Women Leading in Male Dominated Fields Tuesday, February 22nd 12:00pm - 1:30pm Washington, D.C.
Thank you to everyone who attended! The discussion focused on the importance of being competent and authentic in your leadership as a key elements of finding success in male dominated fields.
Thank you to our inspirational speakers:
Dawn Halfaker, President & CEO, Halfaker & Associates, LLC
Dawn Halfaker founded Halfaker and Associates in January 2006 in response to the radically changing business environment brought on by the growing need for dynamic consultants with specialized experience to provide national security services to the Federal Government. Captain (Ret) Dawn Halfaker has extensive management experience as a Military Police Officer in the United States Army. Throughout her military career, Dawn earned respect as a dynamic leader of men and women in combat, peacekeeping, and training in the United States, South Korea, Kuwait, and Iraq. Motivated by challenging projects of increasing responsibility, Dawn served in several leadership positions and deployed with the 3rd Infantry Division where she commanded a military police platoon in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. She was subsequently wounded during a combat patrol near Baghdad in 2004, earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for her service.
In addition to her military service, Dawn worked in Congress serving as a military liaison to the House Armed Services Committee where she advised the committee Chair on key Department of Defense legislation and issues. In 2005, she worked with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), specializing in technical consulting for the Defense Sciences Office. Her mission included initiating research to provide advanced capabilities to the military and enhance warfighter capabilities.
Dawn also remains very active with veteran’s affairs and is a member of many of the veteran’s service organizations and serves on various advisory committees. Specifically, Dawn serves as the Vice President of the Wounded Warrior Project Board of Directors where she focuses on raising awareness and enlisting the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women in addition to helping severely injured service members recover and readjust. Additionally, Dawn was appointed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to serve on the Committee for OIF/OEF soldiers and families, which focuses on improving VA policies and care for veterans who were severely injured in combat as well as their families who care for them. More recently, Dawn was appointed by the Secretary of Labor to serve on the Advisory Committee for Veterans Employer Training and Employer Outreach. Dawn also participates as a member of the Steering Committees for the National Center for Citizen Leadership and ThanksUSA.
Dawn holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a Master of Arts in Security Studies from Georgetown University in Washington, DC.
Nancy Hogan, Counsel, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs
Nancy Hogan is Benefits and Health Counsel for the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs' majority staff. She received her undergraduate degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point. She was commissioned in June 1995 as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army and served as a Military Police Officer. After four years of service, she sustained a spinal cord injury. As a result, she was medically retired from the military as a Captain (O-3). Ms. Hogan went on to earn her law degree (J.D.) from Roger Williams University and is licensed to practice law in New York State. She began working as a National Service Officer for Paralyzed Veterans of America in June 2005, and has been active as a veteran’s disability advocate and an administrator. She was promoted and served as the Associate Executive Director of the Veterans Benefits Department for PVA from March 2007 - December 2008 and served as an appointed member of VA’s Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation (VACOR) in 2007 and 2008 before going to work at the U.S. Senate.
Kate Kohler, COO & Senior Vice President, PenFed Foundation
Kate Kohler is the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President for the PenFed Foundation where she is responsible for programs and fundraising. Kate has been instrumental in growing the foundations Military Heroes Fund, ARK payday lending alternative, and Dream Makers program as well as the campaign to build the first ever Defenders Lodge in Palo Alto, California. She plans and manages the Foundation’s annual Night of Heroes Gala and Military Heroes Golf Tournament.
Kate is a U.S. Army veteran, having served as a Military Police Officer including time as Company Commander, Republic of Korea, Aide-de-Camp, Fort Hood, Texas, and Platoon Leader in the First Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, Kuwait, and Bosnia. She holds a MBA from Harvard Business School and a MPA from Harvard Kennedy School. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences from the United States Military Academy at West Point. At West Point, she was a member of the Army Women’s Swim Team, Triathlon Team and Ranked #1 in her class in Physical Fitness.
Kate is a member of the Virginia Board of Veterans Services, appointed by Governor Bob McDonnell, and Finance Committee Member at the West Point Association of Graduates. She is the Vice-President of the Board, West Point Society of New York. Kate is a competitive age-group runner, triathlete, and Ironman finisher. She is a native of Towanda, Pennsylvania.
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