Sharon Arana is a 27-year Active Duty Air Force Intel Officer on their way to retirement in March '26. She has vast experience leading teams across military operations, analysis, and policy advocacy and is passionate about optimizing teams by aligning innovation with organizational effectiveness to empower teams, foster collaboration, and drive forward-looking technological solutions. Arana is well-versed in navigating sensitive topics and has leveraged data to effect impactful change across various organizational levels. Her areas of expertise are abortion access and identifying barriers to female and family readiness. 

Born LaTonya White, Simply Tee is an American Poet and international performer raised in Prince George County, VA.
Tee has worked her way from remote open mics to respected national poetry stages. Her pieces offer insight into black feminism, the LGBTQ+ community and Combat Veteran strife. Her poems are founded in powerful socio-political messages which are also deep rooted in her blackness, femininity, and military combat experience.
Her transition out of the Army after 15 years of active duty service, allowed her to become a business owner, create a talk show, and become an avid volunteer. She credits her time as a Drill Instructor to enhancing her talents of orating, writing and consulting.

Janet Sánchez is an Army retired military spouse, military mother, and veteran. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she is the proud mother of three and is married to Army Retired 1SG Luisnel García. Together, they reside in San Antonio, Texas.

Janet is deeply involved in volunteer work with various military organizations in her local community and across the nation. She has dedicated her life to helping others and advocating for Hispanic and Latino military families, particularly those facing language

barriers.

She is the Founder and President of Esposas Militares Hispanas USA Armed Forces® (EMHUSA) — a volunteer-run nonprofit organization she established seventeen years ago

to support military and veteran families with limited English proficiency. Today, EMHUSA serves more than 65,000 members worldwide and continues to expand its mission of education, empowerment, and community support.

Through her leadership, Janet has represented and advocated for military families before numerous government entities, including the White House Joining Forces initiative, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Veterans AGairs. She has testified before the U.S. Senate on military family benefits and has served as a committee member for the Fort Sam Houston Independent School District, as well as an advisor to several

military-focused organizations.

Janet has been invited to speak on national platforms such as the AUSA Learning and Leaning-In Forum, The Women in the World Conference, Texas A&M Military Spouse Panel, People en Español events, and Facebook corporate programs. She has appeared on KLRN (PBS) Veterans Voices Advisory Panel and was part of the first Facebook Community Summit with Mark Zuckerberg, representing military families.

Her service has earned her numerous honors, including being named the 2017 United Way Volunteer of the Year, receiving the prestigious Yellow Rose of Texas Commission — the highest recognition bestowed upon women by the Governor of Texas — and being selected

as a Facebook Community Leadership Program Fellow. She has also been presented with a Presidential Coin from President Joe Biden in recognition of her advocacy and impact.

Today, Janet continues to lead with passion and dedication, representing and amplifying the voices of Hispanic and Latino military families across the United States and around the world.

Richard Brookshire is a multi-hyphenate storyteller and reparationist working at the intersection of politics and culture. 

A nationally recognized political communications strategist, writer, director, and filmmaker, he's held previous leadership roles in communications strategy at Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America, the Human Rights Campaign, and The New School. 

Richard is a former U.S. Army Combat Medic and a veteran of the War in Afghanistan. He is an alumnus of Fordham University, Columbia University School of International & Public Affairs, and New York Film Academy's Documentary Filmmaking School.

Katherine Felts is the Minority Veterans of America Training & Education Program Manager, and is a military family member. Felts has a degree in Gender Studies, which informs her work for Minority Veterans of America. She has worked as a civilian employee for the federal government, and has worked for Washington state, including for the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Her background includes time in Higher Education, primarily working with military connected student populations and minority student populations in a variety of roles, most recently as a Program Coordinator and as a Career Coach.

