Officers of the Board
President, Jessica Gronert
Sr. Business Development - Leidos - LinkedIn
Jessica Gronert is a Senior Business Development Manager for Leidos, leading the company’s growth in support of USSOCOM. She began her career in Defense after graduating from the Air Force Academy in 2009 and served on active duty until 2016. She still serves in uniform in the US Air Force Reserve. Jessica has been with WIDGTB since 2022 and served as the Deputy Sponsorship Director and Secretary.
Jessica has experience as an Instructional Systems Designer, supporting SOCOM’s enterprise-wide exercise and training program, and as Instructor-Course Director, educating Air Force Special Operations air commandos in preparation for operations in the CENTCOM AOR. She also served as the Senior Intelligence Officer for AF Special Tactics and paved the way for women’s inclusion into the Battlefield Airmen career fields by being the sole female to complete all physical requirements in the 2015 SECDEF-directed Women in Service Review.
Jessica has a deeply rooted passion for service to her fellow mankind, being raised in a household that prioritized community service projects and giving up her bed for visitors. Moved by the collapse of Afghanistan, she founded a non-profit to assist with evacuation efforts of at-risk women Afghans in 2021. She continues to champion humanitarian causes whenever possible, and strives to inspire her children to always be on the lookout for ways to serve others.
Vice President, Kati Hippleheuser
Chief Executive Officer - Seaside Innovations - Linkedin
Kati Hippleheuser is a distinguished leader in military intelligence, with 19 years of comprehensive experience in strategic planning and analysis. As the CEO of Seaside Innovations, she spearheads a dynamic Military Intelligence and Data Science Services Company, driving innovation and excellence in the field.
Her career encompasses pivotal roles such as senior project engineer and space program analyst for the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command and military equipment intelligence analyst for the Defense Intelligence Agency as a Department of Defense contractor.
Kati’s military tenure is marked by over 12 years of dedicated service as a Captain of Military Intelligence in the U.S. Army. Her diverse roles have included J2 Watch Officer, Senior Intelligence Advisor, Space Support Crew Manager, Company Commander, and Operations Analyst, with commendable service in Afghanistan, South Korea, and Japan.
A proud alumna of the University of Central Florida, Kati holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She furthered her expertise by earning a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business, where she honed her skills in business strategy, leadership development, and innovation. Kati’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cross-cultural collaboration is evident in her leadership style and vision for Seaside Innovations, aligning with the geocentric global integration model and local responsiveness.
Secretary, Taylor George
Business Development - Vantor - LinkedIn
Taylor George grew up in sunny Jupiter, Florida. She got a scholarship opportunity to continue her education and play beach volleyball at the University of Tampa.
While volunteering as a student-athlete, she was introduced to the defense industry and discovered a passion for supporting national security missions. After graduating, she began her career as an Account Manager at a recruiting firm specializing in full-time placements for U.S. government contracts.
Today, Taylor works at Vantor (formerly Maxar), where she drives Business Development and Capture efforts to deliver innovative solutions to government and defense partners.
Treasurer, Vanessa Richardson
Principal - Warren Averett - LinkedIn
Vanessa Richardson joined Warren Averett in 2008 and serves as a Principal in the firm’s Client Accounting Services Division. Vanessa has 15 years of public accounting experience. Vanessa’s primary responsibilities include managing outsourced accounting work and staff, providing controller services and accounting clean-up services for business clients, and consulting on accounting software and procedures. Vanessa resides in Tampa with her husband, daughter and goldendoodle named Thor.
Board Of Directors
Membership Director , June White
CEO - JuChi Business Solutions - LinkedIn
June White is a retired U.S. Air Force veteran and experienced instructional designer with over 10 years of success developing accessible, engaging training solutions. As the founder of JuChi Business Solutions LLC, she leads the creation and delivery of effective eLearning programs and provides project support to organizations seeking to improve workforce development.
She also brings valuable expertise as a Learning Management System (LMS) administrator—overseeing course structure, user access, and content delivery to ensure a seamless learning experience. Known for translating complex material into clear, learner-focused content, June often works independently or in collaboration with subject matter experts to meet diverse learning needs. Her work consistently aligns with accessibility standards under Section 508.
