Bridget M. Graham is a venerable professional whose career is marked by a blend of technical expertise, longtime leadership, and a commitment to excellence. Today, she is the associate director of facilities planning and management at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Her journey through various roles reflects her dedication to perpetual improvement and lifelong learning. Across her career trajectory spanning more than 30 years, Ms. Graham has been lauded for maintaining integrity and the highest standards.
At Wayne State University, Ms. Graham has introduced innovative processes to enhance efficiency, making significant strides in streamlining operations and setting organizational standards that facilitate productivity. Her initiatives have included the establishment of organized meeting and break spaces and the implementation of systematic scheduling. To ensure the perennial success of her department, Ms. Graham trains new employees to follow these processes. Before her position at Wayne State University, she thrived as a master trainer with PathWise from 2021 to 2023 and held multiple positions with the Terumo Cardiovascular Group, including serving as facilities engineering manager and senior quality project manager. Her time at Terumo was marked by significant achievements, and she is proud to have saved the company $500,000 before her departure.
As a steadfast believer in the transformative power of embracing challenges and opportunities, Ms. Graham is pursuing an MBA at Wayne State University. Her academic foundation began at Temple University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering technology in 1988. In 2010, she earned a Master’s Certificate in Six Sigma and a Certificate of Achievement from Villanova University. Ms. Graham is highly credentialed in her field, holding certifications as a trainer in investigations and CAPA through PathWise. In addition, she is a Certified Quality Auditor with the American Society for Quality.
Ms. Graham began her career as a maintenance supervisor with Philip Morris, where she was assigned to work in the hard-pack area of the factory, which was one of the fastest cigarette-producing areas at the time. Her boss, whom she regards as a highly influential mentor, placed her under the guidance of one of the most skilled technicians in the area. To this day, Ms. Graham’s strong work ethic stems from the mentorship and demanding standards she learned from her boss at Philip Morris. One remarkable milestone in Ms. Graham’s career was her appointment as the first African American woman maintenance supervisor at the company’s Richmond, Virginia, plant. She recognized the immense significance of the opportunity and worked hard to excel in the role. Eventually, she was joined by two of her female colleagues, with their employment marking a significant shift in the history of the plant. As more women began to assume prominent titles with the company, Ms. Graham was selected to accompany the electrical and engineering teams to Germany to install an essential piece of equipment. No woman had ever worked in the plant to that point, and special permission was required for her to be granted entry. Ms. Graham considers this experience a pivotal moment in her career and is honored to have been a part of it. This achievement embodies her pioneering spirit and capability in overcoming traditional barriers.
Looking forward, Ms. Graham aspires to complete her master’s degree and launch her own compliance writing training enterprise for corporations. She is focusing on establishing a brand name and designing a logo for this venture, which she intends to pursue after retirement. Her goal is to create a lasting legacy of excellence and innovation in facilities management and compliance training, as she found her previous experience in the industry immensely gratifying. In all her endeavors, Ms. Graham prides herself on her preparation, which enables her to perform at her highest level. She believes the key to her success is consistently bringing her best self to everything she does.
