Photo By Travis Troller | Carderock Commanding Officer, Capt. Chris Matassa, presents Lisa A. Harden with the...... read more read more
BETHESDA, Md. – Lisa A. Harden, a dedicated leader at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division, was honored with the prestigious Department of the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award presented by Commanding Officer Capt. Chris Matassa on Dec. 4, 2024. The award recognizes her exceptional leadership and dedication as head of the Recruitment and Student Outreach, and Staffing and Classification Branches from March 2020 to May 2024.
As one of the Navy’s highest civilian honors, the Meritorious Civilian Service Award recognizes individuals who make outstanding contributions to the Navy or Marine Corps. For Harden, the recognition marks four years of transformative work that helped shape the future of Carderock’s workforce. The award nomination noted Harden’s “unparalleled personal initiative, dedication, and commitment to duty,” emphasizing her leadership during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period of unprecedented challenges.
When Harden assumed her supervisory role in March 2020, the world was on the brink of a major shift.
“I had just become supervisor, and then the next week, we went home,” she recalled. “I was like, ‘How am I going to be a supervisor when nobody’s even here?’”
Despite her uncertainty, and faced with leading a team remotely, Harden focused on building trust and communication. “Her ability to seamlessly transition her team to remote work while maintaining productivity was critical to the mission,” the nomination package stated.
Under her guidance, her team rose to the challenge, achieving remarkable milestones. These efforts included onboarding nearly 1,300 new employees in two years, directly supporting the Navy’s operational readiness and mission success. Harden attributed much of her success and that of her team to their collaborative culture.
“My team is great,” she said. “If you really look at it, we’ve had the same core team since I became a supervisor. That says a lot about the environment we created together.”
Harden also credited her manager, Emily Grauwiler, for fostering a supportive environment that has extended beyond the workplace. During the award ceremony, Emily arranged for Harden’s husband and son to attend, a gesture that Harden said meant the world to her.
“I had no idea that I was even being put in for this,” Harden said. “Emily knows me so well that she had my husband and son at the award ceremony.”
For Harden, this moment was deeply personal, noting that her family has been an integral part of her career journey, from relocating to Maryland to work at Carderock, to supporting her through every challenge and triumph.
“They’ve been with me for every single step of the way in my career – not just for the forward steps, but even for the ones that I thought we stepped backward,” she shared. “Having them there for this moment meant everything.”
This blend of professional collaboration and personal support has been a defining feature of Harden’s career. The award nomination cited her ability to “cultivate a spirit of unity and shared purpose within a geographically dispersed team,” With her leadership style prioritizing trust, resilience, and a sense of community.
“It’s not just about me,” Harden said. “It’s my team, my family, and the larger Carderock community. We’ve all made this happen together.”
The award underscores Harden’s leadership and contributions to Carderock and the Navy.
“I think ‘humbled’ is used a lot, but in this instance, it’s the right word. It makes me feel appreciated,” Harden said, reflecting on the recognition. “It just gives me a sense of accomplishment. Even with the ups and downs and challenges that I face, I love HR, so it’s good to be recognized for what you love to do.”
| Date Taken: | 12.19.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 12.19.2024 15:38 |
| Story ID: | 487965 |
| Location: | BETHESDA, MARYLAND, US |
| Hometown: | BETHESDA, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 25 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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