At Amentum, we celebrate our people, our cultures, and we recognize the value of diversity and inclusion. In March, we’ll focus on Women’s History Month while shining a light on one employee at a time. Today’s Q&A is with Berrak Tartaglino, Sr. Business Operations Manager for Critical Missions/Diplomacy & International Development.
How did you come to join Amentum?
I was hired by PAE in 2019 to support its emerging U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) portfolio and joined Amentum through acquisitions.
What is your professional and personal background?
I have 25 plus years of international development experience with a focus on financial and operational management of USAID contracts and organizational development in industry-leading international organizations. During the day, I am a Sr. Business Operations Manager (USAID portfolio) with our Critical Missions – Diplomacy and International Development Team. After work hours and weekends, I am also known as a mom, an amateur archer, marathoner, certified CorePower yoga instructor and floral designer at the White House. I was born in Ankara and raised in Istanbul, Turkey. I reside in Falls Church, Virginia with my daughters (Chiara, 21; Maia, 18) when they are not at Virginia Tech.
Describe the work you do and how you think it makes a positive impact.
I provide sound business judgment, maturity, strong financial and operational project management skills with high integrity. With my self-confidence, credibility and personality, I motivate and develop rapport among coworkers and management, build effective teams and promote teamwork to achieve the common goal.
What are some of your accomplishments and/or what has been your proudest career moment?
My proudest career moment was deciding to serve as the secretary for Amentum’s Women in Search of Excellence (WISE) Employee Resource Network (ERN).
What do you enjoy about working for Amentum?
I enjoy challenges that require learning new skills and interacting with people from diverse backgrounds. My position allows me to utilize my organizational, communication and leadership skills that are necessary to transform concepts into operating realities.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about what I do – International Development.
What’s your career advice?
Be your authentic self without an apology.
What does safety mean to you or do you have a favorite safety tip?
My favorite safety tips are:
- Understand the risks.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
What’s the best invention in the world and why?
The Global Positioning System (GPS): Navigation. Tracking. Timing. Its ability to find an object, location or/and person accurately and precisely on earth makes it an essential and fascinating safety tool.
Anything else you would like to share from a personal or professional perspective?
Surround yourself with people who think differently than you. Challenge your beliefs, question your assumptions, embrace the discomfort of defending your ideas. This is the only way you challenge your perspective to grow.
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
Women’s History Month is all about honoring the courageous women who were willing to be comfortable with being uncomfortable to inspire change; celebrating the progress we have made and committing to the next generation of women who will take this journey further.
