She is a trained Agency leader and embraces teamwork as a way to achieve the most for NATO. Aker believes that working together, forming bonds with her colleagues and celebrating achievements along the way are major drivers to the success of an organization. As a teacher, scientist and mentor, Aker seeks to support those around her and provide them with the tools needed to move forward in their own careers.
As part of our ongoing campaign to commemorate the women of the NCI Agency, we spoke with Aker about her career and her support to the Academy.
What is your role and why is it important to the Agency?
I am the Deputy Dean of Academics at the NCI Academy. I support the Dean, Colonel Antonio Rosa, in the running of Academic operations and act in his stead when he is absent. In addition to the fantastic work location, my favourite part of this position is that I am privileged to interact with NATO students and work closely with our instructors to hone our courses, learning environment and delivery methods to provide best value for those students. I also draw on my previous Agency experience to connect people and build deep working relationships that ensure coherency between capability development, service delivery, and training.
Because the Academy is quite new, my job also includes implementing processes for our organization to deliver lessons effectively and to manage the ever increasing demand for our services. In addition to providing cyberspace training, the Academy is responsible for providing the relevant professional and technical training to our Agency colleagues to ensure that they can excel in their work. I enjoy seeing the direct results of my work.
How does the Academy ensure that diversity is central to its operational model?
We aim to leverage the benefits and abilities of everyone in different ways. For example, civilian staff building up knowledge overtime, military staff bringing in new ideas and new understandings of the changes in operations and commands, younger colleagues sharing information on what's important to younger generations in a working environment. We need to be dynamic and you can sense this energetic environment when you visit the Academy.
A top objective for our Dean is to retain staff and he is very serious about making sure everyone can contribute and is proud of what they are doing and how they are doing it. This creates an environment of openness and sharing, and empowers management on all levels to pull their teams together while encouraging a necessary and healthy work life balance. When leadership is people-centered, there is greater capacity to recognize what people are committing to the mission.
Additionally, we initiated a quarterly gatherings of all the ladies at the Academy. These gatherings began as a suggestion from our Director, Garry Hargreaves, who wanted to bring our community of ladies together and provide our younger colleagues with an opportunity to learn from people who have been at NATO for a longer period. The get-togethers allow us to gather, connect and share experiences, ideas and advice.
What is a female empowerment story that you resonate with? What aspects of that story do you wish to emulate?
When I was a teenager, contemplating my future study and career, I met the first Canadian female astronaut Roberta Bondar. She set a fantastic example for me. I really appreciated that she was an accomplished scientist, a strong, driven and adventurous female with very public achievements, while also being relatable and authentic. She was very generous to share her experience and knowledge through lecturing, teaching, writing and photography. To some degree, I followed in her footsteps. I have always had her example in the back of my mind - to be strong, open, to share and to engage with my colleagues and look for something bigger than myself.
Did this interaction drive you to pursue a career in STEM?
I was interested in STEM before meeting Bondar, but she helped me narrow down my focus. She also helped me acknowledge that I had a talent for STEM and inspired me to be the best despite the additional barriers I might face as a minority in this field. This was a piece of advice that still resonates with me, as unfortunately I have had to prove myself over and over again. I have experienced diversity challenges throughout my career and I would have really benefited from a network of female colleagues with whom to share my concerns and seek support.
Notwithstanding, I was also presented with great opportunities and adventures in my career and I am very proud of what I have accomplished. I was incredibly fortunate to have experienced great leadership and management and I now strive to provide the same mentorship.
What advice would you give to women considering a STEM career?
Just do it! It's a very rewarding career. It's not easy, but you have what it takes to do it and we are here to help. Also, you belong here. This is an environment that I have seen change over the years. Women have a place in STEM, women have a place at NATO, and women have a place in the Agency and in the Academy. We shouldn't underestimate what we bring to the table, and we belong here just as much as anyone else.