Melissa is a transformative senior executive with more than 25 years of experience adeptly creating and leading executive branch, nonprofit, advocacy, political and military strategies. As Vice President of Community Outreach & Programs at Brighton Marine, she empowers at-risk veterans through impactful programs, strengthens partnerships, secures funding and oversees initiatives like the Prevention Hub and Therapeutic Campus model to combat veteran homelessness and improve social mobility. Melissa is also a licensed executive consultant and board leader, specializing in strategic communications, advocacy and policy solutions for veterans and underserved communities. With expertise in building cross-sector collaborations, she is committed to advancing equity and fostering community belonging through innovative, data-driven strategies. Melissa serves on the Board of Directors for VetsInTech and Minority Veterans of America, and the policy and research advisory board of Blue Star Families. She was named VetsInTech’s 2023 Woman Veteran of the Year, one of HillVets 100 in 2020, and an Aspen Institute Ideas Festival Scholar in 2018; her civil and military service awards include the VA Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Civilian Service Commendation Medal, the Army Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, plus dozens more accolades and honors. A native of Philadelphia, PA, Ms. Bryant is a third-generation combat Army Veteran.

Born LaTonya White, Simply Tee is an American Poet and international performer raised in Prince George County, VA.
Tee has worked her way from remote open mics to respected national poetry stages. Her pieces offer insight into black feminism, the LGBTQ+ community and Combat Veteran strife. Her poems are founded in powerful socio-political messages which are also deep rooted in her blackness, femininity, and military combat experience.
Her transition out of the Army after 15 years of active duty service, allowed her to become a business owner, create a talk show, and become an avid volunteer. She credits her time as a Drill Instructor to enhancing her talents of orating, writing and consulting.

Paula M. Neira graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy in May 1985. She served as a Surface Warfare Officer, including serving in mine warfare combat during Operation Desert Storm. After leaving the Navy, she began her career in emergency nursing. As

her nursing career progressed, she became a nurse educator, and subsequently, a leader in improving access to care for transgender and gender-expansive people. She is an international expert on transgender healthcare policy. 

As a lawyer and military advocate, Paula was a leader in repealing the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy and changing military regulations to allow for transgender military service. In 2016, the Secretary of the Navy named her as the co-sponsor of USNS HARVEY MILK (T-AO 206) and in November 2021, she christened the ship in San Diego. In 2020, she was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in recognition of her leadership in advancing diversity and inclusion both in the United States Armed Forces and in healthcare. She is the first United States service academy graduate to achieve this honor in American nursing.

Lucy Del Gaudio is a United States Army Veteran and a lifelong advocate for veterans’ rights and recognition, both in New Jersey and across the country. A native of New Jersey, Lucy currently serves as Program Coordinator for YWCA Northern New Jersey’s Operation Sisterhood, a comprehensive initiative designed to support women veterans as they transition from military service to civilian life. Under her leadership, Operation Sisterhood offers critical resources and a strong community to help women veterans thrive in their next chapter.

Lucy also serves as Chair of the New Jersey SOS Veterans Stakeholders Women Subcommittee, where she played a key role in the successful designation of June 12th as Women Veterans Appreciation Day in

New Jersey. With the leadership of Minority Veterans of America, the brought in the state’s efforts to recognize September 20th as LGBTQ Veterans Day, honoring those affected by the “Don’t Ask, Don’t

Tell” policy.

In addition to her statewide advocacy, Lucy was recently appointed Chair of the Essex County Veterans Advisory Board, where she continues to lead efforts to support and empower local veterans through

community outreach and policy engagement.

Beyond her professional roles, Lucy is a dedicated volunteer and national advocate. She works with Minority Veterans of America, The Pink Berets, and is a prominent voice in the #MeTooMilitary movement, which emerged in the wake of Specialist Vanessa Guillen’s death. Lucy testified before the House Armed Services Committee on July 29, 2020, during the landmark hearing, The Military MeToo Movement. Her advocacy was featured in the Netflix documentary “I Am Vanessa Guillen.”

In recognition of her leadership and service, Lucy was appointed by VA Secretary Denis McDonough to the VA’s Workgroup on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault. She was also appointed by Governor Phil Murphy to the New Jersey Commission on Women Veterans. In March 2024, she was inducted into the Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame.

