Pioneer Women: Meet Two JJR Women in Tech

At JJR, we encourage our team members to be pioneers and seek new possibilities. In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting two JJR female innovators — Kiki Robinson and Lisanne van Engelen — who are pioneering ways to help our clients achieve mission success. Learn more about their trek in tech and the advice they have for girls interested in the field.

Kiki Robinson

JJR: Tell us more about what you do at JJR.

K: I’m currently wearing two different hats at JJR, serving as a technical project manager on one U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contract and as configuration manager on another. Both are fast-paced, high-priority programs that support customer mission success. It’s an exciting time to be working on a reviewer tracking tool for one of these programs because we are in a major development phase to become a true Software as a Service (SaaS) and obtain Authority to Operate (ATO) across our other VA contracts.

JJR: Tell us about the tools/methodologies you developed for the Government client.

K:  I developed a Contract Change Request process that provides full transparency to the client on hardware and software changes being executed. The Change Request process is now being tailored for implementation across all JJR contracts to promote cross-function communication, change tracking, and transparency.

JJR: What made you get into tech?  

K: After my college volleyball career ended, I was pretty lost and extremely uncertain of the future. I applied for an internship at a tech/defense company, and on my first day of work I stood in awe next to a Blackhawk helicopter being developed and never looked back. The tech industry has everything I didn’t know I wanted: It’s fast-paced, always changing, and offers endless opportunities for success.  

JJR: What advice do you have for young girls wanting to pursue a career in tech?

K: Do you like the company? Apply for the job. Is it a role fit? Apply for the job. Do you identify with their values and mission? Apply for the job. So many young women are discouraged by not having 100% of the qualifications on a job description. For lack of better words, shoot your shot; the only way to be considered is if you apply. Do not be discouraged if your current skills do not directly align with the job description! Focus on your transferable skills and how they can be used by a company. The rest can be learned on the job. Having a willingness to learn in an ever-changing industry is a huge advantage for future opportunities.

Lisanne van Engelen

JJR: Tell us more about what you do at JJR.

L: I am a data analyst supporting various mental health and suicide prevention programs within a VA office. In my role, I get to create dashboards and perform other data analyses to inform key metrics like treatment utilization and effectiveness.

JJR: Tell us about the tools/methodologies you developed for the Government client.

L: One of the newer programs I’m supporting involves behavioral health. In this program, Veterans are assigned to a team of providers, which gives them more holistic support than only seeing one provider. As this program grows, it becomes important to track how its teams are functioning and aligning. I have helped build two dashboards belonging to a suite of tools that highlight areas for data cleaning and further development. These dashboards simplify a data-gathering process which was previously very difficult for the client to do.

JJR: What made you get into tech? 

L:  I grew up in a supportive environment with two parents involved in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). They taught and encouraged me to try out anything I was interested in. I got to play with LEGO® robotics kits, experiment with small computer programs and games, and learn about pocket computers from my dad. My interest in tech continued to grow because it felt like a great mix between problem-solving and creativity. I am very happy that I get to continue growing my passions every day by creating innovative and novel solutions for our clients.

JJR: What advice do you have for young girls wanting to pursue a career in tech?

L: Keep pushing for what you want. There are so many programs, clubs, and activities out there for you to learn more about the different sides of tech. If you can’t find something that works for you, make your own experience! One of the awesome things about tech is that it’s relatively easy to just play around and create something you’re proud of.

ABOUT JJR SOLUTIONS

Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, JJR Solutions is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business working to improve the health, well-being, and security of our communities and nation through management consulting and technology solutions. To learn more, visit www.jjrsolutions.com.