Rear Adm. Shoshana Chatfield is a native of Garden Grove, California, and a 1987 graduate of Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and French Language and Literature.  She received her commission through Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) in 1988 and earned her wings of gold

Lieutenant General Lori Reynolds (retired) graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1986. She was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the Marine Corps and assigned as a communications officer. Commands in the operating forces include command as a LtCol of 9th Communication Battalion from 2003-2005 where she deployed the

Hailing from Manhattan Beach, CA, LCDR Strand graduated and was commissioned in 2008 from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a minor in Spanish. She also graduated with Distinction earning a Master of Arts in National Security Affairs (Middle East Studies) and

Captain Emily Bassett is a lifelong member of SSLA, ever since she was a guest speaker at JWLS in Norfolk, VA in 2014, where she shared the story of her experiences moderating Lean In Circles with Senior military women.

Commander Vicky Howe is SSLA’s Vice President. She is a lifelong member of SSLA and actively involved in several professional development groups such as “Lean In”, founded by SSLA President Emily Bassett. Vicky is an Information Warfare Officer currently serving as the Executive Officer of Carrier Strike Group 4 Air

Master Chief Rekiya Janssen is a lifelong member of the Sea Services Leadership Association (SSLA) and the Senior Enlisted Advisor on the SSLA Board. Her responsibilities include serving as an active advocate and ambassador for SSLA’s mission as well as providing counsel, encouragement, and insight regarding issues concerning enlisted sea

Lieutenant Laura Rayburn, U.S. Coast Guard, serves as SSLA’s Treasurer.  Laura enlisted in the Coast Guard in 2009, spending six years as a Marine Science Technician before earning a commission via Officer Candidate School in 2015. She is now on a dual-track career path with a primary operational specialty in

Lieutenant Commander Cherisa Friedlander is currently serving on SSLA’s Board as the Secretary and NOAA Corps Service Representative. Her responsibilities include participating in monthly board meetings, assisting with the planning for the annual Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium (JWLS), and representing a unique perspective of the nation’s smallest seagoing uniformed service,

LCDR John Dittmer, USNR-Ret is the Vice President for Administration on the SSLA Board. His responsibilities include serving as contracting officer, liaison with external organizations, and Registration Agent for the Association. He was also SSLA’s Founding President. John served 17 years in the Navy & Navy Reserve, before medically retiring

SgtMaj Ronda Kirkby, USMC, is the Vice President of Awards on the SSLA Board. She is overall responsible for the SSLA awards program, including the National Rising Star Award, which recognizes outstanding graduating ROTC members from the across the country. She serves as the liaison and coordinator for presentation of

A native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Lieutenant Kathleen M. Barrios graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Economics and commissioned as a Surface Warfare Officer on 25 May 2018. In September 2018, she reported to her first command USS ESSEX (LHD 2) homeported

The SSLA VP of Events is Captain (ret) Jennifer Espiritu, USN, a lifetime Sea Service Leadership Association member and career Navy physician. Her involvement with SSLA started in 2013, with the advent of the Norfolk Navy Lean In circle led by previous SSLA President, CAPT Emily Bassett. Jennifer is currently

As a reservist in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve in sunny San Diego, CA, Vanessa provided administrative and mission support to fellow U.S.C.G. reservists for thirteen years. Seven of those years, she was cross assigned to a Navy reserve supporting both services. As a civilian Vanessa’s passion for learning and

ITCS Sydny Moat is SSLA’s U.S. Navy Representative. In her current position, she provides counsel, encouragement, and insight on the U.S. Navy issues and needs of Navy members. Sydny has just under 17 years in the Navy. She has served in various billets across Surface, Aviation, Expeditionary and Information Warfare

Lt. Col. Mariela Pena is the USMC Representative on the SSLA Board. Her responsibilities include serving as an active advocate and ambassador for SSLA’s mission as well as providing counsel, encouragement, and insight regarding issues concerning the USMC.  Mariela has 23 years in the Marine Corps and has served as

Lieutenant Commander Allice Gholson currently serves as the Commanding Officer of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Benjamin Bottoms homeported in San Pedro, California. Prior to taking command, she served as the Logistics Officer at Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA) in Manama, Bahrain. While assigned overseas, she oversaw all homeporting

LtCol Kyleigh Cullen, USMC, is the Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium (JWLS) Chair. Along with the Co-Chair, Christina Humphries, she is responsible for leading the JWLS Committee in planning all aspects of SSLA’s annual symposium. Kyleigh in a Marine Ch-53E pilot that has served in the United States Marine Corps for

Commander Humphries was born and raised in Carlsbad, California. She attended the University of San Diego, earning her commission through Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. Commander Humphries was commissioned in May 2005 and served her first division officer tour as the Strike Officer on aboard the USS CHOSIN (CG 65),