Career Workshop Speakers
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About Career Workshop Speakers
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Jacqueline Stennett (US Army Veteran)
Chair - Career Coaching Workshop
Vice President, AcademyWomen
Jackie Stennett is the Vice President and Board Member of AcademyWomen, a nonprofit leadership and professional development organization that bridges the gap of support by providing programs and resources that connect military women to networks of substance, impact and influence. As Vice President, Jackie assists in the design strategy and growth of all mission critical programs including the former 5x award-winning online mentoring program, networking events and career development opportunities that cultivate and leverage the leadership of military women to impact positive change locally, nationally and globally. Jackie served as a logistics officer in the United States Army and has a wide array of leadership and management experience within the corporate, government and nonprofit sectors. Currently, in addition to her role with AcademyWomen, Jackie advises organizations with socially responsible missions in designing effective strategies to improve individual and organizational performance. Jackie serves on the Advisory Boards of the Service Academies Global Summit (SAGS), the George Mason University Schar School of Policy & Government's Gender and Policy (GAP) Center, the Civil Service Board of a South Florida city, and holds a BS in Chinese Studies from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
https://www.academywomen.org
About Jacqueline Stennett (US Army Veteran)
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Chair - Career Coaching Workshop
Vice President, AcademyWomen
Suzy Streeter (Colonel, US Air Force Retired)
Host
Board of Directors, AcademyWomen
Suzy Streeter is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and a Founding Member of the AcademyWomen Board of Directors. Over her 28 years in the Air Force, Colonel Streeter was a Group Commander, Major Command and Numbered Air Force Director of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance; an Intelligence Plans and Exercises Division Chief at a sub-unified command; a Squadron Director of Operations; a Squadron Commander; as well as an Air Staff Program Element Monitor and Legislative Affairs Liaison. Colonel Streeter's deployments include Operation DECISIVE ENDEAVOR and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Prior to retiring from the Air Force, she was instrumental in standing-up the US Space Force Intelligence, Reconnaissance, and Surveillance function. Colonel Streeter is a 1992 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and is currently pursuing an MA in Pastoral Ministry.
https://www.academywomen.org
About Suzy Streeter (Colonel, US Air Force Retired)
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Host
Board of Directors, AcademyWomen
Kimberly Jackson
Fireside Chat
Chief of Staff, US Department of Veterans Affairs
Ms. Jackson was selected by Secretary Denis McDonough to serve as the Chief of Staff for Veterans Affairs and sworn in on October 10, 2023. As Chief of Staff, Ms. Jackson is the senior advisor to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary in the federal government’s second-largest Cabinet department, with a budget of more than $246 billion and over 450,000 employees serving in VA medical centers, clinics, benefits offices, and national cemeteries.
Ms. Jackson brings to the Department of Veterans Affairs two decades of experience in national security, military health, and Veterans issues spanning positions in the executive branch, legislative branch, and research and nonprofit institutions. From January 2021 to October 2023, she served as the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense for the strategic readiness of the Armed Forces as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Readiness in the Department of Defense.
During her time at the RAND Corporation, as an international and defense researcher, Ms. Jackson led and published research on topics including military culture, military personnel policy, special operations, and Reserve Component forces. She also served as a professor of policy analysis at the RAND Pardee RAND Graduate School, and previously conducted research for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
Since beginning her civilian service in the Department of Defense in 2009, Ms. Jackson held key positions in special operations, Syria, and security assistance policy in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. She also served as a planner in three special operations commands, and as a special assistant in the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation directorate.
From 2004-2006, Ms. Jackson worked for U.S. Senator Mark Dayton as the military and Veterans legislative assistant, where she spearheaded legislation to create the National Guard and Reserve Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program.
Ms. Jackson also served as a Naval Reserve officer from 2012 to 2020.
Originally from Wisconsin, she holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota, as well as a Master of Public Policy and Master of Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley. Ms. Jackson lives in Virginia with her husband, an active-duty Army officer, and their two cats.
https://department.va.gov/
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Fireside Chat
Chief of Staff, US Department of Veterans Affairs
Lourdes Tiglao (US Air Force Veteran)
Moderator: Fireside Chat
Director, Center for Women Veterans at the US Department of Veterans Affairs
Lourdes Tiglao is the Director of the Center for Women Veterans at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In this capacity, Ms. Tiglao serves as the primary advisor to the VA Secretary on Department policies, programs, and legislation that affect women Veterans. In addition, she oversees the Center’s activities, which include monitoring and coordinating VA’s administration of health care, benefits, services, and programs for women Veterans; serving as an advocate for cultural transformation (both within VA and in the general public) in recognizing the service and contributions of women Veterans and service members; and raising awareness of the responsibility to treat women Veterans with dignity and respect. Prior to joining the VA, Ms. Tiglao was the Global Partnerships Manager at Airbnb’s Open Homes program, where she focused on strategy, standards, processes, and strategic partnerships; while overseeing a global team and a portfolio of 70+ nonprofit, private sector, and international aid agencies across six continents. Ms. Tiglao’s background traverses the military, federal, and nonprofit sectors, spanning over a decade in leadership roles in the US Air Force and various functional areas in business, communications, and healthcare. During her military tenure, Ms. Tiglao utilized her medical expertise to help save lives on the Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT), and was deployed to multiple locations including Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, and others. Her final assignment was in Okinawa, Japan, where she helped launch the first Critical Care Medical Attendant Team (CCMAT) which provides critical care medical evacuation services. After transitioning from the military, Ms. Tiglao served with Team Rubicon, a Veteran-led non-profit disaster response organization, as the Global Strategic Partnerships Officer, connecting the network with government and organizations around the world. Ms. Tiglao is a former member on the MyVA Advisory Board for the VA and has served on several Veteran-focused boards to improve service access for minority Veterans and enhance their lives through the arts. She is a sought-after speaker and has presented on topics ranging from management, medicine, Veteran reintegration, and humanitarian response to the Philippine Embassy, New York and San Francisco Philippine consulates, the State Department, international television networks, universities, and scientific conferences.
https://www.va.gov/womenvet/
About Lourdes Tiglao (US Air Force Veteran)
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Moderator: Fireside Chat
Director, Center for Women Veterans at the US Department of Veterans Affairs
Trier Bryant (US Air Force Veteran)
Workshop Facilitator
Founder, TrierBryant.com
Trier (tree-air) Bryant is a previous United States Air Force Captain and a people-first leadership & inclusion executive with 17 years of experience building inclusive teams and workplaces for companies across the technology sector, Wall Street, and the military. Trier is the Founder of TrierBryant.com, a consulting firm that advises organizations on strategies and tactics to improve their workplace culture. She also teamed up with New York Times best-selling author Kim Scott to co-found Just Work, a company that provides coaching and workshops to create more collaborative and equitable work environments. Trier serves as a Board Member for Athena SPACs and Campaign Zero, a non-profit committed to ending police violence in America. Previously, Trier was President of 82VS, the venture creation arm of Alloy Therapeutics, where she supported cutting-edge innovators launching companies to bring drug discoveries to market for underrepresented groups. Prior to 82VS, Trier spearheaded talent and inclusion initiatives for leading technology and finance companies. Her experience as a DEI & talent executive includes serving as the first Chief People Officer at the aerospace startup Astra, Global Head of Revenue and Diversity Recruiting at Twitter, and VP at Goldman Sachs, where she led diversity talent acquisition across 15 divisions. Her career began as a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, Air Force Captain, and combat veteran. A trained engineer, she oversaw engineering teams defending cybersecurity threats while leading diversity recruiting and inclusion initiatives for the Air Force and Department of Defense. Trier has been featured as an influential voice on leadership and DEI by publications including USA Today, CNN and Fortune. Trier earned a B.S. in Systems Engineering with a minor in Spanish and Leadership from the United States Air Force Academy (Beat Army, Sink Navy) where she also played Division I volleyball. Trier enjoys spending time with her close-knit family who taught her to live by the family motto "...good enough isn't.”
https://www.trierbryant.com/
About Trier Bryant (US Air Force Veteran)
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Workshop Facilitator
Founder, TrierBryant.com
Alaina Love, SPHR
Workshop Facilitator
Founder & CEO, Purpose Linked Consulting
Alaina is the CEO and Founder of Purpose Linked Consulting, and is a nationally recognized expert in leadership purpose, passion and inclusion. She is the co-author of The Purpose Linked Organization: How Passionate Leaders Inspire Winning Teams and Great Results. A former research scientist and former Executive Director of Global Human Resources for Merck, Alaina developed the Passion Profiler™ - a psychometric tool, which identifies and measures employee passions and reveals how these passions are being used in the work environment. Alaina’s work has shown that managing to an individual’s passions, as well as their skills, fuels performance and engagement, stimulates cognitive diversity and builds the agility required to successfully navigate and lead in challenging times. An avid thought leader, she has written for Bloomberg Business Week, The Washington Post, and Harvard Business Review online. Currently, she writes a popular Leadership blog for SmartBrief. Alaina is also a member of Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches, an organization comprised of the world’s top coaches and leadership strategists. In 2021, Alaina was recently awarded the International Thought Leader of Distinction award from the MEECO Leadership Institute.
https://thepurposelink.com/
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Workshop Facilitator
Founder & CEO, Purpose Linked Consulting
Erin Petrey
Guest Presenter
Overview of the Curated Signature Bourbon Tasting Experience
Erin R. Petrey is the Cocktail Editor and a Senior Contributor for Bourbon & Banter where she has been writing about spirits and cocktails for over a decade. She is an Executive Bourbon Steward, Co-Ambassador of the DC Bourbon Women Chapter, and President of the Kentucky Society of Washington. She caught the "bourbon bug" growing up down the road from the Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, and has always been fascinated by its history, process, and impact on American culture. She works professionally in the sustainability space, where she is currently focused on electrifying corporate transportation and expanding charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. Erin holds an MA in Diplomacy & International Commerce from the University of Kentucky and a BA in International Affairs & Anthropology from The George Washington University. She currently lives in Washington, DC with her rescue Cairn Terrier, Lila.
https://www.drinkcurious.com/
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Guest Presenter
Overview of the Curated Signature Bourbon Tasting Experience
About OWLS Speakers
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Elisabeth Auld (Colonel, US Air Force Retired)
Chair - Officer Women Leadership Symposium (OWLS)
Colonel, U.S. Air Force Retired and OWLS Chair for AcademyWomen
Elisabeth S. Auld serves as the host and chair of the 2024 Officer Women Leadership Symposium (OWLS) and has been involved in AcademyWomen activities for many years. She is currently employed by SAIC as a project manager for the Federal Aviation Administration and as an Adjunct Professor for the Naval War College. An Air Force veteran, Elisabeth retired as a Colonel in 2014, completing her career assigned as Director of Staff, Air Force Public Affairs, where she led a staff of six and directed the administrative, fiscal, security and personnel activities for a 185-person organization. Prior to this, she was assigned as the Deputy Director, Bases, Ranges, and Airspace, and the Airfield Operations Officer Career Field manager. Before her assignment to the Pentagon, she was honored to command the 506th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron at Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq. Prior to her deployment, she served as Director of Operations for the 316th Operations Support Squadron at Andrews AFB, Maryland. Elisabeth was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, May 1990, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources from Miami University. Additionally, she earned a Master of Arts, National Security Strategy from the Naval War College (2004) and a Master of Science, Human Resources from Troy University (1998). Elisabeth enjoys writing and blogs at Gals In Blue (https://www.galsinblue.com). There she muses about a myriad of topics, from pop culture to military issues to her family’s latest adventures. These star her favorite people: her husband Greg, their (now grown) kids, Emma and Michael, and their pups, Layla and Griffin.
https://www.academywomen.org
About Elisabeth Auld (Colonel, US Air Force Retired)
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Chair - Officer Women Leadership Symposium (OWLS)
Colonel, U.S. Air Force Retired and OWLS Chair for AcademyWomen
Susan Feland (US Air Force Veteran)
Co-Chair - Officer Women Leadership Symposium (OWLS)
President & Founder, AcademyWomen
Susan Feland is the Founder and President of AcademyWomen. Susan was the oldest of three sisters to graduate from the United States Air Force Academy. She has worked in space systems acquisitions, taught at the Air Force Academy, and has a wide range of experience in non-profit, government, and corporate roles. Currently, in addition to leading AcademyWomen, Susan manages content and curriculum innovation at Stanford University. Susan has a LEAD Certificate in Corporate Innovation from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, an MA from Middlebury College, a Diplôme from the Université de Paris – Sorbonne and is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with a BS degree.
https://www.academywomen.org
About Susan Feland (US Air Force Veteran)
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Co-Chair - Officer Women Leadership Symposium (OWLS)
President & Founder, AcademyWomen
Joanne Bass
Panel Speaker: Seeding Impact with Inspired Leadership
Chief Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, retired
JoAnne S. Bass is a retired senior noncommissioned officer in the United States Air Force and the nineteenth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. She became the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, and the first female to hold the highest senior enlisted rank in any United States military branch, on August 14, 2020, having been selected for the position on June 19. She is also the first person of Asian-American descent to hold the highest senior enlisted position in the Air Force. At the time of her selection, she was the Second Air Force's Command Chief Master Sergeant at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, which she had reported to in July 2018. Air Force News reported "incoming Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown said Bass brings skills, temperament and experience that the job requires and an outlook on leadership that meshes with his own", and that he "could not be more excited to work side-by-side with Chief Bass."Bass is originally from Mililani, Oahu, Hawaii. Her mother is of Korean descent and her father is a retired United States Army warrant officer. Her family lived in many stateside and overseas locations.
