Jane Dinkel

I attribute my success to consistently establishing myself as a trusted expert within the government security and aerospace industries through hard work, leadership, and a willingness to take on challenging opportunities. My 22-year career with the Department of Defense, including serving as Chief of the Dallas office, along with leadership roles in national industry organizations, helped build a strong professional reputation that ultimately led Lockheed Martin to recruit me for my expertise and industry relationships. I also believe mentors and advocates are essential to success, and my mother played both roles in my life by continually encouraging me to pursue excellence and value education as a lifelong asset.

The best career advice I’ve ever received was not to take things personally. In a professional environment, you won’t be chosen for every opportunity, and while disappointment is natural, it’s important not to let it affect your attitude, relationships, or performance. I’ve also carried with me the advice my mother gave me throughout my life: invest in education because no one can ever take it away from you, believe in your abilities, and always be capable of taking care of yourself independently.

My advice to young women entering the industry is to first get your foot in the door, whether through an internship or an entry-level opportunity, and then focus on excelling at the job you were hired to do. Once you establish yourself as dependable and high-performing, look for opportunities to contribute beyond your core responsibilities, especially through challenging projects that others may avoid. Those experiences help you stand out and build expertise. It’s also important to have both a mentor and an advocate—someone who can guide you professionally and someone who will speak up for you and champion your growth in rooms where decisions are being made.

One of the current challenges in my field is that some organizations have reduced or eliminated DEI programs that previously provided mentorship, leadership development, and networking opportunities, particularly for women and emerging leaders. While these programs are not the only path to advancement, their absence can remove helpful support structures. At the same time, I see continued opportunity in education and continuous learning as the strongest foundation for long-term success. As my mother taught me, education may not always provide immediate results, but it consistently creates opportunity and, once earned, can never be taken away.

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are trust, transparency, and vulnerability. Transparency builds trust, and trust encourages openness and stronger collaboration. I also value vulnerability because it reflects authenticity and reminds people that no one is perfect—mistakes are part of growth and can be learned from. Paired with a growth mindset of “not yet,” these values have guided both my career and personal life, reinforcing the importance of confidence, learning, and resilience in every stage of development.