AFLCMC leaders announce women achieving acquisition excellence event

  • Published
  • By Allyson B. Crawford, AFLCMC Public Affairs

WRIGHT_PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- On Tuesday, Aug. 17, join Lt. Gen. Shaun Morris and Ms. Kathy Watern for the first AFLCMC Celebrating the Workforce event. The theme for the event is “women achieving acquisition excellence.” The virtual event will feature three keynote speakers and several spotlight videos from high-performing women in the military, civil service and business leadership.

The event begins at 11:30 a.m. and is open to all AFLCMC staff. To join, use Zoom link https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1604176703?pwd=Vi9DRTFiWXltc0NQT0dkLzNVa3hLQT09 and passcode 187344.

All Center employees are encouraged to attend. Topics will apply to all career levels, both for the military and civilian workforce. During the keynote addresses, you will learn how AFLCMC Engineering Director, Ms. Jackie Janning-Lask, approaches mentorship. She explains what she looks for in a mentor and how she helps others along their own path.

Col. Nicole Ruff-Lehman will discuss her upbringing and how it has shaped her career. She will also explain how diversity and inclusion means everyone gets to have a voice and seat at the table. Embracing diversity and inclusion means a stronger Air Force by attracting top talent from all parts of the country. Finally, Ruff-Lehman will touch on leadership traits that help build dynamic teams.

Natalie Johnson is a motivational speaker and leadership expert. She will join us live from Florida to explain how to get more out of your workday and career without facing frustration and burnout. Johnson will help you understand what stressors of daily life are impacting your career and how to reframe the situation into a positive opportunity.

During the taped spotlight videos, you will meet some incredible women, including Donna Back, well-known for her long career at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. A conference room at Wright-Patt will be dedicated to her soon as a nod to her work in finance for the base and the acquisition career field. The Donna J. Back Financial Management Leadership Award is named in her honor and is awarded annually to an outstanding leader across the center.

Melissa Kennedy, a civilian at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is recipient of the 2020 Defense Acquisition Workforce Individual Achievement Award. Hear from Melissa herself and learn about the digital projects she supports at Kessel Run.

Abbigail Pogorzelski, a civilian at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, explains her role and how her work was recognized with the 2019 Outstanding Civilian Program Manager (ACAT I) award. One of her biggest accomplishments is creating a rapid prototyping strategy for engine replacement on the B-52 fleet.

Lt. Col. Jacqlyn Combs truly wears two hats. She is a member of the Army National Guard as well as a member of the civilian workforce for AFSAC, part of the Life Cycle Management Center. Activated to support the COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio, Combs managed logistics and PPE supply at a critical point during the health crisis. 

Advanced registration is not required to attend.