is also a graduate of Joint and Combined Warfighting School at Joint Forces Staff College and is a qualified joint specialty officer
Captain Days was a Military Operations Analyst in Afghanistan, assigned to the Joint and Coalition Operations Analysis (JCOA) directorate. In February 2023, Capt. Days assumed command as the 51st first Commanding Officer at Naval Station Norfolk.
Can you highlight a project or initiative that you feel has made a significant difference in your field? Bringing back Fleet Fest and STEM Day 2023 were opportunities to provide access and advocacy for youth as well as re-establishing the relationship between the Navy and the surrounding cities. Naval Station Norfolk collaborated with numerous local organizations, companies and entities to bring STEM education to Norfolk and Portsmouth City school’s 5th and 6th graders. The program fosters an environment that encourages questions and problem solving. STEM Day encouraged courtesy and inspired creativity as well as providing access to the largest Naval Base in the world. What motivates and inspires you to continue pushing boundaries in your industry or profession? What motivates and is the most rewarding part of being the Commanding Officer of Naval Station Norfolk is to see the achievements of the command and the Sailors and civilians who work hard each and every day. Whether they are promoted to the next rank or finishing a large project, it brings me so much happiness and pride to celebrate those successes with them. What advice would you give to your younger self as you were beginning your career journey? The advice I would give to my younger self and to the youth that I have the opportunity to interact with is that you don’t have to have it all figured out. Have a plan, but be okay with that plan changing. Take it one day at a time and one step at a time, but don’t give up. If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a project, who would it be and why? Hands down, the opportunity to collaborate with President Barack Obama on a project to inspire and educate urban youth. The program would encourage growth, inspire creativity, and open their minds to life’s possibilities. It would serve youth who otherwise would not have access to such opportunities. There are so many people who never leave their city or state and know nothing about the many possibilities that life has to offer. The ability to reach young people on a larger scale where resources are not a constraint—that would be my dream.
Blair Durham
Blair Durham
President and Co-founder
Black BRAND
Blair Durham is an award-winning business development leader and proud Hampton Roads native whose multi-disciplinary studies at Virginia Tech helped set the stage for Durham’s ongoing work on behalf of emerging black leaders and business owners. In 2016 she co-founded Black BRAND. The 501(c)(3) organization is the Hampton Roads and Dan River region’s Black Chamber of Commerce, whose mission is to narrow the wealth gap and to “transform our local, regional, and national community through unity, education, access, opportunity, and development.”
Black BRAND helps build scalable businesses that employ qualified staff and leverage tomorrow’s technology, advances partner’s missions by building valuable connections and anchors families and community in strong values while competing on a global level. Always looking for ways to serve the black business community, and the business community at-large, Durham is an author, and host of the popular interview-style podcast “Black Wall Street today.” Durham is a powerful collaborator and sought after guest speaker.
Can you highlight a project or initiative that you feel has made a significant difference in your field? Global work around access to capital has made a significant different in the business development space. Entrepreneurs have permission to dream and they can get the assistance they need to mobilize ideas. What motivates and inspires you to continue pushing boundaries in your industry or profession? I’m inspired by a fundamental belief in humanity and the power of having a sense of purpose. I find that when I focus on solutions, I can help folks get the help that they need. I’m inspired by what happens when people come together. I love to see the needle actually move. What advice would you give to your younger self as you were beginning your career journey? To my younger self, I would say don’t worry. When you continue to move in a positive direction, it’s going to happen. The sum of your faith, your skills, and your passion is a powerful force for bringing about an beautiful reality that if you saw it all beforehand, you’d be to scare to pursue. Trust that when you get there, you’ll have all you need and a little bit extra. If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a project, who would it be and why? I wish I could collaborate with my father again. I miss him - his knowledge of our family’s history, the history of this region. I wish I’d recorded more of his words and simply spent more time asking him questions.
Lisa Flittner
Lisa Flittner
Project Engineer, Assistant Project Manager
Skanska USA
When Lisa Flittner began her career in the construction and engineering industry, she was the only woman in a workforce of 40 employees. Now, Flittner is currently a Project Engineer and Assistant Project Manager, working on the $223 million demolition and rebuilding project at the Portsmouth Marine Terminal for the Port of Virginia. The project is completely rebuilding 1,500 linear feet of wharf to create the staging area for the components to be used in building the cutting edge Dominion Energy Offshore Wind Project.
Can you highlight a project or initiative that you feel has made a significant difference in your field? We once utilized a previous design of footing formwork from another project and took the lessons we learned from it to modify the design on the Harry W. Nice/Thomas “Mac” Middleton Bridge Project to meet our needs. By enhancing the design of the forms, it allowed us to set and pour all the high-level footings in less than one year. What motivates and inspires you to continue pushing boundaries in your industry or profession? In my nine years in heavy civil construction, I have been in multiple conference rooms where I was the only woman. I want to help change that scene and be the role model that I did not have when I was growing up. Now that I have two daughters of my own, it means even more to me now. What advice would you give to your younger self as you were beginning your career journey? Don’t be afraid to speak up. Don’t let that old boss who told you, “You ask too many questions and don’t need to know why” hold you back. The amount of knowledge you will gain by asking why and the willingness of people to explain why will surprise you. If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a project, who would it be and why? Theodore Roosevelt. He helped create the National Parks and helped build the Panama Canal. My favorite quote of his is: “Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care”.
