Christelle Ward

I attribute much of my success to the women who invested in me long before there was any return on that investment. One of the most influential people in my career has been Amanda Brockermeyer, now President of the Association of Old Crows. I once asked a question during a panel about how someone who is always the most junior person in the room can make a name for themselves. Amanda handed me her card and said, “Let’s have lunch.” Three years later, she is not only a mentor but one of my closest friends. I would not be where I am today without her guidance and support. That experience taught me the power of investing in others. I have been incredibly fortunate to have women who believed in me and poured into my development, and I try to pay that forward whenever I can. I’ve also learned that people tend to treat you the way you treat yourself. Learning to understand my value — and being willing to own my craft while remaining humble — has been a major factor in my growth.

The best career advice I’ve received is to intentionally build your network. In this industry, relationships matter, and much of your success will come from the people who know your work and trust your reputation. That means building those relationships long before you ever need them. I’ve also learned that integrity is everything. Be transparent, honor your word, and never promise something you can’t deliver. In a field as technical and interconnected as this one, people quickly recognize authenticity — and they can just as quickly see through anything less. Your reputation follows you throughout your career, so being honest, dependable, and consistent in how you show up is one of the most valuable things you can bring to the table.

My biggest piece of advice is to remain authentic to who you are, even in environments where it may feel easier to conform. In many technical and defense fields, there can be pressure to “be one of the guys” in order to fit in. For a time, I felt like I had to suppress parts of who I was in order to succeed. Over time, I realized that authenticity is far more powerful than imitation. You are allowed to value yourself and bring your full identity to your work. When you respect your own value, others will begin to do the same. I also believe it’s important to stay curious and committed to learning. No one knows everything, and being willing to ask questions and grow is essential. Trust yourself, stand up for yourself when necessary, but also recognize the importance of listening and learning from those around you.

One of my core values is community over competition. Women are still relatively few in the electromagnetic warfare field, and yet there can sometimes be a tendency to compete with one another when collaboration would serve us all better. The climb is already steep — there’s no reason to make it harder for each other. I also strongly value time — both my own and the time of the people around me. Learning to respect your own time and set healthy boundaries ultimately creates a more productive and balanced environment for everyone involved. When you value your time, you tend to show up more focused, more intentional, and more respectful of the time others are investing as well. Another value that is very important to me is recognizing and supporting the people around us. I believe in giving people their flowers when they deserve them and investing in others whenever possible. Lifting people up and building strong communities creates stronger teams and stronger outcomes. Ultimately, my work is also deeply personal. My husband and I both served in the military, as did most of the men in both of our families. We have four children, and there’s a very real chance one of them may choose to serve as well. Being part of the innovation and decision-making processes that strengthen our defense systems matters to me because it helps create a safer future — not just for our nation, but for the generations that come after us.