Johnson Recognizes AANHPI Workforce

In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, NASA’S Johnson Space Center is highlighting our incredible workforce who come from a multitude of cultures, backgrounds, and experiences, particularly those of Asian descent who continue to make valuable contributions to NASA’s success.

Read ahead to learn more about the AANHPI workforce at Johnson who have significantly contributed to the NASA mission.

 

 

***

 

Meet Dr. Wilma Rose Anton: A Filipino Immigrant and Risk Manager for the Human Research Program  

 

Wilma is a role model for many Southeast Asian women who wish to be part of the human spaceflight program one day. She is the risk manager for the Human Research Program that conducts research and technology activities to support healthy and productive crews for exploration missions. Working within the Program Planning and Control Office and in support of the program director, Wilma manages the process for identifying, mitigating, and communicating programmatic risks to facilitate achievement of the program’s goals and the implementation of its functions. Wilma also supports delivery of the program’s research products to its customers within the Maturation and Integration Office.

“Dr. Wilma Anton is a terrific colleague here at JSC! She has a Ph.D. in Economics, so it is inspiring to see how she brings her expertise in this discipline towards the human spaceflight program,” said one individual who nominated Wilma for recognition.

 

 

Wilma took over the risk manager position after her civil servant customer left the Human Research Program. It fell to Wilma to reenergize the risk management process at a time when it was not fully integrated into the program’s activities. Engaging program personnel and implementing a more participatory process was an exciting challenge and project for her. 

One important lesson Wilma has learned throughout her career is that having a true appreciation of your workplace really enhances your work life. “There is an intrinsic cool factor attached to our jobs working for NASA, but we can additionally step outside of our work roles, sincerely support the mission, and be involved - attend activities and special presentations, meet more NASA teammates, volunteer to represent NASA at outreach events, join celebrations. These make work life more meaningful,” she says.

 

How do you navigate your identity in the workplace? Do you have thoughts about how NASA should address diversity and inclusion in the workplace? 

“I am a woman of color and an immigrant with a cultural heritage from a place far away. I have learned to embrace my identity with confidence so that I don’t feel insecure about what I can contribute to a discussion or a project, and when I don’t understand conversational context (those idioms!), I simply ask.”

I think NASA has been wonderful at addressing diversity and inclusion – a dedicated office for it, many women and people of color in leadership positions, diverse employee resource groups, and established diversity and inclusion initiatives. I imagine there are some areas that still have opportunities to be supported, such as pandemic hires and remote workers needing more inclusion, and civil servant-contractor relationships. The mandate is there, so leaders (to the lower levels) should just make sure that they walk the talk within their respective groups and, more importantly, track metrics of success to ensure positive impact. 

 

What types of challenges have you faced in your career, and how have you overcome them? 

Not having a physical science or engineering degree (my doctorate is in applied economics), I often and easily felt out of place in the sea of STEM degree holders at NASA. Earlier on, I made deliberate efforts to attend and participate in NASA events to constantly be reminded of my small part in the bigger NASA mission. Seeing crew members at various events is always inspiring and they are never short of thanking anyone who has directly and indirectly supported their missions. The message I often hear from leadership, that NASA is a community that values everyone’s contributions, is reaffirming.

 

Can you describe a specific moment where you felt very proud of yourself? 

A few years ago, I helped organize the ASIA Employee Resource Group celebration event for AANHPI Heritage Month. It was well-attended - former JSC directors Dr. Ellen Ochoa and Mark Geyer were there, as well as astronaut candidates and cosmonauts. We also had great food and performances - it was such a fun event. I am also proud of raising two good kids and getting them through college.

 

What are you looking forward to in the future of space exploration? 

I’m looking forward to the success of sustaining Moon missions and what we learn from those to enable the Mars missions!

 

What do you hope to pass on to the Artemis Generation?    

 

The excitement is high at this time, seeing how the future of the Moon and Mars exploration missions is taking shape. I hope that the Artemis Generation runs with this excitement with the greatest enthusiasm and drive, knowing that they will be there to see these missions come to fruition!

 

Any creative outlets and hobbies you have that you would like to share with us? 

