The Navy has announced the selection of five outstanding Sailors from more than 130 nominees as the Captain Joy Bright Hancock and Master Chief Anna Der-Vartanian Leadership Award winners in NAVADMIN 136/21.
Established in 1987, and open to both men and women, these leadership awards are presented annually to honor the visionary leadership of Navy service members whose ideals and dedication foster an inclusive culture while furthering the integration of women into the Navy.
After a thorough review of the nominations, the 2021 recipients of these exceptional leadership awards are:
Captain Joy Bright Hancock Leadership Award:
Senior Officer: Capt. Andrea C. Petrovanie-Green, head, quality management, Naval Health Clinic Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Junior Officer: Lt. Jayme L. Warren, flag aide, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland
LDO/CWO: Lt. Courtney L. Burrows, assistant maintenance officer, Patrol Squadron Five, Jacksonville, Florida
Master Chief Anna Der-Vartanian Leadership Award:
Senior Enlisted: Yeoman Master Chief (EXW/SW/AW) Tonia M. Williams, administrative directorate leading chief petty officer, Naval Special Warfare Development Group, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Junior Enlisted: Yeoman Submarine First Class (SS/AW/FMF) Suraya N. Mattocks, administrative officer, Submarine Group Eight Representative Northwood, United Kingdom
Each application was graded on the criteria of inspirational and innovative leadership, professional accomplishments, character, command climate, and community involvement. The award winners went above and beyond in every category, exhibiting extraordinary service:
Capt. Andrea C. Petrovanie-Green serves as head of quality management for Naval Health Clinic Pearl Harbor Hawaii. She is a visionary leader who shortly after reporting onboard identified a need to connect with junior Sailors due to the unique challenges with the COVID-19 health crisis. She established a mentoring group #StrongerTogether and leveraged technology to connect female sailors to engage in conversations on self-care, suicide, isolation, mental health, sexual harassment, work-life balance, and other personal and professional issues promoting readiness and reinforcing the integral role of women in the Navy. As the public affairs officer of the National Naval Officers Association (NNOA), Jacksonville Chapter, she established a group of 20 active-duty volunteers to serve as Big Brothers and Big Sisters for the Mayor's Mentor Program. She served as a role model and tutored young girls during their after-school program and coordinated visits and donations to the Saint Francis homeless shelter for women and children. She established a mentoring group of 22 female Navy nurses to promote career management and personal and professional goals. She created "Brunch with Senior Officers" in the Maryland and Washington, D.C. area to speak on leadership, career opportunities, work-life balance, and to share their experiences with challenges and opportunities in their careers. She also worked with local recruiters and spoke to Howard University School of Nursing and George Washington University NROTC students on career opportunities in the Navy for women. She mentored young girls and boys on careers in nursing and was recognized by George Washington University for contributions impacting 150 students attending the summer health services program for disadvantaged youths.
Lt. Jayme L. Warren serves as flag aide to superintendent, United States Naval Academy. She was the only female officer in Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM)71 attached to the CVN while on deployment in 2011 and served as the unofficial adviser and counselor for the squadron's female enlisted Sailors. She held a well-attended, pre-deployment, squadron-wide female "huddle" to ensure every question or concern was addressed, specifically for junior enlisted personnel preparing for their first shipboard deployment. As a USNA Women's Special Interest Group (SIG) liaison, she skillfully coordinated with the USNA Women's SIG and midshipmen (MIDN) moderators to ensure a series of highly successful Black History Month events. Submitted by her MIDN mentees and recognized Brigade-wide as the first-ever "Amazing Mentor" on the Midshipman PAO Mentor Showcase, Lt. Warren positively influenced subordinates, peers and seniors alike. Despite her demanding duties, she thoughtfully mentored 13 MIDN pursuing careers in Naval Aviation during bi-weekly, one-on-one sessions. Additionally, she participated in USNA Female Naval Aviator Group Q & A sessions with MIDN as the subject matter expert on the Career Intermission Program and provided advice on dual-military relationships and parenting, and maintaining an appropriate work-life balance. Outside of the workplace, she dedicated her off-duty time to volunteering with the American Heritage Girls organization where she represented the military and Naval Aviation in particular, empowering young girls to be confident leaders. Lt. Warren has recently been promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander and is reporting to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 40 as her next duty station.
