Kellie Daffron

I attribute much of my success to the incredible exposure I’ve had throughout my career and, even more importantly, to the people who have invested in me along the way. I’ve had opportunities to work across different missions, technologies, and environments, and each experience has challenged me to learn something new and expand the way I think.

Learning has always been my favorite part of what I do. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside incredibly intelligent people who are generous with their knowledge, and I’ve learned that if you’re willing to listen, ask questions, and stay curious, there is so much you can absorb from the people around you.

I’ve also been incredibly fortunate to have exceptional mentors throughout my career. Early on, I had leaders who saw potential in me, encouraged me to pursue training and professional development, and pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I credit so much of where I am today to those opportunities and to the people who took the time to teach me, challenge me, and help me grow. I try to carry that forward now by being that same kind of resource for others whenever I can.

The best career advice I ever received came from a chief who sat me down and asked, “What is in the best interest of your family right now?” That question completely changed the way I thought about my career.

He encouraged me to create a 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year plan, but instead of focusing solely on professional milestones, he challenged me to think about the life I wanted outside of work. From there, we worked backward: What education would I need? What training should I pursue? What opportunities would help me build not only the career I wanted, but the life I wanted?

That perspective has stayed with me, and it’s advice I would give to anyone: don’t build your life around your career—build a career that supports the life you want. Think about what matters most to you and where you hope to be years from now, personally as well as professionally. Then be intentional about choosing opportunities that move you in that direction.

The other piece of advice that has always stuck with me is to never burn a bridge. The professional world is much smaller than it seems, and you never know when your path will cross with someone again. Treat people well, protect your reputation, and value the relationships you build along the way.

A successful career shouldn’t just be measured by titles or promotions. It should help you create a life that reflects your priorities, supports the people and things that matter to you, and gives you the freedom to pursue what is meaningful to you.

The advice I would give to young women entering this industry is to never underestimate the power of grace and confidence. There may be moments when you’re underestimated, questioned, or faced with comments that feel unfair. You don’t have to meet every comment with a response. Sometimes a smile, a gracious response, and continuing forward say far more.

Stay curious and, above all, stay teachable. Seek out people you admire, ask questions, and take the opportunities that challenge you. Don’t be afraid to admit when you don’t know something. Some of the most valuable lessons in my career have come from simply being willing to listen.

And don’t let difficult experiences harden you. You can be ambitious and still be kind. You can hold your own in a room without needing to overpower it. There is a great deal of strength in knowing who you are and treating people well.

Be gracious, stay curious, and never make yourself smaller just to make someone else more comfortable.

One of the biggest challenges in my field is how quickly the pace can change. There are periods when you’re able to settle into a comfortable rhythm, and then almost overnight, you’re asked to absorb an incredible amount of information, adjust priorities, and solve complex problems very quickly. It requires you to be adaptable and comfortable with the fact that you may not always know what the day will bring.

I also think that’s one of the greatest opportunities. You’re constantly being challenged to learn, think differently, and grow into situations that may initially feel unfamiliar. I’ve found that some of the most demanding seasons are often the ones that teach you the most.

Another opportunity I’d love to see is more women discovering careers in these technical fields. I began my career in an environment where women were a very small minority, and for much of my career I’ve been the only woman in the room. Today, I’m fortunate to work alongside many talented women, and it has been wonderful to see that change.

There is so much room for women in technology, engineering, and defense, and I hope more young women see these fields as places where they can learn, contribute, and build careers they’re genuinely proud of.

Family first, always.

It’s possible to be deeply committed to the work while still recognizing that the people around us have lives and families that matter tremendously.

There will be times when someone’s child is sick, a parent needs care, or life simply requires them to step away. When the team has the ability to lighten that load—whether by covering a meeting, picking up an extra task, or simply offering some understanding—that’s what good teammates do.

Everyone goes through seasons when they need a little grace, and seasons when they’re in a position to extend it to someone else. A strong team creates an environment where, when something truly important is happening at home, people don’t feel forced to choose between being there for the people they love and letting their team down.

That kind of support also has a way of coming full circle. When people know their team will show up for them when it matters, they’re much more willing to show up for others when the roles are reversed.

At the end of the day, work will always be there. The opportunity to show up for the people who matter to us won’t always be. That’s why family comes first.