Lucy lives in Belleville, New Jersey, with her husband and four children and is a proud grandmother. Her life’s work continues to center on honoring and uplifting those who have served.

Chris Purdy is the Founder and CEO of The Chamberlain Network, an organization dedicated to mobilizing veterans to protect democratic values and institutions. A former Combat Engineer in the Army National Guard and Iraq War veteran, Chris has extensive experience in advocacy, having previously led veterans’ initiatives at an international human rights organization. He also has a background in education, and served as a Special Education teacher and school administrator. Chris is actively involved in national security and human rights initiatives and holds degrees in Sociology, Education, and Public Affairs.

Tabatha Thompson is the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives at The Horizons Project, an organizing platform working to break down siloes and build broad-based coalitions among organizers, peacebuilders, and democracy practitioners working to advance a just, pluralistic, and peaceful democracy. Before Horizons, she served as the acting director for the Program on Nonviolent Action at the United States Institute of Peace. There, Tabatha worked with grassroots activists and peacebuilders to develop greater knowledge and practical skills for how nonviolent action and peacebuilding approaches can be used together to mobilize communities, build power, and address the grievances and injustices that drive violent conflict. She also helped donor organizations, including the U.S. government, UN agencies, and foundations, better understand how they can effectively support social movements by amplifying lessons learned from the field and exploring the power dynamics of external support. Her field experience includes capacity building and research work in West and East Africa, Latin America, Tunisia, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.

Born LaTonya White, Simply Tee is an American Poet and international performer raised in Prince George County, VA.
Tee has worked her way from remote open mics to respected national poetry stages. Her pieces offer insight into black feminism, the LGBTQ+ community and Combat Veteran strife. Her poems are founded in powerful socio-political messages which are also deep rooted in her blackness, femininity, and military combat experience.
Her transition out of the Army after 15 years of active duty service, allowed her to become a business owner, create a talk show, and become an avid volunteer. She credits her time as a Drill Instructor to enhancing her talents of orating, writing and consulting.

Former Army Combat Medic, Human & Medical Rights Advocate & PTSD Treatment Educator

Kristen L. Rouse is an advocate, community-builder, and consultant with deep expertise in policy advocacy, political coalition building, and security and emergency preparedness. Her essays have been published in The New York Times, New York Post, New York Daily News, Daily Beast, and Tampa Bay Times, and she has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, ABC, Fox News, VICE News, BBC, NPR, and other networks. Kristen has served in the US Army, US Army Reserve, and Army National Guard for more than three decades, including three tours of duty in Afghanistan and active service in support of the Department of Defense’s nationwide COVID-19 vaccination mission. She has served the veterans’ community in board, staff, and volunteer roles with numerous veteran-serving organizations. Most notably, she founded NYC Veterans Alliance, where she spearheaded legislative campaigns that benefited and brought greater recognition to veterans and their families, and she currently advises the Alliance’s successor, Five Borough Veterans. 

Born LaTonya White, Simply Tee is an American Poet and international performer raised in Prince George County, VA.
Tee has worked her way from remote open mics to respected national poetry stages. Her pieces offer insight into black feminism, the LGBTQ+ community and Combat Veteran strife. Her poems are founded in powerful socio-political messages which are also deep rooted in her blackness, femininity, and military combat experience.
Her transition out of the Army after 15 years of active duty service, allowed her to become a business owner, create a talk show, and become an avid volunteer. She credits her time as a Drill Instructor to enhancing her talents of orating, writing and consulting.

At the intersection of story, service, and social change, Dr. Qwynn Galloway-Salazar (Doc Q) is redefining how nations honor and support Veterans and their loved ones through the end of life.

Founder and CEO of In Their Honor, Dr. Galloway-Salazar leads a consulting organization that integrates storytelling, applied theatre, and community engagement to transform how societies care for Veterans and their families through aging, loss, bereavement, and survivorship. Her

work bridges public health, the arts, and compassionate community design to advance culturally responsive and trauma-informed care models.

