"WOC STEM Awardee Leadership Insights | We’re All Leaders! Be the Change You Want to See" was first published on LinkedIn (August 4) by Sheila Noriega, a business and digital transformation senior manager at Lockheed Martin.

I am a Digital Transformation leader. I’m lucky to lead a team of individuals passionate about igniting change. My job as their leader is to ensure we’re working toward a common vision, while empowering every team member to achieve our desired outcomes. I drive accountability for my team, and I'm also their cheerleader, because I know that we’re ALL leaders.

Lead From Where You Stand.

I learned early in my career that leadership is not restricted to titles. I entered an organization as the first new college hire in 8 years. Just imagine that! Everyone on my team was senior, with much more industry experience. That could’ve been negative and isolating. Instead, my leaders engaged and listened to my ideas. They served as my cheerleaders, and they served as a critical but constructive voice, ultimately allowing me to lead from where I stood and encouraging me to be a change agent.

Today, I empower my team to lead from where they stand, because the impact of our combined strengths is powerful.

Be the Change You Want to See.

My family upbringing instilled a deep value for embodying change we wanted to see – don’t complain, trail blaze (or said in my native Spanish as: Dale Pa’lante!). My father became the first solider in his family seeking broader opportunities. My parents were the first bilingual generation immigrating from Puerto Rico to open new doors. My sister and I were the first college graduates in our family, both also the first engineers. This was us being the change we wanted to see – breaking traditional norms and trailblazing new paths along the way.

The journey wasn't always easy. I encountered challenges along the way that required perseverance. I became a teen mom, welcoming a beautiful daughter during my Senior year of high school. I faced the challenge of negative perceptions and being told that my dreams were over. But in those challenging moments, my family simply whispered Dale Pa’lante, Mi Amor. Don't Complain, Trail blaze. It was the spark I needed to keep pushing forward. I graduated with honors, ranked in the top 10 of my Senior High School Class and pursued an engineering degree with my daughter in tow.

Today, my daughter has continued the trailblazing family tradition. She became the first doctor in our family serving as a foot and ankle surgeon for our nation’s veterans and is the only Latina in her department. She is the next generation inspired by those before her.

Inspiration Matters.

Never forget who may be watching as you trail blaze new paths. Even little acts inspire others. Reach out to those rising up behind you, encourage their journeys, and share your own experiences. Mentoring is made up of little acts that inspire with huge impact.

Today, I’m thrilled to represent Latinas and Women of Color as a Technology All Star at the 2020 Woman of Color STEM Conference. Dream big, break traditional norms, and trail blaze! I’m excited to be on this path with all of you.

Sheila leads a team that drives architecture, engineering excellence, agile culture, and tool innovations. She has 20 years of experience at Lockheed Martin as a Systems Engineer, Project Manager, Agile Leader and Product Owner, Leadership Development Manager, and Systems Engineering Functional Leader. Sheila values continuous learning, mentoring early career professionals & college students, and inspiring the next generation toward STEM careers.