Shawna Klohs

Throughout my career, I’ve been driven by the power of strong mentorship and the impact of collaborative relationships. One of the most influential figures in my journey has been Audrey Sutton, a former manager whose leadership and guidance helped shape my professional path. After working with her at a large corporation, we stayed connected, and when I began exploring new opportunities, she encouraged me to join her at her new company. Her confidence in me and her ability to illuminate the possibilities of the role played a major part in my decision to take that next step. Under her mentorship, I grew into the position I hold today.

As meaningful as it has been to learn from others, I’ve found equal fulfillment in paying that forward. I’ve had the privilege of mentoring colleagues early in their careers, including one standout former coworker Devin Paquette whom I trained from the ground up. Watching her thrive at another defense contractor earning rapid promotions, excelling in her programs, and consistently being recognized for her work, has been one of the proudest highlights of my professional life.

I’m also part of a close-knit network of peers who continue to support one another long after our time at the same company. Our group chat, affectionately named “Export Rockstars,” has become a trusted space where we share challenges, troubleshoot unusual scenarios, and celebrate each other’s wins. It’s a reminder that the best work doesn’t happen in isolation it grows from community, shared experience, and a willingness to lift each other up.

My career has been shaped not just by the roles I’ve held, but by the people who have inspired me and the people I’ve had the privilege to inspire in return.

The best advice I’ve received is simple: do the work, ask the questions, and don’t be afraid to step into the unknown. Every major opportunity in my career has come from being willing to stretch beyond what I already knew.

Working in this field has shown me just how dynamic and specialized the work can be. It’s a niche role, but an incredibly rewarding one. The position requires you to wear many hats part program manager, part engineer, part liaison with government partners all while maintaining a high level of professionalism and adaptability. The technology we work with is constantly evolving, which means there’s always something new to learn and new challenges to take on. For anyone interested in stepping into this kind of role, I’m always eager to share what I’ve learned and help guide the next generation of talent.

This year, I’ve had the opportunity to serve on a Tiger Team alongside other professionals in my discipline, collaborating to enhance the DECCS User Group. The community supports DDTC’s government portal for export authorizations. We’ve already held two sessions, and it’s been energizing to help test new features, provide real‑world feedback, and contribute to improvements that will ultimately benefit practitioners across the industry.

Hard work and mentorship have always been central to my career. One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is the growth of a former coworker I mentored straight out of college. She began her career under my guidance, and watching her move to another defense contractor, and earn recognition for her talent has been incredibly rewarding. Seeing her achievements in such a short time reinforces how meaningful it is to invest in others.

Sharing my knowledge, helping colleagues navigate complex situations, and supporting them as they develop their own expertise is one of the most fulfilling parts of my work.