Bass joined the United States Air Force in 1993, specializing in aviation resource management. Bass's first duty assignment was at Pope Air Force Base, near Fayetteville, North Carolina. Later she was assigned to the 17th Training Wing at Goodfellow Air Force Base, near San Angelo, Texas. In 2011, while assigned to Ramstein Air Base in Germany, she was selected as Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. She has participated in Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.Bass was promoted to chief master sergeant on August 1, 2013, and to chief master sergeant of the Air Force on August 14, 2020.
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Panel Speaker: Seeding Impact with Inspired Leadership
Chief Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, retired
Walter Mainor
Panel Speaker: Seeding Impact with Inspired Leadership
Captain, U.S. Navy
Captain Walt Mainor, a native of Alabama, enlisted and served as a Sonar Technician Submarines in USS FRANCIS SCOTT KEY (SSBN 657B). Mainor attended the Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training (BOOST) program and graduated from Morehouse College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance. He received a Master of Business Administration degree from the Naval Postgraduate School and is a graduate of the Joint & Combined Warfighting School at the Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC). He is a fully qualified joint specialty officer. Additionally, Mainor is a 2017-2018 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI Fellow.
Afloat, Mainor served in USS OLDENDORF (DD 972), USS DONALD COOK (DDG 75), USS VELLA GULF (CG 72), MCM CREW CONSTANT, USS PATRIOT (MCM 7) and USS WILLIAM P. LAWRENCE (DDG 110). Ashore, he served as a manpower specialist/detailer, Navy Personnel Command, PERS 41; Executive Assistant to the Navy Chief of Legislative Affairs; Deputy Executive Assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations; Division Chief for Levant, Egypt, and Arabian Peninsula and Principal Division Chief, Deputy Directorate for Politico-Military Affairs, Middle East, Directorate for Strategy, Plans and Policy, Joint Staff (J5).
Mainor was Forward Deployed to Naval Forces Japan as Commanding Officer in USS PATRIOT (MCM 7) where PATRIOT was the first US Warship to make a port call to Chittagong, Bangladesh, earned consecutive Battle Efficiency Awards and the 2010 Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Award. He Commanded USS WILLIAM P. LAWRENCE (DDG 110) where LAWRENCE completed a deployment to Seventh Fleet with the JOHN C. STENNIS Strike Group, conducting numerous high visibility exercises and operations in the South China Sea. His most recent tour was as Deputy Commodore of Destroyer Squadron 15/ Commander Task Force 71 where he served as the embarked Sea Combat Commander in the RONALD REAGAN Strike Group in support of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Mainor took command as Commander, Destroyer Squadron FIFTEEN on August 18th, 2022, after serving as Deputy Commodore since January 2021.
Personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various service and campaign awards.
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Panel Speaker: Seeding Impact with Inspired Leadership
Captain, U.S. Navy
Roberta Shea
Panel Speaker: Seeding Impact with Inspired Leadership
Major General, U.S. Marine Corps
Major General Shea enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1985. Trained as a ground support equipment mechanic, she served with 2d Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC. She was commissioned from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1991 and was assigned as a communications officer.
Major General Shea's operational assignments have included: platoon commander and company commander with 2d Landing Support Battalion, 2d Force Service Support Group in Camp Lejeune, NC; company commander with Marine Wing Communications Squadron-38, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, San Diego, CA; S-6 Officer for the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) for deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq; Director of the Commander's Initiatives Group for the Commander, International Security Assistance Forces, Afghanistan; Assistant Chief of Staff G-6, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, San Diego, CA; and Commanding Officer, I MEF Headquarters Group, Camp Pendleton, CA.
Her duties in the supporting establishment have included duty as a series commander, company commander, and battalion commander with 4th Recruit Training Battalion, and the Assistant Director of the Drill Instructor School, MCRD Parris Island, SC; as a White House Fellow and Special Assistant to the Homeland Security Advisor, The White House, Washington, DC; as a Strategic Analyst with the Strategic Initiatives Group, Headquarters, Marine Corps; as the Director, Commandants Staff Group, Headquarters, Marine Corps; as the Deputy Commandant of Midshipmen, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD; and as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East
Asia.
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Panel Speaker: Seeding Impact with Inspired Leadership
Major General, U.S. Marine Corps
Michelle Zbylut, PhD
Panel Speaker: Seeding Impact with Inspired Leadership
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Equity and Inclusion)
In September 2023, Dr. Michelle Zbylut was appointed to the dual roles of Senior Advisor to the Secretary of the Army for Diversity and Inclusion and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Equity and Inclusion). She leads the U.S. Army Equity and Inclusion Agency, the Army’s designated
proponent for Diversity and Inclusion, Civil Rights, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), and Military Equal Opportunity. In this role, Dr. Zbylut oversees the daily operation and execution of the most comprehensive EEO compliance and complaints adjudication process within the Federal government. From 8 May to 9 September 2023, Dr. Zbylut served as the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Research and Technology) within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for
Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology. During this time, she provided strategic direction and fiscal oversight of the Army’s Science and Technology portfolio for all Army laboratories and Research, Development, and Engineering Centers. Dr. Zbylut was first appointed to the Senior Executive Service in April 2018 as the Director, U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) and Chief Psychologist of the United States Army. As the lead scientific laboratory for the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1, ARI
conducted behavioral and social science research to enable the Army to acquire, develop, employ, and retain professional Soldiers and enhance personnel readiness. Dr. Zbylut directed and provided oversight
activity for ARI’s science and technology (S&T) program and business operations at Fort Belvoir, Virginia; Fort Cavazos, Texas; Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Fort Moore, Georgia; and Fort Eustis, Virginia. Dr. Zbylut was ARI’s first Senior Research Scientist (Systems Science/Human Science), which
is a senior-level scientific and professional position (ST). As an ST, Dr. Zbylut served as a recognized scientific authority, consultant, and advisor to the prior Director of ARI and other Army leaders in matters related to the behavioral and social sciences (e.g., testing and assessment). Dr. Zbylut served as an ST
from 2015 to 2018.
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Panel Speaker: Seeding Impact with Inspired Leadership
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Equity and Inclusion)
Jeannie Shaye
Moderator: Seeding Impact with Inspired Leadership
Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Coast Guard
Lieutenant Commander Jeannie Shaye is currently assigned as the
Public Affairs Officer at Coast Guard Pacific Area. In this role, she
directly supports the Area Commander and staff in the execution of
strategic messaging, international partnerships, and operational
support for Coast Guard units to include Pacific Area, four Districts
and all areas westward from the Rocky Mountains across the Indo-
Pacific, Arctic, and Antarctic regions to the coast of eastern Africa.
She serves as spokesperson to the media and leads public affairs
efforts for the region.
Her previous assignments include Executive Officer, Maritime Safety
and Security Team Seattle (91101), where she managed 60 personnel
and planned deployments across the globe. Additionally, she served
as aide-de-camp to the District Commander in Boston, Mass., as part
of the Sector San Francisco Enforcement Division, and as a Deck
Watch Officer onboard Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane (WMEC 903).
Lieutenant Command Shaye graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 2009 with a Bachelor of
Science in Government. She holds a Master of Science in Strategic Communication from Columbia
University and a Master of Arts in International Relations from Norwich University.
Originally from Roseville, Calif., Lieutenant Commander Shaye currently resides in Alameda with her
husband, Rob, and three daughters, Caroline, Ellie and Penelope. They enjoy hiking, biking, and
collecting new passport stamps.
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Moderator: Seeding Impact with Inspired Leadership
Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Coast Guard
Carolyn Rosenberg
Panel Moderator: Growing Authentic Roots to Live the Life You Want
Lieutenant, U.S. Navy
LT Carolyn Rosenberg is a board-certified Naval family medicine physician currently serving as
the Senior Medical Officer at Naval Air Station, Kingsville, Texas. She graduated cum laude with
a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Medical Spanish from James Madison
University in 2013. After graduation she spent several years coordinating rare disease research
at Georgetown University within the Rheumatology Department while also completing a
Master’s Degree in Clinical and Translational Research. She was commissioned as an Ensign
in the US Navy in 2016 upon receipt of a scholarship to study medicine through the Health
Professionals Scholarship Program. She completed her medical education at Georgetown
University and received her Doctor of Medicine degree in 2020. She chose to pursue a
residency in Family Medicine where she could provide holistic care for people over their entire
life span and develop longitudinal relationships with whole families in an outpatient setting.
She began her residency in Family Medicine at Naval Hospital, Jacksonville, Florida, at the
height of the COVID pandemic and regularly provided prenatal, inpatient, and end-of-life care.
She graduated in 2023 and is now the sole medical provider at a remote jet training base—
treating active duty service members, their dependents, and retirees. Along the way, she and
her husband welcomed two beautiful children, ages 4 and 2, and is expecting her third child this fall.
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Panel Moderator: Growing Authentic Roots to Live the Life You Want
Lieutenant, U.S. Navy
Gabriella R. Barone-Graybill
Panel Speaker: Growing Authentic Roots to Live the Life You Want
MIDN 1/C, USNR The George Washington University
Gabriella Barone is a senior from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She studies at The George Washington University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering with minors in Electrical Engineering and Naval Science. Gabriella had the amazing opportunity to study abroad at University College Dublin Ireland, where she took the opportunity to nurture her love for travel and experience the diverse cultures across Europe. When she is not working at either of her part time jobs, you can find her setting up an event for The Engineer’s Council or mentoring students as a SEASSPAN mentor. She is excited to commission in May and head down to Charleston, South Carolina for Nuclear Power School to begin her naval career in the submarine community.
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Panel Speaker: Growing Authentic Roots to Live the Life You Want
MIDN 1/C, USNR The George Washington University
Kelsey Barrion
Panel Speaker: Growing Authentic Roots to Live the Life You Want
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and USMMA Alum
Kelsey Barrion graduated from the US Merchant Marine Academy in 2006, commissioned into the Coast Guard Reserve, joined the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association, and sailed almost all the way around the world on various commercial vessels in between reserve drill periods. She deployed to Kuwait in 2008-09 with the Navy’s Maritime Security Squadron ONE after marrying USMMA classmate and now-LtCol Tyrone Barrion, USMC. They have two children, currently 5 and 7, for whom she came ashore in 2017. In 2019, then-LCDR Barrion came on extended active duty as part of the Surface Forces Logistics Center, in a division responsible for providing shore-based engineering and maintenance support to the Coast Guard’s largest cutters. In 2021, she transitioned within her division to the strategic projects branch, where she has taken on a wide variety of efforts encompassing over $1 billion in planned and emergency cutter maintenance. She has published two articles with the US Naval Institute relating to Coast Guard shipboard maintenance and training, is still a licensed mariner (First Engineer of Steam and Motor Vessels of Any Horsepower) and MEBA member, and plans to return to sea in 2025 at the completion of her active duty contract. Commander Barrion currently lives aboard Camp Pendleton in southern California with her family.
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Panel Speaker: Growing Authentic Roots to Live the Life You Want
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and USMMA Alum
Sidney Jaques
Panel Speaker: Growing Authentic Roots to Live the Life You Want
Major, U.S. Army
Major Sidney Jaques commissioned as an AG officer from the University of Scranton in 2012 as an ROTC cadet and four-year Basketball athlete. Her first assignment was a Postal Platoon Leader on Fort Liberty, and she deployed her platoon to Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, and Jordan to maintain Postal Operations for the CENTCOM AOR. Upon redeployment, she was assigned as the Battalion S1 for the “White Falcon” 2-325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2BCT, 82nd Airborne Division where she was the first female MTOE assigned to any of the three Infantry Battalions within 2BCT. This two year assignment included a deployment to Erbil and Mosul, Iraq in 2017. She then attended the AG-CCC where she trained for the Ranger Assessment Selection Program 2 (RASP2) to serve in the 75th Ranger Regiment. Upon completion of RASP2 in December 2017, she was assigned as the Regimental S1 (BDE S1 OIC) for the 75th Ranger Regiment. She was the second female to complete RASP2 and serve in the organization. Once she PCS’d to Fort Moore in January 2018, she attended and graduated the U.S. Army Ranger School in October 2018, becoming the first Ranger tabbed and scrolled woman in the U.S. Army. She served as the RS1 for over two years, to include two deployments as a JTF J1. She then completed a Training with Industry assignment through the IPPS-A for one year in Orlando, Florida. In October 2021, she reported to HQDA G1 (IPPS-A) where she designed future capabilities in the Talent Management and Release 4 team and then served as the Chief of Plans and Operations. She recently reported to the Army Field Support Center where she currently serves as an Activity XO.
