Venn Ambassador Spotlight: Joan Marie, NASA Engineer and Science Communicator
Joan Marie @yourfemaleengineer is a NASA Integration Engineer currently working on all uncrewed and scientific missions that go to space. As a science communicator and public speaker, she’s focused on inspiring and empowering women and minorities to pursue careers in STEM. Follow Joan Marie on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter and LinkedIn here.
Tell us briefly about your work, inspirations, passions and philosophy on health and fitness.
I am an Integration Engineer for the Space Industry and I work on all uncrewed and scientific missions that go to space. My typical day can vary depending on what projects I work on, but it can be filled with meetings, on-site testing, verifications, and travel.
“To me, mental health is as important as being physically healthy.”
Health and fitness is extremely important to me because in order to stay on top of your game, you have to take care of both your body and mind. To me, mental health is as important as being physically healthy. I like using my Venn Air Design chair to take a break in the day and perform stretches and even yoga poses at my home office. By doing so, I take a mental break from the stresses of work, as well as work on my posture and core strength while working from home.
We're all about movement at Venn. What does a typical day for you look like through the lens of movement?
I like to go for a quick run/walk in the morning with my dogs prior to starting work. This allows me to start my day on the right foot and not have to scramble to get a workout later in the day (just in case I get busy at work). I use my Venn Air Chair when sitting at my desk, and rotate from sitting and standing- luckily I have a stand up desk. By changing up my positions, it allows me to stay refreshed and alert throughout the day.
Why and how do you use a Venn Air Chair? Where in your home, office or workout routine do you use it?
I use it at my home office. We are all coming up to almost two years working from home (crazy to think) and my Venn Air Chair has helped me tremendously with my posture and overall well being. It allows me to stretch while in meetings and work on my core while helping design space hardware.
What are your favorite Venn Air Chair positions and moves?
I love to stretch at my desk while sitting on my Venn Air Chair. I go from over the head stretches to forward and torso stretches. As someone who has had some back issues in the past, doing these stretches everyday and while working from home, helps me alleviate the stresses that may arise.
At Venn, we zig when others zag. What's something in work or life that you approach differently—philosophically, physically, emotionally—than others?
I like to look at problems or issues from all angles and listen to everyone's opinion. As an integration engineer, you work with all aspects of a launch (electrical, mechanical, material, contamination, etc.) and it can be difficult to try to get everyone on the same page. But for me, I find this as the easiest part of my job because I have always been a people person or a "jack of all trades".
“I like to look at problems or issues from all angles and listen to everyone’s opinion.”
I was taught at a young age to give the same respect to everyone. Whether they are the CEO to an entry level employee to the person who cuts the lawn at the company; we all deserve the same amount of respect and I feel that this makes a great leader.
Follow Joan Marie across social media here.
