Before Treatment -
Summer 2012
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During Treatment -
Fathers Day 2013
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Family Vacation -
Summer 2017
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About
I'm the eldest of three, raised by educators in a small Midwest college town. A deep love for learning and education was instilled early in my life. My journey took a pivotal turn when my high school calculus teacher urged me to join a summer engineering camp for high school girls. Despite my initial lack of knowledge about engineering, I boldly applied and was accepted.
This transformative experience allowed me to explore various engineering disciplines freely, and I found myself drawn to Industrial Engineering. Three compelling reasons guided my decision: first, as a family of five, financial struggles pushed me to seek the financial security offered by an engineering career. Second, as a young black woman in the early 1990s, I was determined to challenge stereotypes and prove that women of color could excel in engineering. Lastly, Industrial Engineering's versatility, bridging people, processes, and technology, resonated with my desire for a multifaceted career.
I graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering. During college, I met my future husband, and within three months of graduation, we married, relocated to North Texas, and embarked on our careers.
After three years in Texas, my husband received a job offer we couldn't refuse, leading us to Northern Virginia. As my career progressed, I felt that my engineering degree alone wouldn't suffice. Pursuing a part-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) became my goal, despite the challenges of working full-time and studying part-time. In 2008, five years after starting, I earned my MBA. During this period, our second child was born, and my career started to soar.
With increasing responsibilities and recognition, I ventured into entrepreneurship within the defense industry. However, a year into my first contract, disaster struck. My company lost a critical contract, and shortly thereafter, I received a devastating cancer diagnosis at the age of 38, with no family history of the disease. These events sent my life into a tailspin.
Amid surgeries and chemotherapy, I grappled with a sense of helplessness and despair. My plans crumbled, and the future seemed uncertain. But with unwavering support from family, friends, and church members, I found the strength to endure. The outpouring of help from near and far played a pivotal role in my cancer survival.
This challenging journey connected me with fellow cancer survivors, many of whom tragically succumbed to the disease. These struggles, compounded by life's challenges, underscored the need for support and resources. Like many survivors, I sought a deeper purpose in life. My compassion for those suffering, coupled with my knack for research, revealed my mission: to encourage and empower survivors to seek help and access the services they need. Today, I continue this mission, leveraging my experiences to inspire and uplift others on their cancer journeys.
This transformative experience allowed me to explore various engineering disciplines freely, and I found myself drawn to Industrial Engineering. Three compelling reasons guided my decision: first, as a family of five, financial struggles pushed me to seek the financial security offered by an engineering career. Second, as a young black woman in the early 1990s, I was determined to challenge stereotypes and prove that women of color could excel in engineering. Lastly, Industrial Engineering's versatility, bridging people, processes, and technology, resonated with my desire for a multifaceted career.
I graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering. During college, I met my future husband, and within three months of graduation, we married, relocated to North Texas, and embarked on our careers.
After three years in Texas, my husband received a job offer we couldn't refuse, leading us to Northern Virginia. As my career progressed, I felt that my engineering degree alone wouldn't suffice. Pursuing a part-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) became my goal, despite the challenges of working full-time and studying part-time. In 2008, five years after starting, I earned my MBA. During this period, our second child was born, and my career started to soar.
With increasing responsibilities and recognition, I ventured into entrepreneurship within the defense industry. However, a year into my first contract, disaster struck. My company lost a critical contract, and shortly thereafter, I received a devastating cancer diagnosis at the age of 38, with no family history of the disease. These events sent my life into a tailspin.
Amid surgeries and chemotherapy, I grappled with a sense of helplessness and despair. My plans crumbled, and the future seemed uncertain. But with unwavering support from family, friends, and church members, I found the strength to endure. The outpouring of help from near and far played a pivotal role in my cancer survival.
This challenging journey connected me with fellow cancer survivors, many of whom tragically succumbed to the disease. These struggles, compounded by life's challenges, underscored the need for support and resources. Like many survivors, I sought a deeper purpose in life. My compassion for those suffering, coupled with my knack for research, revealed my mission: to encourage and empower survivors to seek help and access the services they need. Today, I continue this mission, leveraging my experiences to inspire and uplift others on their cancer journeys.