Renee Foster
Renee Foster
Founder
Hampton Roads Urban Agriculture
Renee Foster’s motto is: “When you grow food, you grow community.” From urban agriculture programs that teach participants how to manage small scale gardens and micro-farms, to educational initiatives surrounding food preservation and healthy cooking alternatives, Renee Foster views urban agriculture as a way to help revitalize communities. In food deserts where ready access to fresh produce is difficult, the bounty from community gardens and backyard plots can provide a much-needed nutritional boost. Foster is currently working to launch the organization’s “Drones in Agriculture” program for at-risk youth to expose them to career paths in agriculture, STEM and nutrition.
Can you highlight a project or initiative that you feel has made a significant difference in your field? As founder and president of Hampton Roads Urban Agriculture, two initiatives that have made a significant difference are the urban farm project and the opening of the farmers market. These projects have positively impacted the ability of food-insecure communities to access fresh, healthy, and affordable vegetables. Our urban farm services the needs of those who need it the most within walking distance of their homes. What motivates and inspires you to continue pushing boundaries in your industry or profession? What motivates me the most about urban agriculture is that it has the potential to help solve issues surrounding food insecurity and is a means to enhance the social and economic landscape of a community. What advice would you give to your younger self as you were beginning your career journey? I would tell my younger self not to overthink things and that an idea without action is just a thought. If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a project, who would it be and why? I want to collaborate with The Rockefeller Foundation to help expand inner city youths’ knowledge about where their food comes from by including urban agriculture studies in school systems across Hampton Roads. I would also like to collaborate with The Joan and Macon Brock Foundation to further our endeavors of environmentally friendly farming and expose youth to environmental justice to help protect the future of our planet.
Dr. Marissa Galicia-Castillo
Dr. Marissa Galicia-Castillo
The John Franklin Distinguished Chair of Geriatrics
Director, Glennan Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology
Program Director, Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship
EVMS
Dr. Marissa Galicia-Castillo grew up in Norfolk and remained in the area for university, obtaining degrees from ODU and EVMS. A well-rounded, physician, her degrees include a bachelor’s in biochemistry, and a master’s in education. She holds a board certification in internal medicine. The illustration on her laptop cover is a reproduction of Katsushika Hokusai’s famous 1831 woodblock print “The Great Wave Off Kanagawa.” The image serves as a reminder of the coming tsunami of people age 65 and older who’ll require services from a healthcare system already under strain. Dr. Galicia-Castillo views the practice of medicine as both art and science, and her advocacy efforts around geriatric and palliative medicine are advancing both fields.
Can you highlight a project or initiative that you feel has made a significant difference in your field? I am proud of the establishment of the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at Eastern Virginia Medical School. This fellowship represents the amazing collaborations that have been made with health care partners (Sentara, Lake Taylor, CHKD, Edmarc Hospice). With the support of such visionaries as Mrs. Joan Brock and the Waldholtz Family, we were able to build a fellowship program that trains physicians to specialize in palliative care—a field experiencing an acute shortage. It’s important is for us to teach ALL physicians primary palliative medicine competencies no matter what specialty they go into. What motivates and inspires you to continue pushing boundaries in your industry or profession? Knowing that there’s a better way to care for people who have serious illness drives me to challenge our current health care system. Our system is designed to take care of acute issues, which works well when someone has an immediate injury that can be fixed. Our healthcare system was not designed to journey with a person who has to live and manage their illness over a longer period of time. As a society, we can create a healthcare environment that addresses social determinants of health to include the psycho-social and spiritual aspects along with the physical for someone who has serious illness. We can finally take care of the WHOLE person. What advice would you give to your younger self as you were beginning your career journey? I would tell my younger self to be bold and unafraid of sharing ideas that go against the grain. Start working on making topics related to Palliative Medicine NORMAL. It should be NORMAL to complete an Advance Care Plan so that family members or loved ones don’t have to worry about making medical decisions for you. It should be NORMAL that death is seen as a natural part of life. Death is NOT the enemy. The enemy is loss of function and suffering. Changing the culture will be incredibly important in advancing Palliative Medicine. If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a project, who would it be and why? I would enjoy collaborating with Dr. Diane Meier who founded the Center to Advance Palliative Care. Dr. Meier is a Geriatrician and Palliative Medicine physician who is passionate about Palliative Medicine and understood the importance of education – not just of physicians, but all health care providers as well as the community. There are so many misconceptions regarding Palliative Medicine which prevents those who need it most from getting it.
Dr. Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson
Dr. Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson
Professor of Biology,
Dean of Virginia Wesleyan University Global Campus
Virginia Wesleyan
A member of the Virginia Wesleyan University faculty since 2006 where she teaches courses such as Tropical Marine Ecology, Marine Invertebrate Zoology, Natural History of the Chesapeake Bay, Oceanography, Principles of Biology, and Marine Invertebrate Evolution. Gonsalves-Jackson has a passion for teaching and mentoring, and believes in exposing students to as many engaging, hands-on field experiences as possible, and STEM outreach is a major component of her research, having secured over $1.5 million in grants through collaborative research in marine biology and STEM outreach initiatives. She has made major strides in recruiting and retaining underrepresented groups to STEM fields and has established new partnerships with Norfolk-area schools, developed new lab courses, provided mentoring and shadowing opportunities, and developed summer programs to bring local students to campus to encourage their persistence in STEM.
