In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re turning the spotlight onto some of the unsung heroines behind the scenes at NOAA’s Office of Geostationary Earth Orbit Observations (GEO)—women who are driving innovation and who have been instrumental within its geostationary satellite programs. These remarkable individuals exemplify the spirit of innovation, dedication, and leadership, and are helping to shape the future of how we monitor our constantly changing world.
Ultimately, the work these women do helps safeguard lives, protect communities, and preserve our planet’s vital natural resources. Their contributions are also inspiring future generations to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Together, let us continue to champion gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in the pursuit of excellence and progress.
Pam Sullivan
What is your official title and role at GEO?
My title is Director, Office of Geostationary Earth Orbit Observations. I manage the development and deployment of NOAA’s geostationary weather satellites, including the current generation GOES-R and the future GeoXO satellites.
What do you love most about your job and/or your career?
I love being able to see the impact of our team’s work on the lives of people every day. It is easy to see the satellite products at work everyday protecting people from dangerous weather and helping businesses be more effective and prepared for the environmental conditions that affect them. My favorite role is defining long range plans for the program and laying out the path to get there. I also enjoy working with a wide range of people—scientists, engineers, financial experts, even artists—and I enjoy representing our team to the public. Plus our technology is cool!
Tell us a little about yourself—where you grew up, how you got interested in science, where did you go to college?
I was an “Army brat” born in Augusta, Georgia when my dad was there at “jump school.” We lived in Oklahoma, Texas, New Jersey, Maryland, and Spain before my folks retired to Dover, New Hampshire, where I went to high school. I got interested in space when I was a little kid watching the Apollo moon landings, and luckily I was good at math and science, which made it possible to get an ROTC scholarship to MIT.
What motivates you? Are there other women in your life and/or in science who inspire you?
The NOAA mission motivates me—again, being able to see how my work touches peoples’ lives, and knowing that we can do even more with newer and better tools. I feel fortunate to be in something like the second generation of women in aerospace—I had the advantage to see many women trailblaze their way in the industry, becoming project managers, program scientists, even the head of NOAA, and showing my generation what was possible and how to do it while still being yourself.
What advice do you have for the next generation of women in STEM?
Follow where your interests and passion lead you. It’s common advice, but it’s the best! Also, I think people that want to be great engineers and scientists should work on projects they can touch. Build a model, take something apart, grow something, measure something, do an experiment: see and feel how physical processes work. Also practice talking about technical topics in a way that non-technical people can understand—it is a gift to be able to share the excitement of science and engineering with everyone.
Lili Alvarado-Ortiz
What is your official title and role at GEO?
I serve as the GEO Ground Systems Assistant Project Manager. In this role, I support the Ground Systems Project Manager in acquiring, developing, integrating and sustaining systems that deliver ground operational capabilities for the existing and future NOAA GEO Satellite constellations.
What do you love most about your job and/or your career?
I have been fortunate with career opportunities, often touching and working to advance science and national security capabilities through core foundational technologies. My current job is advancing our NOAA ground systems and data strategy through cloud and AI/ML technologies. Our efforts enable critical work, the way forward for our GEO weather observations, and how our scientific community uses it to tackle the climate change work we contribute as a nation and our role in world leadership. What satisfies me the most is working with brilliant and motivated peers, day in and day out, to make it all happen.
Tell us a little about yourself—where you grew up, how you got interested in science, where did you go to college?
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated with math and sciences, problem-solving, and orchestrating and leading groups. I earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from Iowa State University. After college, I was commissioned as a Navy Officer, serving as a Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer in charge of numerous shipboard operations and activities, from the bridge to the engineering plant, CONUS, and overseas. I have also earned a Master's in National Defense Strategy and Logistics Management Sciences.
What motivates you? Are there other women in your life and/or in science who inspire you?
Since my college and military service days, I have been motivated by observing how few women often participate and advance in traditionally male-dominated STEM fields. Because of this, it challenges me to succeed in every way possible, hoping to set an example and encourage others to join STEM fields, helping us increase the statistics and change the paradigm.
What advice do you have for the next generation of women in STEM?
