Heidi Kristina Ball

Family ties and strong workforce connections drew Heidi Kristina Ball to Arizona State University. With proud Sun Devil relatives and an employer that frequently hires ASU graduates, she chose to pursue an operations management degree in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.

“I found it fascinating how much engineering overlaps with people management and that understanding systems and processes applies just as much to teams as it does to technology,” Ball says.

While attending school full-time and maintaining a high GPA, Ball also worked full-time as an engineering technician at Intel and completed an internship that led to an offer of an interim safety program manager position.

She now plans to advance her career at Intel, with a goal of transitioning into a permanent management role.

“I want to continue improving semiconductor manufacturing safety systems and be part of developing innovative solutions that make workplaces safer and more efficient,” she says.

Ball says she thrives in environments where she can collaborate and solve problems creatively.

“I love seeing a need and finding and designing creative solutions to solve those needs,” she adds. “I especially love collaboration with great minds and diverse teams in making a difference.”  

Her leadership extends beyond the workplace. She has served in various roles at Intel, including events planner, ergonomics coach, ideation champion, and temporary operations manager during an internship. She also previously owned and operated her own business for more than 15 years and currently serves in the presidency of the women’s association at her church.  

While she has not conducted academic research in school, Ball has spent nearly four years working at Intel’s semiconductor research and development facility in Chandler, where she has helped to advance the packaging and assembly of integrated circuits. 

“Getting to be a part of improving processes so that these products can be brought to market has been a thrilling part of my career,” she says.

Ball credits ASU and the Fulton Schools with expanding her confidence and ambition. She recalls hearing Ira Fulton speak at her son-in-law’s graduation and being deeply inspired by his passion for education and innovation.

“That moment motivated me to pursue my own degree from the Fulton Schools, she says.

Ball also points to  an internship as a turning point.

The experience led her “to discover my own leadership style and how I want to inspire others,” she says. “It changed the way I think and made me unafraid to experiment, question, and approach challenges from a new perspective.”

Favorites

Hobby: Snow skiing, dancing and traveling
Movie: Clue
Activity: Tubing rivers
Sports team: Savannah Bananas
Geeky possession: 3D printer
Game: Skyjo
Podcast: Crime Junkies

Read about other exceptional graduates of the Fulton Schools’ fall 2025 class.

Written by Joe Kullman