Can you highlight a project or initiative that you feel has made a significant difference in your field? As a tropical marine biologist and Dean of Virginia Wesleyan University Global Campus, my research and administrative leadership focuses on providing access to higher education for women, financially needy and underrepresented groups to provide them with transformative educational opportunities in STEM disciplines. These initiatives have resulted in over $1.4 million in grants from National Science Foundation (NSF), Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and Chesapeake Bay Trust. I aim to enhance the university’s role in providing access and opportunities for everyone, and I am fortunate to be in a position that contributes to the education and upward mobility of underserved populations. What motivates and inspires you to continue pushing boundaries in your industry or profession? My students and the future that awaits them. What advice would you give to your younger self as you were beginning your career journey? Find your voice and don’t be afraid to use it, even if it doesn’t sound like everyone else’s. If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a project, who would it be and why? Having lived and traveled throughout Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Belize studying the biodiversity of marine invertebrates, I have become very interested in neglected tropical diseases that impact impoverished people in these areas. I would love to collaborate with (or at least follow him around!) Ethiopian biologist and public health official, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who is the first African to serve as Director of the World Health Organization
Rev. Dr. Debra Haggins
Rev. Dr. Debra Haggins
Founding Dean, HU School of Religion
Hampton University
Rev. Haggins is no stranger to breaking the stained glass ceiling. In 2008, she was named university chaplain and pastor of the historic Memorial Church at Hampton University; the first female to hold this position in the university’s history. Rev. Haggins previously served as the interim pastor of the historic Queen Street Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia. She has earned multiple degrees including a M.Div. in theology from The Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, and a D.Min. from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. As founding dean of the HU School of Religion Rev. Haggins, in a 2023 interview, she explained that the new school would not only bring together existing related undergraduate degree offerings and masters programs, but would also add two new doctorate programs. As founding dean, Rev. Haggins’ aim is for the school to not only make practical contributions to clergy and ministerial leadership, but to also make big contributions to scholarly research in the realm of theological education.
Can you highlight a project or initiative that you feel has made a significant difference in your field? I find intriguing the whole idea of public theology or theology delivered to the masses through Christian engagement as it sheds light on culture, society and politics. Understanding and acceptance rather than tolerance must be the agenda of a progressive peaceful society. Public theology lends itself to broad and more comprehensive community outreach inviting individuals from all walks of life to seek deeper meaning in life. Public theology invites to a table of dialogue those with no specific faith tradition and those who are committed to a chosen tradition or life of faith and belief. What motivates and inspires you to continue pushing boundaries in your industry or profession? Our world is continually evolving and with it must theological and religious education evolve. Therefore, with Hampton University School of Religion, our aim is to explore religion as a phenomenon. We seek to wrestle with the difficult questions of life regardless of one’s faith tradition or religious background. What advice would you give to your younger self as you were beginning your career journey? New possibilities are just around every corner; never stop listening, reading, and growing. Always remain the eternal lifelong learner. If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a project, who would it be and why? Today, it would be Ava DuVernay. I would love to explore the depths of her imagination and the creative process. Every innovation is the product of one individual daring to dream, to visualize and to make the unimaginable a reality. She has done that with filmmaking.
Laura Henderson
Laura Henderson
Founder, Owner
BIZ Connect Hampton Roads
Long before business networking groups became a thing, Laura Henderson founded BizConnect Hampton Roads, one of the region’s most vibrant networking groups. For Henderson, it’s about organically building quality relationships to help local small business owners grow and elevate their presence in the community. Through a mind-boggling schedule of events, workshops, discussion groups and luncheons, BizConnect provides myriad opportunities for business owners to exchange ideas and learn from one another. Prior to founding BizConnect, Henderson spent 15+ years at Pilot Media | The Virginian-Pilot as an Art Director and Operations Director. When not managing her busy schedule, Henderson creates artworks and has a studio at d'Art Center.
Can you highlight a project or initiative that you feel has made a significant difference in your field? A few months after starting my business I created an annual event, the BizConnect Gives Back event, which focuses on my commitment to social responsibility and makes a positive impact on the local community. This event has raised over $50,000 for various nonprofit organizations. I truly believe that entrepreneurs should give back and use their success to make a positive difference. What motivates and inspires you to continue pushing boundaries in your industry or profession? I have the pleasure of fostering meaningful connections and relationships among people, relationships that go beyond mere business transactions. These strong connections within a community lead to long-lasting partnerships, collaborations, and a supportive network. The positive impact of these relationships often extends beyond the immediate business context and can contribute to a sense of community and shared purpose. What advice would you give to your younger self as you were beginning your career journey? I had an entrepreneurial spirit from an early age. I had a robust imagination as a kid and created many imaginary businesses and enlisted my friends as employees. As an adult I fell into the corporate routine with a long career at The Virginian-Pilot. I absolutely loved working there and wouldn’t trade the experience and knowledge I gained in that time, but I would tell my younger self to follow the entrepreneurial spirit earlier in life. There is nothing more gratifying and more scary than owning your own business. It’s a feeling like no other. If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a project, who would it be and why? I would choose to collaborate with Dale Carnegie, a renowned self-improvement and interpersonal skills expert, known for his influential book “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” This could provide a unique opportunity to blend his timeless wisdom with contemporary insights and approaches. The project could involve creating educational resources, workshops, or content that continues to empower individuals in areas such as communication, leadership, and relationship-building.
