Meet LLNL: Administrative Assistant Darlene Yazzie

Darlene Yazzie has dedicated more than three decades to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), where she has embraced numerous roles and opportunities for growth. Yazzie began her career at the Lab in June 1991 as a contract employee and transitioned to a permanent position in December 1995. Yazzie’s 33-year career at LLNL has been a journey full of understanding and mentorship.

“The Lab has allowed me to expand my knowledge in many ways,” she said. “This is something that I love about working here; being able to be afforded opportunities to explore new interests and challenges.”

Originally from rural Bloomfield, New Mexico, Yazzie moved to the Bay Area in June 1990. With a high school education, she credits LLNL for believing in her potential and providing opportunities to expand her career. She values learning on the job and emphasizes the importance of initiative and peer support in building skills and knowledge. Yazzie’s career history at LLNL speaks for itself: she has contributed to LLNL missions by working with most of the Laboratory’s directorates.

Yazzie, a member of the Navajo Nation, grew up in a large family as one of eight siblings. Her father, a strict yet generous man, instilled in her a strong work ethic and the belief that one can achieve anything with determination. Her mother, a woman who was blind, also taught her about resiliency and overcoming adversity. Religion also was important to Yazzie’s family; she grew up Christian. For Yazzie, it was a balance navigating her religion with traditional Navajo practices. Today, she maintains a connection to her cultural identity and finds common ground between her faith and heritage.

“One of the ways I am connected with my Navajo roots is that I still speak my language fluently,” she said. “I can read and write it as well. It is rare these days to be able to do all three.”

Yazzie attributes much of her professional growth to supportive managers, particularly Tom Ramos, who recognized her potential and provided opportunities for advancement. Her story is a testament to the importance of believing in oneself, self-initiative and the impact of mentorship.

Her upbringing and LLNL experiences have influenced her approach to work and community, fostering empathy and a desire to mentor others. As a founder of the Soaring Eagles program, she bridges LLNL science to Native American students and actively participates in the American Indian Activity Group employee resource group. She recently received the Director’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lifetime Achievement Award, highlighting her commitment to advocating for underrepresented voices.

Yazzie feels fortunate to be part of LLNL, where she has had the opportunity to work across 70% of the Lab's buildings. Her career at LLNL began with a position as a switchboard operator, a role that no longer exists but was crucial in the Laboratory's early years. Initially working as a telecommunications attendant in 1991, she has evolved into various roles, including security, engineering and technical support.

In 2000, Yazzie transitioned into engineering, where her career took a significant turn as she joined the Counter Proliferation Analysis Planning System group. Here, she embraced new challenges, learning graphic design and web development, which eventually led to her role as a computer support technician in October 2003. Later, Yazzie transitioned to a facilities coordinator position with Operations and Business (O&B) for four years. In 2018, she advanced to a secure communications specialist position in the Cyber Security Program. Most recently, in March 2023, she returned to O&B in an administrative support role, working with the Facilities group.

When asked what advice she would give to fellow LLNL employees, Yazzie encourages networking and to “open up and try new things. I tell people to be proud for being here,” she said. “LLNL is a great place to work and expand your mind. Ask questions, meet new colleagues, attend events and spread opportunities to others if you can.”

Outside of work, Yazzie enjoys a variety of hobbies, including gardening, playing pool and exploring microbrews. She participates in two Billiard Congress of America pool leagues and is an active member of two homebrew clubs. Her passion for microbrews extends to volunteering as a steward at various competitions. Additionally, Yazzie is deeply committed to volunteering, particularly with Burning Man and STEM initiatives.

At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) our staff are our greatest asset. LLNL continues to act on its commitment to foster strong values and a culture that embraces inclusion, diversity, equity and accountability. We encourage all to explore our available careers and apply.