July Spotlight: Petra Fernandez — Building STEERBRIDGE One Great Hire at a Time   

At STEERBRIDGE, our people are our purpose—and building exceptional teams begins with exceptional recruiters. This month, we are proud to spotlight Petra Fernandez, a Corporate Technical Recruiter whose drive, focus, and commitment to mission-first hiring continue to shape our success.  

Petra embodies the principle that exceptional people attract other exceptional people. With every thoughtful placement, she strengthens the foundation of our culture, supports project excellence, and drives long-term impact. 

Recruiting with Purpose   

As the wife and granddaughter of U.S. Veterans, Petra sought a career that allowed her to support the Veteran community. After completing the Hiring Our Heroes’s Career Forward program, she transitioned into government contracting—and found her home at STEERBRIDGE.

“Supporting Veterans and contributing to federal transformation felt like something I was meant to do. STEERBRIDGE gave me a chance to make that happen,” Petra said. 

Impact at Scale   

Petra’s influence spans several high-priority initiatives, including MDC, VAESD, and the DC modernization project. She leads full-cycle recruiting efforts, partners with hiring managers, and coordinates recruiting strategy across multiple teams.

Her manager, Bill Gray, sums up her contributions simply:

“She continues to crush it on the recruiting front.”

Petra has become the “go-to” recruiter for tough to fill roles across the company.

“I look for more than skill. I look for people who bring energy and align with our values,” she said.

“Exceptional People Attract Exceptional People” 

Petra takes a human-centered approach to every search. She builds genuine relationships, asks intentional questions, and ensures every hire contributes to the broader mission. Her work reflects the power of values-based hiring.

“Each hire affects the next. If we start with the right people, we build teams that thrive together,” she said.  

Driven by Growth  

Petra credits STEERBRIDGE with fostering her growth as a professional and empowering her to lead.

“This company believed in me. That belief helped me grow into a confident, capable recruiter. Now I’m focused on helping others find the same opportunity.”

Looking ahead, Petra is excited to expand talent pipelines, elevate recruiting operations, and continue placing mission-aligned professionals in impactful roles. 

Final Thought  

“Helping people feel seen, supported, and valued is what drives me—and that’s exactly the kind of culture I want to build with every hire.”

Petra’s thoughtful approach to recruitment ensures every new teammate strengthens the STEERBRIDGE mission and reinforces our values—one new STEERBRIDGE employee at a time.