Seek and give peer mentoring advice formally and informally. Be comfortable trying new things, even when it doesn’t feel comfortable; in the end, it is worth it and not as bad as you thought it could be. Sharing these experiences and insights with other women will help you build your network, find new opportunities, and embrace new challenges. Lastly, work hard, but remember to admire and appreciate your achievements!
Monica Todirita
What is your official title and role at GEO?
I currently serve as the GeoXO Flight Project Deputy Manager, focusing mostly on implementation and execution of instrument sensor development for the nation's weather satellites in geostationary orbit, specifically NESDIS's GEO Program. In this capacity, I am responsible for developing flight instrument systems, providing leadership, technical guidance, and programmatic oversight for GeoXO instrument development throughout the mission lifecycle. This includes concept formulation activities, acquisition efforts, preliminary and critical design, integration and testing, as well as launch and mission operations. Previously, I served as the GOES-R Instrument Systems Manager.
What do you love most about your job and/or your career?
The most rewarding aspect of my job is the extensive exposure to the entire lifecycle of a project, encompassing various elements such as cost, schedule, technical aspects, staffing, tools, IT infrastructure, testing, and more. Collaborating and coordinating with all the smart engineers and analysts to address a myriad of challenges fosters a deep appreciation for the diverse perspectives and expertise they bring to the table in finding solutions.
I love it because even after more than two decades in the field, each day is different. Moreover, I recognize that our daily efforts contribute to something important that impacts everyone's daily lives: the weather. As Aristotle said, “we can’t change the wind, but we can set the sails differently,” and this encapsulates the essence of our team's work—constantly adapting to current conditions while preparing for the future.
Tell us a little about yourself—where you grew up, how you got interested in science, where did you go to college?
I grew up in communist Romania, specifically the northern part of the country, which was always ranked among the poorer areas for fear of being swallowed by more powerful communist neighbors. From an early age, I harbored a deep curiosity about how the world works, seeing education as my ticket out of poverty from an economic standpoint.
As for the wondering and questioning side of life, I vividly remember a moment at the age of four, holding a ball in my hand, stacking little stick figures on top of it, and trying to understand how on Earth some of us do not fall if our planet is round and spinning. At that age, no one had explained the concept of gravity to me, so I was on a quest to find out how. Additionally, my father, an accountant, always fascinated me with the story of Fleming's discovery that mold inhibited the growth of 'microbes,' ultimately leading to the discovery of penicillin. That story of an accidental discovery that had such a huge impact on society shaped my belief in the necessity of being prepared to understand things, and you can only do that through science.
I pursued my undergraduate studies at Asachi Technical University in Iasi, Romania, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, and later obtained a Master of Science degree in Systems Management from the University of Maryland.
What motivates you? Are there other women in your life and/or in science who inspire you?
Though I am primarily engaged in management and programmatic aspects rather than active scientific practice, I always strive to continue learning and understanding. The thrill of discovery, comprehension, and effective communication, coupled with the journey from conceptualization of ideas on paper to getting something into space keeps me going and engaged, and I am very grateful to be a part of that.
I am fortunate to work with many talented individuals, and I am continually inspired by both significant achievements and small acts of ingenuity at every level. Notably, our team comprises women in leadership roles within both scientific and managerial areas, from whom I've learned invaluable lessons. One of these is that shamelessly copying what already works is often a good way to be successful. I am always blown away by their unwavering preparedness, problem-solving abilities, and above all, their open-mindedness and resourcefulness. The perseverance demonstrated by women occupying decision-making positions serves as a constant source of inspiration for me.
What advice do you have for the next generation of women in STEM?
If you have the patience to stay in your field or dig through a problem long enough, you will discover that suddenly what was perhaps boring or insurmountable, becomes interesting. STEM disciplines offer a unique sense of enjoyment because results can be replicated, fostering progress as subsequent problems emerge for resolution.
Moreover, it's important to recognize that STEM permeates all aspects of life, including social sciences, arts, history, and more, as they rely on technology and statistical analysis for informed data interpretation. Without that, we are just making guesses or inferences with no basis. Therefore, let data guide your conclusions and decisions.
Candace Carlisle
What is your official title and role at GEO?
I work for NASA, and am the GeoXO Flight Project Manager.