An Army Veteran, spouse to a Combat Veteran, end-of-life doula educator, and George W. Bush Institute Veteran Leadership Scholar (Class of 2025), Dr. Galloway-Salazar has devoted more than two decades to building ecosystems of care that center dignity, inclusion, and relational belonging among military-connected communities.

As Senior Vice President of Engagement and Transformation at PsychArmor, she oversees national initiatives that strengthen military cultural competency across healthcare, education, and community systems. She is the creative architect behind the Caring for Veterans Through the End-of-Life course collection—three landmark trainings designed for Compassionate Communities, Caregivers and Loved Ones, and Healthcare Providers.

Dr. Galloway-Salazar’s creative scholarship lives within the field of applied theatre, where she develops original monologues, talk-back performances, and community dialogues as tools for social inquiry and collective healing. Her recent works include Grief Dialogues: Memorial Day (2025) and Can I Trust You: Support for Veterans at End of Life, performed at End Well (2024).

Recognized nationally as one of USA Today’s 2024 Women of the Year and as the Inaugural Georgia Woman Veteran of the Year (2022), Dr. Galloway-Salazar contributes her expertise across multiple national platforms. She serves on the End-of-Life Doula Council with the

National Alliance for Care at Home, is a founding member of the U.S. Compassionate Communities Think Tank, and sits on the Advisory Board of the Veteran Studies Association. In addition, she mentors doctoral researchers exploring topics related to military-connected populations, death education, and community care models.

A sought-after speaker, educator, and creative strategist, Dr. Galloway-Salazar advances the belief that our deepest collective responsibility is to witness one another, ensuring that every life is seen, remembered, and held with care. Whether convening national partners, advising emerging leaders, or bringing untold stories to the stage, she creates spaces where lives and legacies are honored.

Tabitha Bartley enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2010 and completed

recruit training at MCRD Parris Island, SC. Following recruit training

Private Bartley attended Marine Corps Combat Training at Camp Geiger

and then the Defense Information School at Fort Meade, MD. PFC

Bartley reported to Base Public Affairs, Headquarters and Service

Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA in June of 2011 to serve as a

staff writer for the Quantico Sentry.

Lance Corporal Bartley served as the assistant director for the Base Community Relations program where she was part of the Toys for Tots Campaign and ran the base volunteer program. Corporal Bartley

then made a PCS move to Marine Corps Recruiting Station Columbia, SC in June 2014.

While Stationed at RS Columbia Sgt. Bartley served as the Marketing and Public Affairs Director. She

handled all the marketing, public relations, community relations, media relations and advised the

commanding officer. Sgt. Bartley also served as the uniform sexual assault victim advocate.

During her time in the Marines, she maintained numerous social media platforms, developed strategic marketing plans and orchestrated community initiatives. Sgt. Bartley ended her service in the Marine

Corps October 2018 and relocated to Monticello, IN.

She worked as a project manager for unit campaigns at the Purdue for Life Foundation before returning to the National Capital Region. Her current role is as a public affairs specialist for USDA Agricultural

Marketing Services.

Tabitha serves as the President for the Dept. of Agriculture’s Veteran Employee Organization, on the Board of Directors for Minority Veterans of America, and previously as the Women Veterans Policy

Coordinator for the Interagency Veterans Advisory Council, as the Marking and Public Affairs Officer for the Jack Maas Marine Corps League Detachment, the Secretary for Fredericksburg Area Veterans

Council, as a member of the Lafayette DAV, Women Veterans and Tippecanoe Veterans Council. She also hosts the Oath We Took Podcast.

Tabitha is married to Jacob Castro and they have four children.

Tabitha Bartley’s personal awards include: USDA-AMS Personal Achievement Award (3) Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medal, Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 3 gold stars in lieu

of 4th Award, District Support Marine of the Year 2015, District Support Marine of the Year 2016, District Marketing and Public Affairs Marine of the Year 2017 and two personal achievement awards

from USDA-AMS.

