Monday, October 13, 2025
On Monday, 13 Oct 2025, the U.S. Army Women’s Foundation will host our AUSA Leadership Forum, “Thriving Beyond the Uniform” at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Dr. Kyleanne Hunter (CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, former USMC Attack Helicopter Pilot) will deliver the keynote address, followed by a dynamic discussion moderated by Ms. Sue Fulton and LTC (Ret) Michelle Horn. The distinguished panel of leaders—including LtCol (Ret) Kate Germano (USMC), CPT (Ret) Dawn Halfaker (USA), Kayla Williams, and BG (Ret) Twanda “Tia” Young (USA)—will explore career transitions, leadership, and resilience beyond military service. The conversation and Q&A will highlight personal stories, policy perspectives, and practical tools to support women as they continue to lead and thrive after their time in uniform.
Moderator - LTC (Ret) Michelle Horn (USA)
Michelle retired from the Army in 2019 after 21 years. As the VP of Communications at Fisher House Foundation, she proudly serves the military and veteran communities.
Her last assignment was as a spokesperson and press officer for the Office of the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon. Before that, she managed operations for 16 radio and television stations of American Forces Network Europe. She also spent three years as a public affairs officer in the 82nd Airborne Division, which included one year in Afghanistan. During her 13 years as an Army PAO, she told the story of servicemembers and their families by working with a variety of types of media at regional, national, and worldwide levels.
Before becoming a PAO, Michelle was a transportation officer and commanded a transportation company that deployed three times to Kuwait and Iraq. As a truck platoon leader in Germany, she also deployed to Kosovo.
Michelle studied accounting at Stetson University in Deland, Florida and has an MBA with a focus in aviation from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida.
She is married to Ryker, a combat veteran who retired after 23 years in the Army and has two children, Joseph and Sophia.
Michelle is proud of her family’s service in all four branches of the military during WWI, WWII, Vietnam, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Germany. They have all been supported by a long list of mothers, fathers, wives, and children. Her family inspires her to support other veterans and their families.
Fulton graduated West Point in 1980, in the first class to admit women. She served as a platoon leader, staff officer, and company commander in Germany before honorable discharge at the rank of Captain. During a 25-year career in brand management at Fortune 100 companies, she gained expertise in management, cross-functional team leadership, and strategic communications. Continuing to mentor West Pointers, Fulton helped found Knights Out and OutServe, in the battle to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Fulton founded and led SPARTA to successfully end the transgender ban, while at the same time providing important (confidential) counsel to Army leaders on removing the combat exclusion role and integrating women in the combat arms.
In 2011, President Obama appointed her as the first openly gay member of the West Point Board of Visitors, and she was later elected Chair (twice) with strong bipartisan support. During 8 years on the Board, she successfully advocated for significant increases in admissions of Black, Latino, and women cadets. In 2017, she was appointed to the Board of Visitors of the National Defense University.
Since 2018, Fulton has served NJ under Governor Phil Murphy as Chief Administrator of the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC), an agency of 2,200 employees that generates ~$1.8 billion in annual revenue. During her tenure, she transformed and modernized NJ Motor Vehicles systems, shifting an in-person, stand-in-line system to a largely online transaction system, and streamlining the remaining in-person operations with queuing, SMS notifications, and scanning solutions.
In 2012, Fulton and Penny Gnesin were the first same-sex couple to wed in West Point’s Cadet Chapel. In 2019, after 24 years together, Penny died of breast cancer.
Fulton was nominated by President Biden to serve as the Assistant Secretary of for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Department of Veterans Affairs, a role she served in from July 2022 to January 2024. She is currently retired.
