Women’s Equality Day celebrates the passage of the 19th Amendment and recognizes the tremendous strides women have made in achieving equality. To mark the day, we spotlight Katherine Hawley, a LEO User Engagement Scientist with NOAA’s Office of Low Earth Orbit Observations (LEO).
In the following conversation, we spoke with Katherine to learn more about her role managing user engagement for LEO satellite data products, helping to highlight the significant contributions of women in science and technology.
What is your job title and what do you do?
My title is LEO User Engagement Scientist. I am the User Engagement Manager for LEO satellite and data products. In this role, I develop and implement strategies, goals, and performance measures for projects focused on user engagement. I help the LEO team prioritize work and develop user engagement activities and projects to support LEO’s mission. A key part of my job is building relationships with NESDIS, NOAA, and external communities to ensure mission success.
What do you like most about working for LEO/JPSS?
I have the opportunity to work with a fantastic team and help shape the future of our LEO satellite constellation. As part of this mission, I can contribute to something meaningful and have a positive impact on humanity.
Who is your biggest inspiration and what influence have they had on you and your work?
Honestly, many people inspire me. But if I had to pick a single person who has influenced my work and inspired me to be the best person I can be, it would be Barbara Watson. She is the retired meteorologist from the NWS Forecast Office in State College, PA, and was my mentor for many years. She helped me overcome many challenges in my career, and I aspire to be like her. She is a strong, compassionate, courageous, and inspirational leader and lives by incredible leadership values. She has supported not only my career, but those of many other NOAA employees. I hope to one day be even half as inspiring as she was.
How does your background influence your daily work?
I grew up in Dewey, a small rural community in northeast Oklahoma. I am very proud of my upbringing in this rural setting and have incorporated many of the community values I learned there into my life. However, the environment I grew up in was not always diverse, and there was limited support for women pursuing careers in science, engineering, or math. This perspective on diversity played a role in my pursuit of success in my career, but continues to influence my attitude toward teamwork, and I try to create equitable and diverse environments. When I attend LEO community outreach events, I encourage everyone to dream big and help them get information and pursue opportunities. I want to help make their dreams come true and show them it is possible.
On Women’s Equality Day, as we reflect on the passage of the 19th Amendment, how has the evolution of women’s rights influenced your daily work?
I am incredibly grateful to live in a time where women have the right to vote, buy a home, have their own credit card, and be financially independent. Especially in today’s political landscape, I don’t take “our” right to vote for granted. That right to vote paved the way for so many of the women’s rights we have today.—from maternity leave to equal pay to having a voice. This has paved the way for me to push boundaries, stand up for what is right in the workplace, and advance my career while having a family. I’m not sure any of this would be possible today if the 19th Amendment had not been passed.
What advice would you give to someone starting a career in your field?
Dream big, try different career paths, and don’t be afraid to fail. It’s more than OK to not know exactly what you want to do for the rest of your life. And it’s OK to make mistakes. Some of the best lessons I’ve ever learned in my career that have made me who I am today come from failure.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I am a young mother and have a 1st degree black belt in Taekwondo.
