Graciela Ray

I am an experienced manufacturing and quality professional with over 5 years of experience in the automotive and defense industries. I am skilled in Quality Systems Auditing, Root Cause Analysis, Continuous Improvement, and People Management. I graduated in 2016 with a B.S. In Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from the University of Notre Dame. I am working on my Masters of Engineering Management from Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering. I currently work in Austin, TX as a Value Stream Supervisor at BAE Systems Inc. I manage a team of 11 skilled technicians and operators with a focus on managing and improving our Austin Repairs Factory. I love working with people and I aspire to be a people-focused leader in a technical field. I am in my second year of the Operations Leadership Development Program at BAE Systems. The OLDP is a highly-competitive program that gives participants the opportunity to rotate through three different one year assignments in the Operations organization within BAE Systems Inc. The program’s objective is to facilitate the growth of participants’ leadership skills and to position them to become effective leaders within BAE Systems Inc. I really enjoy mentoring and empowering others. I serve as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Co-Chair for the Austin Site at BAE Systems Inc. Focusing on implementing company-wide DEI objectives to create an inclusive and equitable work environment. I also serve as a Tech Power Mentor for a group of students at Prairie View A&M University with a focus on providing real-world expertise through technical and professional guidance to undergraduate student engineers, and enhancing the independence of veterans in the local community.