Board Member Spotlight
Name: Naila Foister ’11
Class Year: 2011
Major: Electrical Engineering
Company: GE Transportation
Title: Lead Program Management Engineer
Job Description:
Manage multiple engineering projects involving a cross-functional team of 100+ engineers in order to deliver software (and sometimes hardware) solutions to global customers.
LEC-PSAA Position/Committee Chair: Board Member
Why are you involved with the Lake Erie Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association?
I’ve always had an intense desire to give back to my community – and Penn State was, and still is, my ultimate community. When I was in school, I lived and breathed everything Penn State – and being a part of the board and chapter allows me to stay connected and get others excited about staying involved with Nittany Nation. Penn State is changing the world – and I never want to miss out on being a part of that.
What is your favorite Penn State moment?
I was a dancer in THON 09 and in one of the final hours (we were all semi-delirious), Joe Paterno came out and spoke. I remember him saying “There are very few times in my life I am speechless, but I am right now. I wish the whole world could see and feel what is in this room right now. Love and commitment and dedication. In 58 years at Penn State, I’ve never been more proud than right now. I hope you will never forget what you can achieve later on in life, what you’ve achieved here….” It was that moment that made me truly believe that, as members of Nittany Nation, we have the power to change the world. I carry those words with me every day – and they are my motivation to do everything I can to make the world a better place. Who knew that in 5 years at Penn State – a 2 minute speech would be the one that changed my life forever.
What do you like most about your career?
The people! Program Management is all about building relationships with both customers and coworkers in order to deliver high-quality products. I love that I get to interface with hundreds of different people every single day.
What are your hobbies?
I love to sing and read. I can probably be classified as a “book hoarder” because I constantly buy books and more books and more books. My to-read list is over 1800 books long and growing. When I’m not reading or singing, I love to travel.
Where else do you volunteer?
I’m involved with two other non-profit organizations. UTOPIA Wildlife Rehabilitators is in Hope, Indiana and it is an organization that takes in injured or sick wildlife and rehabilitates the animals in order to allow them to be released back into the wild. The organization also does educational programs for both adults and children. The other non-profit is the Mikki Bort Martial Arts Foundation located in Albion, PA which is an organization that teaches martial arts to underprivileged children (and adults). I do administrative type work for both organizations and, when I’m in the area, also do some hands-on volunteering.
What is your favorite restaurant in Erie/Crawford/Venango?
Tough question – I LOVE FOOD. My recent favorite is Millcreek Brewing Company – so far I’d peg them as having the best burgers in Erie.
One piece of career advice to recent Penn State graduates:
Find your “why.” There is a YouTube video by Michael Jr. called “Know Your Why” and it talks about the difference between knowing WHAT you want to do versus WHY you want to do it. When you figure out your WHY – your WHAT has more impact because you are working towards your purpose.
Why should alumni get involved with LEC-PSAA?
What better way to stay involved with Nittany Nation and give back to your community?
Why should alumni meet you?
My whole life is a balancing act of being a social butterfly while maintaining a demanding career. As a woman in a technical field, I bring to the table knowledge of what to expect and how women can make their place in a predominantly male industry. At the same time, since I am doing program management instead of engineering design work, I also understand what it is like to be an engineer who doesn’t necessarily want to design or build things.
Class Year: 2011
Major: Electrical Engineering
Company: GE Transportation
Title: Lead Program Management Engineer
Job Description:
Manage multiple engineering projects involving a cross-functional team of 100+ engineers in order to deliver software (and sometimes hardware) solutions to global customers.
LEC-PSAA Position/Committee Chair: Board Member
Why are you involved with the Lake Erie Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association?
I’ve always had an intense desire to give back to my community – and Penn State was, and still is, my ultimate community. When I was in school, I lived and breathed everything Penn State – and being a part of the board and chapter allows me to stay connected and get others excited about staying involved with Nittany Nation. Penn State is changing the world – and I never want to miss out on being a part of that.
What is your favorite Penn State moment?
I was a dancer in THON 09 and in one of the final hours (we were all semi-delirious), Joe Paterno came out and spoke. I remember him saying “There are very few times in my life I am speechless, but I am right now. I wish the whole world could see and feel what is in this room right now. Love and commitment and dedication. In 58 years at Penn State, I’ve never been more proud than right now. I hope you will never forget what you can achieve later on in life, what you’ve achieved here….” It was that moment that made me truly believe that, as members of Nittany Nation, we have the power to change the world. I carry those words with me every day – and they are my motivation to do everything I can to make the world a better place. Who knew that in 5 years at Penn State – a 2 minute speech would be the one that changed my life forever.
What do you like most about your career?
The people! Program Management is all about building relationships with both customers and coworkers in order to deliver high-quality products. I love that I get to interface with hundreds of different people every single day.
What are your hobbies?
I love to sing and read. I can probably be classified as a “book hoarder” because I constantly buy books and more books and more books. My to-read list is over 1800 books long and growing. When I’m not reading or singing, I love to travel.
Where else do you volunteer?
I’m involved with two other non-profit organizations. UTOPIA Wildlife Rehabilitators is in Hope, Indiana and it is an organization that takes in injured or sick wildlife and rehabilitates the animals in order to allow them to be released back into the wild. The organization also does educational programs for both adults and children. The other non-profit is the Mikki Bort Martial Arts Foundation located in Albion, PA which is an organization that teaches martial arts to underprivileged children (and adults). I do administrative type work for both organizations and, when I’m in the area, also do some hands-on volunteering.
What is your favorite restaurant in Erie/Crawford/Venango?
Tough question – I LOVE FOOD. My recent favorite is Millcreek Brewing Company – so far I’d peg them as having the best burgers in Erie.
One piece of career advice to recent Penn State graduates:
Find your “why.” There is a YouTube video by Michael Jr. called “Know Your Why” and it talks about the difference between knowing WHAT you want to do versus WHY you want to do it. When you figure out your WHY – your WHAT has more impact because you are working towards your purpose.
Why should alumni get involved with LEC-PSAA?
What better way to stay involved with Nittany Nation and give back to your community?
Why should alumni meet you?
My whole life is a balancing act of being a social butterfly while maintaining a demanding career. As a woman in a technical field, I bring to the table knowledge of what to expect and how women can make their place in a predominantly male industry. At the same time, since I am doing program management instead of engineering design work, I also understand what it is like to be an engineer who doesn’t necessarily want to design or build things.