June continually pushes the boundaries of design and development to create unique, high-impact learning experiences across the Department of Defense, corporate environments, higher education, and other sectors—ensuring each solution is purposeful and learner-centered.
In her role with Women in Defense Greater Tampa Bay, June is excited to apply her background in project coordination, communication, and systems management to support membership growth, streamline engagement processes, and help advance WID’s mission of empowering professionals across the national security community.
She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Technology and a Certificate in Gaming and Simulations from Boise State University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Workforce Education, Training, and Curriculum Development from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Deputy Membership Director , Sarah LeDuc
Director - Amentum - LinkedIn
Sarah LeDuc is the Director for Data Analytics & Integration at Amentum. Ms. LeDuc also serves as the Chair of Amentum’s inaugural Employee Resource Network – the Women in Search of Excellence. Since its establishment in August of 2022, Ms. LeDuc and her leadership team have grown the community to almost 500 members and have created and implemented an ongoing engagement and professional development plan for its members.
Ms. LeDuc brings over 15 years progressive experience in both public and private sectors. Prior to the Amentum acquisition, she served as Director under PAE and Vice President under METIS in the Training and Education Division. Ms. LeDuc is a certified Project Management Professional and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with concentration in business management and Master’s in Business Administration both from the University of Florida, Hough Graduate School of Business. Ms. LeDuc resides in Tampa with her husband Tim.
Programs Director , Abigale Maloney
Vice President, Growth and Solutions - Iron EagleX, Inc - LinkedIn
Abigale Maloney is a powerhouse in national security and defense innovation, bringing nearly 20 years of impact across the Intelligence Community and Department of Defense. As Vice President of Growth and Solutions at Iron EagleX, a General Dynamics Information Technology company, she leads with vision and grit—steering $140M+ portfolios, scaling agile teams, and delivering cutting-edge solutions from the enterprise to the tactical edge.
A recognized force in USSOCOM and defense industry circles, Abigale has a sharp instinct for aligning technology with mission and a proven track record of winning high-stakes contracts, leading successful M&A initiatives, and driving culture-forward growth strategies. She’s held key leadership roles at Raytheon Technologies, AEVEX Aerospace, and ARMA Global, where she shaped some of the most complex operations in modern defense.
Named a 2023 BusinessWoman of the Year by the Tampa Bay Business Journal, Abigale is also a committed mentor and advocate for women in defense. She holds a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Tampa, a Master’s Certificate in Government Contracting from George Washington University, and is a PMP-certified leader. When she’s not advancing mission-critical work, she’s empowering the next generation as a Girl Scout Troop Leader.
Deputy Programs Director , Jill Papapanu
International Relations Program Manager - Branch Deputy J3 International USSOCOM - LinkedIn
A dedicated community volunteer with a global perspective and a passion for national security. With a background in IT and cyber operations, I've spent my career supporting the U.S. Special Operations Command and contributing to the security of our nation. As Branch Deputy for Special Operations Liaison Officers, I am responsible for facilitating communication and collaboration between SOF officers around the world. My decision to join the U.S. Navy stemmed from a desire to do more after 9/11, a commitment that has guided my career ever since. I hold a Bachelor's in Education and an MBA with a in Information Security. Serving on the board is a privilege, as it allows me to further my commitment to strengthening the national security workforce. Beyond my professional and volunteer work, I am a proud mother and enjoy cooking and staying fit.
Sponsorship Director , Janiece Marquez
Strategist | Humanitarian | Veteran - LinkedIn
Janiece Marquez is a veteran, entrepreneur, and humanitarian with nearly two decades of experience in defense, stability operations, and international development. She began her career in the U.S. Army in 2005, serving as a Pashto linguist and member of Cultural Support Teams attached to 3rd and 5th Special Forces Groups. She worked directly with local communities to gather critical intelligence, supported combat operations, and advanced the role of women in special operations. Her perspective has been featured by NPR, The Washington Post, and C-SPAN.