Keynote Speaker - Dr. Kyleanne Hunter
Dr. Kyleanne Hunter serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), a role in which she provides strategic leadership to ensure the post-9/11 generation of veterans remains at the forefront of national conversations. A lifelong servant leader, Dr. Hunter is deeply committed to inspiring veterans to achieve their full potential and advocating for the policies necessary to support their journey. Before leading IAVA, Dr. Hunter was a senior political scientist at RAND, where she spearheaded the Women, Peace, and Security Initiative. Her academic affiliations include professorships at the RAND School of Public Policy and Oregon State University, and she is a non-resident fellow at the Center for a New American Security. Her distinguished career also includes significant roles at the United States Air Force Academy, where she directed the Strategy and Warfare Center and served as a professor of military and strategic studies. Dr. Hunter was instrumental in addressing critical issues within the military, co-chairing the Culture and Climate Line of Effort for the Independent Review Commission on Military Sexual Assault and chairing the Employment and Integration Subcommittee for the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services. A highly decorated Marine Corps combat veteran, Dr. Hunter completed multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as an AH-1W Super Cobra attack pilot. Her experience in the Office of Legislative Affairs fueled her dedication to leveraging research and analysis to inform policy decisions and advocate for marginalized service members and veterans. Dr. Hunter earned her Ph.D. in Political Science and International Relations, along with a Master’s in International Security Studies, from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. A respected voice, she has frequently testified before Congress, regularly appears in the press, and has numerous peer-reviewed publications. She is the coauthor of Invisible Veterans: What Happens when Military Women Become Civilians Again.
Panelist - LtCol (Ret) Kate Germano (USMC)
Dedicated to helping others live the Marine Corps maxim, “Know yourself and seek self-improvement,” Kate is a retired military officer with broad experience as a leadership coach and interpersonal communications and conflict management trainer. After a tumultuous experience leading the Marine Corps’ all-women 4th Recruit Training Battalion, some spectacular results, and a very public firing, Kate left the military and embarked on a journey of self-reflection. Following her military retirement, her thirst to learn how to better communicate with and lead people led her back to school to study the neuroscience of leadership and change, conflict, and emotional intelligence. She is well known nationally as the author of Fight Like A Girl – The Truth Behind How Female Marines Are Trained, co-written by Kelly Kennedy, and has been a featured speaker on leadership, organizational dynamics, and gender issues for Allstate, the FDIC, Société General, PayPal, Merck, among other notable organizations. Kate holds leadership coaching certifications through the NeuroLeadership Institute and the International Coaching Federation.
Panelist - CPT (Ret) Dawn Halfaker (USA)
Dawn Halfaker is an American Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, and Veterans’ advocate from San Diego, California. In 2006, Dawn founded Halfaker and Associates, a global technology firm focused on end-to-end digital solutions for government organizations. As President and CEO, Dawn led Halfaker and Associates to rapid growth within the Federal sector. The firm was acquired by SAIC in 2021. Dawn credits her capabilities as a business leader to her active military experience and the principles she learned at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Upon the sale of Halfaker and Associates, Dawn established a private investment firm, HAFCO Holdings LLC, and the Continuing to Serve Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting Veteran entrepreneurs. 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. In 2004, she deployed to Iraq with the 293rd Military Police Company, 3rd Infantry Division, where she commanded a military police platoon in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During her tour, Dawn was wounded while on a combat patrol near Baghdad, earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for her service. Halfaker was medically retired in 2005 as a Captain and remains one of the few American women in the history of the United States Armed Forces to command a platoon through ground combat missions. Her story has been documented by HBO, the New York Times, CNN and many other media outlets. In addition to her investment and philanthropic ventures, Dawn is a member of the USO board of Governors and the Vail Veterans Foundation. She also remains active with several Advisory Committees and Veteran Service Organizations. Dawn was born and raised in San Diego, California, where she was a standout athlete at Rancho Bernardo High School. A highly recruited basketball player, she chose to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point, where she received her Bachelor of Science. She also holds a Master of Arts in Security Studies from Georgetown University. Still active in sports and culture, today she is an avid snowboarder, scuba diver, tennis player, and art collector. She currently resides in Washington, D.C. with her partner and two sons. Business Leadership Recognition: 2018, 2019, 2020: Federal Health IT Top 100 2018: Federal Health IT Impact Award 2017: Greater Washington GovCon Executive of the Year 2012: Ernst & Young Greater Washington Entrepreneur of the Year 2012: Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Corporate Citizenship Award 2012: Aspen Institute Scholar Award 2012: Civilian Job’s Most Valuable Employer for Military 2011: Fortune Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs 2011: Worth Magazine Top Entrepreneurs to Watch 2011: Washington Business Journal Women Who Mean Business Award
Panelist - Kayla Williams
Kayla M. Williams is an author, veteran, and advocate; she is currently a Senior Policy Advisor at VoteVets. She was most recently a Senior Policy Researcher at RAND, where she focused on military personnel and veterans’ policy. Ms. Williams previously served as Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), where she was formerly Director of the Center for Women Veterans. Kayla was also a Senior Fellow and Director of the Military, Veterans, and Society Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). Ms. 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. Kayla graduated cum laude with a BA in English Literature from Bowling Green State University and earned an MA in International Affairs from American University. She is a former member of the Department of Labor Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment, Training, and Employer Outreach; the VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; and the Army Education Advisory Committee; a 2013 White House Woman Veteran Champion of Change; and a recipient of the 2020 Student Veterans of America Distinguished Public Service award.
