This year, three U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command professionals were recognized with awards during the Women of Color STEM Conference which took place on Oct. 7, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. The conference is a multicultural event presented annually that recognizes the significant contributions of women in science, technology, engineering, and math fields. The conference offers valuable career networking opportunities, career fairs and hosts prestigious award ceremonies, which have earned wide-spread praise.
Dr. Jennifer Mills, the director of ISEC’s Engineering Directorate, leads more than 80 engineers and information technology specialists in designing and implementing IT systems for the DOD and the U.S. Army. Mills distinguished herself by providing transformational leadership within ISEC through leading the organization away from engineering legacy industrial-aged IT systems and toward engineering Army systems into the digital age. This innovative work helped ISEC meet the challenge of shifting $25 million in legacy work toward data-centric systems, which influenced more than $1 billion for the Army enterprise. Mills is a staunch supporter that "data is the new ammunition of war," which is reflected in her work.
Patricia Johnson, an IT specialist and project lead with ISEC, received the Technology All-Star Award. As part of the Outstanding Achievement Award, Johnson received the award for displaying excellence in technology. She has over 27 years of experience in a variety of IT systems and disciplines between her military and federal careers. “I feel extremely honored and fortunate to be chosen as a finalist among a group of such incredibly talented women. Winning the STEM All Star Technology would not be possible without all the amazing teammates I work alongside that help make everything happen,” said Johnson on winning the award.
Johnson has also been recognized for her commitment to inclusion and support of Black and minority women and service members as a victim advocate, a team lead and a supervisor. She has worked to cultivate an environment of inclusion and sought to elevate other women and women of color in their job through encouraging education and training opportunities, mentoring, motivating and counseling. “I hope that the nomination will inspire and encourage my mentees as well as young women and girls of color,” said Johnson. She led by example and earned advanced degrees, which motivated other women on her team to move forward and complete their degrees. She also helped other women to earn higher positions in the government.
Jlaja “Pandora” Podier of SEC was recognized with the Technology Rising-Star Award for displaying excellence in technology. The Rising-Star category honors women who are coming into view as leaders of the future and demonstrate their perseverance and innovation, proving that they have what it takes to create America’s future technology. “Achieving this 2022 Women of Color STEM Technology Rising Star Award will forever remain a special moment in my career and having the opportunity to share this recognition with other women of color for their significant and outstanding contributions in the fields of STEM was an amazing experience that I will cherish close to my heart always,” said Podier on what the award means to her.
Podier was selected as the chief of the Sensors & Mission Equipment Division, Intelligence Electronic Warfare & Sensors Directorate in 2019. Podier has held various positions in the SEC including information technology specialist, computer scientist, project lead for the Biometrics Family of Systems and branch chief of the Terrestrial Sensors Software Branch.
The event provided attendees a unique opportunity to interact with members of the STEM community, at all career stages, who are committed to diversity and the advancement of women in the workforce. CECOM also participated in the WOC Stem Conference Career Fair, collecting over 50 resumes for consideration for positions throughout AMC.
“The WOC STEM Conference and Awards are a great opportunity for CECOM to communicate and generate a professional network, hire new talent and recognize the exceptional work of our workforce,” according to Shea Lemuel, Director of the CECOM Office of Equal Employment Opportunity. The Army’s diverse and inclusive force draws upon the widest set of backgrounds, talents and skills to maximize warfighting capability, address new threats and challenges, and take advantage of new opportunities to strengthen the performance and readiness of the total force.
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