Donna L. Bell, Ph.D. won the Technologist of the Year Award at the 2018 Women of Color in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Conference in Detroit.
Dr. Bell is currently the director for technology, strategy, and planning at the Ford Motor Company.
"Thank you to Career Communications Group Inc. and the Women of Color Award Selection Committee for choosing me to be the 2018 Technologist of the Year," she said at the Gala. Below is a full transcript of her speech.
I grew up on Prairie Street in Detroit, in a middle-class family, in a neighborhood where all the parents on the block considered you their own. We were taught to believe we could do anything, and we sure tried.
In elementary school, I wanted to be like my dad, a carpenter, so I chose woodshop over home economics. I quickly became fond of math and science and my mother nurtured that, ensuring I participated in programs, camps, and events that would help expand my young mind.
School was always a competitive thing for me. My dad rewarded me for every A, so doing well in my classes meant doing well financially. I was the most fiscally responsible pre-teen you’d ever met.'Forging a path in STEM'
Growing up, I wasn’t exactly sure where my love for STEM would lead. Unfortunately, in the world we live in, there aren’t too many paths laid out for an African American girl from Detroit interested in learning about how things worked. So, I decided to forge my own.
That path included taking the bus on 14th Street in Detroit’s Boston Edison District to Cass Tech, waiting through 4 or 5 buses, sometimes in knee-high snow, before one would pick me up.
At Cass, I studied Business Administration and discovered that computers intrigued me; the hardware, the software, the newness. In high school, my mother made sure I knew that not going to college was never an option. She had much greater plans for me than I had for myself.
When I decided I wanted to study computer science, she recommended I consider electrical engineering. I didn’t know what computers were but was excited to find out. A degree in electrical engineering would allow me the flexibility to work on computers or any other electrical devices that piqued my interest.
My mother was insistent I remain close to home and I did, attending Lawrence Institute of Technology here in Michigan. Our family was not able to pay for college, so I secured funds through scholarships, grants, and loans.
I started on my Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at LIT, excited and eager to make my mark and received straight A's. However, during my first semester, my world was shattered. My mother, my best friend, passed away unexpectedly. This was the biggest blow to my life. I had no idea how I would recover.
Building a career and a life
It took me a few trimesters to regroup, pull things together, and improve my grades; I had to maintain my scholarship. After getting back on track, I finished school and went on to work for Dow Chemical Company in Midland Michigan.
I was given tasks like soldering, wire stripping, creating wire circuit boards and testing prototype computers.
During my first year there, I married my husband Greg and we began growing our family. After 3 years at Dow, Greg and I decided it was time to move back to Detroit. I put my resume out to various companies, and Ford called me back.
I started out at Ford in the newly created Electrical and Electronics Engineering organization as an Electrical Systems Engineer.
'First-to-Ford technologies'
There, I had the opportunity to work on many first-to-Ford technologies: generic electronic modules that combined many different functions, electrical systems for the award-winning Taurus, the first to industry sync infotainment system, fuel-efficient stop-start technology, and MyEnergi Lifestyle, a real-life solution to improving CO2 emissions.
I was then given an opportunity to improve quality for Ford’s electrical systems on a global scale, starting with delivering the newly designed Sync system to our customers. According to JD Power, we improved quality more than any other OEM.
Soon afterward, I found myself on a journey to a whole new world: Silicon Valley. I was told my job was to protect the future of Ford Motor Company. While in Palo Alto, I was responsible for leading the Research and Innovation Team in migrating to a 150,000 sq ft facility that would easily house more than 300 people.
The facility would be the first of its kind at Ford and allow cross-functional teams to work collaboratively on human center designs. The aim: to deliver Ford’s vision of introducing smart vehicles for a smart world. I delivered on that goal, and now I’m back in the D working with US CAR on protecting the future of US cars, designs, and technologies. I love what I do.
'Journey to a whole new world'
But no matter how many exciting projects I work on or problems I get to solve, none of it would be possible without the support of my incredible family. First, my mother, the best friend that led me down this path of success.
Through tough times, my dad, Lee, and my sister and brother, Monica and Gary, and mother-in-law have been my positive source of energy. My husband, Greg, with his proud texts, shares all my accomplishments with everyone and their mothers. And my amazing daughters, Eboni and Patrice, have exceeded my expectations and, from the day they were born, been my motivation to succeed and move forward in life. My family keeps me grounded while accepting and nurturing my need to keep learning.
After starting at Ford, I was encouraged to go back to school to complete my master’s in engineering. Because of who I am, I completed two master’s degrees in engineering, one in Electronics and Computer Control systems and the other in Engineering Management.
'Stepping stones to leadership'
After working in such a male-dominated industry for so long, you want to wake up feeling like a boss. So, I made it happen. Now I’m back in school working on a Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering.
I used to think to keep my head down, working hard and getting the job done would move me to the top quickly. I wasn’t aware of the politics involved and how they impacted my ability to progress. Positive reinforcement and ample opportunities provided by those willing to see my potential were the stepping stones to be the fierce leader I am.
They say it takes a village to raise a child. The same holds true for your career: a village of empathetic and passionate peers that inspire, advocate for, support and encourage you.
Inspire, advocate, support, and encourage
The list of those that have been MY village is extensive. But a few key people stand out.
People look at me and think things have been easy. But many trials and tribulations have helped shape and mold me into who I am today. The key is to not let things get to you. If you can’t change the situation, change the way you think about it.
I haven’t made it this far despite being a black woman. I’ve made it this far because I’m a brilliant Black woman. It is an honor and privilege to be this year’s ambassador for Women of Color around the world. I promise I will do the title justice. Thank you.