In August 2022, she created Balance Your Grit, an Instagram group and support community for women in predominantly male environments. It provides a network for trailblazing and ambitious military women, facilitates mentor matching, shares lessons learned, and creates an environment to encourage continued momentum as we normalize inclusion. The page highlights some surface and deep issues many women face, and mitigates the feeling of loneliness, isolation, and “it was hard for me so it should be just as hard for you” (Queen Bee) mentalities.
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Panel Speaker: Growing Authentic Roots to Live the Life You Want
Major, U.S. Army
Lauren Keefe
Panel Speaker: Growing Authentic Roots to Live the Life You Want
Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Coast Guard
Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Lauren Keefe reported to the Global Maritime Operational Threat Response Coordination Center (GMCC) in June 2023.
Prior to this, she was at Sector New Orleans from 2019-2023, serving as the
Command Center Chief, after fleeting up from Command Center Duty Officer
(CDO). In this capacity, she was responsible for a 38-member Command Center, was a Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator, and stood watch as CDO, serving as a direct representative of the Sector Commander, responsible
for coordinating cases for 16 sub-units in an area of responsibility containing
the world’s busiest port complex with over 5,500 vessel arrivals, 3,000 Law
enforcement boardings, 2,000 marine casualties, 2,000 National Response
Center reports, and over 500 Search and Rescue cases annually.In her other tours, LCDR Keefe was the Assistant Chief, Boards and Promotions Section, Officer Personnel Management
(OPM-1), from 2016-2019 where she was responsible for facilitating all Special Boards and Post-Graduate
and Advanced Education Panels for Officers. She served as an Intelligence Officer at Maritime Intelligence Fusion
Center – Atlantic, from 2013-2016 and was the Fisheries Subject Matter Expert, working with all Atlantic Area Districts and Sectors on Fisheries Intelligence. In her first operational tour, she served as the Operations Officer, a Deck Watch Officer, and a Boarding Officer onboard the 270’ USCGC ESCANABA homeported out of Boston, MA from 2011-2013. LCDR Keefe is a 2011 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, earning a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Marine and Environmental Science with honors. She also holds a Masters Certificate in Fisheries and Aquaculture from the University
of Florida. From 2018-2019, she served as a White House Social Aide. Lauren was born and raised in Colorado. Her husband is also a Coast Guard Officer, and they have two daughters, Kennedy (3), and Lilly (1.5).
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Panel Speaker: Growing Authentic Roots to Live the Life You Want
Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Coast Guard
Tahina Montoya
Panel Speaker: Growing Authentic Roots to Live the Life You Want
Strategic Advisor, Veteran Experience Office, Department of Veterans Affairs
Tahina L. Montoya currently serves as Strategic Advisor for the Veteran Experience Office at the Department of Veteran Affairs. Prior to this role, Tahina served as Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Manpower & Reserve Affairs in the Department of the Air Force. Tahina is an Air Force Veteran with over 15 years of experience working various missions at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels in over 9 countries, including deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. She continues to serve as an Officer in the Air Force Reserves where she is a Political/Military Strategist and Gender Advisor assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency. Tahina is also a mentor with Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security and Conflict Transformation (WCAPS), a Doctoral Candidate at Georgetown University, and an adjunct professor at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. She is a first-generation Colombian American and a native Spanish speaker also proficient in Portuguese.
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Panel Speaker: Growing Authentic Roots to Live the Life You Want
Strategic Advisor, Veteran Experience Office, Department of Veterans Affairs
Alea Nadeem
Workshop Speaker
Director of the Doorkeepers, U.S. Senate
About Alea Nadeem
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Workshop Speaker
Director of the Doorkeepers, U.S. Senate
Victoria Grady
Workshop Speaker
Associate Professor of Management, Costello College of Business at George Mason University
Victoria Grady is currently an associate professor of management in the Costello College of Business at George Mason University. Her research is focused on the inherent loss of stability suffered by organizations introducing and implementing organizational change.
Grady continues to build on her original research and actively integrates theoretical concepts with practical application in the field of management. Her practice case studies include issues of organizational change/trust and include federal government institutions, non-profit organizations, and private sector companies.
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Workshop Speaker
Associate Professor of Management, Costello College of Business at George Mason University
Janeen L. Birckhead
Panel Speaker: Reaching For The Sky
Major General, U.S. Army National Guard
Major General Janeen L. Birckhead became the 31st Adjutant General of Maryland on April 7, 2023. Prior to her appointment, she served as the Commander of the Maryland Army National Guard and was dual-hatted as the Deputy Commandant for Reserve Affairs at the U.S. Army War College. She was commissioned as a distinguished military graduate through the Reserve Officers Training Corps at Hampton University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. She holds a Master’s in Management from the University of Maryland.
Her military education includes the Chemical Officer Basic Course, the Adjutant General Officer Advanced Course, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College where she earned a Master’s in Strategic Studies.
Maj. Gen. Birckhead previously served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Maryland National Guard. Her command assignments include the 70th Regiment – Regional Training Institute, Aberdeen, MD; the 581st Troop Command Battalion, Hagerstown, MD; the Soldier Readiness Battalion, Reisterstown, MD; and B Company, 229th Main Support Battalion, 29th Infantry Division, Reisterstown, MD.
Major General Birckhead mobilized under OEF/OIF, serving as the Tiger Team Leader and Designated Military Officer for the Office of Administrative Review for the Detention of Enemy Combatants. In 2011, Maj. Gen. Birckhead deployed as the Deputy, Current Operations, Security Partnering, and International Security Assistance Force, Kabul, Afghanistan.
In her civilian capacity, Maj. Gen. Birckhead is a Senior Advisor in the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration, Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs in the U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, DC. She began her civilian career in Washington, D.C. in the U.S. Senate. Her subsequent civilian career positions included State Equal Employment Opportunity Manager, Special Agent in Charge for the Defense Security Service, and Deputy Chief of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights at the Office of Personnel Management, joining the Bureau of Indian Affairs, as the Director of Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity for the U.S. Department of the Interior in 2010.
About Janeen L. Birckhead
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Panel Speaker: Reaching For The Sky
Major General, U.S. Army National Guard
DeAnna Burt
Panel Speaker: Reaching For The Sky
Lieutenant General, U.S. Space Force
Lt. Gen. DeAnna M. Burt is the Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear, United States Space Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. As the Chief Operations Officer, Lt. Gen. Burt has overall responsibility for Operations, Sustainment, Cyber, and Nuclear Operations of the United States Space Force.
Lt. Gen. Burt was commissioned in 1991 as a distinguished graduate of the Air Force ROTC program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Her career has included numerous satellite operations and staff positions in Air Force Space Command and U.S. European Command. The general has commanded the 2nd Space Operations Squadron, the 460th Operations Group, and the 50th Space Wing. She is a graduate and former instructor of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, and a graduate of the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies. Prior to her current assignment, Lt. Gen. Burt was the Commander, Combined Forces Space Component Command, U.S. Space Command, and Vice Commander, Space Operations Command, U.S. Space Force.
About DeAnna Burt
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Panel Speaker: Reaching For The Sky
Lieutenant General, U.S. Space Force
Joanna Nunan
Panel Speaker: Reaching For The Sky
Vice Admiral, USMS
Vice Admiral Joanna Nunan assumed command of the United States Merchant Marine Academy on December 8, 2022. She is the first woman in Academy history to hold this role.
Nunan, who spent more than three decades in the U.S. Coast Guard, has commanded units at multiple levels both afloat and ashore. Before her retirement, she was the Coast Guard’s Deputy for Personnel Readiness. In that role, she oversaw the Coast Guard’s entire personnel enterprise, including the recruitment, training, support, and retention of all active duty, reserve, and civilian personnel. She also supervised the Coast Guard Academy and served on its Board of Trustees.
She also served as the Assistant Commandant for Human Resources. In that role, among her many responsibilities, she helped spearhead efforts to expand diversity and inclusion in the Coast Guard, including formulating policy changes focused on increasing the retention of women in the service. She also served as a member of the Coast Guard’s Sexual Assault Prevention, Response, and Recovery Committee.
Earlier in her career, she served as the Military Advisor to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and John Kelly, as well as the Military Assistant to Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta. She also served more than nine years at sea—including commanding two buoy tenders—and previously served as the Commander of the Ninth Coast Guard District and as Commander of Coast Guard Sector Honolulu.
A Bridgeport, Connecticut native, Nunan graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1987 and received her Master of Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic. She also holds several Coast Guard merchant marine licenses, including Master of vessels of not more than 1,600 gross tons and 3rd Mate on vessels of unlimited tonnage, upon oceans.
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Panel Speaker: Reaching For The Sky
Vice Admiral, USMS
Julie Treanor
Panel Speaker: Reaching For The Sky
Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy
Rear Admiral Julie Treanor is a native of Sterling Park, Virginia. She is a 1994 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. She earned master’s degrees in Business Administration from the University of Florida and Military Art and Operational Science from the Air Command and Staff College. She is also a graduate of University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business Executive Training Program, the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School’s Institute for Defense and Business Logistics and Technology Advanced Program, and the Naval Postgraduate School Navy Senior Leader Seminar.
Treanor previously commanded Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center in Norfolk, VA. Afloat she served as commissioning supply officer, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78); principal assistant for logistics, principal assistant for service and assistant supply officer, USS Enterprise (CVN 65); and wardroom officer, hazmat officer and materials officer, USS Boxer (LHD 4).
Other assignments include chief of staff, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (N4L); chief of staff, Joint Staff (J4); director of Industrial Support, Naval Sea Systems Command (04S); deputy force supply officer, Commander Naval Air Forces Atlantic; director, F/A-18 & EA-18G Integrated Weapon Support Team, NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support; aviation supply officer, U.S. Marine Forces Command; CVN/LHD logistics readiness officer, Commander Naval Air Forces Pacific; action officer, Secretary of the Navy Office of White House Liaison; deputy program manager for Logistics, Commander Navy Region Southeast.
She is qualified as a Surface Warfare Supply Corps Officer and Naval Aviation Supply Corps Officer. She is an Acquisition Professional Member and a Joint Qualified Officer.
Her personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy Achievement Medal (three awards) and she is a 2012 recipient of the Admiral Stanley R. Arthur Award for Logistics Excellence.
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Panel Speaker: Reaching For The Sky
Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy
Alice Ward Trevino
Panel Speaker: Reaching For The Sky
Major General, U.S. Air Force
Maj. Gen. Alice W. Treviño serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Contracting, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. She is responsible for all aspects of contracting relating to the acquisition of weapons systems, logistics, operational and enterprise efforts for the Air Force and provides contingency contracting support to the geographic combatant commanders. She leads a highly skilled staff of mission-focused business leaders and acquisition change agents to deliver $825 billion in United States Air Force and Space Force platforms. Additionally, she is the Contracting Functional Manager for over 8,000 professionals, who execute programs worth $70 billion annually for the Department of the Air Force.
Maj. Gen. Treviño received her commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1993 and is a joint qualified officer with extensive deployment experience in support of combat, humanitarian and peacekeeping/enforcement operations to Croatia, Turkey, Oman, Kuwait and Afghanistan.
Prior to her current assignment, she was the Commander of the Air Force Installation Contracting Center. Maj. Gen. Treviño has also served as the Deputy Secretary of Defense’s Principal Military Assistant,; unlimited dollar warranted procuring Contracting Officer for major defense programs; and the Senior Contracting Official-Afghanistan for U.S. Central Command. She has commanded two Air Force units at the squadron level, joint units at the group and wing levels, and an Air Force unit at the wing level.
