Accelerating Innovation Through Diversity and Inclusion

October 6, 2021 | AUVSI News

The development and integration of unmanned and autonomous systems are poised for significant expansion, and AUVSI and members are committed to fostering this growth by cultivating an industry-wide culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. AUVSI connected with Michelle Duquette, Unmanned and Space Outcome Leader at The MITRE Corporation, to hear her insights about her career-long support for deliberative actions that foster an inclusive internal culture. 

Inclusiveness accelerates innovation, decision-making, and engagement

MITRE counts ‘grace and respect’ among its core internal company values, recognizing the importance of varying backgrounds and diverse viewpoints. “The phrase ‘grace and respect’ has now become an organic part of our vernacular, and that is especially important when it comes to diversity and inclusion,” says Duquette. “The more people you can bring in that think completely differently than you, the stronger your output is going to be.” MITRE’s executive leadership team shares messages externally about the importance of diverse backgrounds and thought so that partners and stakeholders know where the company stands. “It’s super important for our leaders to drive home the message that we all have value, and we need to be deliberate about how we are including that value,” Duquette says. “We all understand we can’t do anything without that multi-faceted perspective that makes MITRE great.” 

Support for Women and Girls in STEM

When Duquette reflects on her career-long effort to increase inclusion and diversity, she recalls her own experience as a woman in the traditionally male-dominated aerospace industry and shares her optimism for the future. While there is still more progress to be made in women’s recognition in STEM fields, there are numerous educational programs available to increase girls’ engagement in STEM, conferences focused on increasing women’s leadership roles in the industry, and other opportunities available to support a more equitable industry workforce. “While women still need to lift each other up, I think it’s getting so much better today,” Duquette says, adding that: “We are all capable, and it’s great to see progress that recognizes that women do have what it takes.” 

Recommendation for other organizations 

Duquette encourages others to, “Build yourself a tribe,” which starts by gathering people who share an environment and inviting people who, “have a different way of seeing the world, hearing the world, and communicating with the world than you do – that’s where the innovation happens.” Learn more about MITRE’s pledges, councils, and other diversity and inclusion initiatives here. Check out Duquette’s Xeo Cast interview, recorded live from the Solutions Theater stage at XPONENTIAL 2021: