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As corporate director of the Socio-Eco-nomic Business Pro-gram,
Integrated Systems, for Northrop Grumman Corp., Gloria D. Pualani
is responsible for the direction and implementation of all program
issues, from policies related to small-business enterprises to
representing Northrop at both congressional African-American and
Hispanic caucuses. During her 25-year tenure at Northrop, she
has substantially increased business development opportunities
for minority-owned firms in the aerospace industry.
“I lead my life with integrity and principles,”
says Pualani. She learned these traits from her aunt, Mary Lee
Phelps, who, along with her husband, raised Pualani since she
was eight months old. “Aunt Mary had an eighth-grade education
but was extremely wise, with a gentle spirit, who understood the
true meaning of integrity … I learned many practical things
from her wisdom,” Pualani says.
Pualani received a bachelor’s degree from California State
University and a master’s in business administration from
National University. She found tremendous support from Jim Edwards,
a company senior vice president, in her ascent at Northrop Grumman,
she says. “He gave me assignments that were increasingly
difficult, without hesitation, [and] never wavered in his support
of my ability to succeed,” Pualani says.
“Never wavering in support” is a philosophy that
Pualani carries into her involvement with community organizations,
such as the NAACP, Association of Black Women Entrepreneurs and
the National Association of Women Business Owners. She spearheaded
the Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority
Institutions program at Northrop.
In addition to being named one of TNJ’s 2006 “25
Influential Black Women in Business,” she also has been
named one of the “100 Most Promising Black Women in Corporate
America” by Ebony magazine and one of “America’s
Best and Brightest” by Dollars & Sense magazine. It
may well be that her belief in a higher power and in a higher
purpose in life enabled her to excel. “I’m God-centered.
If you put God first, you’ll never finish second.”
Pualani is a mother and grandmother. “God blessed me with
a son, who has now given me a wonderful grandson. He warms my
spirit,” she says.
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