Born LaTonya White, Simply Tee is an American Poet and international performer raised in Prince George County, VA.
Tee has worked her way from remote open mics to respected national poetry stages. Her pieces offer insight into black feminism, the LGBTQ+ community and Combat Veteran strife. Her poems are founded in powerful socio-political messages which are also deep rooted in her blackness, femininity, and military combat experience.
Her transition out of the Army after 15 years of active duty service, allowed her to become a business owner, create a talk show, and become an avid volunteer. She credits her time as a Drill Instructor to enhancing her talents of orating, writing and consulting.

Keturah has worked in the aviation industry for over a decade, starting as a ramp agent before moving on to the inflight department and eventually cabin crew. As a combat Veteran, being of service is second nature to her, leading her to join the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA). She was soon elected the Master Executive Council President of Local 61. On the first day of Pride Month in 2022, Keturah began her term as AFA-CWA International Vice President, making her the first Queer Woman of Color and combat Veteran elected to serve in the role.

Keturah is passionate about making the aviation industry a safe and inclusive industry that celebrates the diversity of the workers who power it and work to make these spaces safe and supportive for all people, including immigrants, trans people, Black and Indigenous people, and the LGBTQIA+ community so that every person that AFA represents has a voice. Keturah is the global representative for cabin crew for the International Transport Workers Federation, which represents over 17 million transport workers, including almost a million aviation workers in over 100 countries.

Andy Blevins is Senior Appellate Counsel at Berry Law, where he advocates for veterans before the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and supports higher-level reviews within the Department of Veterans Affairs. A proud Navy veteran and former Army spouse, Andy has held leadership roles across federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and academia, including CEO of OutServe-SLDN (now the Modern Military Association of America), Operations & Policy Director at Minority Veterans of America, and appointments with the Obama White House, the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Labor, and the Interior, and the Oregon Department of Justice. He also served as a City Commissioner and Vice-Chair for Human Rights in Oregon’s capital city. A Gene Roddenberry Fellow and member of the Truman National Security Project, he currently advises Policy Vets, a nonprofit founded by former VA Secretary David Shulkin. In his spare time, Andy enjoys reading cringe-worthy queer romance novels, pretending he is good with a guitar, and baking as much as he can.

TeyAnjulee Leon (she/her) is an artist and writer currently residing in the Pacific Northwest. She considers herself a jack of all trades, master of figuring things out along the way. At present, TeyAnjulee works as a strategic manager of culture for a public agency, but in her heart she will always be a researcher and a teacher. When she's not working, she enjoys reading, writing, and gluing stuff together.

Brittany Bristoll received her master of arts in higher education administration from Sam Houston State University in 2021, and has worked in vocational and higher education for over a decade. She is a contract worker for Steamy Lit, a literary organization focused on centering diversity in the romance genre, and has been running The Diverse Baseline reading challenge to uplift racialized authors and stories since 2023. 

Sam Rodriguez (they/them) is a nonbinary, trans, queer individual and a newly commissioned Lieutenant Junior Grade in the United States Navy Medical Service Corps. They transitioned into this role after 9.5 years of active duty service as an enlisted member. Since 2017, Sam has been an active member of SPARTA, a nonprofit advocating for transgender and gender-diverse service members.Their work includes mentoring hundreds of service members across all branches, connecting them with affirming networks, and participating in lobbying efforts alongside organizations such as the Modern Military Association of America and Minority Veterans of America. Sam has been a strong advocate for policy changes that promote inclusivity and support for gender-diverse service members.They are married to their spouse, Via, a deaf queer woman, and together they are raising two children using a gender-creative parenting approach. These personal and professional experiences reflect Sam’s belief in open service for all qualified individuals and their dedication to creating an inclusive and supportive environment within the military and beyond.

