Page 15 - MILConnection_Spring_2024

Savdy attributes some of her current belief in her own abilities to a female mentor from her early days supporting the Defense
Department. Along with telling her not to be afraid of making mistakes—because everyone does—her mentor also advised
her on the value of a deliberated response, counseling Savdy to “take a step back and take a deep breath and think before you
speak.” She also emphasized the importance of self-assurance, encouraging her not to be afraid to take on a challenge. Years
later, she still remembers the inspiration. Savdy’s own experience mentoring and guiding fellow female mentees dates back to
her banking days when she first trained new employees. And like her own mentor, she let her trainees know that mistakes are
inevitable and are intended to teach them.
When asked about the best advice she was ever given by a female leader, Savdy wisely replied, “Listen more when others are
talking.” Adding, that good listening skills help you understand people better so you can see things from their point of view.
Which, in turn, helps you figure out what they’re looking for so you can provide them the best solution. Savdy’s own advice for
women entering the financial field? Never give up. “Believe in yourself. There may be obstacles along the way but use it as a
learning tool and keep moving.”

Leslie Taylor, leading the way for women in engineering

At the time she joined the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) civil service as an engineer,
Leslie Taylor was one of a very few women in the engineering workforce—there or anywhere.
During her 36-year career at NAVAIR, Leslie served as a weapons tester and flight test
engineer before moving up to lead Naval Aviation’s flight test programs eventually overseeing
over 900 flight test engineers across five geographic sites. She trailblazed as the Executive
Director of Test Flight Engineering USN, as the first female Executive Director leading the
10,000-employee workforce of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, before a move
into the role of Deputy Assistant Commander for Test and Evaluation at NAVAIR, and then
into the NAVAIR Vice Commander’s position. After her retirement from civil service, Leslie
now serves as a VP and Executive Advisor at MIL.

Asked how she set herself apart professionally and set the stage for advancement, Leslie stated, “One way for me was getting my
master’s degree in the field of Engineering Management. Another way was taking advice from mentors wiser than I was when it
came to taking opportunities that were presented to me.”
Now frequently serving as a mentor herself, Leslie has the opportunity to pay it forward by supporting the next generation
of women leaders. “My way of inspiring and empowering women (and anyone else who wants my input or advice) is to be a
considerate, thoughtful mentor. Sharing experiences, good and bad, with others has become something I do routinely.” Leslie
also empowers women by supporting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts whenever possible. “I served as a Diversity
Action Team Executive Champion for many years. I was the founding champion of the Women’s Action Group and the
LGBTQ+A Action Group. I was also on the Command’s Diversity & Inclusive Executive Team. My passion for this topic led me
to get my DE&I Certificate from Cornell University shortly after I retired.”
Her best advice to women? “Own it! Own who you are. We are great leaders who channel our emotional intelligence
exceptionally well. I teach a series of courses I’ve developed entitled “Leadership Matters” that promotes Servant Leadership
and Situational Leadership, which are only enabled by being emotionally intelligent. I have observed this as coming easier to
women. I have also observed women try to suppress that to be more like men. Nope – don’t do it! Be yourself and genuinely
care. To quote RADM Chet Lemmon, one of my favorite leaders, “Be Passionate, Be Committed, and Care!” Women do
that well!”

Natalie Wolfe, a voice from the next generation

Despite the achievements of trailblazing engineers like MIL VP and Executive Advisor Leslie
Taylor, only roughly 16 percent of the engineers in the U.S. are women. And according to
data from the Society of Women Engineers, female mechanical engineers like MIL’s Natalie
Wolfe account for only 10% in the industry. This dearth of women in the profession creates
challenging downstream effects for the ones who do pursue an engineering path. One of those
effects is a scarcity of professional role models and mentors in the workplace. We asked Natalie
to share some of her thoughts and experiences on what it’s like being one of the “1 in 10.”
“I’ve advocated for women in engineering in the past in a variety of ways during my time in
school, including being in a women in engineering professional sorority, being a member of the
Society for Women Engineers, and mentoring other female engineering students.

spring 2024 | the MIL connection | 15