Joan Robinson-Berry, vice president and general manager of Boeing South Carolina, received the 2017 Achievement Award at the Women in Aerospace's annual awards ceremony last week, in the company of a team of Boeing supporters.

"We are incredibly proud of Joan and the recognition she is receiving for her positive contributions to our industry," said Kevin McAllister, president, and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Joan is among a growing number of Boeing leaders who actively demonstrate what it means to be true champions for diversity and strong role models for our industry."

Throughout her more than 30-year Boeing career, Robinson-Berry has promoted science, technology, education and mathematics across Boeing as well as in the communities where she has lived including Long Beach, Seattle, St. Louis, Chicago, and Charleston. In particular, she has focused on inspiring students to pursue technical education, drawing on her own experiences to illustrate how socioeconomic challenges can be overcome. She works tirelessly to bring a message of hope and confidence to students who need the inspiration to aspire to careers in engineering, technology and development.

"This year, we have an exceptional list of awardees who were selected amongst the best and brightest in the industry," said Shelli Brunswick, chairperson of Women in Aerospace. "Joan is a true leader for aerospace education, and she is especially tenacious when advocating for young women in this industry."

Women in Aerospace annually recognizes women who have made significant contributions to the aerospace community. Boeing has been a corporate supporter of the organization since its inception in 1985, and throughout that time Women in Aerospace has recognized more than eight past and present Boeing leaders.

Robinson-Berry has received extensive recognition for her work in science, technology, engineering and mathematics from global organizations and various members of Congress.

In 2016, Robinson-Berry was recognized as one of Women’s Enterprise USA’s Top 100 Leaders in Supplier Diversity. She received the Women of Color Professional Achievement Award in 2015. She also received Career Communications Group's 2007 Black Engineer of the Year Achievement Award and was inducted into their Alumni Hall of Fame in 2012. Robinson-Berry was recognized in 2011 and 2012 by Uptown Professional magazine as one of the Top 100 executives in America.