#TeamMITRE Spotlight: Toni Corbett

During Black History Month, we’re recognizing MITRE employees from our Black Culture Network Business Resource Group . This year we’re sharing the impactful work of four Black women trailblazers. Meet Toni.

“I’m a broad-spectrum problem solver by nature. This ability has allowed me to see the big picture in the most tactical situations. Complementary to my problem-solving skills, is my inherent ability to connect with people. That has everything to do with how I was raised providing service to my community. It has ?manifested through my support of ?local and national charities and STEM education initiatives for minority female engineers, scientists, and mathematicians.”

As a principal enterprise system engineer and enterprise data management subject matter expert (SME), Toni and her team are routinely solving enterprise-wide problems for national security, working with the Intelligence Community and law enforcement agencies on critical issues within the intel domain and across numerous disciplines.

“As a Black woman in an underrepresented career field, I’m passionate about encouraging and guiding minorities on their path to success because representation matters. We often feel more comfortable when we know we aren’t the only one on the road less traveled which is why I always make time to assist my community. If I can inspire an early careerist, grade school, or a high-school student to pursue their dreams in fields that seem unreachable, I am satisfied. ?Workplaces benefit from having a sense of community and diverse talent pool.”

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Q: Why is Black History Month important to you?

TC: Black History Month is important to me because there is a focus on the Black experience. It is important that we all take the time to educate, enlighten, and expose ourselves to the various subcultures that exemplify the rich, complex, and diverse Black culture.

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Q: Tell us about your volunteer efforts or service you’re doing in the community.

TC: I am a board member of the Academic Empowerment Foundation, where I work to raise funds for minority college students’ books (provided to deserving students in the form of scholarships). I’m also involved in several community organizations that hold food and clothing drives and breast cancer awareness campaigns targeted toward underrepresented communities. I’ve also served as Chair on the Women In Technology (WIT) and Career Communications Group Women of Color in Technology boards. I played the critical role of project manager for the Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA), which recognizes the accomplishments of minority engineers and strengthens America’s STEM foundations. At MITRE, I participate in minority-targeted recruitment activities and the Cyber Futures Program as a professional mentor.

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Q: Who’s a Black woman trailblazer that inspires you?

TC: I think many folks think of well-known trailblazers for inspiration. I am no different, however I’m more inspired by the unsung Black women trailblazers. I believe the every-day black woman trailblazes because it’s on her shoulders that we all stand! Specifically, my mother, Jacquelyn “Jackie” Corbett, is my inspiration. It’s her daily ?challenges and successes that I find amazing. She was my first teacher and has always been my biggest cheerleader and advocate. My mother was able to make lemonade out of lemons. Through her strength, tenacity, guidance, sacrifices, and teachings I’m able to navigate the world as a proud Black woman wearing the many hats of wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, advocate, and colleague. Her lessons have ?been the most important gift that keeps on giving.

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Q: How can we advocate and support Black women in the workplace?

TC: Black women are multi-faceted in all walks of life. The workplace should be no different. Because we have a proven track record of excellence and leadership, harnessing our qualities in the workplace is beneficial to any organization. A way to advocate and support Black women is to truly create a safe and equitable environment where opportunities at all levels are plentiful. Additionally, we should be encouraged to bring our entire selves to the workplace and openly share our diverse views and experiences. To our advocates—please create a space for Black women to UNAPOLOGETICALLY show up and show out. The organization will be better for it!

Check out our other employee spotlights for Black History Month:

-??????? Heba Mahmoud

-??????? Nicole M. Waddell

-??????? Levonia Moore Parker