The STEM activist, Patricia Valoy highlighted in this short video the concept of not fearing failure, but embracing failure.  Understanding that failure is not always a bad thing, but can provide a learning opportunity,  and then embracing failure for further opportunities.  I AGREE! 
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As I have mentioned in the past, my personal mission statement as a transformational  leader is to:  

To be a transformational leader, one must have the courage to "fall, and get back up".  With faith, authenticity, and growth, one can accomplish anything you set out to do, even when roadblocks sometimes crop up during the journey.

I understand that as transformational leaders, we must provide opportunities to everyone to "fall, and get back up.".  If all students, not just the chosen few do not have the opportunity to learn, fail, and succeed, then we have failed as leaders, including myself.    

My issue plan is to ensure everyone has the opportunity to cherish the dreams they desire.  I will use the resources at my availability to provide STEM studies to students whom don't normally have the opportunity, so that they can obtain their dreams of the future.  

​    Patricia Valoy is a STEM Advocate that is based out of New York and holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Columbia University.  She speaks and writes about many issues related to male-dominated fields including issues pertaining to women's participation in STEM studies.   
   
    She is passionate about helping young women get into the STEM field and break through the barriers of sexism and racism that are currently out there.  Her advocacy is on attracting and retaining women in STEM careers and building work environments where women are free from discrimination, sexism, and racism. 
    
    When asked about where she gets here ideas on feminism and equality she stated "My own life?  I could never write about a topic that I don't have a personal connection to."

    As an STEM activist, Patricia set's the bar  high.  I too, will set my bar high and transform to the individual that will get off the balcony and be a advocate for equal rights for all, not only in the STEM movement, but all movements that are being impacted by injustices.   

    Patricia was asked in an interview to distill her message into three sentences to share in a megaphone with the world, what would it be?  She said "I am angry.  I demand.  You have been warned".    I can relate and understand.  If I was to respond to that question, this would be my response:

I am enlightened!  I will make change!  This is my promise to you! 
    
References:   
https://patriciavaloy.com/about-me/
https://ravishly.com/ladies-we-love/patricia-valoy-civil-engineer-stem-advocate

    My definition of a vision is the transformation of one self in such a way that you understand what is required to transform the issue and  act on that vision. 
    When I say act, what I mean is that as a visionary leader you have to not only understand the issue, but you have to change your beliefs and actions based on your vision towards the issue.  The visionary leader must remove old biases and be able to understand the changes that are needed to meet the goals of the vision to impact the issue.  

 
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I seen this Microsoft commercial narrated by the rapper "Common" the other day that made me think, "WOW", what a powerful message.  This message aligns with my issue vision and the tools available to the new generation. 
    Technology is:
Possibility, Adaptability, and Capability, but in the end, it is only a tool as mentioned in the commercial. 
    He asks, "What's a hammer with out the person to swing it".  That is what I ask as well, what will the world do if we don't have the person to turn technology into the new cure for cancer, alleviating fossil fuel dependencies, or improving the quality of life for the world.  This is the opportunities that STEM students are given and as world leaders, we must make sure students all students receive the availability to STEM curriculum.  

    I have learned over this past year that without providing the proper tools to our future generations,  society will lose out on brilliant minds providing solutions to our global issues. 
    My mission, as a leader in information technology, is to not rest on my laurels, but to make sure that the young minds in my community have the opportunity to succeed and  reach for the stars!

    Although my agency is just a small piece of the world, my community expands throughout the Federal government and the community I live in.  To make a difference, I understand that I have to not just have my vision, but act upon it.  
     I previously describe in my issue exploration blog my participation in the education forum with the Federal Government called National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE).  I have increased my participation in the forum and plan on attending the NICE forum's annual conference later this year.  My goal during the forum is to participate and reach out to STEM group's involved with the forum and see what action's I can do to help with their initiatives.  
    I also am volunteering my services with the local chapter of STEM Scouts in my community.  Because of my educational background, I will be an asset and can help in leading young minds to the challenges and excitement of learning STEM technology concepts.  

Technology is defining the world we live in and offering opportunities to individuals that will change their lives and the world that we live in now, as well as the future.  My goal, as a transformational,  servant leader is to be the leader that assists with providing  opportunities to students, regardless of their race, gender, or social standing so that they can be full participants in STEM studies and change the world.  

    I am the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB).  Currently, the RRB's technology and workforce is outdated and retiring.  The Chief Information Officer (CIO) has a Information Technology strategic road map with new technologies builtin that is expected to replace our current technology over the next years.  
    Without new employees coming into the RRB with the appropriate skillset, the agency will not be able to meet our performance goals and will impact our customer's negatively.  
    This skillset will come directly from the STEM community.  The RRB will be moving into cloud services, developing new, agile, object oriented languages, and helping the CIO meet the technological demands for his strategic plan.  Without STEM employees, our technology department will fall behind and the RRB will not meet our IT goals.
    My individual vision for educating students early in their childhood development will not only help them in meeting their goals, but will also help with organizations such as mine in meeting our technological goals.  
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