About Alice Ward Trevino
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Panel Speaker: Reaching For The Sky
Major General, U.S. Air Force
Clydea Prichard-Brown
Panel Moderater: Reaching For The Sky and Roundtable Moderator: Female Mentoring and Morale Program
Colonel, U.S. Army and Founder Female Mentoring and Morale Program
Colonel Clydea Prichard-Brown is the Chief of Staff, 1st Theater Sustainment Command and Founder, Female Mentoring and Morale Program (FMMP). A native of Gary, Indiana, COL Prichard-Brown enlisted in the Army and as a Sergeant received the Army ROTC Green-to-Gold Scholarship, earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Indiana University, Purdue University of Indianapolis (IUPUI). She was the school’s first female and first minority Cadet Battalion Commander and became the school’s Distinguished Military Graduate and commissioned into the Regular Army as a Transportation Officer. She later earned a Master's Degree from Webster University. Her assignments include Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer, 89 th Transportation Company, Battalion S1 and the Assistant Operations and Security Officer for the 6th Transportation Battalion. She served as the Land Branch Chief of the G-4 Transportation Division, Eighth United States Army, and Commander of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 498 th Corps Support Battalion, Korea. She served as the Non-Combatant Evacuation Officer for EUSA, the Operations Officer for the 205 th Infantry Brigade, and Executive Officer of the Milwaukee Recruiting Battalion, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She served at the Pentagon in HQ Department of the Army G37, as the Chief of Army Training Ammunition in the Munitions Management Division, and as Executive Officer to the Deputy Chief of Staff G37. COL Prichard-Brown commanded the 836th Transportation Battalion, in Yokohama, Japan, becoming the first African American female to command this battalion. She later served as the Director of the Logistic Materiel & and then became the first African American female to command the 59 th Ordnance Brigade, at Fort Greg-Adams, Virginia. She served as Executive Officer to the Deputy Commanding General of Army Materiel Command and now serves as the Chief of Staff for the 1 st Theater Sustainment Command, at Fort Knox, Kentucky. She has multiple deployments and has been inducted into the Transportation Regimental Corps Military Order of St. Christopher and the Order of Samuel Sharpe for her distinguished service. She is Founder of the Female Mentoring and Morale Program (FMMP), and member of the Army Women’s Foundation Board of Directors. She is married to SFC (R) Eric L. Upthegrove and has a son, Zion Brown (23), and daughter, Zaria Brown (17). COL Prichard-Brown also has a twin sister, Army COL Clydellia Prichard-Allen.
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Panel Moderater: Reaching For The Sky and Roundtable Moderator: Female Mentoring and Morale Program
Colonel, U.S. Army and Founder Female Mentoring and Morale Program
Meagan Bowis
Panel Speaker: Leading with Global Reach and Impact
Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Coast Guard
Lieutenant Commander Meagan Bowis is currently assigned as the Chief of Incident Management and Boat Forces Supervisor at Coast Guard Pacific Area. In this role, she directly supports the Area Commander in the oversight of emergency management, search and rescue, space launch and recovery mission support, marine environmental response, Boat Forces unit management and Strategic Planning Direction for four Districts and all areas westward from the Rocky Mountains across the Indo-Pacific, Arctic and Antarctic regions to the coast of eastern Africa. She serves as the Area lead for Incident Command System training and oversees the collateral duty and Reserve Incident Management Assist Teams. Her previous assignments include Sector Honolulu as the Command Center Chief from June 2019 to June 2021 and Enforcement Chief from June 2021 to June 2022. In these roles, she was responsible for the 24/7 operations center, maritime search and rescue, law enforcement, environmental protection missions, and operational planning for three Fast Response Cutters for an area encompassing 1.4 million square nautical miles in Hawaii, American Samoa and U.S. Pacific Island Territories. Previous tours include Coast Guard Headquarters in the Office of Marine Environmental Response Policy, Sector San Francisco Incident Management Division, and Deck Watch Officer on board USCGC RUSH (WHEC 723). LCDR Bowis holds a Masters of Science in Environmental Management from University of San Francisco, Masters of Art in Defense and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College, and Bachelors of Science in Marine Environmental Science from the United States Coast Guard Academy.
Originally from Park City, Utah, Lieutenant Commander Bowis currently resides in Oakland, California with her husband Rudy. In her spare time, LCDR Bowis enjoys surfing, wind and snow sports, biking, and traveling.
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Panel Speaker: Leading with Global Reach and Impact
Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Coast Guard
Jenise Carroll
Panel Speaker: Leading with Global Reach and Impact
Colonel, U.S. Air Force
Colonel Jenise M. Carroll is the Deputy Director, Office of Diversity and Inclusion,
Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Pentagon, Washington D.C. In this role,
Col Carroll advises the Secretary of the Air Force on the Department of the Air Force’s
diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility programs, policies and initiatives impacting
approximately 697,000 active duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian Airmen and Guardians
worldwide. She is responsible for advancing the Department of the Air Force’s diversity
and inclusion mission to attract, recruit, develop and retain a high quality, diverse total
force, ensuring a culture of inclusion.
Colonel Carroll received her commission from the United States Air Force Officer
Training School in January 1996. She has served in a variety of positions at base,
joint, major command, and staff level. Her wing-level assignments include tours as a
Flight Commander, Squadron Commander, Executive Officer and Group
Commander. Her staff and joint tours include the Air Education and Training
Command, Air Force Personnel Center, Air Staff, Office of the Secretary of Defense
and United States Transportation Command. Her deployments include Operations
CONSTANT VIGIL, NOBLE EAGLE, IRAQI FREEDOM, and INHERENT
RESOLVE. Prior to her current position, she served as the Commander, 75th Air
Base Wing and Installation Commander Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
About Jenise Carroll
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Panel Speaker: Leading with Global Reach and Impact
Colonel, U.S. Air Force
Rhonda Martin
Panel Speaker: Leading with Global Reach and Impact
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps
Lieutenant Colonel Martin was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio and enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1984. She was a Drill Instructor at the rank of Staff Sergeant and then graduated Officer Candidate School in December 1997.
Upon graduation of the Basic School and MOS School, she was assigned as an Adjutant at Headquarters
and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Camp Butler, Okinawa, Japan from 1998 to 2001.
She was assigned as the Adjutant for 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit,
Okinawa, Japan and then was assigned as the Administrative Officer at Manpower
Management Division, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Headquarters Marine Corps in Quantico,
Virginia. She was selected as the Aide-de-Camp for Deputy Commandant of
Manpower and Reserve Affairs. In 2008, she attended Command and Staff College and graduated in June 2009 with a Master’s Degree in Military Studies.
During this period, she also completed a Master of Science in Business Management from Boston University.
In July 2009, she was assigned as the Deputy G-1 for 1st Marine Logistics Group in Camp Pendleton, California. In March 2010, she
deployed forward as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1 to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom 10.1 and 10.2.
In July 2011, she was assigned as the G-1 Operations Officer for 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San
Diego, California.
In September 2013, she was assigned as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1 for 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary
Force, Okinawa, Japan. During this tour, she participated in two real world crisis responses in the Philippines and Nepal.
She was assigned as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1 for Marine Corps Recruit Depot/Western Recruiting Region in San Diego,
California from July 2015 to June 2018.
From June 2018- July 2020, she was assigned as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1 for Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade in
Bahrain. In July 2020, she was assigned to Manpower Policy Branch (MPO), Manpower Plans and Policy Division to provide oversight of the
female Marines in the Marine Corps Integration Implementation Plan and in May 2023, she was reassigned to the Opportunity,
Diversity and Inclusion Branch within the same Division.
Lieutenant Colonel Martin’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with four gold stars, the Navy and Marine Corps
Commendation Medal with three gold stars, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star.
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Panel Speaker: Leading with Global Reach and Impact
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps
Patti Snyder
Panel Member: Leading with Global Reach and Impact
Commander, U.S. Navy Retired | Senior Technical Expert, Leidos
Patti Snyder is a retired US Navy Commander, with a career spanning over 20 years as a Cryptologic Warfare Officer. A proud Nittany Lion, she graduated and was commissioned from the Pennsylvania State University, having been awarded Distinguished Naval Graduate. She completed tours at Fleet Numerical Oceanography Center in Monterey, CA; the Joint Analysis Center at RAF Molesworth; the Defense Language Institute (Arabic) in Monterey, CA; and Naval Security Group Activity in Rota, Spain. She was the SIGINT Mission Evaluator on-board EP-3s, flying in support of multiple joint and allied operations and task forces across Europe and the Middle East, accruing over 1300 flight hours. After a 20-month break in service, Patti joined the Navy Reserves after the events of 9/11, completing nine more years of active service at the National Security Agency, with most of her work in Counter Terrorism, Cyber Operations, and Foreign Partnerships. She currently serves at Leidos as a Senior Technical Expert and Portfolio Manager for a large DoD cyber software development program. An avid traveler and reader, she is married with two college kids, 19 and 21, two bonus kids, 27 and 29, and lives on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
https://www.leidos.com/careers/operation-mvp
About Patti Snyder
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Panel Member: Leading with Global Reach and Impact
Commander, U.S. Navy Retired | Senior Technical Expert, Leidos
Linda Urritia-Varhall
Moderator: Leading with Global Reach and Impact
Major General, U.S. Air Force, retired
Maj. Gen. Linda R. Urrutia-Varhall retired after serving as the Director of Operations at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in Springfield, Virginia. She is still the highest ranking hispanic female officer in the Air Force.
General Urrutia-Varhall was commissioned in 1984 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Following her initial assignments at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, she was selected to participate in the Professional Military Graduate Intelligence Program in Washington, D.C. After completion, she was the first Air Force representative to the National Military Intelligence Center. Her service at the Pentagon included executive support duty to three Secretaries of Defense and as an international politico-military affairs officer on the Somalia Task Force.
The general has held command and staff positions in the wing, major command, headquarters and joint environments. In 1998, she was named to command the first Air Force Information Warfare Flight at 9th Air Force/Central Air Forces, Shaw AFB, South Carolina. She also deployed to Southwest Asia where she served as Chief, Analysis Division and an operations officer for the Joint Intelligence Center at U.S. Central Command Headquarters Forward. General Urrutia-Varhall also served as the Senior Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Senior Executive to the Director of National Intelligence. Prior to her current position, she served as Director of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (J2) at U.S. Southern Command in Florida and then as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance on the Air Staff at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
About Linda Urritia-Varhall
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Moderator: Leading with Global Reach and Impact
Major General, U.S. Air Force, retired
Career Workshop Small Group Discussion Facilitators
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About Career Workshop Small Group Discussion Facilitators
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Tamika Adams
Small Group Facilitator:
Rooted in P.O.W.E.R.
Tamika Adams is a Financial Consultant and Empowerment Coach dedicated to supporting women in achieving financial stability and personal growth. She specializes in simplifying complex financial concepts and creating actionable plans tailored to her clients' needs.
Tamika's approach to empowerment is rooted in her P.O.W.E.R. framework, which focuses on Purpose, Opportunity, Wealth, Education, and Results. She believes in guiding her clients to align their financial goals with their deeper purpose, providing them with the tools and support needed to navigate their financial journeys with confidence and clarity.
Outside of her consulting and coaching work, Tamika is passionate about faith, family, fitness, and her future self. She is dedicated to personal growth and strives to elevate herself and others to become powerful, energetic beings. Whether she's leading workshops for women or working one-on-one with moms in need, Tamika's mission is to inspire and empower individuals to live their best lives.
https://livemore.net/tadams
About Tamika Adams
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Small Group Facilitator:
Rooted in P.O.W.E.R.
Elisse W. Barnes, JD, PhD
Small Group Facilitator:
LinkedIn Strategies to Execute a Successful Career Pivot
Elisse Wright Barnes, JD, PhD, Your LinkedN Driving Instructor, is a LinkedIn trainer, communications strategist, and workforce educator teaching older adults to harness the power of LinkedIn for their job search, career transition, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit leadership. As the Owner, CEO, and Lead Trainer at Of A Certain Vintage Workforce Education, LLC, Dr. Barnes offers individualized and small group LinkedIn “driving lessons” and “Mindset Reset”
presentations that teach participants to use LinkedIn to reset, reboot, and reinvent for the new economy while acknowledging unique learning styles and legitimate online security and privacy concerns when using social media. Dr. Barnes provides LinkedIn training in partnership with public library systems in Maryland and New York, workforce and business development organizations, and graduate school and alumni programs throughout the United States. Dr. Barnes also facilitates and provides LinkedIn training for the Jewish Council for the Aging’s (JCA) Career Gateway program, a career development course for jobseekers aged 50andbetter. Dr. Barnes also partners with nonprofit organizations teach nonprofit leaders to use LinkedIn for effective donor research and management as well as potential board member recruitment and engagement. Dr. Barnes has provided LinkedIn training to both jobseekers and entrepreneurs at Montgomery College’s Business Training Center, AARP’s Back to Work 50+ club, the JCA CareerTech program, A Wider Circle’s Professional Development program, the Austin (TX) Job Seekers Network, the Baltimore Jobhunters Support Group, the Massachusetts Library Collaborative 50+ Job Seekers Networking Group, the Maryland Women’s Business Center,
eWomen Network, the New Jersey Career Network, 40Plus of Greater Washington, and Awesome Women Entrepreneurs. Dr. Barnes is a graduate of Yale University, Stanford Law School, and the Ohio State University, where she earned a doctorate in the history of U.S. foreign policy.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elissewbarnesjdphd/
About Elisse W. Barnes, JD, PhD
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Small Group Facilitator:
LinkedIn Strategies to Execute a Successful Career Pivot
Alan Bisenieks (US Army Veteran)
Small Group Facilitator:
Financial Considerations for Entrepreneurs
Alan Bisenieks joined First Command Financial Services as a Financial Advisor in October 2015. Then and now, he remains excited about the opportunity to help others make the smart financial decisions that are essential to long-term financial security.
Alan has a Master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and a Master’s degree in Management from Troy University. Alan attended the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Philosophy. He holds Series 7, 66 and 24 securities licenses plus life and health insurance licenses in Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC.
Understanding that the biggest obstacle to financial security for most people is their own behavior, Alan serves as a personal financial coach to clients, continually reinforcing positive financial behaviors. He advocates time-tested financial principles, including disciplined, long-term saving and investing, careful debt management, and a thoughtful insurance strategy to manage financial risk. Alan works with his clients to establish specific, meaningful goals that are consistent with their values and then develops personalized financial plans that guide the pursuit of those goals.
In his free time, Alan enjoys football, traveling, and remodeling.
https://www.firstcommand.com/
About Alan Bisenieks (US Army Veteran)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Financial Considerations for Entrepreneurs
James Bogle (Lieutenant Colonel, US Army Retired)
Small Group Facilitator:
How Business Education Can Facilitate Your Successful Transition
James Bogle is the Director of the Master of Business for Veterans (MBV) program, and an Adjunct Professor of Management and Organization with the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California (USC). James joined the Marshall School in 2013 with a background in leadership, public policy and international affairs following 25 years of military service in the U.S. Army. While serving as an Army officer, James commanded two artillery units and led troops in combat in Iraq. Later, he served on the staff of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in the Office of European and NATO Policy. James also served at the U.S. Embassy in Paris, coordinating a range of conventional and special military operations with the French Joint Staff. He concluded his military career as an instructor at the U.S. Air Force Academy. James holds a BA in History from Arizona State University, an MA in International Relations from USC Dornsife, and a Master of Business for Veterans (MBV) from the USC Marshall School of Business.
https://www.marshall.usc.edu/programs/graduate-programs/specialized-masters/master-of-business-for-veterans
About James Bogle (Lieutenant Colonel, US Army Retired)
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Small Group Facilitator:
How Business Education Can Facilitate Your Successful Transition
Jennifer Burch (US Navy Veteran)
Small Group Facilitator:
Working at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
https://veterans.llnl.gov/
About Jennifer Burch (US Navy Veteran)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Working at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Sarah Carter (US Navy Veteran and Military Spouse)
Small Group Facilitator:
Posture in Life: (Actively) Prepare for Impact and Change
Sarah Carter is a US Navy Veteran, USMC Spouse, Life Coach and the CEO of New You Coaching. Sarah helps ambitious, high achieving clients get specific about their goals, their potential, and their path to success as they navigate through life's inevitable transitions so that they can live and lead as their truest selves. As a former US Navy pilot, Sarah brings proven leadership training, strategic planning and tactical skills to each of her client's customized coaching sessions - providing a competitive edge that differentiates her from other coaches.
https://www.inwiththenewyou.com
About Sarah Carter (US Navy Veteran and Military Spouse)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Posture in Life: (Actively) Prepare for Impact and Change
Travis Carter (US Army Veteran)
Small Group Facilitator:
Special Non-Competitive Direct-Hire Authorities to Appoint Veterans into Federal Government
https://www.fema.gov/careers
About Travis Carter (US Army Veteran)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Special Non-Competitive Direct-Hire Authorities to Appoint Veterans into Federal Government
Patricia (Pat) Cerchio (Commander, US Navy Retired)
Small Group Facilitator:
Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) for PTSD
Patricia (Pat) Cerchio is a Retired US Navy Commander. Pat’s specialties in the Navy were Acquisition and Base Management.
Early on in her career she bought all the Tomahawk Missiles used during Operation Desert Storm. Later she was selected to take charge of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) in New London, CT., which included a submarine research facility and the base it was on. This made her the first US Navy Woman to take charge of a submarine centric command, 15 years before women were allowed to serve on submarines.
Since retiring from the Navy, she has remained involved with a number of Military and Veterans organizations. She is the Immediate Past President of the First State Military Women Warriors, an organization her mother, Elizabeth (Betty) Lawton Cerchio, a WWII WAVE, was a founding member of.
She is currently volunteering her time to help spread the word to Veterans and Military about the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB). SGB is a 15-minute procedure used for 100 years for pain management, in recent years it has begun being used to treat PTSD. Its success rate averages over 80%.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/patcerchio/
About Patricia (Pat) Cerchio (Commander, US Navy Retired)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) for PTSD
Ralph Charlip, DPA (Retired SES | LtCol, USAF Retired)
Small Group Facilitator:
Understanding the Federal Job Search Process
Dr. Ralph Charlip owns Inspiration Creek Management Consultants, a certified SDVOSB that provides federal employees leadership and human resource management training. A retired Federal Senior Executive, he was most recently the Department of Labor Veteran’s Employment and Training Service Deputy Assistant Secretary for Operations and Management, managing $226M and leading 225 employees. After retirement, he served as a senior trainer and business developer for CATMEDIA and as a trainer for Management Concepts.
During his time in federal service, Dr. Charlip worked at the Department of the Interior, specializing in Human Capital at the Department and at the US Geological Survey (USGS). Before USGS, he was the Deputy Administrator for Management, Food and Nutrition Service, leading HR, contracting, logistics, and records management. Until October 2008, Dr. Charlip was the Chief of Compliance, Emergency Services, and Integrated Ethics for the Department of Veteran’s Affairs VISN 19 (Denver, CO). From 2000-2007, he was the Director of the VA Health Administration Center, leading 700 employees and managing $850M. Dr. Charlip joined the VA after 22 years as a USAF Medical Service Corps officer specializing in health benefits policy with assignments in command and support roles.
Dr. Charlip is an American College of Health Care Executives Life Fellow, serving on numerous College Committees. Previously a Fellow of the American Academy of Medical Administrators, he served as Colorado State Chair from 2006-2007. He was the President, Vice President, and Secretary of the USAF Medical Service Corps Association. He has held adjunct faculty appointments at several universities, published numerous articles, and received multiple distinguished awards throughout his career.
Dr. Charlip holds a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Public Administration from the University of Arizona and a Doctor of Public Administration from Walden University. He is a graduate of the Air War College, George Washington University’s Interagency Institute for Federal Healthcare Executives, VHA’s Health Care Leadership Institute, VA’s Leadership VA, and is a doctoral student at Walden University in Public Administration. He is active in his community as the Aurora Veterans Commission Chairperson (2021-24), founder and president of his community veterans group and is a volunteer with the Colorado Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.
https://icmc-llc.com/
About Ralph Charlip, DPA (Retired SES | LtCol, USAF Retired)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Understanding the Federal Job Search Process
Leslie Durham (Military Spouse)
Small Group Facilitator:
Finding Your JOY in Transition
Leslie Durham is the Founder of Skyview Consulting Group, an Adjunct Professor at George Mason University and an Organizational Development Consultant and Coach. She has over 20 years of experience working with organizations as a coach, advisor, project manager, recruiter, instructor, and OD specialist. Industries of service include Government, Small Business, Nonprofit and Higher Education. Her group utilizes human centered design to facilitate process improvements that create alignment in the workplace through assessment, facilitation and analysis. Leslie coaches leaders, teams, groups and individuals on strategies which assist them in reaching their goals. She has a diverse portfolio, a personal ethos "people first" and is bilingual in Spanish/English. Leslie leverages and customizes her specialties of Facilitation, Public Speaking, Team Building, Problem Solving, Training and Development to the needs of her clients. She holds an MS in Organizational Development and Knowledge Management from George Mason University, MA Human Relations from University of Oklahoma, and a BA in Anthropology from San Diego State University. Leslie lives in the Washington DC metro, is a veteran Army spouse who has lived all over the world and has a passion for traveling, baking and dancing flamenco.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-fiorella-durham-mhr-msod-ba296b48/
About Leslie Durham (Military Spouse)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Finding Your JOY in Transition
Sienna Echon (US Navy Veteran)
Small Group Facilitator:
Veterans in Tech
https://careers.activisionblizzard.com/veterans
About Sienna Echon (US Navy Veteran)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Veterans in Tech
Linda Emerson (Lieutenant Colonel, US Army Retired)
Small Group Facilitator:
Applying for VA Benefits
Linda Emerson grew up in North Pole, Alaska and attended the University of Alaska-Fairbanks and the United States Military Academy at West Point. She was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Adjutant General Corps in 1990 and continued to serve in command and staff positions for 25 years. After retirement, Linda completed an MBA in not-for-profit management from Regent University. Active in several community service endeavors, including but not limited to Girl Scouts, West Point Women, and the Women’s Army Corps Veterans Association-Army Women United, she has a "day job" as a Program Analyst in International and Governmental Affairs (IGA) in the Veterans Affairs Central Office. She and her husband, Jack, have four adult children, and a learning-to-how-to-drive high school sophomore.
https://department.va.gov/administrations-and-offices/public-and-intergovernmental-affairs/intergovernmental-affairs/#:~:text=Intergovernmental%20Affairs%20is%20responsible%20for%20all%20relations%20b
About Linda Emerson (Lieutenant Colonel, US Army Retired)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Applying for VA Benefits
Nicole Foster (US Air Force Veteran)
Small Group Facilitator:
Mock Interview Prep: How to Tell Your Story
Nikki Foster is a Fleet Program Manager for the LEAP-1A where she manages the field plans for 3,800+ engines across the Airbus A320neo global airline customer base of 112 operators.
She joined GE in 2016 through the Military Officer Leadership Program (MOLP), where she held many roles at GE in customer experience, defense and systems, and commercial services. GE Aerospace is an easy fit because…
Prior to joining GE, Nikki was an active-duty aerial refueling KC-10 Instructor Pilot in the U.S. Air Force where she flew the GE CF6 engines. She has over 3,000 Flight Hours and 217 Combat Missions.
She still serves in the U.S. Air Force Reserve where she recruits High School students to attend her alma mater, the U.S. Air Force Academy, in Colorado Springs, CO.
She is surrounded by a supportive family: her husband, Rob, whom she met in Air Force pilot training and who is now a pilot for United on the A320. Nikki and Rob have two sons, Wyatt (13) and Henry (5). She proudly serves in the all-volunteer-run GE Veterans Network as the communications leader.
The GE Veterans Network, has three pillars: Support, Hire, and Grow. Nikki is a longtime contributor to the Hire Pillar, and for the past 7 years has served as a volunteer career counselor for the non-profit organization, Hire Heroes USA – where much of her counseling has led to the hiring of fellow veterans into GE.
https://jobs.gecareers.com/aviation/global/en/aviation-veterans-us
About Nicole Foster (US Air Force Veteran)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Mock Interview Prep: How to Tell Your Story
Daphne Jefferson (Senior Executive Service, Retired)
Small Group Facilitator:
The Senior Executive Service (SES): Navigating the Pathway to Leadership in the Federal Government
Daphne Jefferson is an executive coach, speaker and consultant with over 20 years of experience as a senior executive with the Federal government. She is passionate about helping leaders to gracefully navigate the challenges of transitions. As a coach, she has worked with dozens of leaders at every level of government, the private sector, nonprofit organizations, and academia. Daphne is a noted speaker and has given keynote addresses on leadership, transportation and technology for government, private sector and nonprofit organizations. She has appeared on CBS This Morning and has testified in the United States House of Representatives. Daphne served as Deputy Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) from February 2015 until November 2017, leading an organization with over 1,100 employees across the United States. She previously served as the Counselor to the Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration for DOT. She also held executive leadership positions with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Office of the Chief Financial Officer, and the Federal Aviation Administration’s Air Traffic Control Service. Daphne is a passionate executive coach dedicated to helping senior leaders, emerging leaders and high potentials thrive in today’s fast-paced environment. She is adept at developing a strong coaching relationship based on trust, candor, clear goal setting, and accountability. Daphne holds a Master’s in Public Administration from American University and served as a Brookings Institution Legislative Fellow in the U.S. House of Representatives. She holds a Certificate in Leadership Coaching from Georgetown University’s Institute for Transformational Leadership and is an ACC certified coach through the International Coach Federation (ICF). In addition, Daphne is the recipient of the 2016 Presidential Meritorious Rank Award and the 2017 Influential Woman in Trucking Award. Daphne lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband. She enjoys travel and is a jewelry artist and metalsmith.
https://instituteofcoaching.org/users/daphne-jefferson
About Daphne Jefferson (Senior Executive Service, Retired)
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Small Group Facilitator:
The Senior Executive Service (SES): Navigating the Pathway to Leadership in the Federal Government
Joni Johnson, MD (Colonel, US Army)
Small Group Facilitator:
Authentically Embracing Your Neurodiversity: ADHD as Your Superpower
Dr. Joni Johnson, MD is a neurodiverse Pediatrician, a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach and a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practitioner with over 15 years of clinical experience exclusively supporting individuals with ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, mood disorders and behavior problems. As a military physician, Dr. Joni spent 30 years serving military soldiers and their families as a member of both the active and reserve components. Dr. Joni retired in 2020 only to be recalled to active service in 2022 to support the Army recruitment mission as a Service Waiver Authority for USAREC through 2025. While on active duty in a remote capacity, Dr. Joni remains committed to supporting her private coaching practice, DrJoni MD, where she works as a Health Consultant and Empowerment Strategist assisting individuals seeking to discover underlying causes for difficulties in home, work, school, and social environments. She provides a roadmap for navigating support services and overcoming obstacles related to treatment plan adherence. Dr. Joni’s coaching practice focuses on providing education about neurodiversity and developing executive function skills to overcome any obstacles to success.
