REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – One team member leads by example both personally and professionally.
Shanda R. Robinson, chief of financial management for the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command Technical Center’s Business Management Office, received a Women of Color STEM 2022 Award under the Women of Color Professional Award Category: Professional Achievement during a virtual ceremony, Oct. 8.
The Professional Achievement WOC Award recognizes a mid-career, with up to 14 years in the workforce, professional with significant accomplishments in a scientific, engineering or technology industry, or government agency.
“It is an absolute honor to be recognized and I am truly grateful,” Robinson said. “Receiving an award always has an element of surprise. I don’t do my job with receiving an award as part of my intentions but rather with the mindset that my small contribution is playing into the bigger goal of accomplishing the mission.
“This award means that I am on the right track professionally,” she added “This award also validates that women of color are making meaningful impacts and have significant roles in positions of influence.”
Robinson said her parents instilled in her the value of hard work, and that while networking is valuable and can help one get ahead, it is hard work that will sustain one's path.
“I live daily under the notion that there's no exception to hard work,” Robinson said. “Representation matters and seeing women who look like me being rewarded for their contributions make a world of difference. Those impacts are not only realized in the immediate but also for the next generation.”
Robinson’s citation stated that she is a mentor and motivator to fellow employees in all ranks and she holds her team accountable for achieving 100% success. One of Robinson’s achievements was listed as the oversight and leadership of the organization’s financial management activities, especially during fiscal year 2021 execution and fiscal year closeout of approximately $700 million of mission requirements.
“SMDC is extremely proud to present Shanda and her many achievements that led her to this recognition at this point in her career,” said Jennifer S. Thompson, director of USASMDC Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity. “Shanda’s achievement is a reflection of the value she brings to the SMDC team and the security of our nation. Her award reinforces the stellar reputation SMDC already enjoys as it relates to budget execution.
“I hope that Shanda is just the first of many SMDC professionals recognized for the contributions they make to ensure that SMDC is always, ‘Ready to Fight Tonight.’”
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