Becoming an engineer was never her plan as a young woman, but an unexpected conversation and her go-with-the-flow attitude introduced her to an unwavering passion for engineering that changed the course of her life. As a student, professor, department head, dean of Colorado School of Mines, and life-long SPE member, Dr. Ramona Graves has used her strategy of tough love and hard truths to encourage hundreds of students on the path to success and has been an integral part of numerous industry-changing projects including the Space Laser project which came to fruition in 2023. However, her biggest goal in industry has been to change its image into one of acceptance, diversity, and eco-friendliness. In a time when women were discouraged to become engineers, Dr. Graves became the role model she always wished she had. Her love of geology and innovation, and her dedication to the betterment of industry, has taken her around the world and given her countless opportunities. Her outstanding work in industry has earned her numerous US and international awards, including the Distinguished Achievement Award for Petroleum Engineering Faculty and the Hart Energy Pinnacle Award. However, she is most proud of the scholarship for the School of Mines in her name, created by her students to recognize the incredible impact she has had on their lives and the potential impact she can have on others for years to come.