#TeamMITRE Spotlight: Shanna Radke

As we recognize and reflect on Pride Month, we’re spotlighting MITRE employees from our Pride Business Resource Group to learn more about their impactful work here and in the community. Meet Shanna.

“Our site exists inside DoD space, and I’m an anomaly in my environment. My presence tells people that it's OK to stand out and stand tall. It bridges the MITRE corporate message of inclusivity at a government-provided location. This allows us to appeal to a community of people who haven’t always felt welcomed or seen inside the environment we are located in.”

As a site operations manager, Shanna Radke acts as a bridge between MITRE and our sponsor site in Omaha, ensuring seamless workflow. She maintains relationships with key stakeholders and liaises with MITRE employees, visitors, and local affiliates who access the sponsor location. Shanna is also a site security representative, overseeing all related training and implementation.

Q: Why is Pride Month important to you?

SR: Pride is no different than any other month meant to honor individuals and assemblies from the past who paved a way for a group or sub-group of people living today. Pride Month honors our community’s history of fear, hiding, courage, struggles, perseverance, and victories along the way. It's a time to reflect upon the past with both smiles and tears and look to the future for what we can/should do for the next generation’s Pride community.

Q: Tell us about your volunteer efforts or service in the community.

SR: I frequently work with Heartland Pride and volunteer with youth in the community who struggle with their identity as it relates to faith and/or belonging.

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Q: Who inspires you most and why?

SR: My daughter. She inspires me to do what I need to do and be who I need to be so that the battles she and her generation may one day face are not the same ones we face today. I want to show her that change can happen and that love will always ultimately rise above everything else.

Q: What advice would you give to your younger self?

SR: No one’s perception of who you are defines you. Own all of you unapologetically and with a smile on your face.