Giao Phan began her Navy civil service career in 1984 and became the first Asian American woman to serve as NAVSEA executive director (2021). In this capacity she serves a global workforce of more than 85,000 military and civilian personnel who execute the research, development, acquisition, maintenance, modernization, and inactivation of the Navy’s fleet. Additionally, she is leading the NAVSEA transformation office responsible for executing the naval sustainment system-shipyard effort to reduce the maintenance durations of submarines and aircraft carriers to generate greater warfighting capability for the fleet. She is the recipient of several awards, including the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award (2019), Asian American Government Executives Network Stanley Suyat Memorial Leadership Award (2016), USCG Superior Achievement Award (2013), Federal Asian Pacific American Council Outstanding Individual Leadership Award (2013), and Women of Color STEM Career Achievement in Government Award (2010).

Last Updated: 29 March 2023