Ms. Brenda Johnson-Turner, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters (USACE) real estate director, will receive a prestigious Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) industry honor: the Managerial Leadership-Government Award.

Johnson-Turner was selected by the Women of Color STEM Conference award panel, sponsored by the Career Communications Group Inc. (CCG). CCG is a leader in workforce diversity, working with all types of companies to help support them in promoting multiculturalism and gender equity in STEM fields. The award will be presented in Detroit, October 13, 2018, at the 23rd Women of Color STEM Conference.

According to Monica Emerson, National Chair of the 23rd Women of Color in STEM conference, "Ms. Brenda Johnson-Turnerwas selected because she is among an extraordinary group of forward-thinking STEM experts. This year the candidates were the strongest and represented the most diverse collection of executive professionals we have had the pleasure of evaluating. From managers to vice presidents, this year's Women of Color STEM candidates stand out as superior authorities in their respective fields."

Johnson-Turner oversees USACE's $1 billion real estate portfolio, which encompasses nine divisions with 35 district offices that have active real estate missions, globally managing more than 25 million acres of real property. USACE's real estate professionals actively engage in the agency's STEM recruitment activities with its nearly 100 higher education institution partners. USACE emphasizes recruitment at historically black colleges and universities, minority serving institutions, colleges of engineering, and university physical and computer science programs.

USACE also encourages its R&D center to maximize use of innovative programs for student interns, which include Educational Partnership Agreements, Pathways Internships, and Technical Services for Contract Students Agreements. USACE has put programs and policies in place to enable its divisions, districts and R&D center to maximize use of Direct Hire Authorities and Expedited Hire Authorities in bringing onboard student and recent graduate STEM talent.

In 2017, women held a quarter of the more than five million tech jobs, and the percentage of women of color – particularly black and Hispanic – in the industry stands at single digits. Additionally, only half of STEM graduates pursue careers in their educational paths.

"Supporting all women to reach their dreams is an important focus area for me. Encouraging young minority women to pursue their interests in STEM fields, where there is under representation can make a difference, and is both professionally and personally rewarding," said Johnson-Turner. "It is a privilege to work for an organization that values inclusion, and an honor to be recognized as a leader for progressive change in the workplace."