Marsha Hudgins
Marsha Hudgins
CEO
Hudgins Construction
Marsha Hudgins is CEO of Hudgins Contracting, a woman-owned, full-service contractor for site and infrastructure work. For 40+ years, the company has served clients in southeast Virginia with a broad portfolio of services including: underground utilities, excavation, storm water management, demolition, LEED Participation, landscaping and erosion control. She’s also a valued community leader, mentor and innovative thinker. You can read our Q&A with Hudgins in this issue of CoVaBIZ.
Can you highlight a project or initiative that you feel has made a significant difference in your field? When I first entered the site contracting business, I was struck by the outdated ways many in the industry operated, including, in some instances, the company I now owned. Probably the first surprise was the field employees were only paid for the days they worked so in the winter months, they would not have much of a paycheck. The old-timers adjusted to that but those new to the business simply quit and looked for work in other industries with more consistent hours. I was told we could not change that, or labor costs would be exorbitant. I changed it anyway and now the field gets a guaranteed number of hours each week no matter the weather. We no longer have to hire and train a new group each spring. This was a better way to build teams and train from the bottom up. And the cost of guaranteed hours? Less than the cost of replacing one good employee. What motivates and inspires you to continue pushing boundaries in your industry or profession? I have watched women make strides in many areas of business over my lifetime, but there is still a way to go. Subtle bias in some companies still exists and some women think those careers are not welcoming. Many STEM companies are woefully lacking women professionals in general. Finding ways to bring both sides together to explore the possibilities is the thought that inspires me to keep pushing so that the next generation will have a broader path to economic stability and career fulfillment. What advice would you give to your younger self as you were beginning your career journey? You have a lot of opinions and a lot of ideas in your head, and that’s a good thing. But if you want to be taken seriously, you need to do your homework before you promote changes. Being the first to come up with a solution to a problem means nothing if you don’t fully understand all aspects of the problem to begin with. Listen to the people who’ve solved similar problems. Once you have, if you still feel your idea is the best way to go, then put together your pitch and be prepared to defend it with reason, patience and persistence. Those three things will be your super-power! If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a project, who would it be and why? Indra Nooyi! When the former CEO of Fortune 50 company PEPSICO, came to speak at the ODU-WIN Speakers Series last year, she discussed how she changed the course of the company by introducing the first “healthy foods” in her industry, moving her company away from less healthy choices. She saw her mission as one of being a good corporate citizen. She trusted her intuition but backed it up with as much data as possible, successfully changing the course of an international industry giant that saw no need to shift what had been a successful direction for years. By moving into this new growing market, and getting ahead of competitors, the company soared. Under her leadership, sales rose 80%. I would be honored just to spend a day listening to her!
Marjorie Mayfield Jackson
Marjorie Mayfield Jackson
Founder & Executive Director
Elizabeth River Project
Marjorie Mayfield Jackson is the founding Executive Director of the nonprofit Elizabeth River Project (ERP). She left a dozen-year career as a newspaper writer to co-found the ERP which was organized around her kitchen table, and she has led the organization since its incorporation in 1993. By understanding the power of partnership, Jackson deftly finds ways for disparate stakeholder groups to find consensus, and the ERP’s environmental programs and initiatives are helping to revive a river once given up for dead. Jackson holds a masters from Loyola University, trained extensively with the US Environmental Protection Agency in environmental risk management, and in her previous career was nominated for a Pulitzer by the Virginian-Pilot.
Can you highlight a project or initiative that you feel has made a significant difference in your field? The Elizabeth River Project has pioneered urban river restoration, and along the way also pioneered a collaboration vs. finger pointing approach that we find essential for lasting change on industrialized rivers such as ours. As a result, we’re turning around the health of the most toxic tributary to the Chesapeake Bay. Examples: We figured out how to clean up severely contaminated river bottom, engaging a dozen willing industries to help. For such needs, we started River Star Businesses, the oldest continuously operating program on the bay engaging industries to reduce pollution voluntarily in exchange for public recognition. We pioneered the first voluntary wetland restoration in Virginia in 1997—leading to a common practice. To engage residents in behavior change, we came up with the signature River Star Home yard flag—inspiring similar flags from Virginia Beach to Canada. What motivates and inspires you to continue pushing boundaries in your industry or profession? I just plain love the Elizabeth River. What advice would you give to your younger self as you were beginning your career journey? The bigger and bolder, the better. “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood” (Daniel Hudson). If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a project, who would it be and why? I would like to collaborate with everyone working on area trails to create a connected network of them. There’s a crying need for all of us to slow down and appreciate our environment first-hand.
Michelle Martin
Michelle Martin
Project Manager, Consultant
WSP, HRBT Expansion Project
Growing up in Hampton Roads, Michelle Martin spent summers working alongside her dad on construction sites. She attended Virginia Tech and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil and environmental engineering. Now, as a professional engineer, Martin has accumulated over 21 years of transportation-focused experience, delivering and managing complex designs. In addition to numerous project awards, Martin was honored with the prestigious American Council of Engineering Companies 2017 Rising Star Award. During her career as project manager and in other key project roles, Martin has been responsible for delivering a range of transportation projects, many of which are significant to the Hampton Roads Region.
Can you highlight a project or initiative that you feel has made a significant difference in your field? The first project I managed from beginning to end was an interchange project in Chesterfield, Virginia. It was a game-changer for me. Seeing the finished product on Google Earth for the first time made me realize the profound impact of civil engineering. Our work changes the world and the way people live for the better. What motivates and inspires you to continue pushing boundaries in your industry or profession? I’ve always been inspired by my mom who instilled in me a belief that I can achieve more than I can fathom. She and the many women mentors in my field encourage me to push the envelope. Internally, I’m motivated by the thrill of complex projects. I love the challenge of building a team with the right technical experience and a passion for bettering communities together. What advice would you give to your younger self as you were beginning your career journey? I’d say, “Be confident, embrace opportunities, and always say ‘yes’, even when you feel a bit out of your depth.” If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a project, who would it be and why? My dream collaboration would be with Emily Roebling because of her resilience and innovation as a woman engineer during the turn of the 20th century. Women in engineering still face barriers today, so I’m fascinated and inspired by the courage and skill it must have taken to lead the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge when women couldn’t even vote.
Sheri Neuhofer & Diana Warren
Sheri Neuhofer & Diana Warren
Vice President, CEO and Co-Founder
Agricision
With a background in marketing and business development, Sheri Neuhofer uses her creativity and ability to think outside of the box to help companies, individuals, and non-profit organizations effectively convey their messaging. As Vice President, Business Development for Agricision, she deploys her considerable talents to grow an organization dedicated to finding a better way for farmers to manage pests and diseases. Neuhofer also volunteers as the Community Development Director for a non-profit organization where she has developed and launched education programs, fundraising programs and, donor campaigns.
In 2019, Diana Warren co-founded the AgTech company Agricision, Inc. with her husband Ken. Prior to co-founding Agricision, Warren had a career as a controller with a structural engineering firm and worked alongside her husband on their farm. Warren’s passion for farming is driven by a love of healthy living. Agricision is an organization dedicated to finding a better and safer way to bring food to the table without the overuse of potentially harmful pesticides.
Can you highlight a project or initiative that you feel has made a significant difference in your field? Agricision is set to introduce ScoutX2, a revolutionary all-in-one scout and spray drone designed for the agricultural industry. Unlike agricultural drones currently on the market, ScoutX2 uses our proprietary method of pest detection and then provides a spot spray treatment in real time. This reduces chemical use and cost and allows beneficial insects to control pests organically. What motivates and inspires you to continue pushing boundaries in your industry or profession? Sheri: My motivation revolves around introducing a product to market that I firmly believe will help family farmers, including century farms, maintain their businesses. The concerning trend of mid-size farms grappling with financial hardships due to escalating costs poses a significant threat. However, the growing population necessitates a consistent food supply, making it imperative for farmers to not only survive but thrive. My objective is to empower mid-size farmers to persevere in their endeavors, ensuring the availability of responsibly grown, minimally treated produce for the ever-expanding population. I am confident that the project we are working on, ScoutX2, will play a pivotal role in helping small to mid-sized farmers achieve this goal. Diana: My motivation and inspiration stems from the prospect of reducing the volume of chemicals entering our food and water systems. As a breast cancer survivor this cause resonates with me on a personal level, considering the established connections between chemicals and cancer. The drive to diminish chemical usage is the driving force behind my daily commitment and determination. What advice would you give to your younger self as you were beginning your career journey? Sheri: If I could advise my younger self at the outset of my career journey, I would emphasize the importance of staying focused on your goals. Avoid distractions and take the time to create a well-defined plan with achievable objectives. I’d encourage myself to regularly assess my progress and make necessary adjustments. I’d also surround myself with individuals who would encourage me and challenge me to pursue goals that would leave the world in a better state. Diana: If I could offer advice to my younger self at the start of my career journey, it would be to avoid spending excessive hours working for someone else. Instead, I’d say to concentrate on what truly matters to you and fuels your passion. Channel your energy into endeavors that align with your interests. I’m deeply passionate about helping farming become more sustainable and helping farmers to utilize only the necessary chemicals to combat harmful pests. Focusing on this passion has brought fulfillment and purpose to my career. If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a project, who would it be and why? Sheri: If I could collaborate with anyone on a project it would be Melanie Perkins. She is the co-founder of Canva, a graphic design platform. She started pitching her business Canva when she was 19-years old and now she’s one of the youngest female tech CEOs in the world. The project I’d like to collaborate on with Melanie is the marketing and design work for our next product launch. Diana: If I could collaborate with anyone on a project it would be Elon Musk because I think his work ethic is the same as mine. I also think he is someone that I could learn from. He’s often said in interviews that he is an honest communicator. I like that. I think the project would be to collaborate on the AI aspects of our agricultural solutions.
Megan Perry
Megan Perry
Senior Corporate Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer
Sentara
Megan R. Perry is the Corporate Vice President of Mergers and Affiliations and is responsible for new market growth and partnerships. Perry’s career with Sentara dates to 1990, when Perry completed an administrative residency with Sentara and worked for the next decade leading programs at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital (SNGH). Her roles ranged from Director for Women’s Services to Vice President working with Emergency Services, Nightingale and EVMS Ambulatory Clinics. In 1994, Megan assumed responsibility for cardiovascular services for the Southside hospitals and led the cardiac program at SNGH to its first of several notable appearances in U.S. News and World Report.
Over her decades-long career with Sentara, Perry has developed new clinical programs, enhanced business growth, developed physician collaborations and led the affiliation efforts with several new hospitals that joined Sentara.
