Overcoming the Challenges of Being Seen & Heard in STEM

Kellye Randle

Kellye Randle is a Senior Manager at Raytheon Technologies Intelligence & Space, Technical Workforce Management and Development group. She leads the Engineering and Mission Assurance Diversity Initiatives and Pipeline Programs.

With a technical foundation in computer and systems engineering, Kellye has more than 15 years experience in the Aerospace industry. She has performed numerous roles ranging from requirements development, integration & test, verification & validation, Integrated Product Team Lead and Section Manager. Her passion for DE&I, providing equitable opportunities and resources and recruitment, has lead her into the area of Technical Workforce Development. Kellye leads the Engineering Diversity in Technology initiative that aims to attract, develop and retain top diverse technical talent, and is responsible development of the Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) engagement pipeline.

Kellye also continues to give back in her community, through various outreach programs, such as Girls Who Code and service with her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She is a member of the National Society of Black Engineers, Society of Women Engineers and the recipient of the 2021 Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA), as a Modern Day Technology Leader.

Vanessa Adams

Vanessa Adams is currently the Associate Director of Mechanical Systems & Externals at Tinker Air Force Base for Pratt & Whitney in Defense Sustainment. She joined Pratt & Whitney in 2014. Mrs. Adams career began in 2010 as a Production Supervisor for General Mills – Yoplait division. She then transitioned to from food and beverage manufacturing to military defense in 2011, when she joined Raytheon as an Integrated Product Team leader. While at Raytheon, she also held a role as a manufacturing engineer. In 2014 she joined Pratt and Whitney as the lead Process and Methods engineer and later as the lead Logistics Engineer for Repair Development. In 2019 Mrs. Adams took a role with Collins Aerospace as the Tinker Customer Support Director, and in December 2020, she returned to Pratt & Whitney in her current role managing the Manufacturing, Repair & Overhaul Engineering team.

Mrs. Adams holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Mississippi State University and a Masters in Systems Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. She has recently been recognized as a 2022 Science Spectrum Trailblazer by the Black Engineer of the Year Awards committee and is a 2022 STEP AHEAD Women in Manufacturing Honoree

Vanessa is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta and Jack and Jill of America where she finds time to serve her community. She tries to find a balance between, work, family, and outreach. Mrs. Adams is married to Mr. Kendrick Adams and they have two beautiful daughters.

Hunter Canning

Dr. Bridget Beamon

Dr. Bridget Beamon is Principal Systems Engineer at Raytheon Intelligence & Space, Common Engineering Organization. She has over 25 years of multi-disciplined experience, working in varied roles as lead researcher, software engineer, network engineer and systems engineer. She holds a PhD in Computer Engineering, completing a dissertation on the topic of: 'Adaptive High Level Context Reasoning in Pervasive Environments'. Her career experience has included data analysis and algorithmic refinement of IBM’s Watson cognitive computing product and significant contributions to multiple projects centered on machine learning, graphs analysis and natural language programming for DoD programs. She holds several patents for her work. Bridget is a life-long learner who is now completing a second master’s degree in Systems Engineering & Management while continually growing her AI/ML knowledge.

Most recently, her commitment to learning coupled with the ability to grasp and innovatively apply technical and theoretical knowledge to real world problems, proved critical to success as she led the productization of RI&S’s Automated Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) Requirements Analysis Tool. She is working to expand the tool’s capabilities, program’s adoption of its use, and application to RI&S’s Engineering’s Digital Engineering Goals.

As one with experience navigating the gauntlet of an engineering career path while balancing real life unforeseen challenges , Bridget is passionate about leveraging her experience in developing the next generation of minority and female engineers.

Bridget is a member of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers(IEEE), International Counsel of System Engineers (INCOSE) , Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and National Society of Black Engineers(NSBE). She is also a 2023 recipient of the Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA), as an Industry Outstanding Technical Contributor.