What do you love most about your job and/or your career?
I love that I work with hardware that is going into space, and seeing the data that they send back. I love that GOES-R and GeoXO positively affect the lives of people here on Earth.
Tell us a little about yourself—where you grew up, how you got interested in science, where did you go to college?
I have been interested in space and science since I was a child, collecting articles about the Apollo-Soyuz mission in the 1970’s and immersing myself in science fiction stories. I was always thinking about space exploration. I wanted to work for NASA from a very young age, so I took a lot of science, math, and computer classes throughout high school.
I went to the College of William and Mary, where I majored in Computer Science and Physics. Subsequently, while working for NASA, I was able to complete masters’ degrees in Computer Science and Technical Management from Johns Hopkins University.
What motivates you? Are there other women in your life and/or in science who inspire you?
I love seeing space hardware come together. I like “getting things done.” I love working with a team, and putting together everyone’s best ideas into a whole that is greater than the parts.
Growing up, I didn’t know of many female role models in science, but I do remember being inspired by the fictional character, Dr. Susan Calvin, who was a robopsychologist developed by Isaac Asimov. There are plenty of women who have inspired me in my career, including Jaylee Mead (astronomer), Sally Ride (astronaut), and Alda Simpson (engineer).
What advice do you have for the next generation of women in STEM?
It is fantastic that we have women holding very prominent, visible leadership roles at NASA now. I think we can all be inspired by that.
My advice to women in STEM is to work hard and follow your dreams. Did you know that there are fewer women majoring and working in computer science now than in the 1980’s when I went to college? We need to change that, and I encourage women who are interested in computer science to pursue that field.
Michelle Rizzo
What is your official title and role at GEO?
I am the Observatory Manager for the Geostationary Extended Operations (GeoXO) Flight Project. I am responsible for leading a team of engineers that oversees the development, integration, and testing of an observatory (spacecraft) to ensure that it meets all of the technical requirements of the project on schedule and within budget.
What do you love most about your job and/or your career?
I love working on Earth observing satellites because our satellites make a substantial impact on people’s day to day lives. The science and observations that are conducted by our satellites provide critical weather data and help improve weather predictions. Working on a project which provides a direct return to the American public makes me very proud.
Tell us a little about yourself—where you grew up, how you got interested in science, where did you go to college?
I grew up in Northern Virginia and have lived in the suburbs of Washington D.C. my entire life. My father and grandfather were both engineers and always joked that they hoped I would go into the “hard sciences.” As a kid I was always fascinated by how things worked and was extremely curious. Space captivated my attention as a young kid ever since we started studying the planets in elementary school—I couldn’t believe there were other worlds that surrounded us and that they could be so different from ours. My love for space was fueled with multiple trips to the Smithsonian Air and Space museum downtown.
I attended Virginia Tech and received my Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering. During my time at Virginia Tech, I completed an internship at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and I was also a co-op student. Upon the completion of my Bachelor’s degree, I accepted a full time position at GSFC in the Safety and Mission Assurance Branch.
What motivates you? Are there other women in your life and/or in science who inspire you?
I am motivated by helping others and doing the best job I can.
I don’t think there are any women in particular that motivated my interests, but after entering the workforce, it has been an inspiration to see female project and program managers throughout the industry. It has also been inspirational to see that many of these women have families and have been able to find a balance between their personal and professional lives.
What advice do you have for the next generation of women in STEM?
Do not be afraid to try new things and do not be afraid to fail. As a kid, I was always so afraid to fail that sometimes I did not try things. But as I have gotten older, I have learned that while failing can be scary, it is from these moments that you learn the most.
Do not be intimidated. While science and engineering is a male dominated field, do not let anyone ever tell you that you don’t belong. Women are just as talented as men and we provide a unique perspective. Never be afraid to take your seat at the table because one may not always be offered. Be confident in yourself!
Melissa Dahya
What is your official title and role at GEO?
I am the GEO Mission Operations Manager. I oversee the Mission Operations Support Team (MOST) and the Ground Readiness Team (GRT), which get the spacecraft, instruments and ground ready for launch, as well as orbital raising, post launch testing, on-orbit operations, and eventually, decommissioning.
