Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey is among confirmed speakers at the Sea Service Leadership Association (SSLA)’s 25th Silver Anniversary Annual Women’s Leadership Symposium taking place March 5-6, 2012 at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. The annual conference is the largest gathering of women in uniform nationwide with some 1,300 participants last year.
Other confirmed speakers include Michèle Flournoy, under secretary of defense for Policy; Jackie Joyner-Kersee, retired American athlete and Olympic medalist; and Representative Susan Davis, co-chair on military issues for the Congressional Women’s Caucus.
Themed “United in Service: Our Global Impact,” this year’s symposium will spotlight the global impact of women military leaders and offer women from the service branches the opportunity to focus on professional growth and leadership development. Women from all five service branches are encouraged to attend and can visit www.sealeader.org for registration and additional conference information.
Day one of the conference will address issues relevant to all military women and feature remarks from Michèle Flournory, Jackie Joyner- Kersee, Representative Susan Davis and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey. Panel discussions, professional development workshops and networking opportunities will also be part of day one.
The second day’s schedule will include high ranking senior officer speakers and programs unique to each service branch, addressing varied issues of interest to women service members. For example, with an agenda titled “A Global Force for Good,” the Navy will include a workshop on “Finding Balance in your Navy Career.” The Air Force will offer a workshop on “Feminine Characteristics and their Effect on Leadership: Strategies to increase Effectiveness,” while Coast Guard will include an agenda on “Mentoring Across Gender Lines” and “Career Planning and Marriage.” The Army’s agenda will focus on how to be “Army Strong” and will discuss the impact of “Women in the Enlisted Force.” The Marines’ agenda will include discussions with senior enlisted and senior officer panels on issues affecting women in the Marine Corps.
“The Sea Service Leadership Association is honored to have such a significant group of inspiring and diverse speakers at this year’s 25th Silver Anniversary Annual Women’s Leadership Symposium,” said retired Rear Adm. Wendi Carpenter, Chairperson Emeritus of SSLA. “This is destined to be a hallmark event where attendees will learn and grow by listening and interacting with both the speakers and one another. They will lay hold of keystone principles of development and leadership that will help to not only propel their own careers forward, but increase the level of impact that they can have in the context of an ever changing and ambiguous global environment. The last 25 years have been pivotal in leadership roles women have assumed within our Nation’s military across many domains. This organization has been there at every step, offering tools for success, with pioneers opening doors for the many coming after. The next 25 years will prove even more pivotal.”
Navy Petty Officer Sarah E. Beemiller, who attended the symposium last year in San Diego, Calif. noted, “I was able to network with a Naval Officer who mentored me through the officer commissioning program process. Her direct leadership and guidance inevitably led to my selection this year; there aren’t enough words to express how grateful I am that our paths crossed at this amazing conference.”
Confirmed sponsors of the Sea Service Leadership Association’s 25th Silver Anniversary Annual Women’s Leadership Symposium to date include: Northrop Grumman, USAA, Trident University, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, Stevenson University, Association of the U.S. Navy, Surface Navy Association, and Military Officers Association of America.
To speak with a representative from the Sea Service Leadership Association about the symposium, please contact Victoria Shapiro at (202) 414-0774, or through e-mail at vshapiro@susandavis.com.
Established in 1978, SSLA is the only non-profit organization recognized by the United States Sea Services dedicated to providing professional development through networking, education, and mentorship of women from the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.