Can you highlight a project or initiative that you feel has made a significant difference in your field? In 2000, as the Vice President of Cardiovascular Services at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, I was fortunate to be part of the team that worked on the development of the eICU telemedicine service which was the nation’s first remote patient monitoring program. What motivates and inspires you to continue pushing boundaries in your industry or profession? The need to improve access to care for all the individuals and communities we serve while simultaneously focusing on making the healthcare journey simpler and more affordable. What advice would you give to your younger self as you were beginning your career journey? Be performance-driven, creative and open to learning how to add value continually to the organization and those we serve. If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a project, who would it be and why? Chris Caldwell, President of Concentrix, committed to team members’ health and wellbeing while being performance-driven and encouraging innovation to transform outcomes to meet consumers’ needs.
Susan Pilato
Susan Pilato
CEO
Mantra Inspired Furniture
In addition to her role as co-founder and CEO of Mantra Inspired Furniture, Susan Pilato is Principle of the woman-owned, designer-focused company PC&A Business Environments. Alongside a team of talented individuals, Pilato is committed to the creation and manufacture of sustainable, American made, investment grade, solid wood products that won’t end up in a landfill. Both companies have been recognized for their charitable endeavors and community-mindedness. In 2022, Mantra Inspired Furniture joined the Good Future Design Alliance, a community of design-build professionals dedicated to reducing their total waste by 50% over five years.
Can you highlight a project or initiative that you feel has made a significant difference in your field? The Mantra Inspired Furniture brand was born from our concern of the “green washing” of environmentally unfriendly commercial furniture in our design industry. Sharing the lessons learned of the truth in sustainability with our fellow designers has opened minds to understand how to ask the right questions to ensure client projects have authentic sustainable furnishings. Through the sharing of this education, we have made an impact to create less harm to our landfills. What motivates and inspires you to continue pushing boundaries in your industry or profession? I love working with our talented team and seeing what we can accomplish. They all inspire me to go high! What advice would you give to your younger self as you were beginning your career journey? Don’t strive towards perfection, but rather excellence. There is no such thing as perfection and there is beauty in imperfection if your mind is open enough to see it. If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a project, who would it be and why? That would be Charles and Ray Eames, who were very influential and innovative designers of modern architecture, furniture and art from the 1940’s – 1980’s. What I admire the most was the insistence of Charles to credit equally his wife, Ray, in all their designs and creations in a time where women were not recognized as leaders in the workplace. They understood what true teamwork and collaboration could create through diversity of thought and experience.
Mel Price
Mel Price
Principal and Co-founder
Work Program Architects
Mel Price is Principal and co-founder of Work Program Architects. Formed in 2010, WPA is a design firm located in Norfolk, Virginia. Price believes strongly in pay transparency as a tool to build diversity and equity within the firm. She specializes in community outreach, always finding ways to bring polarized and highly charged groups of stakeholders together to find common ground so that good design and development can be embraced by the community. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture, a founding board member for the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation, Chair of the Downtown Norfolk Council, Vice Chair of the Greater Norfolk Corporation, and past Chair of the AIA National Small Firm Exchange. She is a graduate of LEAD Virginia class of 2022 and a member of CIVIC class of 2024.
Can you highlight a project or initiative that you feel has made a significant difference in your field? We want our work to improve the lives of people and ecosystems. One example is the Elizabeth River Project’s new Ryan Resilience Lab. It demonstrates easily accessible strategies for coastal resilience and environmental sustainability for homeowners, builders, and small businesses. The project is attracting national and international attention with strategies applicable to any community challenged by sea level rise and flooding. What motivates and inspires you to continue pushing boundaries in your industry or profession? I am focused on growing a strong company culture, unique in our field for its full financial transparency and employee ownership. The goal was to model a new framework for design firms that teaches everyone how good design, time and profitability are linked. I believe pay transparency is a critical tool to attract and retain young talent and grow more just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive firms What advice would you give to your younger self as you were beginning your career journey? Ask for help and people will always be there for you; help others when they have a need that you can fill. Be kind but direct; burying the point doesn’t help either party work through a difficult conversation. Every interaction will come full circle eventually, use each opportunity to build a bridge. If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a project, who would it be and why? I am so highly motivated by the people we work with every day, that I find it hard to need to look further than the women in this article, the members of my team, and the community that we are so fortunate to serve.
Amber Price
Amber Price
President
Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center
Chair
Go Red For Women 2024
Amber Price, DNP, CNM, MSN, RN, has been called a “changemaker.” She joined the Sentara team as President of the Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center in Williamsburg, Virginia, and is one of a small number of women who lead hospitals. Price earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Old Dominion University (ODU), a Bachelor of Science degree in behavioral science from University of Maryland, a Master in Nurse Midwifery degree, a Post Master’s degree in graduate certification in women’s health from The University of Cincinnati and an Executive Doctorate degree in Nursing at The Johns Hopkins Institute. She is also a board Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM).
Can you highlight a project or initiative that you feel has made a significant difference in your field? Sentara has made an intentional effort to work on healthcare disparities and equity. We did that by funding community organizations and key projects resulting in new resources, housing, health education, mobile clinics and mobile mammography, and job training. Intentional community work and connection, and supporting those who do great work, is the key to improving community health What motivates and inspires you to continue pushing boundaries in your industry or profession? I am motivated by impact. It is important to me to foster a positive work culture, drive optimal patient outcomes, and build a thriving community. I tend to do that in non-traditional ways. I do not shy away from having crucial conversations and making big decisions that put people, health equity, safety, and quality first. What advice would you give to your younger self as you were beginning your career journey? I loved being a midwife and would not change that career choice for anything. I would tell myself that when you follow your passion, and step up whenever you can make a difference, you will get to the right position. Follow Cheryl Sandberg’s advice: “If you are offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat, just get on.” If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a project, who would it be and why? We are experiencing a dire nursing shortage. I would love to bring Florence Nightingale back to motivate people to become nurses and remind the world that it is an incredibly rewarding, honorable profession. “Ignite the mind’s spark to rise the sun in you.”
