Deborah R. Castleman ('81, Electrical Engineering)

Deborah R. Castleman

Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense

BS Electrical Engineering, Cal Poly Pomona, 1981

MS Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 1986

MA International Studies, The Claremont Graduate School, 1990

Growing up, Deborah R. Castleman had never heard of a woman becoming an engineer. That was far from a dissuasion however, as the self-proclaimed feminist set out to pioneer her own path and become a professional electrical engineer. After serving in the U.S. Air Force working on avionics electronics, Deborah earned her engineering degree at Cal Poly Pomona and continued her impressive career trajectory. After graduation, she worked at Hughes Aircraft—eventually becoming one of the first two women to hold the company’s coveted position of spacecraft manager.

Five years later, Deborah decided she wanted to study defense policy and eventually work in Washington, D.C. She obtained her second master’s degree and became a space and defense policy analyst at RAND. During this time, she also volunteered in politics, and this led to a position on the Clinton/Gore presidential campaign in Little Rock, Arkansas. After the election, Deborah was hired at the Pentagon for the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Command, Control and Communications.

A few years later, Deborah came back to Los Angeles to work as vice president in her husband’s innovative startup company. After the company closed, she then scaled back from full-time work altogether to devote time to traveling, hiking, and philanthropic activities.

For future engineers, Deborah advises, “Sit in front of the class and resolve to pay attention. Ask questions. Get help when you get stuck. Learn how to sell yourself. Always speak up at least once in every meeting (otherwise, why are you there?). And develop a life-long love of learning.”