Following her military service, Janiece founded Stable Outcomes, a stability operations firm focused on building resilience in fragile environments. In this role, she advised partner security forces in South America and deployed to Liberia during the Ebola epidemic, where she personally supported clean water delivery and public health efforts in high-risk zones.
Janiece has also held senior roles in defense technology and data companies, including Scale AI and Premise Data. In these positions, she drove strategic growth across federal markets, deployed AI-enabled solutions into operational environments, and managed global data collection programs supporting U.S. government objectives in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Her career reflects a unique blend of defense, technology, and humanitarian expertise, underscoring her commitment to resilience, adaptability, and mission success.
Deputy Sponsorship Director , Vail Forbeck
Strategic Engagement Specialist - Team & Strategy - LinkedIn
Dr. Vail Ann Forbeck is a strategic communications and public affairs leader with over 10 years of experience supporting national security, energy, and defense missions. She serves as a Strategic Communication Specialist for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER), where she develops high-impact messaging and drives engagement across government and industry partners.
Vail also works part-time as a Public Affairs Analyst and Exercise Planner with Obsidian Solutions Group, supporting U.S. Marine Corps training exercises, and as a Public Affairs Strategic Communication Manager with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, where she was named the Army National Guard’s Communicator of the Year in 2020.
She holds a Ph.D. in Communication from Liberty University and an M.S. in Business Communication from Shippensburg University. As the Deputy Sponsorship Director for Women in Defense Greater Tampa Bay, Vail leverages her expertise in crisis communication, strategic engagement, and partnership development to expand sponsorship opportunities and strengthen the chapter’s impact within the defense and national security community. She is also the founder and host of the Her Story Podcast, which spotlights inspiring women leaders and entrepreneurs.
Communications Director , Alexandra Poirier
Sales & Business Development Representative - QRC Technologies - LinkedIn
Alexandra is a Florida native who moved to Tampa just over three years ago. She began her career in new construction real estate before transitioning into the technology field nearly two years ago. Currently, Alexandra serves as a Business Development professional for QRC Technologies, a Parsons company. As a newcomer to the defense and technology sectors, Women in Defense played a key role in immersing her into the community.
Aside from her career, her passion for connecting with people and fostering positive change drives her both personally and professionally. She volunteers with a project dedicated to rehabilitating homeless women with children, aiming to make a meaningful impact in her community.
In her free time, Alexandra enjoys biking along Bayshore, spending quality time with family and friends, and has recently taken up golf as her newest hobby.
Military Liaison Director , Anthony Stollenmaier
CEO - Stolle Group - LinkedIn
Anthony Stollenmaier is the Founder & Managing Principal for Stolle Group, Inc, leading Business Development, Capture, and Proposal support for clients focused on the Special Operations and Intelligence Community. With over $1.2B in single award contract wins, Anthony brings extensive P&L experience across the entire government contracting growth and operations lifecyle. He continues to volunteer and serve his community through various organizations including as a member of the AFCEA International Small Business Committee (FY25-FY27).
A U.S. Army Veteran, Anthony has deployed to Afghanistan, Central and South America, Haiti, Gulf States, East Africa, and Jordan, demonstrating leadership and operational excellence in high-stakes environments. Anthony's assignments include the 82nd Airborne Division, and various Special Operations units
Deputy Military Liaison Director , Diana Doré
Director of Operations and Programs - Paragon Cyber Solutions - LinkedIn
Diana Doré, nicknamed “The Agile Lady” by colleagues and clients, brings a rare blend of field-tested leadership, defense program experience, and a passion for education and outreach. A champion of Agile delivery in government environments, Diana led transformation efforts at Army Futures Command and USSOCOM, where she helped programs shift how they worked to better align with evolving mission needs. She currently serves as Director of Operations & Programs at Paragon Cyber Solutions, leading operational execution and mission-critical cybersecurity and IT programs across the federal and defense sectors.
