“I wanted to take a moment to personally thank you for the pivotal role you played in helping Brendan secure his internship at SAIC. That opportunity didn’t just give him work experience—it changed the trajectory of his career and helped shape the young man he’s become.

As a father, I watched Brendan grow tremendously during his time at SAIC. The internship you provided him with hands-on experience in data analysis and business operations that classroom learning alone could never fully offer. More importantly, it gave him the confidence to apply his skills in a real-world setting and understand how his education could directly impact complex, meaningful projects. He came away from that experience with a clearer sense of purpose and a more mature outlook on the professional world. 

That early exposure to structured project environments and enterprise tools directly influenced his next steps. It was during that internship that Brendan developed an interest in project management—something he later explored in college and eventually led him to connect with a senior manager from Disney. That connection turned into a full-time role at one of the most iconic companies in the world.

Thank you again for opening that first door. You didn’t just help Brendan land an internship—you helped him find his path.

Warm regards,

David Easley”

“I had the distinct privilege of interning at SAIC under the mentorship of Gretchen Johns, and her impact on my professional development was truly transformative. Gretchen's commitment to my growth was evident in every interaction. She didn't just tell me how to grow; she actively involved me in multiple projects, allowing me to directly shadow and contribute. This hands-on approach was invaluable in honing my data analyst skills, as I gained practical experience in real-world scenarios.

Beyond data analysis, Gretchen's guidance was pivotal in shaping my aspirations for IT project management. Through these diverse shadowing opportunities, I learned the intricacies of project lifecycles, stakeholder management, and effective team coordination – skills I now confidently carry forward. Her dedication to my learning was simply unexplainable; she consistently went above and beyond to ensure I was exposed to the experiences necessary to understand and excel in these critical areas.

Gretchen's mentorship has been instrumental in charting my career path, leading me not only towards becoming a proficient data analyst but also solidifying my dream of becoming an IT project manager at a company like Disney. Any organization would be incredibly fortunate to have Gretchen Johns as a leader and mentor.”

~Brendan Easley

“Working with Dr. Johns early in my career was a transformative experience for me. During my time with her, she provided me with valuable tools, tips, and best practices for navigating the corporate world. She created a safe environment that encouraged me to take risks and grow, all while ensuring I felt supported in challenging myself. Her mentorship was instrumental in helping me develop essential skills that have greatly influenced my professional growth. Thanks to her guidance, I am always eager to raise my hand and say "yes" when new opportunities arise, as she helped build my confidence in my knowledge, skills, and capabilities. I am immensely grateful for Dr. Johns' mentorship and ongoing support!”

~Dalen McWilliams

“I had the chance to work with Gretchen when she was my manager during my first internship at SAIC.  Gretchen was a true mentor who created an environment where I felt both challenged and supported.

Through our weekly 1on1, Gretchen helped me navigate the corporate world for the first time, always offering thoughtful guidance and encouragement. She asked the right questions, and gave clear and actionable advice, which helped me build real confidence in my own path. Our time working together was incredibly meaningful, and I'm always grateful for her support in my early career!”

~Ethan Karam

"Working with Gretchen during my internship in the Chief Data Office at SAIC was a formative part of my early career. Our weekly meetings gave me space to reflect on my goals, talk through challenges, and make thoughtful decisions about graduate school. Gretchen offered more than just guidance — she brought deep insight, kindness, and a steady presence that helped me feel confident in the path I chose. I’m so grateful for her mentorship and the clarity it brought during a pivotal time."

~Riley Havel

“Working with you during my time at SAIC had a lasting impact on my early career. Your ability to combine clear guidance with genuine encouragement helped me navigate challenges with more confidence and clarity. I always felt like you saw my potential and pushed me to grow thoughtfully — not just as a professional, but as a person. That kind of mentorship stays with you.”

~Aiden Bennett-Jones

“Gretchen was an incredible mentor and resource during my first internship. Throughout the program, she provided thoughtful guidance and consistent support. She designed a well-structured, engaging program that gave us opportunities to grow professionally and collaborate with our peers. Her feedback on our final project was especially valuable and helped our team refine our work and communicate our ideas more effectively. I’m truly grateful for her leadership and the care she put into making the internship a rewarding experience.”

~Emily Knisley

"Working with Gretchen during my early career at SAIC was instrumental in my professional development. She provided personalized mentorship that helped me build confidence and gain clarity about my career direction. Her guidance was both supportive and challenging, pushing me to grow while giving me the tools I needed to succeed. I'd highly recommend her coaching to any early career professional."

~Aaron Seeley

“Your mentorship during my early career was really valuable - from weekly checkins to catch up, providing clear feedback that helped me grow, or helping me navigate challenging tasks. With your guidance, I was able to build up my confidence and I am grateful for the relationship I was able to build with you!”

~Grace Coccagna

"Dr. Gretchen Johns was an instrumental factor for my positive internship experience at SAIC. Not only did she prepare me for the internship through programming in the internship's beginning weeks, but she encouraged and assisted me with my postgraduate plans."

~Jahzara Taylor

“Working with Gretchen during the early stages of my career made a huge difference. She gave me guidance on the entire CDO structure and the day-to-day workflow, answered any questions regarding my internship procedures, and always gave advice regarding future CDO endeavors. She made sure I was always included in the team I was helping out, and made sure by the completion of the internship I gained several new skills.”

~Christian Joseph

“Gretchen is a great leader and mentor for early career students. She was my manager at my first internship and made sure to not only support me in professional development, but how to be a leader inside the workplace and classroom.”

~Maseel Shah