As a child, Kelly Lierzer (left) wanted to design roller coasters when she grew up. But at Brown University, she discovered she could channel all her curiosity and talent for mechanical engineering into aerospace, said Sarah Toomey at a recent awards event.
Toomey, who leads a team of multi-disciplinary engineers in the design, development, validation, production, and field support of Pratt & Whitney’s turbine and exhaust jet engine products, also said that Lierzer was nominated for the Professional Achievement in Industry Award because she has led her team with integrity towards successful engine testing for 14 years.
Lierzer also represented Pratt Whitney values by participating fully in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) community outreach.
During her acceptance speech Lierzer said she grew up with her grandmother and mother in one of the last black-owned family farm properties on Guinea Hill in Northeast Philadelphia.
"There I learned about nature, basic survival techniques, and an eclectic assortment of music and history of world cultures," Lierzer said. "Surrounded by a grove of tall sugar maples and my grandmother’s wonderful extensive book collection, I was taught to dream big and nurture my enthusiasm for lifelong learning."
Currently, Lierzer is an associate director of project engineering in adaptive military exhaust programs. She supports 6th generation Fighter jet technologies and plays a major role in shaping the future of both commercial and military advanced engine technologies at Pratt & Whitney, a Raytheon Technologies Company.