“We collaborate with world-renowned scientists and engineers to further the discovery of sensing technology,” said Janning-Lask. “A lot of critical decisions are based off of data and sensors can provide this data to allow the warfighter to make those decisions in challenging environments.”
Janning-Lask began her career as an engineer with the Aeronautical Systems Center, which provided her with the technological perspective of the Air Force mission.
“There are various missions that the Air Force supports, but to me, there was one overarching goal which was to support the warfighter,” said Janning-Lask. “Through training, operations and technology, I realized that we can support the warfighter in many different ways.”
Janning-Lask turned her technological perspective into more of corporate-level view as she took on new roles throughout her civil service career.
“After gaining the technological and management perspectives, I wanted to create change at the policy level,” said Janning-Lask. “I wanted to create policies that continuously maintain the integrity of the systems.”
Janning-Lask’s main goals as a new director are to maintain the integrity of the science and technology enterprise and to foster a limitless ability to innovate within the Sensors Directorate.
“Never let failure stop you from being innovative,” said Janning-Lask. “Embrace failure, learn from it, and move on. There is just as much to be learned from failure as there is success.”
Janning-Lask hopes to lead with a focus on the Air Force core values: integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. Her father, one of Ohio’s most prolific inventors, inspired her from a young age to follow these types of ideals.
“My dad always told me to ‘do good, be good’ and I believe that is truly how you can become a servant leader,” said Janning-Lask.
Just as Janning-Lask’s father contributed to her passion for research, she hopes to inspire Sensors Directorate members in the same way. She hopes to recruit world-class talent to the directorate to continue to spark innovation and advances in sensing technology.
“I want to create an environment for limitless growth,” said Janning-Lask. “I want to turn strategy into results.”
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