Martha Razor
Martha Razor
Manager, Early Childhood Learning
WHRO Public Media
Martha Razor was a teacher for 15 years prior to joining the WHRO Public Media family where she oversees the Children’s Services Team and provides early childhood training for parents and teachers. She is also host of the popular Ms. Martha Reads program. Razor obtained her BA in early childhood education at Norfolk State University, and her MA in early childhood education and teaching from Walden University. Razor’s love for reading and storytelling came naturally. As a child, she played school with her younger sisters and neighborhood children, teaching them the alphabet so choosing early childhood education as a career was automatic.
Can you highlight a project or initiative that you feel has made a significant difference in your field? One project that has made a significant difference in my field was the PBS-CPB Raising Readers Initiative. It led to the creation of our WHRO PBS Kids Raising Readers Literacy Van program. This wonderful program started me on a new journey and allowed me to integrate my passion for storytelling with an educational initiative. As a teacher, story time was my favorite time of the day. I knew that if I could capture the attention of my young students through stories, I could kindle a desire in them to become lifelong readers. The Literacy Van program led to the creation of Ms. Martha Reads, a weekly series from WHRO Public Media where I read stories written by local children. What motivates and inspires you to continue pushing boundaries in your industry or profession? What motivates and inspires me is watching how excited children get while I’m reading to them. I have seen children who—at least according to parents and teachers—never seem to like story time just stop what they’re doing to listen intently. When I see that moment happen, I know that I have given a child a positive reading experience, which is such a precious gift. What advice would you give to your younger self as you were beginning your career journey? The advice that I would give to my younger self, is to not be so hard on oneself. When mistakes happen, don’t stress, be resilient, be confident, learn from them and enjoy the journey. If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a project, who would it be and why? Choosing just one person to collaborate with would be difficult. But, thinking about the public media side of things, I’d have to say Mr. Rogers hands down. I have always admired his work. He had so much passion and was a champion for children and families. Using encouraging and uplifting messages he could positively connect with both children and adults. And today, I try to follow his philosophy and example.
Angela Reddix, PhD
Angela Reddix, PhD
Entrepreneur, Author, CEO
ARDX
Founder,
The Mustard Seed Place
As an entrepreneurial visionary, Reddix is a passionate mentor and advisor to the next generation of young girls and women, and is a staunch advocate for entrepreneurship as a way of creating positive transformation in the world. Reddix is the Founder of Envision Lead Grow, a Norfolk-based nonprofit aimed at aspiring girls of all ages to chart their destinies by teaching them the critical skills and dedication it takes to accomplish their dreams through entrepreneurship. Her commitment to community service is exemplified by her service on various boards and local organizations. Though Reddix earned multiple degrees from universities outside of the area, she was born in Norfolk, and is proud to call Coastal Virginia home.
Can you highlight a project or initiative that you feel has made a significant difference in your field? I’m dedicated to the economic empowerment of girls and women, which resulted in the formation of Envision Lead Grow, a non-profit that teaches girls and women critical life skills, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and leadership. What motivates and inspires you to continue pushing boundaries in your industry or profession? I am motivated and inspired to continue pushing boundaries because I represent the future of women and girls in both in the boardroom and in the community. I emerged from very humble beginnings to build an empire that has reached thousands of people at various ages and stages of life. What advice would you give to your younger self as you were beginning your career journey? You can have it all! You may not have everything all at once, but over the span of your lifetime you can. Be present so that you can accumulate a collection of life experiences, and you truly will have had it all. Pace yourself to avoid exhaustion and burnout, and value all relationships, as you never know when a true partnership may evolve. If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a project, who would it be and why? Brené Brown, an American professor, researcher, storyteller and author. She inspired me to get my PhD. She has demonstrated how research can be used to transform lives. Because of her inspiration, I started Envision Lead Grow.
Becky Reed
Becky Reed
CEO
Reed Integration, Government Contracting & Training
With a professional background that includes working with NASA and Lawrence Livermore Labs, and a career that encompasses the realms of aerospace, superconducting magnets, a space station, systems engineering and nuclear medicine, Becky Reed founded Reed Integration in 2002. With more than 20 years as a small business government contractor, the company offers a unique "systems thinking" approach and structured project management processes to solve complex problems. Reed also works with tech startups and underrepresented small business owners to design business models and implement internal processes for the advancement of technologies toward commercialization plans.
