The Women of Color (WOC) STEM Conference recognizes outstanding women in the STEM fields and provides excellent opportunities for professional development, networking, and recruiting. It is hosted by CCG’s Women of Color Magazine. The conference is focused on the development of STEM women and ensures that the superior achievements and importance of these outstanding women in STEM are highly visible to all conference participants.

1. of my career I was raising my son and daughter
STEM Award: Professional Achievement, Government
as a single parent. They would probably be
better at answering the question on how I did
with that! How one makes career decisions is
personal and different for everyone. There were
jobs I did not apply for during my career because
I felt the timing was not right. The time I wanted
to commit to my children and what I would expect
of myself to perform the potential new job well did
not always align. Being available for homework
and to attend after school activities was important
to me. As they became older and there were
opportunities available that I felt fit our lifestyle, I
would apply. I think it all worked out. I am proud
of both of my children and the things I’ve been
able to accomplish at NNSY. These days since
I’ve re-married I now have a total of four children
and one grandchild. The work-life balance is
still challenging but I believe in working hard and
“playing hard” so I focus on work when it’s time
to work and have fun with family, friends, and
M a r e s a D r i ve r other interests when not at work and I try to make
that distinction. If we are fortunate to live long
Business and Strategic Manager enough, life has a way of keeping you grounded
and helps you to realize what’s important. I
feel like I get a wake-up call when the work-life
What is your past experience and how did balance scales begin to tip too much in any one
you get started in this field? My degree is in direction.
Mechanical Engineering from Howard University
and I was a co-op student sponsored by the What is your greatest professional
Navy while in college. This was a great program achievement and why? I think my greatest
where every month the Navy paid for my professional achievement is holding the record
education I committed to working the equivalent for the ex-USS Atlanta Inactivation. In spite of
time for them as a civilian. At that time I began other availabilities on the waterfront demanding
by working for Naval Air Systems Command in resources, we were able to execute that
various divisions. Post-graduation I was hired availability below budget and on schedule. It
into the Nuclear Engineering Department at was really a team effort and we were a fairly new
NNSY. I’ve held a variety of positions to include team so I was proud of what we were able to
Project Engineer and Planning Manager on one accomplish despite all the obstacles.
of the CVN-71 availabilities, Branch Head for the
Material Procurement Branch, Nuclear Waterfront Why would you encourage young women to
Operations Manager, and Project Superintendent go into a STEM field? The landscape in the
for the inactivation of USS Atlanta (SSN 712) and STEM world is changing. There are even more
MTS DEMA just to name a few. opportunities available than there have been
in the past. The work and careers that you can
What is your approach to work-life balance? choose to be a part of can be both rewarding and
What has proven to be your most successful fulfilling. There is also the added benefit of being
strategy for this and why? Maintaining a work- role models for other young girls in the same
life balance is always a challenge. During most away that others paved the road for me.
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