NETL’s Lea Epps explains her career goals at NETL, the importance of equal opportunities for women in the workplace and why coaching youth sports is a favorite activity. 

Lea is from Adah, a small town in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. She graduated from high school in 2007 and joined the U.S. Marine Corps. In August 2007, Lea shipped off to boot camp and was honorably discharged in January 2014.

What brought you to NETL?

While in the Marines, I completed my associate degree in accounting. I moved to Virginia to work at the Veterans
Administration as an administrative assistant and completed my bachelor’s degree in accounting in 2015.

I began my career at NETL in 2016 on the accounting side as the travel clerk. In 2017, I graduated with my master’s degree and two short years later I was brought onto the budget side as a financial management specialist in the recent graduate program. In 2020, I had finished the recent graduate program and was brought on the team permanently. Currently, I am a budget analyst.

Why is it important that women are equally represented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields?

It is important to bridge the gap between the number of female and male workers in STEM fields and the pay differences. More female representation will bring more equality in workplaces and create a level playing field. With more female representation, young girls and women will enter STEM fields with their male counterparts and not be dissuaded as they grow up.

My future career goal is to become a subject matter expert in my field, be more involved with the institutional budget and one day serve as a team lead.

How do you enjoy your time away from NETL?

I have two girls, ages 11 and 6, so I don’t have much free time for hobbies. I have a love for basketball and softball.  I do enjoy coaching my younger daughter’s basketball team and helping during T-ball season.
 

Lea Epps