Dr. Joni currently resides in Stafford, Virginia and is a single mother of three and a grandmother of one. She received her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Management from the United States Military Academy at West Point and her M.D. from Albert Einstein College of Medicine as a Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) participant. She has completed several certificate programs to include the Executive Certificate in Health and Wellness Coaching and the Executive Certificate in Strategic Diversity and Inclusion Management both from Georgetown University Institute for Transformational Leadership. As a DEI practitioner, Dr. Joni works with organizations to improve their inclusion strategies for individuals with invisible differences like ADHD and autism. Most recently, Dr. Joni served as a co-creator and co-facilitator for a workshop entitled, Culturally Competent Communication which was presented at Georgetown University as a 6 session, 12-hour program designed to enhance communication for professionals who work with culturally diverse clients.
Dr. Joni’s guiding principle is to help her clients become empowered by their struggles as she has been empowered by her own.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjonijohnson/
About Joni Johnson, MD (Colonel, US Army)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Authentically Embracing Your Neurodiversity: ADHD as Your Superpower
Cherryann Joseph, PhD (Colonel, US Army Retired)
Small Group Facilitator:
Cultivating a Growth Mindset
Dr. Cherryann Joseph is the CEO of Kairos Growth Resources LLC. As a first-generation immigrant, Cherryann made a lifetime commitment to serving her adopted country and community. As a military officer, she served as a leader and operations planner at the highest levels of the Army and Department of Defense. Cherryann served two tours of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Noble Eagle. She is a two-time graduate of Cornell University and holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction. Cherryann also taught science and served as a leadership adviser for students at two of the most prestigious public high schools in the nation. She recently retired from the Army as a Colonel and has now committed herself to helping people reach their potential. She also serves as an adjunct professor at a local community college and as the Vice President of a non-profit organization that provides local schools with professional speakers. Training and equipping people to make better decisions and become effective leaders is one of her life passions. Through Kairos Growth Resources LLC, Cherryann leverages her experience and expertise to serve clients by providing them with practical tools and resources to equip them
to overcome challenges and up-level their productivity and performance. She speaks, trains, consults, and coaches using evidence-based personal growth, leadership, and professional development curricula. Using these resources, Cherryann helps people and organizations build their capacity, improve leadership and communication skills, and develop high-functioning teams.
https://kairosgrowthresources.com/
About Cherryann Joseph, PhD (Colonel, US Army Retired)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Cultivating a Growth Mindset
Stephanie Lewis
Small Group Facilitator:
Be Your Own Boss … Own Your Own Franchise!
https://www.zorakle.net/assessment/welcome/dreamrealizerllc
About Stephanie Lewis
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Small Group Facilitator:
Be Your Own Boss … Own Your Own Franchise!
Joy Liang
Small Group Facilitator:
Careers with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Joy Liang is a Program Analyst / Recruiter on the Recruitment Outreach and Diversity (ROaD) Team in the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Human Resources. She received a Bachelor’s degree in international business from the University of Maryland.
https://highways.dot.gov/careers
About Joy Liang
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Small Group Facilitator:
Careers with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Jessica Mayerovitch (US Army Veteran)
Small Group Facilitator:
Mock Interview Prep: How to Tell Your Story
https://jobs.gecareers.com/aviation/global/en/aviation-veterans-us
About Jessica Mayerovitch (US Army Veteran)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Mock Interview Prep: How to Tell Your Story
Jim McMahon
Small Group Facilitator:
Military and Civilian Stereotypes: Effectively Communicating Your Experience, Skills and Brand
Jim McMahon leads Travelers Inclusive Talent Acquisition. Jim’s professional experience is made up of more than 25 years in Recruitment and Human Resources. He brings a civilian perspective to military audiences. Jim has been an active participant and supporter of Academy Women for a number of years.
https://careers.travelers.com/military/
About Jim McMahon
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Small Group Facilitator:
Military and Civilian Stereotypes: Effectively Communicating Your Experience, Skills and Brand
Elexa Orrange-Allen (US Army Veteran)
Small Group Facilitator:
Get to Steppin' Imposter Syndrome - You BELONG!
Elexa Orrange-Allen is the Founder and CEO of LEAP Coaching and Speaking (C&S). She has extensive qualifications in coaching and is a certified John Maxwell coach, speaker, and trainer - as well as a Birkman and Myers Briggs certified consultant. Beyond credentials, Elexa believes it is her professional career and life experiences that give her an edge as she lives her passion of helping individuals and organizations become the best version of themselves.
Elexa began her journey of self-growth and leadership development as a cadet at the United States Military Academy (West Point). She continued to cultivate self-discipline, accountability, and drive during her service as a finance officer and leader in the United States Army. Elexa’s “leap of faith” came when she exited the military to pursue her goal of qualifying for the 1996 Track and Field Olympic Team. During her years of training and competing, Elexa continued to gain leadership experience as a motivational speaker and track and field athletic coach. She leapt to success, representing the United States in the 1995 World Championships in Gothenburg Sweden, and in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, GA.
After the Atlanta games, Elexa transitioned her leadership and relationship-building strengths to the sales profession. Where she earned the President’s Club Award winning sales professional in the healthcare and recognition and rewards industries. Elexa‘s passion for helping others was demonstrated as she served in trainer and manager roles in the sales industry. With experience working at all levels, Elexa has an in-depth knowledge of what it takes to achieve personal and corporate goals at start-up size companies as well as large, industry-leading organizations.
Elexa lives in Houston, TX with her husband. They have two lovely daughters and two sons. Elexa holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Master of Education degree in Counseling. Elexa enjoys spending time with family and friends, volunteering and making a difference in the community, reading, traveling, and physical fitness.
https://leapwithcoaching.com/
About Elexa Orrange-Allen (US Army Veteran)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Get to Steppin' Imposter Syndrome - You BELONG!
Dale Perez (Command Sergeant Major, US Army Retired)
Small Group Facilitator:
Special Non-Competitive Direct-Hire Authorities to Appoint Veterans into Federal Government
https://www.gocoastguard.com/careers
About Dale Perez (Command Sergeant Major, US Army Retired)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Special Non-Competitive Direct-Hire Authorities to Appoint Veterans into Federal Government
Destinee Prete, PhD (US Army Veteran and Military Spouse)
Small Group Facilitator:
Self-Advocacy and Equity: In Your Life and in Your Workplace
Destinee Prete is a U.S. Army Veteran, Military Spouse and the President of We2AreVets - a nonprofit organization that focuses on the honor, empowerment and recognition of women veterans. Destinee comes from a legacy of military service – with both of her parents, her brother, herself and her husband having served, or currently serving. She is a business owner, an Industrial and Organizational (I/O) psychology professional and serves as a Psychometrician for various intelligence-related contracts within the government.
https://www.we2arevets.org/
About Destinee Prete, PhD (US Army Veteran and Military Spouse)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Self-Advocacy and Equity: In Your Life and in Your Workplace
Jennifer Prioleau
Small Group Facilitator:
Careers with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Jennifer Prioleau is the Veteran Employment Program Manager within Human Resources for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) a mode under the Department of Transportation. She received a Bachelor's degree in Communications from Christopher Newport University and a Master's in Public Administration from George Mason University. She began her career with FHWA in the Human Resources policy team and is now serves on the recruitment team.
https://highways.dot.gov/careers
About Jennifer Prioleau
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Small Group Facilitator:
Careers with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Juju Rafii-Ebdrup (Technical Sergeant, USAF Retired)
Small Group Facilitator:
Embracing Change: Moving Forward from Lessons Learned and Letting Go of What Holds You Back
Juju Rafii-Ebdrup is an accomplished Personal Development/Mindset Expert, Speaker, Author, and US Veteran, boasting more than 20 years of leadership experience. Through her programs, partnerships, and community involvement, Juju is dedicated to empowering women.
Juju's "Mindset Mastery" technique comes highly praised for empowering women to break free from feeling stuck, guiding them to take charge of their lives, embrace continuous growth, define their purpose clearly, and eliminate feelings of being overwhelmed or indecisive about their next steps in life or business. This method empowers women to transform into individuals prepared to live their most fulfilling lives.
Juju holds a Master's degree in Management and Leadership. Following her military service, she has dedicated her time to working with fellow female leaders to create online communities, develop training programs, and deliver guest speeches, all aimed at making a significant impact.
Hailing from the vibrant city of New Orleans, LA, meet Juju - a powerhouse female entrepreneur, yoga guru, and supermom of three, rocking her world in northern Virginia. Oh, and did we mention she whips up a killer NOLA-style red beans & rice dish too?
http://linktr.ee/jujurafii
About Juju Rafii-Ebdrup (Technical Sergeant, USAF Retired)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Embracing Change: Moving Forward from Lessons Learned and Letting Go of What Holds You Back
Rachel Richardson (Military Spouse)
Small Group Facilitator:
You and Your Money: Mindful Financial Planning to Create the Life You Love
Rachel Richardson joined First Command Financial Services as a Financial Advisor in October 2020. As a military spouse, she understands the unique situations and circumstances that place pressure on military families and is committed to helping them discover the confidence and peace of mind that come from financial security.
Rachel holds Series 7 and 66 securities licenses plus life and health insurance licenses in Virginia.
Rachel is committed to coaching clients to pursue their financial goals and lifetime dreams by bringing sound financial knowledge and trustworthy advice to a lasting relationship with each individual and family she serves.
Active in her community, Rachel is a member of multiple military spouse support groups. In her free time, Rachel enjoys spending time with family and traveling.
https://www.firstcommand.com/
About Rachel Richardson (Military Spouse)
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Small Group Facilitator:
You and Your Money: Mindful Financial Planning to Create the Life You Love
Jinada Rochelle
Small Group Facilitator:
Leveraging the Strength of Diversity: Your Own and Others
Jinada Rochelle hails from a military family and is the CEO of Jinada Rochelle, LLC – a boutique consulting firm that assists businesses in the public and private sector in building inclusive organizational cultures that attract and retain employees. Jinada also coaches and trains leaders to embrace their own personal strengths by leveraging diversity to create success and have an equitable investment in the place where they earn a living.
Based on her personal and professional experiences working in the public and private sectors – Jinada developed diversity, equity and inclusion training curriculum for employers and community groups and formed Jinada Rochelle LLC in 2020. Jinada specializes in meeting employers and their employees in the trenches, at their points of need, and guiding them to explore the unique pathways of diversity and inclusion in order to better the work experience and increase productivity, innovation, and bottom-line profits.
Prior to founding Jinada Rochelle LLC, Jinada served the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at the Human Relations Commission for 13 years. The Commission is charged with investigating unlawful claims of discrimination. Prior to her work with the Commission, Jinada served for over 10 years in private industry - assisting businesses with their hiring practices, marketing strategies and employee management policies.
Jinada is a graduate of the Harrisburg MLK Leadership Institute (2019); a Certified Minority Owned Business by the National Minority Development Council (2021); holds a BA from the University of Pittsburgh; and a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from the University of Southern Florida Corporate Training and Professional Education (2021).
https://www.jinrochelle.com
About Jinada Rochelle
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Small Group Facilitator:
Leveraging the Strength of Diversity: Your Own and Others
Lisa Rosser (US Army Veteran)
Small Group Facilitator:
Beyond Government Contracting: Empowering Small Businesses to Seize Corporate Contracts
Lisa Rosser founded The Value of a Veteran in 2007, when the veteran unemployment rate was 23%. Combining her 22 years of direct military experience (Active Army and Army Reserve) with 16 years of human resources and diversity program development experience, she built a specialized consulting and training firm which has since helped hundreds of large companies build comprehensive, effective and award-winning veteran talent programs.
https://thevalueofaveteran.com
About Lisa Rosser (US Army Veteran)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Beyond Government Contracting: Empowering Small Businesses to Seize Corporate Contracts
Tammy Saffer (Military Spouse)
Small Group Facilitator:
Finding Your JOY in Transition
Tammy Saffer is the Founder of Partnership Consulting Group, an Organization Development Consultant, Professional Coach and Certified Working Genius Facilitator. As a proud spouse of a military veteran, she has 20+ years in the global labor force across cultures bringing a robust, diverse, adaptable and well-rounded background to her business engagements. Tammy partners with individuals, teams, leaders and organizations to realize their goals through strategic planning, coaching and organizational development. Her facilitation of Working Genius helps individuals and teams, of all types, increase their productivity, morale, alignment, joy and fulfillment. She co-creates roadmaps for the future with her clients to achieve alignment and clarity for what is next. Her consulting helps leaders create resilient and high functioning teams that thrive through process improvements and team development with measurable solutions. She has served Government, Fortune 500, Nonprofits and Small Businesses across multiple industries. Tammy’s areas of expertise include Leadership Development, Team Maximization, Organizational Effectiveness, Problem Solving and Project Management. She holds an MS in Organizational Development and Knowledge Management from George Mason University and a BS in Business Management from University of Phoenix. Tammy is an Air Force veteran spouse who has lived and worked from Europe to the Pacific. She currently resides in the Washington DC metro and enjoys traveling in her free time.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammysaffer/
About Tammy Saffer (Military Spouse)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Finding Your JOY in Transition
Angela Scott (US Navy Veteran)
Small Group Facilitator:
Veterans in Tech
Angela D. Scott is a proud mother of three and United States Navy Veteran, who served as a Religious Program Specialist during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.