What do you love most about your job and/or your career?
Knowing that my work makes a difference. Our GOES program provides weather products to forecasters in the Western Hemisphere and the public relies on consistent and correct data. With the climate changing, the weather is getting more unpredictable, and it’s our job to provide weather products so that people can remain safe. I also have become close with a lot of people that I work with, and that always makes work a better place, especially in high pressure situations.
Tell us a little about yourself—where you grew up, how you got interested in science, where did you go to college?
I grew up 30 minutes outside of Pittsburgh, PA. My mom had a third grade student in her class who went to Space Camp and asked me if I would like to go over the summer in between middle school and high school. I ended up going five summers in a row because I loved it so much!
After my first summer there, I really wanted to be an astronaut, but knew I wasn’t tall enough. It was at Space Camp that I learned about Aerospace Engineering, and realized that’s what I wanted to do. I visited Penn State and while touring the campus, I decided that’s where I wanted to go to college. While at Penn State, I did a co-op in manufacturing heat pipes and knew that I would be happy working in the aerospace industry. I graduated from Penn State in 2001 with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering.
What motivates you? Are there other women in your life and/or in science who inspire you?
Both my mom and dad encouraged me to do whatever I wanted. They both fully supported me going into aerospace engineering and continue to support my work. My husband also works in the industry, and he always pushes me to grow and stand up for myself. I love that my six-year-old son sees his mom working hard, and he likes that I’m a boss at work.
I have had numerous women in my life inspire me. My mom and both of my grammas inspired me, along with several of my colleagues: Cindy Merrow, Monica Todirita, Ruth Chovibul, Michelle Rizzo, Renee Dudley, Crystal McClide, Elizabeth Kline, Wendy Travis, Elizabeth Corderman, Jessica Shallcross, and Pam Sullivan. These women are not only inspiring, but extremely supportive. Women supporting women makes us all better.
What advice do you have for the next generation of women in STEM?
You can achieve anything you set your mind to. Push boundaries and don’t let anyone tell you to be quiet or not voice your opinion. Be a kind human, but don’t be a doormat either. Find other supportive women that will be your cheerleaders when you really need it and remember to return the favor.
Joanna Joiner
What is your official title and role at GEO?
I am the Flight Project Scientist for GeoXO, and I’m also the Instrument Scientist for the GeoXO atmospheric composition instrument. I actually work for NASA as the Flight Project Scientist position has to have a NASA person in it programmatically, but GeoXO is a NOAA program so I work closely with NOAA program scientists.
What do you love most about your job and/or your career?
I love being creative and applying the knowledge I’ve gained over the years to different problems.
Tell us a little about yourself—where you grew up, how you got interested in science, where did you go to college?
I went to school at Georgia Tech. I got all of my degrees there – bachelors, masters, and PhD. Some people advise not to get all degrees at one school, but it worked out well for me. Georgia Tech gave me a lot of support for pursuing a PhD there and my PhD advisor, Dr. Paul Steffes, was a great person to work with. I had worked with him since doing my senior design project during my bachelors studies on microwave radiative transfer in Jupiter’s atmosphere. I grew up in Atlanta and started at Georgia Tech as a joint (dual) enrollment student. I completed my freshman year as a senior in high school.
I got interested in science when I saw the pictures of the ozone hole from the TOMS satellite. It was humbling and scary to see that humans could have such a large impact on the atmosphere. I was fortunate to later get to actually work with many of the people who contributed to those ozone hole images.
What motivates you? Are there other women in your life and/or in science who inspire you?
I feel like I am self-motivated. I can get excited about a project and work really hard on it. My mom worked in different fields, but she has that same drive. My grandmother was really smart and won a scholarship back in her day, but due to financial constraints was not able to finish her college degree. It was inspiring to read the notes in her college yearbook for the year she attended. There have been several women in science who have inspired me. I was fortunate to work with Anne Douglass on the Aura project. She’s a very positive person, a great scientist, and she’s also a fellow Nationals baseball fan.
What advice do you have for the next generation of women in STEM?
My advice is to study math. Math is the backbone of everything we do. Find something you enjoy career-wise, because hopefully you’re going to be spending a lot of time doing it.