cassandra-morris

Cassandra Morris, a senior process quality engineer, spends most of her days strategizing how to improve processes and reduce non-conformance costs, which complements her passion in helping people and serving her community.

“When I joined the company 13 years ago, I was pleased to see the level of work that Siemens Energy was doing in the community. So, I became involved early with our former Caring Hands Council (focused on community service), then actively supported the implementation of two employee resource groups at our site – WIN and BEC. Eventually I took on the role of corporate social responsibility officer for the Charlotte Hub.”

This platform allowed Cassandra to actively contribute to the company’s outreach efforts and community involvement. Last year, her dedication and leadership skills were further recognized when she was selected as one of the co-chairs for the U.S. National Inclusion and Diversity Council.

For Cassandra, the diversity within the company is something she values. As a council member, she actively seeks to understand the various cultures and backgrounds of her colleagues, recognizing that this broad range of experiences and perspectives strengthens the organization. Cassandra enjoys working toward solutions that address the challenges faced by her colleagues and foster an inclusive work environment.

She encourages everyone to participate in an I&D activity, as there are so many diverse opportunities throughout the year. “If people will be open to learning something new – and ask questions for understanding – we could definitely continue to grow and be a much better company,” she says.

During her initial years as a senior supplier quality engineer, Cassandra frequently traveled to supplier sites across the Midwest and West Coast, as well as to the UK and Germany. Her role was to assess the products entering the facility and ensure suppliers were adhering to their processes, minimizing the risk of nonconforming materials.

Then, she took on the role of senior process quality engineer on one of our global quality teams, now supporting the Gas Services business area. She is Lead ISO Auditor and Six Sigma Black Belt Certified and uses her knowledge and skills to complete internal audits. In this capacity, she assists in auditing different areas of the Charlotte plant to prepare for the overall company audit, and conducts root cause analyses and oversees implementation of corrective actions.

Cassandra's focus currently is on reducing nonconformance costs. She is supporting another team in the same area, reviewing processes, and evaluating the costs associated with nonconformances. The team is analyzing the effectiveness of actions taken to prevent future issues, particularly focusing on the Top 20 CAPAs. Their goal is to identify gaps and collaborate with teams to find the most effective solutions.

With a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and master’s degree in engineering management, this type of work is what Cassandra likes most about her job.

"I appreciate the problem-solving opportunities that come with my role. As an engineer, it's in my nature to embrace change and find innovative solutions. It keeps me on my toes, and there's a great sense of satisfaction when we successfully overcome an issue,” she explains. “But it doesn't stop there – our company is always looking to improve. We need people who actively seek out these problems and are committed to making us better and stronger during this energy transition. It's exciting to be part of a company that encourages continuous improvement and embraces diversity of thought."

Being a woman in manufacturing and engineering hasn’t always been easy.

“My journey initially presented challenges, but I was determined to keep working at it,” shares Cassandra. “By aligning myself with the right individuals and nurturing connections, I was able to come to a great place. I'm fortunate to be part of an incredible team and have access to exciting opportunities."

Cassandra notes that in her work and volunteer roles, she actively ensures the voices of other women are heard and valued. If they are not present in the room, she acknowledges their contributions. “It’s important to uplift one another and make sure everyone feels seen and heard. By championing each other's success, we can create an environment of support and visibility. It’s about inclusion, diversity…and representation.”

Her inclination to help others extends outside the organization, as well. Cassandra has mentored several young women over the years, offering guidance into their high school years and beyond.

“It makes me feel good that so many of them have stayed connected, even now that they’re raising families of their own. They often call to let me know what’s going on in their lives, so it’s been a great experience,” she adds.

In her free time, Cassandra loves fulfilling the role of “best auntie ever” to her seven nieces and nephews, one great niece and one great nephew. Travel is also on her list of hobbies, and she is proud to say she has traveled to four continents and 49 states – Alaska is the only state left to conquer.

Since she’s frequently in the air, Cassandra took the opportunity to fly a small plane on her own – with an instructor, of course. Fulfilling her motto, “Love the life you live and live the life you love,” she surprised the pilot when she arrived at the hangar wearing an aviator hat and glasses, and a cape she created at home!

Cassandra's expertise in improving quality and reducing nonconformances demonstrates her dedication to delivering excellence. Her commitment to recognizing and supporting others, prioritizing inclusion in the workplace, and leading Siemens Energy’s community efforts, makes her a valued member of #TeamPurple.

A champion for Team Purple