Diana’s career began in military intelligence, where she served for over 15 years as an Arabic Cryptologic Linguist, SIGINT analyst, and All-Source Intelligence Specialist. She deployed twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan, with one of her proudest roles serving as a daily intelligence briefer to GEN Lloyd Austin, then the Commanding General of United States Forces–Iraq, who would later become the U.S. Secretary of Defense. She later transitioned into training and development, where she instructed and mentored intelligence professionals at TSOCs while supporting J2 teams throughout the SOCOM enterprise.
She holds an AA in Arabic, a BS in Liberal Arts (Arabic), a BA in Middle Eastern Studies, and a Master’s in International Relations from American University. Diana is currently pursuing her PhD in Organizational Leadership and holds certifications including PMP, A-CSM, and CSPO. A passionate educator and writer, she is the creator of LineBreak: Mission Debrief, a leadership newsletter focused on leading effectively within defense, government, and other high-friction environments. Outside of work, she finds joy in volunteering with the Junior League of Tampa, and spending time with her fiancé and their two lovable, goofy Labradors, Bulleit and Butcher.
Community Outreach Director , LaTrice Ham
CEO - Atalo Solutions - LinkedIn
LaTrice Ham, founder and CEO of ATALO Solutions, Inc., is a dynamic leader in the defense industry. With a career spanning nearly two decades, she transitioned from a project/systems engineer at the Department of Navy to leading her own SBA-certified Woman Owned Small Business. LaTrice's leadership style emphasizes empathy and team empowerment, focusing on customer satisfaction and mission success. Holding a Master's in Industrial and Systems Engineering and a Bachelor's in Computer Engineering, LaTrice combines technical expertise with a passion for mentoring. She actively encourages young women and underprivileged youth to explore technology careers. Based in Tampa with her family, LaTrice continues to drive innovation and inspire the next generation of defense professionals.
Deputy Community Outreach Director , Kasey Cleaver
Director - Dark Wolf Solutions - LinkedIn
Dr. Kasey Cleaver is an accomplished program management professional with over a decade of experience leading high-value technical initiatives across the defense, technology, and education sectors. As a certified PMP, Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), and Advanced Scrum Master, she excels in both Waterfall and Agile methodologies, driving complex projects from inception to execution within strict time, scope, and budget constraints. Her career spans impactful roles with organizations supporting USSOCOM, NORAD NORTHCOM, and the Office of Under Secretary of Defense for Industrial Based Resiliency, where she managed multimillion-dollar budgets, spearheaded innovation strategies, and supported critical defense operations, including missile warning systems and industrial resilience programs. In her current role at Dark Wolf Solutions, Dr. Cleaver serves as a DevOps Director and USSOCOM portfolio manager. She manages teams supporting PEO SOF Digital Applications’ CI/CD pipeline and platform efforts.
With a proven ability to foster cross-functional collaboration, optimize processes, and mentor multidisciplinary teams, Kasey is passionate about strategic leadership, business development, and delivering transformative solutions. She recently earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Organizational Leadership and published original research on teamwork quality and success based on working configurations in software development teams. She actively contributes to industry advancement through opportunities presented in industry organizations including Women in Defense, National Defense Industrial Association, and AFCEA. She is committed to empowering teams and driving mission-focused success.
Marketing Director , Sarah Ortiz
Press Multimedia Specialist - Joint Special Operations University - LinkedIn
Sarah Ortiz sits on the Board of Directors as the Membership and Marketing Chair and is eager to bring her passion for networking and collaboration to the forefront of her role. She is actively focused on building relationships within the chapter and establishing strong connections among its members and the Tampa Bay community. With her background in marketing and community-building, Sarah is excited to contribute to the chapter’s growth, develop new initiatives to engage its membership, and support the chapter’s overall success as it continues to empower women in defense.
Sarah is a seasoned marketing professional with over 9 years of experience, specializing in creating impactful strategies that drive growth and engagement. As a Marketing Specialist at Spathe Systems, she leads innovative marketing initiatives that enhance brand visibility and support critical missions within the defense sector. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Public Relations and Advertising from the University of South Florida.
