Fair360’s Executive Voices series allows leaders to learn from their industry peers. This series highlights experiences that further the work of fairness and inclusion.
In the second edition of our Q&A series, we dive into the journey of Dr. Adaora Nelson, Vice President of Quality & Mission Assurance at Raytheon, an RTX business (RTX is No. 28 on the 2024 Top 50 Companies list). Nelson reflects on the pressures of academic success, her first job, balancing work with personal life and her commitment to fostering an inclusive culture at RTX.
Fair360: What would you tell your younger self?
Nelson: “There was a lot of pressure to succeed throughout my childhood, particularly in academics. In my family performance was everything; you had to be at the top of your class. If you weren’t, it felt like failure. That can be a lot to put on yourself at a young age. So, I would tell myself that the hard work will pay off, but it’s also important to lighten up a little and focus on other aspects of life, like building relationships with others.”
Fair360: What was your first job and how did it get you to where you are now?
Nelson: “As a teenager in the ’90s, my first job was a peer sex health educator when HIV/AIDS was a growing pandemic. My job was to raise awareness and educate the population (young and old) of the dangers of STDs and offer alternatives. That job taught me that level of knowledge is not necessarily limited by age. Even young people can achieve great things, with time and effort to learn the skill.”
Fair360: How do you balance working at RTX with your personal life?
Nelson: “It’s about setting boundaries, being mindful and focusing on my productivity. I am strict about keeping working hours separate from personal hours. I make the most of my time by being fully present and careful not to intermingle work and personal tasks unless there’s an emergency.
“It’s also imperative to me to tackle critical tasks on time to prevent last-minute rushing. At my level, this means I devote time to strategic thinking to prevent ad-hoc and potentially detrimental decisions. Finding time to decompress during my personal time is also important. Leisurely singing, reading articles and watching binge-worthy shows are my favorite pastimes.”
Fair360: What’s a fun fact about you that people would be surprised to know?
Nelson: “I am a first-generation American raised in Nigeria. My parents had me and half of my siblings while getting their advanced degrees in Iowa. They returned to Nigeria with us once they were done with their studies, they had the rest of their kids and I went to a Catholic boarding secondary school (ages 11 to 16). I came back to the States at 18 years old with $100 to my name and joined the U.S. Navy, where I served for four years in the Avionics field.”
Fair360: What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy week?
Nelson: “For me, it starts during the car ride home from work. I like to play my favorite songs and sing along. I also make sure I prioritize sleep, even during busier times.”
Fair360: Do you have a favorite quote or mantra that guides you?
Nelson: “I have two mantras that guide me: Unlock your value by using your talents – it reminds me that everyone has their unique talent that when brought to bear can be transformative. I feel most fulfilled when I’m utilizing my talents. I also encourage my team to not feel confined to their ‘lane.’ When we’re working together as a group trying to solve a problem, I want to hear everyone’s voice because it helps us create more effective solutions.
“You don’t know what you don’t know, until you know you don’t know it – this reminds me that there are many things yet undiscovered, therefore we must all have an open mind and strive to learn from those around us. When we listen to others and collaborate, we benefit from different perspectives.”
Fair360: How do you foster a culture of inclusion and belonging within your organization?
Nelson: “Employee resource groups (ERGs) are an effective means of fostering inclusion and belonging. As the executive sponsor for an RTX ERG that supports our veterans and an advocate for RTX ERGs that support women and Black employees, I help champion initiatives and push causes forward that ensure diverse perspectives and voices are heard.
“My role as the Vice President of Quality & Mission Assurance requires working with the business and our customers to drive successful outcomes. I use RTX’s operating system Customer Oriented Results and Excellence, also known as CORE, to drive customer connection and unite my team. Therefore, a lot of what I do requires having an inclusive mindset which I exercise through partnering with my business peers, understanding our customers’ needs and integrating quality and CORE to help them achieve their goals.
“As a leader, I create an environment of inclusion and belonging by setting up a regular cadence of town halls, skip-level discussions and office hours. I try to make my team feel as comfortable as possible and ensure that I am truly listening to them. Sometimes I’ll share a flaw of mine or demonstrate that I don’t know a subject matter to help them feel more comfortable. I think it makes them feel a greater sense of belonging and they are more likely to share their own experiences, challenges or perspectives.”
Fair360: What role do you believe allies play in advancing inclusion and belonging in the workplace?
Nelson: “Allies play such an important role in advancing inclusion and belonging. Whether a subordinate, peer, or leader, allies serve as the voices that are more apt to be heard when carrying the message of inclusion and belonging. Their actions sometimes make more of an impact, because it is not overshadowed by bias.”
