Shaunna Black knows all about the challenges and rewards of working in the typically male-dominated profession of engineering.

The former teacher has spent her career helping girls build self-confidence in math and science and explore opportunities of their own for careers in engineering. One could say this is her mission or life calling.

Ms. Black helped found the Women of TI Fund in 2002 to expand math, science and technology education for girls. The fund sponsored advanced placement physics camps that encouraged female high school students to pursue advanced math and science courses.

Through the years, Ms. Black has supported numerous programs that encourage careers in math and science, and she promotes the growth and development of girls and women through mentoring. She is an executive mentor for the Richardson Independent School District Executive Coaching Partnership and an executive mentor for Menttium 100, which is designed to enhance leadership skills and promote corporate retention of women managers.

Ms. Black joined TI in 1985 as a mechanical engineer, following a five-year teaching career. She spent 15 years in facilities management before being asked to serve as a fabrication manager in 2000 for a then-struggling semiconductor plant. With no former knowledge of semiconductor manufacturing, Ms. Black faced many challenges. But her sharp management skills turned the plant around. Ms. Black devised an innovative team approach that enlisted each worker's experiences, skills and opinions. Today, the plant is one of TI's premier facilities.

Today, Ms. Black is a vice president at TI and manager of Worldwide Facilities, where she is responsible for the design, construction and operation of TIÕs facilities, environmental, safety and health programs and real estate management.

Ms. Black is board member of the Metroplex Technology Business Council, the Dallas Women's Foundation, the TI Foundation and the Executive Advisory Board for the UT-Austin Engineering College. She is an alumna of Leadership Texas and Leadership Richardson, and a frequent speaker at universities and international conferences.

Ms. Black was inducted into the Women in Science and Technology Hall of Fame by Women in Technology International for her contribution to the science and technology, and was inducted into the Circle of Honor by the Dallas Women's Foundation and recognized as "A Woman of Achievement" by the Richardson Young Women's Christian Organization (YWCA).

Ms. Black holds bachelor of science degrees in mechanical engineering from New Mexico State University and in education from the University of Texas in Austin. She has three children and lives in Richardson, Texas.

• Profile at the time of induction in 1997