The Bridge - Issue 2, 2023 - 36

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Susan K. (Kathy) Land
Program Manager, U.S. Missile Defense
Agency, Eta Chapter
Susan K. (Kathy) Land is a program manager for the
U.S. Department of Defense's Missile Defense Agency.
She has more than 30 years of industry experience in
the application of software engineering methodologies,
the management of information systems, and the
leadership of software development teams.
Kathy served as the 2021 IEEE president and CEO.
In 2018, she served as vice president, IEEE Technical
Activities. She was president of the IEEE Computer
Society in 2009.
Kathy has been an active member of the IEEE
Standards Association for more than 20 years and
served as the Computer Society's vice president for
standards in 2004. She was the recipient of the 2007
IEEE Standards Medallion.
An IEEE Fellow, and professional member of HKN,
Kathy is the author and co-author of a number of
texts and publications supporting software engineering
principles and the practical application of software
process methodologies. She is an IEEE Computer
Society Richard E. Merwin Award recipient.
Why did you choose to study the engineering field
(or the field you studied)?
My professional background is a bit different from most
of HKN inducted as students. My induction into HKN
was as a professional member later in my career. It is
important for people to understand that IEEE brings
together and welcomes to membership not only
engineers but also technologists from the fields of
computer sciences and information technology, physical
science, biological and medical science, mathematics,
THE BRIDGE
technical communications, education, management,
and law and policy.
When I started college in the 1980's, presenting
an obvious aptitude in math and science, I was not
encouraged to pursue engineering or science. In fact, the
University of Georgia Department of Computer Science
was established the year I graduated, in 1984. When
I entered the work force, it was the 'wild, wild west' of
computing. It was the advent of personal computing,
team programming and the challenge was to keep
up with an evolving and constantly changing technical
landscape. It was an exciting and wonderful time to be a
woman in technology, as opportunity was abundant.
The computer science landscape for women in the
1960s and 1970s was vastly different from that of
1980s. The pioneers of women in computing, the true
groundbreakers, were relegated as second-class citizens,
not receiving full credit for their contributions. Given
the legacy of women in computer science, the biggest
question for me personally was 'Why?' 'Why the field of
computer science?' This was a new field, and I knew no
one, male or female, in it. In addition, the examples of
women in early computing were not very attractive. My
answer is that in the 1980s and 1990s employers were
willing and able to hire anyone, regardless of gender,
who understood computing technology. Employers
understood that this new and growing field was
critical to their future success, and they were willing
to hire based on performance rather than academic
pedigree. I went into computer science, because of the
equitable opportunities available and what looked like
a promising career.
Who do you admire, and why?
I admire individuals who say what they mean and
who back up what they say. This is to say that I admire
individuals who are ethical, possess integrity, are direct,
and stick by their word. I cannot single out a specific
individual; there are many, particularly within IEEE and
HKN, who I admire.
How has the engineering field changed since you
entered it?
I am from the 'in-between' generation of technologists.
Not there as an early pioneer, but along for the
technical ride as things progressed dramatically
through the 80s and 90s. In my field, programming
https://www.ieeefoundation.org/impact/illuminate/ieee-eta-kappa-nu-hkn/
The Bridge - Issue 2, 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Bridge - Issue 2, 2023
