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HISTORY MONTH
Our Women Leaders Strive for Collective Success
Women's History Month is dedicated to honoring and rejoicing in the accomplishments of women and the societal impacts they have made. This year we commemorate and honor women at SAIC who tirelessly advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion and strengthen allyships across their communities.
As part of our commitment to champion inclusion and in observance of Women's History Month and International Women's Day on March 8, SAIC proudly spotlights the remarkable contributions of eight women who inspire us with their leadership through the company's Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). These women work to create a future where equity, diversity and inclusion are not just aspirations but lived realities for everyone.
Sandra
Bryant
Kimberly
Campbell
Qiuyu "Julie"
Chen
Deana
Hetz
Tiffany
Hoston
AHKESHA
MURRAY
BONNIE
SIEMBIEDA
ASHLYNN
STEAD
Sandra Bryant is a cybersecurity analyst for SAIC’s Command, Control, Communications, and Computers Enterprise Support (C4ES) contract supporting U.S. Central Command, where she defends the organization’s cyber infrastructure and framework against threats and eliminates risks.
Bryant served in the U.S. Army, transitioning from logistical support for Army Signal Corps to cybersecurity for the joint command. After her Army service ended, she joined SAIC as an IT release manager, collaborating with stakeholders for requirements, testing, and release of changes that protect the integrity of the production environment and minimize disruptions to military operations while maintaining communications. She was promoted to service transition lead, where she managed the change, release and configuration management teams. Over time, she has realized that communication and inclusivity are essential for generating new ideas that create value, quality and unity.
Bryant is one of the co-chairs for SAIC’s Multicultural ERG (MERG), where she advocates for diverse groups. She is looking forward to the upcoming months where she and the other MERG co-chairs will launch interactive activities with giveaways to engage and connect with the members of their group.
Configuration Analyst Principal, Air Force and Combatant Commands Business Group
SANDRA BRYANT
Favorite Quote
“Energy and persistence conquer all things.”
- Benjamin Franklin -
“Diversity is being asked to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance.”
- Verna Myers -
Favorite Quote
Kimberly Campbell is a senior manager of technical services for the Business and Customer Experience Office in the Infrastructure Enablement organization within SAIC, managing the Information Technology Office’s service desk relationship, handling account services and working closely with enterprise cross-functional teams to continuously enhance the customer experience. Since joining SAIC in 2019, Campbell has successfully transitioned several IT service desks within tight timelines during multiple company acquisitions. In 2023, she led the implementation of the ServiceNow Virtual Assistant, which enhanced the self-service functionality for SAIC end users.
Campbell was recognized as a Science Spectrum Trailblazer at the 2020 Black Engineer of the Year Awards for her achievements. In 2021, she also completed the Black Leadership Academy Management Accelerator program offered by McKinsey & Company.
Campbell is a proud alumna of SAIC’s AcceleratHER Women's Leadership Academy class of 2023, who served as the spokesperson for her cohort's graduation ceremony. Inspired by her experience, she returned to the program as a dedicated coach for the subsequent cohort. Alongside her coaching commitments, Campbell has taken on the significant role of co-chairing the Multicultural ERG, where she actively celebrates the diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds of SAIC employees while advocating for underrepresented minorities.
Campbell is a positive and energetic individual who motivates colleagues to achieve personal and collective success. Passionate about mentorship and empowering young individuals, she supports causes that inspire the next generation.
Senior Manager of Technical Services, Information Technology Office
KIMBERLY CAMPBELL
“No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half of its citizens.”
- Michelle Obama -
Favorite Quote
Qiuyu "Julie" Chen is a senior software systems engineer in the Information Technology Office’s multi-sourcing service integration contact center in the Infrastructure Enablement organization within SAIC. She embarked on her journey at SAIC over a decade ago, fueled by a passion for innovation and meeting the unique needs of our diverse end users.
Chen has developed internal tools to meet customer needs, focusing on delivering impactful solutions. She transitioned into multi-client business solutions, implementing advanced technologies like Genesys and ServiceNow. Chen's expertise extends into cloud computing, where she contributes to the creation of scalable and dynamic systems that drive progress and innovation.
Beyond her technical contributions, Chen is a former co-chair of SAIC’s Multicultural ERG. She celebrates diversity and fosters an inclusive environment with her teams. She believes that a rich tapestry of backgrounds and perspectives fuels creativity and drives our collective success. In addition, she is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of women professionals. Guiding them in their career journeys, she is committed to empowering the next generation of leaders in the tech industry.
Senior Software Systems Engineer, Information Technology Office
QIUYU "JULIE" CHEN
“We meet no ordinary people in our lives.”
- C.S. Lewis -
Favorite Quote
Deana Hetz is a principal business analyst in SAIC’s Information Technology Office. Hetz plays a critical role in supporting HR systems within the IT enterprise applications space since joining SAIC in 2004. Hetz has been instrumental in helping employees navigate major company transformations, including SAIC's initial public offering in 2006 and the Leidos transition in 2013. Her expertise in HR systems, particularly in the transition from PeopleSoft to Oracle Cloud HCM, has been invaluable in streamlining business activities. Hetz is an advocate for lifelong learning; she champions the Lean-Agile mindset and methodologies, recognizing the transformative power of enhancing efficiency and promoting well-being.
Hetz is the professional development lead for SAIC’s Women’s ERG. In this capacity, she guides the team and shares valuable insights with the membership through her monthly "First 10" posts. Hetz creates an environment that fosters a sense of belonging and community stewardship. Outside of work, she cherishes spending quality time with her family and two dogs.
