Maria Thorpe is an experienced director of the Human Systems Engineering Department at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Systems Acquisition Group.

With over 30 years of expertise in human systems engineering and naval aviation, Thorpe has held influential leadership positions in her career and has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills.

Throughout her career, she has overseen a diverse team of civilian, military, and contractor employees across different locations.

Thorpe champions initiatives to promote the representation of underrepresented groups in traditionally overlooked occupations.

Apart from her professional work, Thorpe is also passionate about guiding children and families and imparting critical thinking and strategic planning skills through chess.

Thorpe's exceptional contributions have been recognized through numerous accolades. In 2022, she was honored with the Department of the Navy (DoN) Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI) Program Administering Officer of the Year Award.

The HBCU/MI Program aims to increase the participation of HBCU/MIs in the Navy's Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) programs and activities.

Its mission is to enhance the research capabilities of these institutions by providing opportunities for basic and applied research and improving the quality and quantity of STEM programs for minority researchers and graduates.

Thorpe's dedication has helped the Department of the Navy to become better enablers of the STEM talent pipeline produced at the nation's HBCU/MIs.

She established the Naval Air Systems Command's HBCU/MI Internship Program in 2016 with funding from the Department of the Navy and continues to provide valuable RDT&E opportunities and experiences to underrepresented populations in the Department of Defense STEM workforce.

Thorpe's visionary leadership has earned her recognition throughout the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, and academia.

She frequently serves on technical review panels to enhance the RDT&E research capabilities of HBCU/MIs.

During the COVID pandemic, Maria successfully transitioned her on-site, in-person internship program to a hybrid environment.

This pilot program has proven successful in engaging students to help solve big problems and advance the diversity of thought to solve complex challenges facing the warfighter.