Bertina Suber-Hanley

Bertina Suber-Hanley was raised in Washington, D.C. and is a proud graduate of Fisk University and Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN, where she majored in Physics and Electrical Engineering. She also earned a degree in Systems Engineering from the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC).

While she currently lives in Howard County, MD, she has also resided in Texas, Tennessee, New Jersey, Virginia and Pennsylvania. She currently works as an Aerospace Engineer and has also worked as a Nuclear Engineer, DOD, and Healthcare as a manager.

A dedicated STEM advocate, Bertina serves as a board member and officer across several organizations focused on education, youth development, and equity. Her current leadership roles include:

  • Board Member, STEM EIC
  • Regional Vice President, Columbia Chapter of Continental Societies, Inc.
  • Vice President of Outreach, Society of Women Engineers – Baltimore-Washington Section
  • Member, Data Science Group, Women in Technology – VA
  • Social Justice Committee, National Council of Negro Women
  • MS/HS Programs & Scholarships, HBCU STEM Alliance
  • Vice President, Annapolis Sailing Association Foundation
  • Docent, Sandy Spring Slave Museum
  • President, Thomas Viaduct Middle School PTSA

With a strong commitment to advancing STEM education, Bertina has devoted decades to mentoring students, organizing science fairs, and supporting female and minority students in STEM fields. She plays a key role in STEM events for Fairfax County, Montgomery County, and Morgan State University, representing SWE-BWS. She has also spoken at numerous STEM fairs and programs across the DMV area, advocating for STEM (not STEAM) and encouraging underrepresented youth to pursue STEM majors and careers.

Bertina is also deeply passionate about housing equity. She has personally supported 29 working adults experiencing housing insecurity, many of whom were professionals such as teachers, healthcare workers, and students—by opening her home and offering transitional support. These experiences revealed systemic failures in housing access and motivated her to apply for the Horizon ACA Fellowship.

Outside of her professional and volunteer work, Bertina enjoys international travel, sailing, reading, and spending time with her family and book club. She is the proud mother of four adult children and grandmother to two.