Principal Business Analyst, Information Technology Office
DEANA HETZ
“Be an ELI - someone one who encourages, lifts and inspires all you come in contact with.”
- Tiffany Hoston -
Favorite Quote
Tiffany Hoston is a systems engineer manager for the Space Intelligence Technology and Communications Sector within SAIC’s Space and Intelligence Business Group. As one of the systems engineering and technical assistance leads for her customer organization, Hoston works hard to ensure that everyone has a voice and feels appreciated.
At SAIC, Hoston has served as a co-lead for the STEM ERG’s Community & Environmental Outreach team and most recently as the ERG’s co-chair. In those roles, she has partnered and fostered relationships with SAIC’s Women’s ERG, Big Brothers Big Sisters National Capital Area, the Fairfax County School District, Northern Virginia Technology Council, AIM High, STEM for HER, Thrasher Boys' Club and countless other organizations aimed at giving back to the community and fostering inclusion.
In an effort to inspire inclusion, Hoston and the STEM ERG are adding an “A” to STEM and sponsoring a STEAM fair, for science, technology, engineering, arts and math. This change highlights the positive attributes that the arts brings to STEM fields, especially to girls and women.
A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, and from humble beginnings, Hoston often quotes Capt. Vince Chernesky of Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Port Hueneme Division: “Run with scissors!” It is meant to inspire others to get things done, carve out or cut the way to success, and move all obstacles out of your way. Her parents have instilled in her and her siblings the importance of being someone who encourages, lifts and inspires all whom they come in contact with.
“I encourage all women to grab a pair of scissors and get to running,” Hoston said. “While you’re on your run, reach out and grab other women to run with you.”
Systems Engineer Manager, Space and Intelligence Business Group
TIFFANY HOSTON
“Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?”
- Rumi -
Favorite Quote
Ahkesha Murray is the senior manager of diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) in SAIC’s Office of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Integration. She oversees all aspects of managing SAIC’s DE&I strategy, collaborates on internal and external communications regarding DE&I, serves as a special projects manager for emerging high-priority DE&I initiatives as directed by the vice president of ESG integration, and supports SAIC’s ERGs. Her role ensures that SAIC’s diverse talent thrives in an inclusive culture, to which everyone feels they belong.
Murray is an organizational development professional with a broad range of expertise, including organizational change management, strategic communications, strategic planning, facilitation, training development and project management. Among her most notable accomplishments since joining SAIC in 2021, she co-led the design and implementation of a root cause analysis to address barriers in achieving SAIC’s goal of increasing people of color in leadership roles, resulting in the development of targeted initiatives to address findings, and ultimately achieved the enterprise’s annual goal for women and people of color in leadership. Murray also established SAIC’s first ESG Council, which acts as an advisory body to SAIC’s executive leadership team and the Office of ESG Integration on matters related to corporate responsibility. She is a council co-chair, and she and her colleagues have leveraged the council for some meaningful efforts, such as the development of SAIC’s FY24-26 ESG Strategy, which includes goals for DE&I and increasing disclosures around human capital and gender equity in SAIC’s Corporate Responsibility Report.
Murray received her bachelor’s degree in actuarial science from St. John’s University, her MBA from Wake Forest University, and a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for HR certificate from Cornell University. She represents SAIC on the WashingtonExec Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, and was recognized as one of the Top DE&I Execs to Watch in 2024.
Senior Manager of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Office of Environmental, Social and Governance Integration
Ahkesha Murray
“Look around. Look at what we have. Beauty is everywhere – you only have to look to see it.”
- Bob Ross -
Favorite Quote
Bonnie Siembieda is a technical writer and editor for Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic within SAIC’s Navy Business Group.
Siembieda joined SAIC in 2018 and is an integral part of the U.S. Air Force and Navy’s tactical vehicle integration teams within the business group, creating installation, maintenance and technical manuals. She uses her graphic design background and collaborates with her fellow team members, aware that it takes everyone working together to create informative technical documentation that fulfills customers’ needs.
Siembieda is a communication specialist for the Women’s ERG (WERG), helping with graphics and newsletters. She also assists with the WERG’s Charleston, South Carolina chapter’s events. She is a volunteer mentor for SAIC colleagues, encouraging them to be more than just a number.
Technical Writer and Editor, Navy Business Group
BONNIE SIEMBIEDA
“Inclusion and fairness in the workplace is not simply the right thing to do; it’s the smart thing to do.”
- Alexis Herman -
Favorite Quote
Ashlynn Stead is a talent acquisition analyst for SAIC. She began working with SAIC as a recruitment coordinator in 2020 and was promoted to full lifecycle recruiter later that year. She holds a master's degree in human resources management from the University of Scranton and aspires to create a more inclusive work environment at SAIC.
Stead is one of the co-chairs of the Accessibility ERG and is dedicated to making SAIC a welcoming place for all employees, regardless of their physical, mental or neurological differences.
As an individual who is neurodivergent, Stead values the importance of inclusion and allyship in the workplace. She promotes inclusion through the power of storytelling. She acknowledges that there is still a long way to go, and a lot of work needs to be done to reduce the stigma associated with visible and non-visible disabilities, but by continuing to support and call others to action, the space for inclusivity is being created.
Talent Acquisition Analyst, Human Resources
ASHLYNN STEAD
WOMEN's History month
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“Be an ELI - someone one who encourages, lifts and inspires all you come in contact with.”