Vimbo Watson, M.Ed., is a passionate speaker, educator, and professional development provider

dedicated to helping professionals cultivate resilience, wellness, and a thriving workplace

culture. As a former elementary school principal, she understands the challenges of leadership,

burnout, and work-life balance firsthand. Now, she partners with organizations, schools, and

businesses to deliver engaging workshops, seminars, and wellness events that equip

professionals with practical strategies for preventing burnout, fostering positive relationships,

and sustaining self-care in demanding careers. She has been recognized as the AFI 2025

Washington Navy Yard Spouse of the Year for her work in advocating for wellness in her local

military community. Vimbo believes that a healthy, empowered workforce leads to greater

impact and success, and she is committed to helping individuals and teams create environments

where they can lead, grow, and thrive.

Tiffany Taylor, MPH is a Gallup-Certified CliftonStrengths Coach and owner of Hello Strengths LLC. For years, she wore the title “military spouse” with pride, supported the mission, the moves, the uncertainty—and showed up for others even when she was quietly unraveling inside. She talks about losing herself in the process of holding everything together.

Then she discovered CliftonStrengths—and something about it just clicked. “It gave me a language I’d never had before: one that named what was good and strong and right about me. Even as life got complicated, I never let go of that language. I held onto it like a compass, returning to it again and again to help guide my choices and remind me who I truly am.”

She now uses her strengths to help women navigate re-entering the workforce name, claim, and aim their strengths.

True wellness starts with knowing yourself. Your strengths can lead the way.

Elexa Orrange-Allen joined the AcademyWomen Board in 2025 and 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.

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 and CEO of Pathfinder, a consulting firm that advises organizations on strategies and tactics to build productive, successful and thriving organizations with people-centric solutions. 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.”

Tamika Adams is a results-driven Financial Consultant and Empowerment Coach dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and families take control of their finances with confidence.

With financial licenses across 13 states,  specializes in debt reduction, wealth-building strategies, and retirement planning. As the founder of Simplified Power Coaching, she created the P.O.W.E.R. Framework: Purpose, Opportunity, Wealth, Education, and Results to remove the stigma and shame surrounding financial education. She empowers clients to break free from financial stress, automate their money, and build a lasting legacy.

Through her 1:1 coaching, group programs, and speaking engagements,  equips ambitious entrepreneurs and professionals with customized strategies to manage debt, invest wisely, and align their finances with their long-term goals. She is passionate about financial literacy, personal development, and ensuring families have the tools needed to create generational wealth.

Whether through strategic coaching, masterclasses, or her engaging social media content,  simplifies complex financial concepts into actionable steps, making financial freedom attainable for all.

Tamika holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and a Master’s degree from Walden University, bringing a strong foundation in financial strategies and personal empowerment.

Jessica Bellota joined First Command Financial Services as a Financial Advisor in March 2024, bringing with her over 25 years of experience as a dedicated entrepreneur and financial literacy advocate.

As a Marine military spouse, she understands firsthand the importance of financial security, especially in times of change and uncertainty. Her passion for teaching others about financial stability and empowering individuals to take control of their financial future has been a central theme of her career.

Jessica is a Gold Medalist from Ateneo Business School, where she earned her Master's in Business Administration. She holds Series 7 and 66 securities licenses, as well as life and health insurance licenses in Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, California, and New York.

Her deep commitment to helping others achieve long-term financial success and stability drives her to share not only her professional expertise but also her personal experiences. Jessica's approach focuses on helping people understand the principles of financial literacy, with the goal of creating lasting financial security. Whether guiding individuals through investment strategies, retirement planning, or everyday financial decisions, Jessica is passionate about seeing others thrive.

She loves spending time with her family, watching movies, and is a foodie.

Alan Bisenieks joined First Command Financial Services as a Financial Advisor in October 2015. He is excited about the opportunity to help people 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 Naval War College and a Master's degree in Management from Troy University. Alan attended 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 45 states including Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC, and has earned the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) professional designation.

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 will work with you to establish specific, meaningful goals that are consistent with your values and then develop a personalized financial plan to guide your pursuit of those goals.

In his free time, Alan enjoys football, traveling, and remodeling.

Jennifer Burch is the Packaging and Transportation Safety Program Manager at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). In this capacity, she leads efforts to ensure the safe packaging and transportation of hazardous materials, performing independent technical reviews, conducting confirmatory analyses, and developing regulatory guidance documents to support the Department of Transportation (DOT), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Department of Energy (DOE), and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) packaging certification processes. Additionally, she and her team provide technical training to peers, general workers, and regulators worldwide, and conduct quality assurance audits and field assessments to maintain compliance with safety standards.

Before joining LLNL, Jennifer served in the United States Navy, where she gained extensive experience in leadership and safety management. Her military background has been instrumental in shaping her approach to leadership, safety and compliance in her current role.

Jennifer is an alumna of the United States Naval Academy. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering from the Florida Institute of Technology and a Master’s in Nuclear Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.

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%.

Lupei retired from the U.S. Navy in 2024 after 22 years of honorable service as a Supply Corps Officer. She possesses extensive leadership, logistics, acquisition, and project management experience. She completed multiple deployments at sea and proudly served her coutry in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Her real estate journey bgan with the purchase of her first single-family rental property in 2018, which opened her eyes to the power of real estate. In 2020, she purchased her first multi-family property. This pivot allowed her to grow her business and portfolio with greater efficiency, scalability, and profitability. She currently manages a portfolio of $10.3M in residential and commercial properties across six states. Lupei is passionate about financial literacy education and empowerment through real estate ownership. Her mission is to make real estate investing accessible to everyone.

