Jigna Dharia is an EEO analyst in Lockheed Martin's Space line of business. She oversees affirmative action programs, accommodation initiatives, EEO data/analysis, and workforce consulting.

These efforts have positively impacted 20,000 employees, contractors, and customers and have helped Lockheed Martin achieve its goal of promoting inclusivity and diversity.

Jigna uses her skills as a data analyst to promote equity in hiring, retention, and compensation for marginalized groups.

She has implemented several initiatives, including customized dashboards for leaders to assess metrics for women and people of color, a program to address unconscious bias in hiring and promotion decisions.

Jigna has also presented quarterly reports for human resources leaders to enhance Functional Affirmative Action Program programming, which allows supply and service contractors to develop affirmative action programs that are based on a business function or business unit.

Her expertise has earned her several awards, including the Evolving Our Culture awards and a Pinnacle Award for Innovation.

Jigna is dedicated to mentoring early-career women of color while promoting STEM and workplace opportunities for Asian Americans through Lockheed Martin's Professional Asian American Network.

Despite being located in Colorado, Jigna has been able to balance her responsibilities, including caring for her aging parents. She advocates for similar accommodations for her colleagues.

Jigna and her mother came to the U.S. from India when she was only two years old. Her father was already working as a civil engineer in Queens, New York, where they settled before moving to New Jersey.

Jigna attended Rutgers University as a commuter student and secured an internship with the Social Security Administration to help cover expenses.

She enjoyed interviewing people applying for Social Security benefits and realized she wanted to pursue a career in a similar field that involved helping others.

After earning a bachelor's degree in economics, Jigna moved to Maryland. She held various roles, including administrative assistant and corporate EEO specialist at Anteon Corporation, before joining Lockheed Martin as a senior EEO analyst.