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

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.

Colonel Jenny Storm currently serves as the President Ex-Officio after having served in various board positions for over a decade. After being inspired and motivated at the Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium in 2005, she has been passionate about mentoring and developing female leaders in the military, encouraging them to be

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

Lt. Cdr. Phuong Lui (U.S. Navy, retired) serves as SSLA’s Treasurer. Phuong is a retired Naval Surface Warfare officer hailing originally from Saigon Vietnam.  After growing up in southwestern Virginia, she went to Virginia Tech for one year before enlisting in the Navy as an Electrician’s Mate.  She spent 14 months in

Lieutenant Laura Rayburn, U.S. Coast Guard, serves as SSLA’s Secretary. In this role, she is responsible for maintaining records of official business and ensuring documents are retained, organized, and available as needed. Laura joined the Coast Guard in 2009, spending six years as an enlisted member before earning a commission

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 retired

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

Lt. Cristina Haywood, USN, is SSLA’s Vice President for Membership. She is a lifelong member of SSLA and is actively involved with several mentorship and career development groups within her community. She is a SSLA members’ first point of contact and enjoys actively engaging with members. She enlisted in Navy

Cmdr. Laura K. Stegherr is SSLA’s Public Affairs Officer. In this role, she leads the organization’s communication strategy, to include media relations, public outreach, and web and social media marketing. Laura has served as a Navy public affairs officer for 15 years in a variety of roles at sea and

SSLA’s VP of Events is Capt. (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 SSLA President, CAPT Emily Bassett. Jennifer is currently the Chief of

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

Major 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 a

Lieutenant Claude Nadal is currently serving as the Sea Services Leadership Association’s (SSLA) U.S. Coast Guard Representative. Her responsibilities include serving as an active advocate and ambassador for SSLA’s mission promoting and strengthening the value of the contribution of women in the maritime forces. She is a lifetime member of SSLA.

Lieutenant Commander Cherisa Friedlander is currently serving on SSLA’s Board as the 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, NOAA Commissioned