Outside of her professional life, Sarah enjoys painting, art, and a good true crime book. Married to her high school sweetheart, she loves creating core memories with their little girl at Disney, balancing her dedication to both her career and family life.
Deputy Marketing Director , Luke Miller
Director of Operations/Client Success - Contact Government Services - LinkedIn
Luke Miller is the Director of Client Success and Director of Operations for M8 at Contact Government Services LLC. Mr. Miller is a dynamic change-maker embracing both an entrepreneurial spirit and a vision on how to connect people with opportunity. He helped build CGS from just a few headcount to more than 100, serving multiple roles, and has business ventures of his own. He excels at connecting with customers, engaging with the mission, and finding angles to exponentially increase value.
Mr. Miller is also a technologist with a passion around building systems and applications to improve processes, automate workflows, and introduce cutting-edge solutions to legacy problem sets. In the community, Mr. Miller is an advocate for Traumatic Brain Injury with the Brain Injury Services of Northern Virginia and assists with operating a scholarship fund at his alma mater.
Scholarship Director , Trudy Daniels
Director - McCormick Stevenson Corporation - LinkedIn
Trudy Daniels, an executive management professional, excels in guiding and leading teams, particularly in environments that foster creativity and autonomy. Her extensive experience has honed her ability to discern and meet customer requirements within budget and schedule constraints, resulting in the successful execution of over 15 major programs and 300 projects, driving business growth and customer referrals.
Trudy's strengths include public speaking, team leadership, and operational and program management. She also actively contributes to community service through event planning and volunteering, reflecting her passion for helping others.
Deputy Scholarship Director , Sarah Spradlin
CEO - Vitruvian Advantage - LinkedIn
Dr. Sarah Spradlin is an Industrial Organizational Psychologist, Certified Emotional Intelligence Coach, Marine Corps veteran and mother of four. After transitioning off active duty, Dr. Spradlin served the first Director of Administration and Manpower Planning for U.S. Marine Forces Special Operations Command, Marine Raider Training Center from 2009-2012. Currently, she serves as the CEO of Vitruvian Advantage, a Tampa based consulting firm dedicated to helping clients establish organizational resilience through the study, application, and synthesis of human behavior in the workplace.
Dr. Spradlin is a published author, served on the Forbes Coaches Council, and active member of Society of Industrial Organizational Psychology (SIOP), International Society of Emotional Intelligence (SoEI), the Emotional Intelligence Training and Research Institute (EITRI).
Events Director , Victoria Jolly
Project Manager - USF Institute of Applied Engineering, Inc. - LinkedIn
Victoria received two bachelor's degrees from the University of South Florida in 2023: Economics and International Studies. During her studies, she interned with HCP Associates, The Mosaic Company, and the Institute of Applied Engineering (IAE) and was a chair member of International Trade with USF's John Quincy Adams Society. Post graduation, Victoria accepted a full-time position as a project coordinator with IAE and regularly volunteers for Habitat for Humanity in East Tampa.
From coordinating surprise birthday parties for her family to planning partnered fund-raising events at Mosaic, Victoria has formed a passion for bringing people together over food, conversation, and mutual interests. In joining WID, she hopes to expand her skill set, invest in her community, and network within the Defense Industry as she begins her career.
Deputy Events Director , Anu Rao
Victoria received two bachelor's degrees from the University of South Florida in 2023: Economics and International Studies. During her studies, she interned with HCP Associates, The Mosaic Company, and the Institute of Applied Engineering (IAE) and was a chair member of International Trade with USF's John Quincy Adams Society. Post graduation, Victoria accepted a full-time position as a project coordinator with IAE and regularly volunteers for Habitat for Humanity in East Tampa.
From coordinating surprise birthday parties for her family to planning partnered fund-raising events at Mosaic, Victoria has formed a passion for bringing people together over food, conversation, and mutual interests. In joining WID, she hopes to expand her skill set, invest in her community, and network within the Defense Industry as she begins her career.