In her role at Demonware Studios for Activision Blizzard, she is a Senior Personalization & Content Manager. Angela oversees and manages A/B testing, personalization process, content updates, localization for in-game, web-based and mobile applications. She coordinates with business stakeholders to identify priorities based on available resources and negotiates tradeoffs as needed. With the experimentation vertical, Angela ensures the execution of personalization strategies are streamlined and fully managed, including scheduling deployment, review, QA and reporting of test findings.
As a Diversity Champion at Activision Blizzard King, Angela is a Global Community and Social Impact Lead for several Activision Blizzard King’s Employee Network Groups, where she’s developed mentorship programs for middle school through college students in under-resourced, marginalized and BIPOC communities – leveraging gaming as the gateway to bring awareness to employment opportunities in the gaming technology industry. She’s also created initiatives to increase the number of college interns from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), as well as students from Indigenous, Latinx and LGBTQ+ communities.
Angela is an accomplished writer, editor and speaker who frequently serves on career panels as a subject matter expert and guest speaker. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Honors English from California State University Northridge, an Associate Arts degree in Public Policy from Santa Monica College, and a Master of Business degree for Veterans from the University of Southern California (USC MBV). As a double USC Trojan, she is currently pursuing a doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership at USC. Ms. Scott is also a community activist dedicated to creating impactful change, and currently serves in multiple leadership roles on the local and state levels.
In addition to serving as serving as a Public Safety Reform & Oversight Commissioner for the City of Santa Monica (CA), she is a Democratic State Central Committee Delegate for Assembly District 51, an Executive Board Member for the California Democratic Party (CDP) Veterans Caucus, and a Regional Vice Chair of the California Democratic Party Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Standing Committee.
https://www.demonware.net/
About Angela Scott (US Navy Veteran)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Veterans in Tech
Tom Solitario (Major, US Air Force Retired)
Small Group Facilitator:
Would You Like a Business Coach at No Cost? - Leveraging the Small Business Development Center
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomsolitario/
About Tom Solitario (Major, US Air Force Retired)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Would You Like a Business Coach at No Cost? - Leveraging the Small Business Development Center
Shaun Stephenson (US Marine Corps Veteran)
Small Group Facilitator:
Working at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Shaun Stephenson is the Manager for the Outreach and Recruiting Military/Veterans Program in Human Resource at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where he is currently building both the military and veteran pipeline at LLNL. Before Shaun’s current role, he was the Division Leader and Training Functional Area Manager for Training and Development with responsibility for Lab training, leadership and professional development, a learning management system, and educational assistance.
Before joining LLNL, Shaun worked for Ernest and Julio Gallo Winery. He began his career at Gallo in Operations - where he led the Bottling and Receiving operations throughout the Supply Chain process. While managing in Operations, Shaun led the implementation of Automated Guided Vehicles, Warehouse Management System training in several domestic regional distribution centers and was instrumental in streamlining safety management within the organization. He led Corporate Training where he was responsible for the analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation of institutional training as well as mentor and recognition programs. He co-championed the highly successful Management/Leadership Development Program for leaders at Ernest & Julio Gallo Winery and was a co-recipient of a Gold Medal from Chief Learning Officer Magazine.
Before joining Gallo, Shaun served as both an enlisted and Marine Corps officer. He served in the Special Operations, Reconnaissance and Light Armored Reconnaissance community’s as well as the training/development field specializing in numerous ground combat areas. Shaun served in the western pacific in multiple deployments serving in Desert Shield/Storm and numerous humanitarian operations.
Shaun is a passionate speaker, educator, and mentor in academic institutions, associations and athletic teams in the leadership arena. He is reaching today’s youth and young adults with a strong message in developing principally centered character.
Shaun consults with StoryRock Inc. Remember My Service Division, seeking essential funding for commemorative book and documentary distribution recognizing Korean, Vietnam, and Gulf War Veterans.
Shaun earned a BS in Economics from the United States Naval Academy. He’s trained or certified in numerous Developmental specialties. He’s married to his wife Jennifer for 27 years and has two children – Taylor (25) and Cameron (22).
https://veterans.llnl.gov/
About Shaun Stephenson (US Marine Corps Veteran)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Working at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Kathy Takayama (US Navy Veteran)
Small Group Facilitator:
How Business Education Can Facilitate Your Successful Transition
Kathy Takayama is a US Navy Veteran and former commissioned officer at the Naval Nuclear Power School. She is now an Associate Professor of the Practice at the University of Southern California (USC), where she is living her lifelong dream of sharing decades of business experiences at Hewlett Packard (HP) with future business leaders, teaching and mentoring both graduate and undergraduate students at USC’s Marshall School of Business.
She has been recognized for her professionalism and community service. At HP, she was nominated for the prestigious Women’s Excellence Award. For her impactful contributions beyond the workplace, Kathy received commendation from California State Assemblyman Kevin Kylie for her notable community service and was honored by the NBA and the Sacramento Kings as a Hometown Hero.
Kathy actively supports causes impacting veterans and women, founding HP's Veterans Employee Resource Network in California, serving on boards for Women Veterans Giving and the MBV Foundation, and is the Faculty Advisor for the USC Marshall’s Military Veterans Association. She also leads fundraising efforts to support The Takayama Memorial Scholarship in honor of her late husband, Mike, that provides $10,000 in scholarships annually to support college bound female athletes.
Kathy holds a BS in Applied Mathematics from the University of California, a Master of Business for Veterans (MBV) degree from USC and is a Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Certified Product Owner (CPO), and holds additional certifications in Lean Six Sigma.
Kathy enjoys photography, home improvement, and traveling around the nation to cheer on her son and daughter-in-law competing in Ultimate Frisbee.
https://www.marshall.usc.edu/programs/graduate-programs/specialized-masters/master-of-business-for-veterans
About Kathy Takayama (US Navy Veteran)
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Small Group Facilitator:
How Business Education Can Facilitate Your Successful Transition
Shaunda Thompson (US Army Veteran)
Small Group Facilitator:
Who Are You? - Unveiling the Power Within
“Vincit Qui Se Vincit” - She Conquers Who Conquers Herself. This quote speaks to the importance of self. Self-mastery, self-confidence and self-awareness, attributes Shaunda Thompson developed and enhanced as an effective leader and Non-Commissioned Officer in the United States Army. Shaunda’s passion for coaching began over thirty years ago during her military career, as she frequently championed subordinates to become the best version of themselves. Shaunda Thompson is a 2x Amazon Best-Selling Author, Career Strategist and Executive Life Coach with extensive experience coaching women how to leverage their professional wellness, personal brand and presence to elevate their performance, confidence and success. Ms. Thompson, also called Coach “T” is known for her holistic approach and candor. Coach T uses a combination of personality and image development to help clients unleash their inner powerhouse and tap into the unshakeable confidence needed to turn their visions into reality. Shaunda has conducted leadership development training in the government, non-profit and education sectors, including the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program and Orange County Public Library, to name a few. Coach T has certifications, training and experience facilitating Clifton Strengths Finder; MBTI and What's My Communication Style Assessments.
https://www.shaundathompson.com
About Shaunda Thompson (US Army Veteran)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Who Are You? - Unveiling the Power Within
Alex Verhulst
Small Group Facilitator:
Demystifying the Application Black Hole
Alex Verhulst has over 15 years of Talent Acquisition experience within the government contracting industry. He currently serves as the Corporate Talent Acquisition Military Program Manager for Leidos' Military Veteran Program (Operation MVP).
Operation MVP is Leidos’ official Military Veteran Program, with a mission to build veteran talent pipelines and increase Leidos' presence as a preferred employer for transitioning military candidates. By assisting transitioning service members in their job search, Operation MVP helps build Leidos' employer brand within the veteran community and increase their available qualified talent.
Through this program, Leidos partners with military transition centers, military associations, and veteran organizations in an effort to identify and hire separating and retiring military veterans - who are recruited from all branches of the military, as well as the National Guard and Reserves.
Leidos and the Operation MVP team participate in specific career development and networking events geared towards the veteran and military dependent / caregiver population - and are actively engaged in advertising and branding initiatives specific to military branches and installations.
Previous to assuming responsibility for the military program, Alex served at Leidos as part of a talent identification and acquisition organization responsible for Military, University, and Diversity outreach, specializing in recruiting qualified professionals for customers across the Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, Homeland Security, Federal Law Enforcement, and Healthcare agencies.
https://www.leidos.com/operation-mvp
About Alex Verhulst
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Small Group Facilitator:
Demystifying the Application Black Hole
Alicia Washkevich (US Navy Veteran)
Small Group Facilitator:
Finding Your Purpose: Non-traditional Career Paths After the Military
Alicia Washkevich is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of New Politics. As COO, Alicia helps to shape and translate New Politics’ strategic vision into a sound operational plan. She brings more than 20 years of experience to New Politics. Her leadership and experience have been focused on scaling rapidly growing organizations, driving strategic change processes, coaching and developing talent, managing efficient nonprofit operations and budgets in excess of $100M, and helping organizations continue their walk down the path to center diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Alicia is a proud Navy veteran. During her time on active duty, she deployed several times as a Surface Warfare/Anti-Terrorism Force Protection Officer on the USS Oak Hill and then as a METOC Officer/Military Hydrographer with Fleet Survey Team (FST). Always mission-driven, she transitioned to the non-profit sector following her military career.
Alicia most recently served as the Deputy Chief Operating Officer for the Sierra Club, one of the most enduring and influential grassroots environmental organizations in the nation. Alicia earned a Master of Science in Applied Science from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography from the United States Naval Academy.
When not working as the COO for New Politics, Alicia lends her time to the Military Family Building Coalition, sits on the Navy Rugby Alumni Association Board, acts as “Team Mom” to the Catholic University Women’s Rugby team, and coaches the DC Aquatic Club (DC's only LGBTQ adult swim team). Originally from NJ (yes, she does love Bon Jovi), Alicia now resides in Washington DC with her husband and two daughters.
https://www.newpoliticsacademy.org/
About Alicia Washkevich (US Navy Veteran)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Finding Your Purpose: Non-traditional Career Paths After the Military
Hope White (US Army Veteran)
Small Group Facilitator:
Writing a Federal Resume
Hope White is a Career Coach and Senior Business Consultant with Hopeful Speaking and Consulting - a boutique firm that offers a wide range of services, including webinars, training, coaching, and business consulting that assists individuals and organizations with achieving their full potential, and enhancing their skills and knowledge to reach their professional goals. With a career spanning over 25 years, Hope works with veterans and those seeking careers within the Federal Government by providing training on the federal hiring process, building a federal resume, determining the job series/grades qualifications, understanding the vacancy announcement, decoding messages after applying, and mastering a long-term career in the federal government. Hope also works with current Federal employees and provides career development training, group and one-on-one coaching to help them better understand the hiring process, assist with updating resumes, creating an individual development plan, and mastering their job series for promotions. Connect with Hope through -
Webinars: https://on.zoom.us/h/HopefulSpeaking;
Coaching: https://calendly.com/hopefulspeaking;
Alfredo's Coffee House - Sundays, 12:00 PM EST: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAucO6trz0qEtScBqRmnfWUZQMV75leSelk
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hopefulspeaking/
About Hope White (US Army Veteran)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Writing a Federal Resume
Jennifer White (Military Spouse)
Small Group Facilitator:
Military and Civilian Stereotypes: Effectively Communicating Your Experience, Skills and Brand
Jennifer White is the Vice President of Talent Acquisition for Client Delivery at Travelers Insurance Companies. Jen leads a team of 80 Recruiters and Recruiting Leaders that support the strategic hiring initiatives for clients based in the US, Canada and the United Kingdom. Jen has over 25 years of recruiting experience across various industries including Financial Services and Education. Jen attended San Diego State University and Cal State San Bernardino and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. Jen resides in New Hartford, CT with her husband and daughter. When she’s not networking and recruiting, she’s cooking and baking up a storm.
https://careers.travelers.com/military/
About Jennifer White (Military Spouse)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Military and Civilian Stereotypes: Effectively Communicating Your Experience, Skills and Brand
Gwendolen Wilder (Master Sergeant, US Air Force Retired)
Small Group Facilitator:
Leveraging Facebook for Career Success
Gwendolen Wilder is a Retired US Air Force Master Sergeant, Certified Business Strategist, and the Founder of Impossible to Possible Women - a 1.2K+ Female Entrepreneur community. A highly-acclaimed business coach, "Go To Expert" for nationally syndicated news programs, best-selling author and entrepreneur who overcame domestic violence and sexual assault trauma while building a multi-million dollar business - Gwendolen empowers struggling and overwhelmed female entrepreneurs to get past their business fears so they can successfully start and scale businesses, become more self-confident and financially independent.
https://www.gwendolenwilder.com
About Gwendolen Wilder (Master Sergeant, US Air Force Retired)
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Small Group Facilitator:
Leveraging Facebook for Career Success
OWLS Small Group Discussion Facilitators
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Alan Bisenieks
Roundtable Facilitator: Financial Considerations for Entrepreneurs
US Army Veteran | Financial Advisor, District Advisor, and Principal, First Command
Alan Bisenieks joined First Command Financial Services as a Financial Advisor in October 2015. Then and now, he remains excited about the opportunity to help others make the smart financial decisions that are essential to long-term financial security.