I’m a novice vegetable gardener, waiting for any harvest to end up on my plate. I also enjoy Iron Chef-ing in the kitchen - or more like the Chopped show, with no food or pantry ingredient overlooked. And karaoke is in every Filipino’s blood!

 

***

 

Get to Know Nathan Tat: Financial Analyst for the Human Health & Performance Contract

 

Nathan is a financial analyst working on financial and business operations for the Human Health & Performance Contract (HHPC). In this role, Nathan collaborates with NASA scientists and engineers to maintain and improve human health for space exploration.

“Each day, I am reminded of the ever-expanding role of space in our society, on Earth and beyond,” he says. “It is incredible to be a part of the Artemis Generation!”

Nathan was fascinated by space at a young age, but as someone with numerous personal and professional interests, he pursued career opportunities in several industries before becoming an intern at JSC. His JSC internships paved the way for Nathan to take on his current role.

Given his unique career path, Nathan encourages others to be curious and open minded. “Be open to exploring different career paths! Something which you may start out with may result differently than you expected,” he says.

 

 

How do you navigate your identity in the workplace? Do you have thoughts about how NASA should address diversity and inclusion in the workplace?

Food is a central foundation of culture. When craving a sweet treat, I love eating boba-flavored ice cream bars, tasting Taiwanese shaved ice, and munching on mochinuts (a combination of mochis and donuts). I was super thrilled to see the event showcasing a variety of Asian cuisines right here at JSC! It is also exciting how JSC has fantastic Asian establishments nearby such as Oriental Gourmet Express and Ca Phe Phin.

 

What is one important lesson you have learned throughout your career?

In third grade, I became fascinated with space and even gave a presentation on black holes to my friends! However, my first professional role was being a biomedical research intern at the University of Texas Medical Branch while still in high school (go, Mustangs!). I have been involved in space and several other industries before landing in my current role.

 

What types of challenges have you faced in your career, and how have you overcome them?

Sometimes it can be a challenge to find the specific route that I am drawn to. As a person who has a diverse range of interests, I am open to learning new things. In fact, I have never missed a day of school! Though my background includes economics and business, I am always eager to investigate novel paths. To widen my perspectives and understanding, I often enroll in various classes and webinars.

 

Can you describe a specific moment where you felt very proud of yourself?

One moment was when I was named as a “20 Under 35” honoree by Space and Satellite Professionals International. This list recognizes rising young professionals in aerospace. As I crossed the stage during Silicon Valley Space Week to receive my award, I was so grateful for that honor and for my mentors, supervisors, and colleagues who have helped me throughout my journey.

Prior to launching my current role, I completed internships here at JSC. During a beautiful summer morning, I was pleasantly greeted by my colleagues as they said there was an online social media feature. When I checked, I was surprised to find myself featured as part of the National Intern Day celebration at NASA!

 

What are you looking forward to in the future of space exploration?

I am always keen to learn more about the space industry. In the future, I would love to become more involved in technology transfer or space policy and economics. The space industry’s growth has been explosive, and it is rewarding to be at the center of human spaceflight. My degrees at Rice University are in space studies and economics/business, so I am interested in deepening my knowledge of these fields or even starting up a new company!

 

What do you hope to pass on to the Artemis Generation?   

Growing up, I was grateful for the support of my incredible family, friends, teachers, and mentors in Friendswood and the Galveston area. In return, I hope to help inspire others within the Artemis Generation!

 

Any creative outlets/hobbies you have that you would like to share with us?

In my spare time, I play the piano and arrange music! I also venture to the beach and explore. I also enjoy relaxing with a book or brainstorming ideas for “The Nathan Tat Show”! History is also another passion, and I even medaled at a regional history fair. While representing Taking Our Best Shot (follow us on social media or check out takingourbestshot.org), I completed my first 5K at the Galveston County Health District’s Turkey Trot. Most importantly, I love spending time with my friends and family. A huge shoutout to my parents, Andy and Donna Tat, and my sisters, Vivian and Candise Tat!