Therese Dotson has 24 years of Human Resources and Talent Acquisition experience with 15 of those years working with the government contracting industry and DoD.  She is a SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) certified and a US Navy Veteran, PN2 (Personnelman) 1990-1994.  These started at Leidos in 2019 in the Defense Group which is now part of the National Security Sector. Transitioned to the Health & Civil Sector in 2021. Currently serves as the Senior Recruiter for Naval Health Research and a classified federal agency within the Health and Human Performance division.

Nikki is the Mobility Engine Sales Director for GE Aerospace’s Defense and Systems business. Nikki joined GE in 2016 through the Military Officer Leadership Program (MOLP), and she has held many roles in Customer Experience, GE Edison Works, and Commercial Engine Services.

Prior to joining GE, she was an active-duty aerial refueling KC-10 Instructor Pilot in the U.S. Air Force powered by GE engines. She has an FAA Air Transport Pilot license, and she flew 3,000+ Flight Hours and 217 Combat Missions. She retired from the U.S. Air Force Reserve as a LtCol after 21 years of total service.

Nikki is passionate about seeing veterans smoothly transition to civilian life. She serves as a volunteer career counselor for a non-profit organization, Hire Heroes USA, and much of her counseling has led to hiring 20+ fellow veterans at GE.

Julie Galloway serves as the Assistant Vice President of Talent Acquisition for Client Delivery at Travelers

Insurance Companies, a recognized leader in the Property & Casualty insurance industry. In her role,

Julie oversees a team of Recruiters dedicated to supporting the company’s Underwriting organization.

She also leads Travelers’ efforts in building and maintaining partnerships with military and veteran

organizations.

With over three decades of experience in recruitment across multiple industries, Julie has spent the past

15 years focused on the Property & Casualty insurance sector. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in

Business Administration from the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

Based in Kansas, Julie embraces a rural lifestyle. Outside of work, she enjoys quality time with her family

and cherishes her newest role—being a proud grandma.

Yaritza Guzman has over 10 years of experience in human resources and talent acquisition supporting the military and civilian work force. She is currently a Talent Acquisition Recruiter for the Leidos Innovations Center at Leidos. She has supported recruiting efforts across various skillsets in research and development, science and technology, engineering, and information technology. Yaritza also served in the United States Army Reserve as a Human Resources Specialist for 8 years in Fort Meade, MD. She is passionate about career and professional development, candidate experience through the recruitment life cycle, and building long-term relationships. Yaritza is a first-generation Dominican American and native Spanish speaker.

Garrett Masterson joined First Command Financial Services as a Financial Advisor in January 2020, following an 8-year career in the United States USAF, where he attained the rank of SSgt. Garrett understands the challenges and opportunities associated with life in the military and is committed to helping service members and their families get their financial lives squared away.

A graduate of Colorado State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science, Garrett holds Series 7, 66 securities licenses plus life and health insurance licenses in CO, DC, MD, TX & VA.

In his free time, Garrett enjoys baseball, golf, and volleyball.

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. She also holds her Retire Income Planning Certification.

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.

Jennifer White is the Vice President, Talent Acquisition for Client Delivery at Travelers Insurance

Companies in Hartford, CT. Jen leads a team of 80 Recruiters and Recruiting Leaders that support the

global, strategic hiring initiatives for one of the leading Property & Casualty insurance carriers. Jen has

over 25 years of recruiting experience across various industries including Financial Services and

Education. Jen is also a proud Military Spouse.

She is certified in Strategic Workforce Planning with the Human Capital Institute and also is a Certified

Behavioral Based Interview Trainer with Development Dimensions International.

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, daughter and Yorkie puppy.

When she’s not networking and recruiting, she’s whipping up a new recipe in her kitchen or Poshmarking.

Gwendolen Wilder is a Retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant, Certified Business Strategist, Certified National Media Expert and Founder of —a faith-centered community that equips women to journal and bible study through life, love and business struggles with God.

Elisabeth S. Auld serves as the host and chair of the 2025 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.

Max Levasseur is a seasoned Talent Acquisition and Diversity Programs Leader with over 20 years of experience in recruitment, veteran hiring, and people operations. A U.S. Army veteran, Max has led award-winning DEI initiatives at companies like Activision Blizzard, where he served as Global Chair of the Veterans Employee Network. He’s passionate about connecting underrepresented talent to meaningful careers, mentoring the next generation of leaders, and driving inclusive hiring strategies across industries. Max is also a dedicated advocate for Type 1 Diabetes awareness and community engagement.  

Max has been a dedicated supporter of AcademyWomen for several years, generously contributing both his talent acquisition expertise and technology acumen across multiple programs. His insights have guided countless military members through successful career transitions, while his behind-the-scenes technical leadership has been essential to the smooth execution of AcademyWomen’s flagship events, including the Career Coaching Workshop, Webinar Series, and Distinguished Speakers Series (DSS).

Sue Magaletta joined the AcademyWomen board in 2015 and currently serves as Director of Strategic Initiatives for Cybersecurity and Business Continuity at Travelers. During her 20-year U.S. Air Force career, she held leadership roles including Squadron Commander, Director of Communications at Joint Special Operations Command, Professor of Aerospace Studies, and Branch Chief in the Secretary of the Air Force’s Chief Information Office at the Pentagon. Sue is a 1995 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and holds master’s degrees in Information Resource Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology and in Operational Military Art and Science from Air University. She serves as the New York State Ambassador for the Military Women’s Memorial, is a certified high school girls’ basketball official, and a proud hockey mom.

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 holds an MA in Pastoral Ministry.

Elexa Orrange-Allen joined the AcademyWomen Board in 2025 and 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.