Mylan To, a project manager at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division, was selected to receive the Managerial Leadership in Government Award at the 2017 Women of Color STEM Conference. To has been working in the Department of Defense since 1987 and has a wealth of leadership and career experience.

Throughout her career at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division, To has held multiple management positions and is currently responsible for managing and overseeing all planning and execution tasking associated with the In-Service Engineering of the Mission Module Program.

Her dedication to civil service in the Department of the Navy is rooted in her experience as a refugee. According to her interview with J.W. Marcum, To, her family, and over 400 other Vietnamese refugees attempted to escape war-torn Vietnam in 1979. They were attacked by pirates shortly after departure and left stranded at sea.

To and the other refugees were eventually rescued by the crew of USS Robert E. Peary (FF-1073). She received asylum in the United States and settled in San Diego with her family where she learned English and completed high school.

To advises Warfare Center employees to fully comprehend their current position and ensure that their contributions align. Then, it’s important to challenge oneself with new opportunities to expand your knowledge of Navy-focused programs at a higher level of involvement. By doing so, you can develop additional skills and enhance the ones you already possess to contribute to the Navy's mission.