 

***

 

Meet Joreen Lee: A First-Generation College Graduate Leading NASA’s Enterprise Business Architecture

 

 

Joreen is the enterprise business architect with the Office of the Chief Information Officer’s (OCIO) Enterprise Business Management and Strategy and Architecture Offices. She helps OCIO to ensure that overall resources, IT solutions, and technological architectures are aligned with enterprise strategic objectives, which involves working with key internal and OCIO external stakeholders. In her more than 16 years with NASA, Joreen has also served as Johnson’s privacy manager, conducted Capital Planning and Investment Control and IT policy reviews and implementation, and supported development of the first version of the Agency IT Security Handbook.

 

Joreen believes that enterprise data transparency is a powerful tool that fosters collaboration and builds trust between colleagues and teams because it supports accountability and informed decision making. “My passion is to build relationships and build up others around me. Thus, the most enjoyable part of any project I get to work on is to build relationships and foster a strong team spirit among all team members and partners to empower them to participate and to own the overall solution,” she says.

 

 

 

 

Joreen grew up in Hong Kong and was the first female in her family to go to college. She overcame numerous challenges to complete her degree - including a lack of family and financial support - and now seeks to empower other first-generation college students and Asian women to pursue their educational and professional dreams.

 

“I had the best mentors in college, who actually helped me find jobs while attending college, recommended me for scholarships, and encouraged me to pursue my dreams,” Joreen says. “These role models helped me to understand that perseverance and sincerity are essential to being true to yourself and these are the values that I try to emphasize in interactions with others.”

 

 

 

Can you think of a project that you were passionate about and was exciting for you?

 

I am passionate about almost all of the projects that I get to work on or lead. Many of these projects yield enormous cost savings and process improvements through enterprise data transparency and empowering key stakeholders to leverage data insights.

 

Recently, I received digital transformation funding to model and pilot the enterprise business data dashboard. The dashboard leverages existing enterprise capabilities, tools, and available business information to model data insights to improve decision making, operational efficiency, resource optimization, and enhance organizational partnership among various stakeholders. It will empower key stakeholders to take an active role in managing their resources by identifying trends, anomalies, emerging issues, and opportunities for cost optimization and process improvements. 

 

By elevating data to meaningful assets, data transparency can be a powerful catalyst for teaming and collaboration that fosters a trusting culture with proper accountability and increased informed decision capability. My passion is to build relationships and build up others around me. Thus, the most enjoyable part of any project I get to work on is to build relationships and foster a strong team spirit among all team members and partners to empower them to participate and to own the overall solution.

 

 

How do you navigate your identity in the workplace? Do you have thoughts about how NASA should address diversity and inclusion in the workplace?

 

NASA colleagues have become my family, and many share similar values. I recently transitioned into a new position in the OCIO Enterprise Level Office where many of my colleagues are located at different NASA centers. It has been a challenging time learning a new job, adjusting to new colleagues, and learning to work remotely with a dispersed team.  

 

I think NASA has done a great job to provide a good working environment for a diverse workforce. I think presentation coaching would help some employees be more effective in communicating their ideas and thoughts on better teaming.

 

Cultural identity involves shared values, beliefs, customs, traditions, language, and social norms which shape one’s behavior and perceptions. I grew up in Hong Kong as part of a traditional Chinese family where caring, respect, integrity, loyalty, reliability, and hard work were very important and shaped me into who I am.

 

 

Can you describe a specific moment where you felt very proud of yourself?

 

I felt immensely proud of myself when I graduated from college. My father was not supportive of me being the first female in our family to go to college as he came from a traditional Asian viewpoint that a woman's place was in the home. I was the first woman on my father's side of the family to ever graduate from college and have become a trailblazer for my nieces. It was an enormous challenge working as a tutor during my high school years, as well as throughout my college years, since I had very little financial support from my relatives. There were many times when I felt like giving up, but I had a strong church group who encouraged me and supported me in many ways. 

 

 

What do you hope to pass on to the Artemis Generation?

 

The world of work is changing by the day. It is important to continue to learn and be adaptive. Take time to find passion and embrace opportunities to be a giver to the organizations and others around you.