At the Core of DE&I
As the top employer of women in STEM career fields in the federal government, the US Army Corps of Engineers is attuned to the need to continue pushing the limits of diversity and inclusivity initiatives.
By Monica Dutcher
All photos courtesy of USACE
In the Field With Maj. Gen. Diana Holland After Hurricane Ida
Don’t be fooled: At just 5-foot-one-inches, Maj. Gen. Diana M. Holland is a formidable leader in the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The rows of bars and peppering of pins on her uniform certainly indicate as much.
But even more compelling is her character. Maj. Gen. Holland is humble, candid, generous of spirit, intrepid, and patriotic. Moreover, this two-star general is known by many in the USACE as one of the biggest advocates of diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) and for encouraging women — uniformed and civilian alike — to reach their full potential. “My underlying principle is that I assume the best in people,” she said. “I empower people to the greatest extent possible; I give folks a wide berth to solve problems as they deem fit.”
In June 2020, Maj. Gen. Holland assumed command of the Mississippi Valley Division (MVD), USACE, serving as president of the Mississippi River Commission and the senior military officer in the division, headquartered in Vicksburg, Miss. MVD is responsible for water resources engineering solutions in a 370,000-square-mile area, extending from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. The division’s mission is to provide public engineering services and stewardship of water resource infrastructure.
A Matter of National Security
Not many women have held this rank and stood at the helm of such a mission. In fact, Maj. Gen. Holland is one of only 19 currently serving female generals in the Army. And, just last month, the US Senate confirmed then Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson as commander of U.S. Southern Command. She is the first woman to lead the Doral, Florida-based joint military command and only the second female four-star general in history, after Ann Dunwoody’s confirmation in 2008.
“There aren’t many women general officers. The Army is working on that,” said Maj. Gen. Holland. “DE&I is essential to our national security. It’s important that the military is connected to the society it supports and defends; society needs to see itself in its military.”
Endless Opportunities in Infrastructure
Col. Kimberly Peeples assumed command of the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division in June 2021. Her division serves more than 58 million residents.
As for the USACE, a branch of the Army wherein uniformed and civilian employees work shoulder-to-shoulder domestically, it’s the largest employer of women in STEM career fields in the US government. “You can be anything from a park ranger to a hydropower engineer,” said Col. Kimberly A. Peeples, who assumed command of the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division, USACE, in June. Her division covers 335,000 square miles across 17 states and serves over 58 million residents. “The USACE has a wide-reaching portfolio of projects. It’s fascinating. I love building and creating ways to help people live better lives.”
In both its civil works mission and military construction program, the USACE is responsible for billions of dollars of the nation's infrastructure. For example, USACE owns and operates more than 600 dams and 24 percent of the nation's hydropower, which is equal to three percent of total US electric capacity.
Women Supporting Women
In addition to being a top recruiter to STEM, USACE is also focused on retention. For example, the MVD hosts an “In the Valley ”series once a quarter to discuss DE&I matters. The topic in April focused on USACE female leader perspectives and panelists included the top female deputy district engineers for programs project management (DDPM) throughout the region. Three female DPPMs, all civilians, explained their leadership roles and the dedication it took to get where they are..
Mentorship is also key. “I was lucky that I had some amazing female role models along the way who encouraged me and helped me,” shared Grace Maze, Phd., a physical scientist with the USACE, Wilmington District, Water Resources Section, in North Carolina. “My advice for anyone looking to get into STEM is to find a mentor. Listen to their advice and never give up. Even at this stage in my life when I walk into a meeting, some of the men in the room assume I am there to take notes.”
“There is still a large bias that perceives STEM as a man’s world and it can be hard to get over when you are first learning what you want to do as a career,” Maze continued. “It can be easier to pick the path everyone assumes is better, but if you are able to find those one or two people who tell you to follow the hard path it can make all the difference.”
Col. Peeples agrees that there is real power in colleagues coaching each other and making a difference. “Mentoring has helped me grow as well as others,” said Peeples. “I have learned the impact you can have through dedicated mentoring.”
For Maj. Gen. Holland, transparency has been paramount, especially in her high profile role. While telling her personal success story of grit, determination, promotions, and the unwavering support of men and women throughout her 31-year journey in military service, she also emphasizes that there are a myriad of experiences women have had in the Army and in the workplace. “I can’t speak for all women. I never want to diminish the heartache some of them have been through. I’ve acknowledged situations as wrong and that we must take steps to eradicate them.”
Progress happens via exceptional leadership. And, with dedicated women like Maj. Gen. Holland and Col. Peeples at high ranks, work cultures will continue to modernize and empower everyone on the team.
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