2009 Women of Color Award Winners
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY CORPORATE
RESPONSIBILITY
Cheryl W. Horn
Manager, Community Relations
Traceé N. Strum-Gilliam, AICP
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Supervising Environmental Engineer
BA – University of Texas, San Antonio Parsons Brinckerhoff
MBA – Pepperdine University
BS –environmental engineering, Morgan
State University
Too often the story of a compa-
ny’s involvement in community
As the construction industry
outreach activities gets lost in the
changes, more emphasis is placed
focus on contract dollars, giant
on planning of projects. Parson Brinckerhoff’s planning team
mergers and employment numbers. Cheryl
has more than 800 practitioners, and Traceé Strum Gilliam, a
Horn has a vision about promoting Northrop Grumman as
civil engineer by training, is one of the professionals making
a responsible corporate citizen and about how her employer
contributions to projects that will change the way communi-
can live up to its values regarding social responsibility.
ties grow and sustain themselves.
Within the culture of high-tech manufacturing, Horn is mar-
She has worked on more than 25 projects and managed
shalling resources that enrich the lives of hundreds of teachers
more than 10. Her project management skills and expertise
and tens of thousands of students every year. She is the
in environmental justice and public involvement are making
person asking, ‘Where can we help? What can I do today?’
signifi cant contributions not only to the fi rm, but also to the
and Northrop Grumman’s workplace and communities
Washington, DC community. Strum Gilliam was named the
across the United States are better places because of her.
National Environmental Justice Lead in 2008, and PB recently
Horn has helped Northrop Grumman invest tens of millions of
certifi ed her as a Professional Associate in recognition of her
dollars and thousands of employee volunteer hours into local
technical excellence.
communities. She also has led company efforts to partner
She has assessed ongoing projects for two major clients: the
with organizations such as the Sally Ride Science Festival for
Maryland Transit Authority (MTA) and the Maryland State
Girls, the National Action Council on Minorities in Engineer-
Highway Administration, to determine how to increase inter-
ing, NSBE, SHPE and many others.
action with residents of underserved communities on issues
Horn’s management of the Northrop Grumman Foundation’s
of environmental justice. Strum-Gilliam’s assessment resulted
Weightless Flights of Discovery is aimed at re-igniting teach-
in a comprehensive set of packages to engage low-income
ers’ passion for science, so they will encourage students to
and minority communities in West Baltimore. Her work on
pursue careers in technical fi elds. Through Horn’s leadership,
the Red Line Transit Corridor Study concentrated on ensuring
nearly 1,000 math and science teachers —student teachers as
the community understands key elements of the project and
well, have participated in fl ights that allow them to experi-
its benefi ts. At one meeting, she recorded the comments of a
ence what it is like for astronauts in space. Thousands of K-12
resident with limited writing ability, so that the person could
students have been touched by her message of just how far
take part and feel the state agency was listening.
math and science can take them.
The South Capitol Street Environmental Impact Statement
Another multi-faceted program being implemented nationally
and the Atlanta-Chattanooga Maglev were two other proj-
by Horn is “Defi ning the Future,” a community initiative that
ects where she helped communities overcome differences in
seeks to address the declining number of technical students
social and economic standing, and cultural expectations to
in the United States. The program puts emphasis on women
build consensus. She handled substantial responsibilities in
and people of color – demographics that remain under-repre-
preparing the high-profi le South Capitol Street statement,
sented in most STEM disciplines.
which analyzed potential to transform one of Washington’s
major gateways from a dreary urban freeway into a gracious
As a direct result of Horn’s leadership, the company has been
boulevard.
recognized with prestigious awards, such as the Ron Brown
Award for Corporate Leadership, which is presented at the
The US Congress and many federal and local agencies in the
White House by the Secretary of Commerce. The award came
Washington area oversee the study process. The outcome will
in recognition of NG’s commitment to forming community
affect not only the lives of residents, but also the experience of
partnerships and empowering employees, while still promot-
visitors from around the country and the world.
ing practices that improve business performance. In 2009, the
The Maryland native says she is a civil engineer by training but
National Alliance of Black School Educators hailed Northrop
her passion is planning, because it “is at the center of all the
Grumman for its philanthropic contributions to public educa-
building Parsons Brinckerhoff does,” Strum-Gilliam explains.
tion over a sustained period with its “Salute to Supreme Excel-
“Whether it’s bridges, tunnels, roadways, mass-transit systems
lence” award.
or airports.”
32 WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2009
www.womenofcolor.net
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