Outside E Building in Bedford at night

National Publications Highlight Leadership Diversity at MITRE

By Nancy Gast Romps

As a company built on problem-solving and innovation, MITRE knows diverse perspectives are essential to our success. Our distinguished Board of Trustees is just one example of our commitment to cultivating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

This fall, five members of MITRE’s Board of Trustees received national recognition in two publications that highlight the contributions of Black and Hispanic individuals in business and culture and in a third publication on corporate governance.

“At MITRE, we build inclusivity from the inside out,” says Stephanie Turner, vice president, inclusion, diversity, and social innovation. “The richness and diversity of our trustees is one way we both practice and demonstrate the kind of collaboration that brings about both innovation and equitable outcomes.”

Campbell, Collins, and Slater Among Top Black Corporate Directors

Savoy, a magazine that “showcases and drives positive dialogue on and about Black culture,” featured MITRE trustees George Campbell Jr., Lance R. Collins, and Rodney E. Slater in its list of 2021 Most Influential Black Corporate Directors.

Savoy calls this honor “the definitive listing of African American corporate directors proactively impacting corporate America.”

Named to the Board in 2011, Campbell is a physicist and serves as chair of the Board of Trustees at the Webb Institute of Naval Architecture. Collins, whose research specialty is turbulence and fluid dynamics, is a former Joseph Silbert Dean of Engineering at Cornell University and presently oversees the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus. He joined the Board in 2018. A past U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Slater has a special focus on aviation competition and congestion mitigation, maritime initiatives, high-speed rail corridor development, and overall safety and funding efforts. He joined the Board in 2015.

Meléndez and Sanchez Recognized for Leadership

Meanwhile, Latino Leaders magazine, which promotes and publishes stories of Latino success and influence in the United States, features trustees Yvette Meléndez and Adalio T. Sanchez on its 12th annual Latinos on Boards list.

In the list, Latino Leaders profiles Latinos serving on corporate boards of public and private companies within the parameter of the Fortune 1000 index. The magazine published the list during National Hispanic Heritage Month, which ran from September 15 to October 15.

Additionally, Sanchez has been named to Directors & Boards magazine’s roster of 2022 Directors to Watch: Supporting Ethnic & Racial Diversity on Boards. The list underscores the importance of accelerating efforts to broaden the base of talent and diversity on public company boards.

Both Meléndez and Sanchez joined MITRE’s Board of Trustees in 2018. Meléndez, a former healthcare policy executive, has more than 30 years of experience leading large state government agencies, educational institutions, and not-for-profit organizations. Sanchez is an industry leader in information technology hardware, software, and semiconductor markets and an expert in data center, cloud, and digital technologies.

“We are extremely fortunate to have the broad experiences and perspectives of our MITRE trustees, who oversee and guide us as we solve problems for a safer world,” says Julie Bowen, senior vice president, operations and outreach, and chief legal officer. “These leaders’ experiences add to the strength of our Board of Trustees and align with the tone of our corporation, inclusion, diversity, and equity programs.”