Panelist - BG (Ret) Twanda "Tia" Young (USA)
Widely regarded as one of the most empowering voices in motivational speaking today, Brigadier General (Ret.) Twanda “Tia” Young is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, consultant, strategist, author, and conflict manager. Leveraging decades of professional experience as a distinguished senior executive in the military combined with a passion for empowering others, Twanda stands as an expert in leadership and conflict management. She is on a mission to impact audiences and train businesses, corporations, organizations, and universities worldwide to better understand how to use conflict management skills effectively and make better leaders for society, which develops better leadership qualities and improves relationships. Twanda is a trailblazing leader whose expertise in conflict management and leadership development has left an indelible mark on diverse audiences. Her captivating signature talk, “Bridging the Gap-Turning Conflict into Collaboration,” offers a riveting journey of conflict solutions within the corporate arena. Drawing from personal experiences, she imparts profound lessons on conflict management, illustrating their real-world application. Beyond conflict resolution, the speech explores triumph and growth, empowering attendees to emerge stronger as leaders. Her captivating message has earned her invitations to speak and make guest appearances on major global platforms. She has delivered thought-provoking live and virtual keynote speeches for large audiences, including LeadHerShip Conference at Camp Arifjan, Afghanistan, South Carolina State University Commissioning Ceremony and Claflin University 2018 Convocation Keynote, and an exclusive invitation to speak at Michigan State University at Shawn Fair’s Leadership Experience Tour, aired live to millions of viewers on the Onstage Plus Network and at Ohio State University, to name a few. Through engaging talks, she continues to motivate, inspire, and guide individuals and organizations toward success in the face of adversity. Twanda has become the leading authority on leadership development, conflict management, and mediation in the workplace. In line with her unyielding passion for helping others succeed, Twanda founded LT3 Leadership Solutions™, a global consultancy that works with corporations to bring them to peak performance through the provision of practical and effective Conflict Management. She has taught corporate leaders around the United States and abroad the secret sauce of innovative conflict resolutions. As an influential figure, she has contributed to the optimal functioning of corporate leadership teams that have applied her success strategy to maximizing conflict prevention and enhancing productivity and self-awareness. She is the author of the best-selling book “Dare to Lead Differently: Chew on This … 16 Bites for Bold Leaders,” journaling her life experiences in navigating the executive corporate ladder and lessons learned while embracing a “P3 Mentality” (persistence, perseverance, and patience with the process). She is also the author of the Award Winning and Best Seller, “Destiny Expose Anthology: Leading Ladies Vol 1.” Twanda is also a visionary recognized for her leadership, commitment, and contributions to her community and the next generatio,n serving on several high-level boards. Her contributions have been acknowledged with numerous honors, awards, and achievements. Notably, her story is enshrined in the Library of Congress. Additionally, she has received numerous military medals of honors and awards, including obtaining the rank of Brigadier General while serving in the United States Army. Her achievements extend beyond the military, with the President Tisdale Presidential Citation, inductions into the Claflin University and South Carolina State University Halls of Fame, and the unveiling of a female veteran’s monument in her honor. She has appeared live on prominent media platforms such as ABC, NBC, The CW, and CBS, and leading talk shows such as Amazing Authorities, radio segments, and podcasts, and her work has been featured in newspapers and magazines, among others.
