Donnette Coward

I came to the United States as an immigrant from Jamaica, and my first job was working as a room attendant earning $7.25 an hour. That experience taught me humility, hard work, and the value of opportunity. It also motivated me to pursue education and build a career where I could make a meaningful impact. Through dedication and persistence, I transitioned into public service. Today I work as a federal government contract specialist for the Air Force and Department of Defense, where I help manage acquisitions and contracts supporting important government programs and missions. I have been in this role since 2022, and there are certain aspects that I cannot go into because of classifications, but I manage a lot of acquisition work to make sure our Airmen are winning wars and they are fully equipped. While working in government, I became interested in how organizations operate and how industries are evolving. This curiosity led me to pursue a doctoral degree, and my research focuses on how the technology industry is adapting to remote and hybrid work environments, particularly within mid-sized companies. What I am doing now, working alongside our servicemen and women, is my most notable professional achievement. I feel that I have made an impact with what I'm doing. They are fully equipped to win wars and have all that they need based on the acquisitions that we have made on behalf of the government with our allies, keeping our country safe. It's more than getting a paycheck - it's rewarding standing alongside them and representing the country.