Kiene to receive Meritorious Service Award at the Joint Women's Leadership Symposium

Courtesy Photo | Martha Kiene, division chief with the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s Geospatial Research Laboratory, was selected as an Army 2019 Joint Women's Leadership Symposium Meritorious Service Award recipient at the 32nd annual Joint Women's Leadership Symposium in Washington, D.C.  

VICKSBURG, MS, UNITED STATES

06.28.2019

Story by Carol Coleman 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center   

VICKSBURG, Miss. (June 28, 2019) -- Martha Kiene, division chief with the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s Geospatial Research Laboratory, has been selected as an Army 2019 Joint Women's Leadership Symposium Meritorious Service Award recipient. Kiene will receive this prestigious honor in August at the 32nd annual Joint Women's Leadership Symposium in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes nominees who exemplify a personal and professional commitment to the Army's equity, inclusion, diversity and leadership initiatives.

“Martha is one of ERDC’s most energetic and enthusiastic supervisors, unwavering in her efforts to promote opportunities for women, minorities and disabled employees, especially veterans,” said Dr. David Pittman, director of the ERDC. “The determination and leadership she displays in her commitment to assisting employees with their career development, education and overall workplace experiences have contributed immeasurably not only to ERDC's workforce, but also to recruitment and mentoring.”

“I am truly humbled to receive this award,” said Kiene. “I firmly believe a well-trained, mission- focused and diverse workforce is the foundational strength of our laboratory. I am committed to hiring the best and the brightest, always with an eye to improve the diversity of my workforce.”

Kiene, who has been with the GRL since 2012, has used her extensive Army knowledge to mentor and educate employees on both military and civil Corps and Army missions. During her tenure, she has successfully recruited Army Reserve Officers and Wounded Warriors to fill management roles and collaborate with lab personnel on research. She has also demonstrated great leadership as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Manager for Command Career Program 16 - Engineers and Scientists (Non-Construction).

“In my role as the CP16 Engineer and Scientists Non-Construction Command Career Program Manager, I continue to successfully spread the gospel of training and development opportunities throughout the workforce, allowing USACE careerists to take great advantage of funding and training opportunities that support their professionalization,” said Kiene.

“Martha has demonstrated great initiative, creativity and generosity in promoting and improving the experiences of disadvantaged persons in the workplace,” said Pittman. “She is one of only three USACE recipients to receive this honor.”

The Joint Women's Leadership Symposium is an annual two-day symposium that provides professional and personal development, leadership workshops and transition information for service women. It is the largest gathering of women in uniform in the nation and has become a crucial component in the professional growth and development of all women in the Armed Forces including civilians, officers, enlisted and cadets serving in the Department of Defense and Coast Guard.

“I look forward to attending the JWLS next month and meeting other like-minded female DOD leaders,” said Kiene. “I hope to learn from them their strategies to better support and inspire greatness in our workforce.”

The ERDC helps solve the nation’s most challenging problems in civil and military engineering, geospatial sciences, water resources, and environmental sciences. As one of the most diverse engineering and scientific research organizations in the world, ERDC conducts research and development in support of the Soldier, military installations, and the Corps of Engineers' civil works mission, as well as for other federal, state and municipal authorities. As part of the ERDC, GRL provides the warfighter with superior knowledge of the battlefield and supports the Nation’s civil and environmental initiatives through research, development and the application of expertise in topographic engineering and related sciences. The GRL is located in Alexandria, Virginia.

• Date Taken: 06.28.2019
• Date Posted: 07.03.2019 10:39
• Story ID: 329911
• Location: VICKSBURG, MS, US