Page 2 - The Leadership Line: March 2024

Now & Then

At MIL, our goal is to ensure that the path for all employees is free of obstacles to
success irrespective of gender identity. One way we ensure this goal is achievable,
especially for our youngest female employees (the under 25 group), is to lean on the
wisdom and life experiences of the high-achieving women in our own workforce—
women who have already broken through barriers and overcome the obstacles that
stood in their way. What insight do they have to share? We’ll explore a little more.

Also in this issue, we look back at the history of pay inequity in the United States and
the long struggle to close the pay gap. And, finally, we look at how the “motherhood”
of working women spawned a long-held bias and shaped the course of female
advancement in the workplace.

Women in Leadership Spotlight

Marisa Daley, MIL President

“Every businesswoman needs to decide how best to balance their career and family
obligations. I really wanted to have four children, but by the time I had my third child,
I came to appreciate that my life was already quite full.
Juggling kids and career is exhausting at times and limiting the size of my family was
certainly a conscious decision I made to maintain my physical and mental well-being.
Over time, I also came to realize that I had to cut back and reassess some of my career
ambitions. I could have climbed higher in some of my organizations but valued
my family time more. I did eventually find my best work/life balance, but it wasn’t
without a professional cost.”
This quote is taken from Marisa’s interview in the article titled, “Making a Difference for Our
People,” in Industry Era, Women Leaders publication honoring the 10 Best COO’s of 2021.

Leslie Taylor, MIL Vice President & Executive Advisor
Leslie holds a civil engineering degree from the West Virginia Institute of Technology
and a master’s in engineering management from the Florida Institute of Technology.
Over her 36-year career in Navy civil service, Leslie was the recipient of multiple
awards and honors for her groundbreaking achievements including the Department of
Navy Superior Civilian Service Award, the Excellence in Federal Career Bronze Award
for Supervisors, and the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive