Meet Sophia Calabaza. Although new to NNSA's Office of Infrastructure, she has been steadily building a name for herself and her community within the Nuclear Security Enterprise.
National Nuclear Security Administration
November 29, 2024
minute read time
How do you support NNSA?
For the past 20 years I’ve worked at NNSA’s Los Alamos Field Office as an Administrative Assistant and Project Management Analyst. Six months ago, I moved to the Office of Infrastructure’s Acquisition & Project Management (APM) as a Program Analyst.
What is your personal background, and how has that shaped you and your approach to your career?
I’m Native American Indian from San Ildefonso Pueblo, New Mexico. I graduated from Santa Fe Indian School and attended Northern New Mexico College.
What did you study in school and how did it impact you personally and professionally?
I earned an associate’s degree in office administration and I have grown in this field, supporting and guiding people daily in the administrative duties I provide.
What led you to a career in nuclear security?
I was working at the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the Cerro Grande Fire Service Center when the Los Alamos Field Office came by for a meeting. Someone asked what was next for me, and I replied: “Are you hiring?” And that’s when my career started with NNSA.
What is the best part about your job?
I love working for APM program in beautiful Northern New Mexico. We oversee projects across Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).
Los Alamos is a unique place, due to the boundary line connecting the four Northern New Mexico Pueblos. I am from one of those Pueblos.
What is your proudest accomplishment while supporting NNSA?
I was proud to present “Pueblo Etiquettes” and “Native American 101” to non-natives at Los Alamos Field Office, APM, LANL, and visitors from different sites.
Tell us something interesting about yourself.
I am a mother of five children and have two granddaughters. I am learning how to sew, run cross country, and I love to read and travel. I look forward to spending the rest of my time learning my Pueblo language and traditions.
What advice would you have for anyone interested in a career in public service?
It’s always been engrained in me to do public service because of my father, who served in the United States Navy and Marines.
Who is someone that inspires you and why?
Both of my late grandmothers inspire me. They taught me my Native American traditions. I’ve been lucky to learn how to make traditional pottery using all of Mother Earth’s materials, and Pueblo cooking using pueblo farming and agriculture.
How do you plan to commemorate Native American Heritage Month?
I will present and share a piece of my Pueblo traditions and provide samples of Pueblo foods.