As a teenager, taking an optical physics class and discovering how a piece of glass called a lens could create images of objects sparked my love of optics. In the 35 years since, I have progressed in the field of optics from student to engineer to manager. I have recently switched away from a pure engineering career to directing the operations department at the laser system manufacturing company, Daylight Solutions.

As a senior director of operations, it is my responsibility to ensure that our company manufactures innovative, high-quality laser products for our customers, delivering them on time while preserving business-sensible costs.

My career progression represents my biggest accomplishment in my professional life so far. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to continuously expand my knowledge of what it takes to design, prototype, and manufacture laser systems. I have grown from an individual contributor, participating in designs and solving technical problems, to leading increasingly more functionally diverse teams of people who deliver on business needs.

The day I discovered the meaning of the term “impostor syndrome” is the day I found a name for my biggest career obstacle. I have tamed it in part thanks to the great mentors I had in my thesis advisor and in my direct managers, and, in part, by learning to trust that my drive to always do the best work I can will yield valuable results.

Looking back, I wish two books — and their topics — had crossed my path earlier. One is titled Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves, and the other is The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance — What Women Should Know by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman. I would highly recommend them to anyone starting out in their career, with the second one especially empowering for women.

Looking forward, I wish to continue developing people’s careers in the context of increasing Daylight Solutions’ impact in this world. Our motto is “To Protect with Light,” and I believe we do just that. In the process, I also hope to help normalize women leaders in our society’s high-tech companies.

Edeline Fotheringham
Sr. Director of Operations, Leonardo DRS – Daylight Solutions
Born a French citizen / Resides in United States
Educational Background: BS in Engineering, École Nationale Supérieure de Physique de Strasbourg, France; MS in Photonics, Université Louis Pasteur, France; PhD in Electrical Engineering, JILA, University of Colorado, United States