Born LaTonya White, Simply Tee is an American Poet and international performer raised in Prince George County, VA.
Tee has worked her way from remote open mics to respected national poetry stages. Her pieces offer insight into black feminism, the LGBTQ+ community and Combat Veteran strife. Her poems are founded in powerful socio-political messages which are also deep rooted in her blackness, femininity, and military combat experience.
Her transition out of the Army after 15 years of active duty service, allowed her to become a business owner, create a talk show, and become an avid volunteer. She credits her time as a Drill Instructor to enhancing her talents of orating, writing and consulting.

Kayla Williams was enlisted for five years as an Arabic linguist, serving in a Military Intelligence company of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). She authored the memoirs Love My Rifle More Than You and Plenty of Time When We Get Home, published by W.W. Norton.

Ashley is a devoted public servant and accomplished leader with a distinguished career spanning the military, federal government, and nonprofit sectors. With expertise in strategic planning, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), community engagement, and operations management, Ashley is dedicated to advancing equity and improving outcomes for Veterans and underserved populations.

A proud Air Force Veteran, Ashley entered military service immediately after high school, serving during the era of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” During her time in uniform, she built a foundation in logistics management and began volunteering with OutServe, now the Modern Military Association of America (MMAA), advocating for LGBTQ+ service members and their families.

Following her military career, Ashley continued to serve as a civilian with the Department of the Army, American Red Cross, Department of State, and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). She currently serves as a Strategic Planner in the Office of the Secretary, shaping enterprise-wide modernization and transformation initiatives. Previously, she was detailed to the Center for Minority Veterans (CMV) as the LGBTQ+ Program Manager, applying Human-Centered Design principles to rebuild trust between minority and underserved Veterans and the VA.

In 2024, Ashley served as Master of Ceremonies for the National Veterans Day Program at Arlington National Cemetery, a national honor recognizing her leadership and dedication to the Veteran community. She holds a degree in Psychology and certificates in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace and Inclusive and Ethical Leadership.

Known for her integrity, empathy, and strategic insight, Ashley leads with purpose—building trust, advancing inclusion, and empowering others to serve authentically.

Lieutenant Rae Timberlake (they/them) is a native of Clinton Township, Michigan. Rae enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2007, as a mass communication specialist. 

They served as a mass communication specialist for 13 years, producing award-winning content for the Navy and Department of Defense deploying twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and four deployments conducting humanitarian recovery missions in Southeast Asia.

Rae was commissioned as a Public Affairs Officer through Officer Candidate School in 2020 and has completed operational tours with Naval Special Warfare and Navy Expeditionary Combat Command.

As a public affairs officer, Rae specializes in strategic communication research, planning, and issues management with well developed expertise in crisis communication. 

Rae came out as nonbinary and began their medical transition in 2021. Rae is assigned  as a public affairs and communication strategy instructor in Fort Meade, MD but has been placed on administrative leave since June 2025. They are slated to be separated from the Navy this year, under Executive Order 14183, "Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness".

Off-duty, Rae is a volunteer board member of SPARTA Pride. Rae holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies from Florida Atlantic University and a Master’s in mass communication and media studies from San Diego State University and has been accredited in public relations with expertise in military communication (APR+M) by the Universal Accreditation Board since 2023. They live in Frederick, Maryland, with their wife Lindsay, eight-year old daughter Amelia, and dog Honey.

Marchantia Ivey's career spans leadership roles in global onboarding, process improvement, recruitment strategy, and employee resource group initiatives. She has successfully led cross-functional teams, implemented enterprise platforms, and developed talent programs.

Ivey is a proud veteran, military spouse, and mom of two. She values community, connection, and purpose. In her spare time, she actually enjoys running (more so at the end than while she is doing it), reading romance novels and psychological thrillers, and spending time with her family and friends.

Chris Purdy is the Founder and CEO of The Chamberlain Network, an organization dedicated to mobilizing veterans to protect democratic values and institutions. A former Combat Engineer in the Army National Guard and Iraq War veteran, Chris has extensive experience in advocacy, having previously led veterans’ initiatives at an international human rights organization. He also has a background in education, and served as a Special Education teacher and school administrator. Chris is actively involved in national security and human rights initiatives and holds degrees in Sociology, Education, and Public Affairs.