Alan has a Master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and a Master’s degree in Management from Troy University. Alan attended the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Philosophy. He holds Series 7, 66 and 24 securities licenses plus life and health insurance licenses in Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC.
Understanding that the biggest obstacle to financial security for most people is their own behavior, Alan serves as a personal financial coach to clients, continually reinforcing positive financial behaviors. He advocates time-tested financial principles, including disciplined, long-term saving and investing, careful debt management, and a thoughtful insurance strategy to manage financial risk. Alan works with his clients to establish specific, meaningful goals that are consistent with their values and then develops personalized financial plans that guide the pursuit of those goals.
In his free time, Alan enjoys football, traveling, and remodeling.
https://www.firstcommand.com/
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Roundtable Facilitator: Financial Considerations for Entrepreneurs
US Army Veteran | Financial Advisor, District Advisor, and Principal, First Command
Caprissa S. Brown-Slade
Roundtable Moderator: U.S. Army Policy
Colonel, U.S. Army
Colonel Caprissa S. Brown-Slade is a native of Hassell, NC and attended Elizabeth City State University, NC on a full-time academic scholarship and played Womens Basketball, Volley Ball, and ran Track, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Social Sciences with honors (summa cum laude) and received her commission as a Transportation Officer through the Reserve Officer Training Corps of Elizabeth City State University, NC. In 2000, she completed her Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies at National Louis University, IL. In 2008, COL Brown-Slade transferred to the Logistics Corps.
Colonel Brown-Slade’s assignments included: Truck Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, Highway Operations Officer, Support Operations Officer, and Assistant Installation Coordinator, 109th Transportation Company, 28th Transportation Battalion, Mannheim, Germany; served numerous positions in the 142nd Corps Support Battalion, Fort Polk, LA; SPO Material Officer, Commander of the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Rear S2, S3, Detachment Commander, SPO Transportation Officer, and concluded tour as Commander 603rd Transportation Company, Fort Johnson, LA; Gun Truck Escort Officer in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III; Commander for the Clarksville Recruiting Company; SPO Distribution Officer, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan and 82nd Sustainment Brigade; Battalion Executive Officer, 264th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion; Brigade S4 and Brigade Executive Officer, 528th Sustainment Brigade (Special Operations) (Airborne); Afghanistan National Special Forces Logistics Officer, NATO Special Operations Command.
Afghanistan/Special Operations Joint Task Force in Afghanistan; Battalion Commander, 21st Special Troops Battalion, 21st Theater Sustainment Commander; Deputy Commander of the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary); Director of the Army’s Sustainment Concepts and Battle Lab Division, Sustainment Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate, Futures and Concepts Center, Army Futures Command; Army’s Chief Diversity Officer, Fort Belvoir, VA and currently serves as the Deputy, United States Army Equity and Inclusion Agency (EIA), Assistant Secretary of the Army Manpower and Reserve Affairs (ASA M&RA)
About Caprissa S. Brown-Slade
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Roundtable Moderator: U.S. Army Policy
Colonel, U.S. Army
Alison Gonzalez
Roundtable Facilitator: US Space Force
Colonel, U.S. Space Force
Colonel Alison R. Gonzalez is currently serving as the Director of
Staff for the Chief Human Capital Office, Headquarters United
States Space Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. In this
capacity, she provides executive leadership and managerial
direction for the Space Force staff in all functional areas of
personnel management, including force structure analysis;
personnel programs; civilian personnel; readiness; senior officer
matters; quality force issues; equal opportunity; and family support
for military and civilian personnel located at 175 locations worldwide
in support of the service’s space launch, space surveillance, missile
warning, and satellite command and control operations. Prior to this
assignment, she was the Chief of Strategy for the Space Force.
Colonel Gonzalez was raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is a
graduate of Howard University. She developed her in-depth space and cyber operations expertise from
diverse and unique assignments within the Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, and
Interagency. Specifically, her career includes numerous positions within the National Reconnaissance
Office (NRO). She was an Operations Flight Commander, the Chief of Special Technical Operations, and
various Special Program Branches. Furthermore, she was the Director’s Congressional Liaison for the
Mission Operations, Ground Architecture, Information Technology, Cybersecurity and Special Programs
portfolios and was the NRO’s lead writer for the Presidential Daily Brief. Colonel Gonzalez was also the
inaugural Chief of the Plans Division in the stand-up of the National Space Defense Center, where she
led an Interagency team charged with creating operational plans for the protection and defense of the
nation’s most sensitive space and cyber systems.
She commanded both space experimentation and operational support squadrons. Finally, she is a
nationally recognized mentor, advocate, and champion of Service members and their families. Col
Gonzalez is married and has three sons.
About Alison Gonzalez
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Roundtable Facilitator: US Space Force
Colonel, U.S. Space Force
Carina Harrison
Roundtable Facilitator: U.S. Air Force
Colonel, U.S. Air Force
Colonel Carina Harrison is the Associate Deputy Assistant
Secretary of the Air Force for Force Management, the Pentagon,
Arlington, Virginia. She provides governance and oversight in
the development of strategic plans and policies impacting
Department of the Air Force military and civilian human
resource functions and activities including compensation and
entitlements, education and training, total force military
personnel policy, civilian personnel policy, manpower and
organization, and officer and enlisted accession programs.
Colonel Harrison was born in Montgomery, Alabama at
Maxwell AFB Hospital. She entered the Air Force in May 2001
through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Program at
Alabama State University after graduating from Auburn
University in Montgomery, Alabama. Most recently, she served
as the Chief, Budget Development Branch for the Chief of Staff,
Manpower, Personnel and Services. A two time graduated
squadron commander, she has held numerous positions at the
squadron, wing, major command, and headquarters level. She
deployed as the Joint Manpower and Personnel Director for the
Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component in support
of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and NEW DAWN.
About Carina Harrison
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Roundtable Facilitator: U.S. Air Force
Colonel, U.S. Air Force
Elexa Orrange-Allen
Roundtable Facilitator: The Courage to Ask
Captain, U.S. Army Retired and Leadership Coach
Elexa Orrange-Allen, founder and CEO of LEAP Coaching and Speaking Consultants, LLC has over 25 years of leadership and business experience as a veteran army officer, executive leader, entrepreneur, sales professional, executive/leadership coach, speaker, and trainer. Elexa helps executives and organizations maximize their leadership potential and organizational potential, respectively to achieve significant business results. In addition, she helps individuals flourish by identifying and achieving their personal and professional goals through career and life coaching. Elexa is a certified John Maxwell Coach, Speaker, and Trainer; Myers-Briggs Consultant; Birkman Consultant; Hogan Consultant’ and DISC Consultant. In addition to these excellent credentials, Elexa believes that it is her professional career and life experiences that give her the edge as she lives out her passion of “helping individuals and organizations become the best version of themselves.” Elexa began her journey of self-growth and leadership development as a cadet at the United States Military Academy. She continued to cultivate self-discipline, accountability, and drive during her service as a finance officer and leader in the United States Army. Elexa’s “leap of faith” came when she left the military to become the best version of herself as she pursued her goal of making the 1996 Olympic Team in track and field. During her years of training and competing, Elexa continued to gain leadership experience as a motivational speaker and coach to track and field athletes. She represented the United States in the 1995 World Championships in Gothenburg Sweden, and in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, GA. After the Atlanta games, Elexa transitioned her considerable leadership and relationship-building strengths to the corporate arena. She earned the distinction of President’s Club Award-winning sales professional in the healthcare and recognition and rewards industries and has served in a range of trainer and manager roles. As the founder and CEO of LEAP Coaching and Speaking, Consultants, LLC she has since been coaching leaders at all levels and speaking in corporate, academic, and non-profit arenas. Elexa has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Masters of Education degree in Counseling.
About Elexa Orrange-Allen
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Roundtable Facilitator: The Courage to Ask
Captain, U.S. Army Retired and Leadership Coach
Rachel Richardson
Roundtable Facilitator: You and Your Money: Mindful Financial Planning to Create the Life You Love
Military Spouse and Financial Advisor, First Command
Rachel Richardson joined First Command Financial Services as a Financial Advisor in October 2020. As a military spouse, she understands the unique situations and circumstances that place pressure on military families and is committed to helping them discover the confidence and peace of mind that come from financial security.
Rachel holds Series 7 and 66 securities licenses plus life and health insurance licenses in Virginia.
Rachel is committed to coaching clients to pursue their financial goals and lifetime dreams by bringing sound financial knowledge and trustworthy advice to a lasting relationship with each individual and family she serves.
Active in her community, Rachel is a member of multiple military spouse support groups. In her free time, Rachel enjoys spending time with family and traveling.
https://www.firstcommand.com/
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Roundtable Facilitator: You and Your Money: Mindful Financial Planning to Create the Life You Love
Military Spouse and Financial Advisor, First Command
Patti Snyder
Roundtable Facilitator: Calibrate Your Confidence
Commander, U.S. Navy Retired | Senior Technical Expert, Leidos
Patti Snyder is a retired US Navy Commander, with a career spanning over 20 years as a Cryptologic Warfare Officer. A proud Nittany Lion, she graduated and was commissioned from the Pennsylvania State University, having been awarded Distinguished Naval Graduate. She completed tours at Fleet Numerical Oceanography Center in Monterey, CA; the Joint Analysis Center at RAF Molesworth; the Defense Language Institute (Arabic) in Monterey, CA; and Naval Security Group Activity in Rota, Spain. She was the SIGINT Mission Evaluator on-board EP-3s, flying in support of multiple joint and allied operations and task forces across Europe and the Middle East, accruing over 1300 flight hours. After a 20-month break in service, Patti joined the Navy Reserves after the events of 9/11, completing nine more years of active service at the National Security Agency, with most of her work in Counter Terrorism, Cyber Operations, and Foreign Partnerships. She currently serves at Leidos as a Senior Technical Expert and Portfolio Manager for a large DoD cyber software development program. An avid traveler and reader, she is married with two college kids, 19 and 21, two bonus kids, 27 and 29, and lives on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
https://www.leidos.com/careers/operation-mvp
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Roundtable Facilitator: Calibrate Your Confidence
Commander, U.S. Navy Retired | Senior Technical Expert, Leidos
Kelly Kemp
Panel Speaker: Leading with Global Reach and Impact
Director of Operations, NGA
Kelly Kemp began as a National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) Corporate Communications officer where she managed internal and external outreach engagements with the Intelligence Community, Department of Defense and foreign partners. She then served as the Associate Editor for the Pathfinder Magazine, NGA's unclassified flagship publication that enhances and promotes the awareness and understanding of the Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) discipline. The Pathfinder is produced by the agency and provides the GEOINT Community with unique and useful information about NGA, the U.S. Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, Congress and partners in industry and academia.
Following her time as the Associate Editor, she was selected and served on a joint duty assignment at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) where she worked in the Office of Public Affairs.Ms. Kemp later worked as the Senior Strategic Communication officer for the National System for Geospatial Intelligence (NSG), where she developed and directed communication campaigns to widen the recognition and highlight the accomplishments of the global consortium.
Upon completing her joint assignment, Ms. Kemp was then selected to serve as the Senior Civilian Executive Officer to the Director of NGA. In this position she was the Director's eyes and ears into the Agency. She directly kept the Director abreast of key issues, workforce interests, and identified emergent and continuing trends within NGA equities. She worked closely with the NGA Deputy Director and NGA's most senior leadership team to deliver concisely and effectively items of interest related to the Director’s priorities for strategic implications and tactical action. Ms. Kemp was also key in writing most of the Director's correspondence, she ensured the pieces were concise and understandable to a variety of customers, to include the President, Congress, Director of National Intelligence, and all of the military services.
Ms. Kemp is currently serving as the Director of Operations of a Regional Analytic Operations Office at NGA. She sets the strategic direction for aligning resources against the national and defense intelligence priorities to advance mission.
Ms. Kemp holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Maryland.
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Panel Speaker: Leading with Global Reach and Impact
Director of Operations, NGA
