MY GREATEST CHALLENGE
“When I was considering an engineering graduate program overseas,” Sepahban said, “I real- ized how fortunate we all are for the openness and flexibility that are the hallmarks of our nation and indeed attract the best and brightest to this country.”
at the frontlines. She also discussed the ingredients to successfully ride the waves of change and take advan- tage of oceans of opportunity.
“What drives us, and causes the level of innovation being recognized tonight, is our passion for doing everything we can to make warfighters around the world safer, and operationally effective as possible,” Sepahban said.
But no worthwhile innovation is ever easy, she cau- tioned. “In our complex and inter-connected world, it’s imperative we see the whole picture,” Sepahban said. “It’s becoming more and more difficult, perhaps impos- sible, to solve problems in isolation. In fact, a common factor in environments that breed innovation seems to be openness and collaboration.”
Sepahban credited her family’s “tribal-like devotion and common purpose” as the source for her collaborative bent. “It seemed unthinkable to go it alone.” She also gave a bow to the diversity of her background for her sense of curiosity with an unwavering resolve to find solutions and never give up. Born to immigrant parents in Philadelphia, the largest city in the state of Pennsylva- nia and one of the most populous in the United States, change and diversity were the only constants growing up, she said.
“My parents came from diverse backgrounds. Father was a brilliant engineer. By the time I was born, he already had several patents and many technical accom- plishments. But it was Mother, an incredibly talented and passionate artist, who insisted that I should pursue my passion for STEM. She has inspired and encouraged me throughout my life and continues to support me in my career.”
After high school, the young Sonya headed more than 200 miles north to Ithaca in New York. By 1982, she had graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor’s in chemical engineering and then flew to Paris, France, for a bachelor’s in business administration. Three years later, she had earned a master’s in chemical engineering from Rice University in Houston, Texas, followed by an M.B.A. from the University of Houston in 1990.
“When I was considering an engineering graduate pro- gram overseas,” Sepahban said, “I realized how fortu- nate we all are for the openness and flexibility that are the hallmarks of our nation and indeed attract the best and brightest to this country…Sometimes, however, it seems we may be getting away from this spirit when we see highly partisan behaviors displayed publicly,” she said wryly.
Sepahban said she believes there are two essential ingredients to successfully ride the waves of change and take advantage of oceans of opportunity: curiosity and collaboration.
“I believe we all need to play a part in motivating the new generation to develop the same sense of curios- ity and adventure that this nation was built upon,” she urged. “Through our mentorship, we can make great strides in shaping the future and creating a tidal wave of innovation that will carry us forward.
“We must get back to the key ingredient that makes this country great, leveraging the rich diversity of our cultures,” Sepahban said. “We must encourage and sup- port collaboration in any shape and form, anywhere and anytime we can.”
by Lango Deen,
ldeen@ccgmag.com
www.womenofcolor.net
WOMENOFCOLOR | FALL 2013
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