Can you highlight a project or initiative that you feel has made a significant difference in your field? Ongoing feedback from the many learning/training programs the company has delivered over the past 21 years reminds me over and over that people and organizations have benefited and grown from the approach we take to ensuring a deep understanding of each topic. People who completed our systems engineering and/or project management programs many years ago still reach out to let me know how their careers have advanced due to the skills and methods they learned from us. I love hearing that young engineers who were students years ago have been able to go on and pursue professional certifications, advanced degrees, executive positions, and even start their own companies. What motivates and inspires you to continue pushing boundaries in your industry or profession? The brilliant and fun people I work with and the new and fascinating challenges we get to help our clients with every day. We have an exceptional team of problem solvers and our clients rely on that expertise to transform their organizations, people, and projects through an integrated team approach. The sense of community our “work family” maintains continues to evolve to embrace our team members that are far away from the main office in Suffolk. We are so fortunate to work with many different government agencies and several commercial companies who implement cutting edge technology to protect our country, support the warfighter, and analyze and/or develop effective new systems. What advice would you give to your younger self as you were beginning your career journey? Do NOT trust in advice just because someone offers it with authority. DO trust your own intuition and knowledge. If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a project, who would it be and why? My dad, Gene Reed, Sr., who passed in 2016 from dementia complications. He would absolutely love to be involved in the projects and innovation efforts that my company and my husband’s company are pursuing. He was an engineer, an inventor with a patent, and the person everyone called to fix every mechanical, electrical, plumbing, automobile, etc. issue. Fun note – he also designed my company logo 22 years ago.
Marla Schuchman
Marla Schuchman
Chief Innovation Officer, Research and Technology Partnerships Office
Jefferson Lab
Marla Schuchman loves making connections. In her role at Jefferson Lab in Newport News, Schuchman works with inventors and industry partners to ensure that smart ideas and intellectual property generated in support of the lab’s research mission receives the focus, guidance and outreach it needs to reach real world applications in the marketplace, or open up new partnerships for Jefferson Lab. Schuchman has been a part of several early-stage companies, and founded three of her own. She is passionate about entrepreneurship education and developing the entrepreneurial mindset, empowering individuals to become competent, well rounded business leaders.
Can you highlight a project or initiative that you feel has made a significant difference in your field? Steve Blank’s Customer Development framework for the Lean Startup, followed by Eric Reis’s book of the same name, propelled the lean startup methodology into mainstream business. It challenged the entrenched idea of traditional product development in favor of a common sense idea: ask your customers what they want and then build it. Inventors and entrepreneurs can get caught up in the shininess of innovation, only to find no one needs or wants what they have created. There is a balance between disruption and observation that lean startup principles enable, and Steve Blank’s “The Four Steps to the Epiphany” is like an operator’s manual for how to find that balance. What motivates and inspires you to continue pushing boundaries in your industry or profession? We aren’t done yet. There is always more to learn and discover. Everyday there are new problems to solve and challenges to reframe as opportunities. Working at the forefront of scientific research and innovation for a DOE National Lab means we get to explore how a new discovery or piece of technology might change the world in 15-20 years. There’s a lot of futurism and a lot of “what ifs.” Watching deep tech mature is a fantastic exercise in patience. Self development bonus: It’s a growth area as I’m not a very patient person by nature. What advice would you give to your younger self as you were beginning your career journey? Don’t be afraid of a non linear career. I had concerns about my resume showing short stints at several companies, but what I came to understand is that I thrive when I’m building new things. Every job I held was a new role or for a new company or a new department. What appeared as lacking direction actually lead to developing expertise in entrepreneurialism and innovation. Also, don’t rule out government related roles just because you’re “a business person”. If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a project, who would it be and why? A dream team would be Jamiroquai, Julia Child, Anthony Bourdain, The Weekend, and a boutique hotelier. For my next act I want to make art and run a bed and breakfast, but it’s got to be funky and tasty so I’ll need a great playlist for inspiration.
Katherine “Katie” Smith
Katherine “Katie” Smith, PhD
Research Assistant Professor
Virginia Digital Maritime Center (VDMC)
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Electrical & Computer Engineering Department Director | ODU MathFest
Research Affiliate | Supply Chain Cybersecurity Research Cluster
Old Dominion University
Katherine Smith holds a PhD in Modeling and Simulation Engineering, an M.S. in Computational and Applied Mathematics, and B.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mathematics all from Old Dominion University. She was also a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics. Previously, she worked at NASA Langley Research Center. Smith is also the enthusiastic organizer of ODU’s MathFest, a non-competitive celebration of problems and ideas in mathematics and computer science. elementary and middle school students come to campus to interact with STEM concepts in a fun, non-threatening environment.
Can you highlight a project or initiative that you feel has made a significant difference in your field? The foundation of my dissertation was on using machine learning, i.e., artificial intelligence, model the ripple effects of disruptions in supply chain networks. The initial work was done during the Covid-19 pandemic, so there were plenty of disruptions to study. This is an active area or research with many exciting possibilities to continue to impact society. Also, I am the director of the ODU MathFest which is a local instantiation of the Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival and strives to bring K-8 students non-competitive celebrations of mathematics and computer science in their schools and communities. What motivates and inspires you to continue pushing boundaries in your industry or profession? Learning. I love to learn new things. I also enjoy empowering others to learn through teaching. Finally, I am passionate about supporting the next generation of learners as they start out in their educational pipelines. I really believe learning through exploration and play can minimize anxiety and make it okay to make mistakes we can learn from in a safe way. Minimizing anxiety around STEM topics, especially mathematics, is so important especially for girls. What advice would you give to your younger self as you were beginning your career journey? Be yourself. Don’t be afraid to speak up. Sometimes you have to work just to make your voice heard. It is worth it. If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a project, who would it be and why? Ruth Bader Ginsberg. I would love to collaborate to transform her understanding of the law and related social justice and equality issues into an AI powered tool trained on court decisions and regulations that would support companies in making products, services, and policies that promote equality.
