CyberWire Daily Anisha Patel: Right along with them. [Program management] [Career Notes]
Jul 20, 2025
Anisha Patel, Associate Director at Raytheon Intelligence and Space, has dedicated her career to STEM, especially in electrical engineering. She reflects on her journey as a first-generation American navigating the challenges of female representation in engineering. Anisha emphasizes the importance of mentorship and discusses her shift into program management, highlighting the need for diversity of thought in the industry. Her leadership philosophy promotes collaboration and high standards, underscoring her vision for a more inclusive future in STEM.
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From STEM Roots to Leadership
- Anisha Patel's STEM career path was shaped by her first-generation Asian American upbringing and love of math.
- She joined Raytheon as a hardware engineer and transitioned to program management, where she has remained for over 7 years.
STEM Diversity Expands
- STEM fields now include diverse areas such as cybersecurity and cloud architecture.
- Candidates come with varied backgrounds beyond traditional STEM degrees, showing a broader entry path.
Focus on Skills, Not Names
- Evaluate candidates focusing solely on experience and skills, ignoring names or demographics.
- This approach prevents bias and promotes diversity of thought on teams.