Lt. Courtney L. Burrows serves as the assistant maintenance officer for Patrol Squadron (VP) 5 in Jacksonville, Florida. Her ideals and dedication foster an inclusive culture that reinforces the integral role of women in the Navy, exemplified through her continuous mentoring of officers, chief petty officers, and junior enlisted, both male and female. She further serves as a community leader, not only for Limited Duty Officers, but for all female Sailors, regardless of designator or rank. Courtney spearheaded a squadron-level Female Aviator Career Training Symposium, during which she organized and led breakout sessions where she discussed her personal challenges while serving,and led a junior enlisted female "brown bag" lunch, serving as a mentor, and model, of perseverance. A recognizable pillar in the community, she is often seen volunteering at the Homeport Christian Church for "Hearts for the Hungry," feeding the needy in downtown St. Augustine, and assisting with beautification efforts of America's oldest city. Through her efforts, her team completed over 22k on-the-job training hours, 1,238 additional maintenance qualifications, 578 Support Equipment licenses qualifications, and 70 qualified proficient technicians. Her efforts enabled the squadron to execute tasking during an arduous Fleet Readiness Training Plan, with a 35 percent turnover in manpower, and without deficiency in qualifications. She actively manages the squadron's aviation manpower, which led to a 95 percent fit and 104 percent fill rate, with an aviation maintenance experience score of 1.76, well above the average score of 1.00, for the squadron's SEVENTH Fleet deployment.
Yeoman Master Chief (EXW/SW/AW) Tonia M. Williams is the administrative directorate leading chief petty officer for Naval Special Warfare Development Group in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Her span of influence and grasp of issues were unmatched during her tour at Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force (COMOPTEVFOR). She was continually sought out by junior Sailors in the command and the Hampton Roads area for her guidance and leadership on diversity and inclusion. She successfully spearheaded the planning and execution of COMOPTEVFOR's "Back to Basics" forum for 113 junior Sailors and senior enlisted personnel, focusing on Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy's "Zeroing in on Excellence" topics. Always involved and caring for the community, she coordinated a community outreach project called "Save our Sons" changing the lives of 30 young men in the local community. Shortly after she graduated from the Senior Enlisted Academy, she established an "Enlisted Women's Forum" for 22 Sailors held quarterly to openly discuss "Back to the Basics" and other topics relating to personal and professional growth. While assigned to Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CCSG) 8, she facilitated and mentored 10 Petty Officer First and Second-Class leadership courses and four Women's "Real Talk" Group Forums, empowering junior Sailors with coping strategies and solutions. She is an inclusive leader who empowers her peers and juniors to reach out to their counterparts and defuse any concerns of exclusion. She spearheaded the establishment of a first-of-its-kind "Women's Forum for Junior Sailors" aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), facilitating four classes while enlisting interest of hundreds of Sailors to openly discuss various topics relating to personal and professional growth. She worked tirelessly to ensure that all women aboard the ship felt comfortable and welcome, largely through organizing the Women's Empowerment Meetings. These meetings fostered positivity and camaraderie amongst female Sailors, showing a substantial improvement in their confidence and dedication.
Yeoman Submarine 1st Class (SS/AW/FMF) Suraya N. Mattocks is the administrative officer for Submarine Group (CSG) 8, Northwood, United Kingdom. Petty Officer Mattocks was one of the first women to integrate into the submarine community, which requires a lot of perseverance in itself. She also created the USN Female Submariner Facebook Group to create a space to share experiences and seek mentorship. This demonstrates her commitment to her teammates, by holding the door open for others and bringing up fellow female Sailors in the community. This was innovative, helpful and in keeping with the spirit of the award. In addition to her stellar performance aboard her ship, Mattocks also served as a leader in her community. She created the San Diego "Lean In" chapter for military women within the greater San Diego area, which was inclusive of all branches of the military, demonstrating her commitment as a leader, on and off duty.
Master Chief Anna Der-Vartanian made history as the first female in the U.S. Armed Forces to be promoted to the rank of E-9. Captain Joy Bright Hancock guided the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) through difficult years in the later 1940s and early 1950s, a period that saw the Navy's women achieve status as part of the Regular Navy. Both of these iconic women spent the majority of their lives acting as stewards for female integration in the Navy.
For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel - Navy Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion visit https://mynavyhr.navy.afpims.mil/Support-Services/21st-Century-Sailor/Inclusion-Diversity/