Advisors
Past President, Holley Harris
Customer Success Manager - Skopenow - LinkedIn
Holley Harris currently serves as a Customer Success Manager for Skopenow. Holley also serves as an Army Intelligence Officer with United States Special Operations Command Europe as a Reservist and has been in the Army for 19 years with a combination of active duty and reserve time reaching the grade of Major. Holley has spent much of her career serving in Special Operations units and in leadership roles that expand across military, law enforcement and tech fields. Holley has two combat rotations supporting Operation Enduring Freedom as an intelligence analyst for the elite unit Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).
Holley possesses a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Criminal Justice. Mrs. Harris has spoken at several local and national level conferences, to include the Jordanian government on topics of social media, threat finance, Publicly Available Information exploitation and OSINT. She lives in Tampa with her husband Calem and their 5 dogs.
Past President, Janel Brown
Account Director - Zscaler - LinkedIn
Ms. Brown began her career as a Surface Warfare Officer and served afloat and ashore before transitioning to the Navy Reserves, retiring in December 2018. Her civilian career has centered on defense and government program management and business development with technology executive roles at DigitalGlobe, Radiant Solutions, and ReMilNet.
Ms. Brown earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1997, Masters of Business Administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2003 and served as a Pacific Century Fellow in 2003. Ms. Brown won the 2014 Tampa Bay Business Journal Business Woman of the Year-Business Services award and was also selected as the “Judges Choice” award winner. She is a Past President and current Board of Advisor member of Women In Defense Greater Tampa Bay Chapter and board member on Senator Marco Rubio’s Service Academy Nominations Committee.
Reinier Cruz
DIA&USSOCOM, National Security and Intelligence Professional- LinkedIn
Reinier Cruz retired from the Department of Defense, in March 2021, after 33 years of service with 27 years at the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). He holds the distinction of serving as the Senior Leader in every Division within his Directorate. He is highly decorated for his achievements on the battle space during his multiple deployments to combat zones; and the development of innovative, technical capabilities.
The preponderance of his career was focused on strategic, operational, and tactical applications in the disciplines of analysis, targeting, systems, collection, acquisition, and management of global ISR capabilities.
He holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a minor in Aviation Applications. He’s a graduate of the Department of Defense Executive Leadership Development Program and possesses extensive multi-disciplinary training.
Rick Roman
Gulf Coast Underwriters Commercial Insurance & Risk Management - LinkedIn
Biography coming soon.
Crystal Nedik
Vice President of Business Strategy & Operations - Valley IT Solutions - LinkedIn
Crystal Nedik is a multifaceted professional who currently holds the position of Vice President of Operations at Valley IT Solutions. With over a year of experience in this role, she is based in Tampa, Florida, and plays a key leadership role within the organization. Crystal's impressive career also extends into academia, where she serves as an Adjunct Professor at American Military University, bringing her wealth of knowledge and expertise to the field of education for over 12 years. Her dedication to both the corporate and academic realms reflects her passion for leadership development and her commitment to the defense industry.
In addition to her professional and educational roles, Crystal actively contributes to the community as a member of the Women in Defense Board of Directors. Her affiliations with organizations like the Women In Defense - Greater Tampa Bay Chapter and the Global SOF Foundation highlight her involvement in supporting important causes within her field. Crystal's academic background includes a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Saint Leo University and a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Government from the University of South Florida, where she was a part of the Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society. Her diverse experiences and commitment to professional growth make her a well-rounded and influential individual in her various roles.
Administrators
Nancy Fernandez
Sr. Executive Assistant - SOFtact Solutions, LLC - LinkedIn
Nancy Fernandez is the Senior Executive Assistant at SOFtact Solutions (STS) and joined the company very early on in February of 2018. Nancy has worked in the Department of Defense contracting industry for almost two decades in marketing, communications, event management and senior executive support. She is known as a joyful giver with extensive community involvement, especially for Veteran Support Organizations.
Nancy currently serves as a Board Advisor on the Women In Defense (WID) Tampa Bay Chapter, as a volunteer for NDIA, and received the AFCEA Central Florida Chapter Leadership Award for her 10 years of service to their chapter. Nancy is also very involved at her church and has proudly called Tampa Bay her home for over 20 years.