LEXINGTON, Mass. – Col. Karen Landale, deputy director of Contracting at Hanscom Air Force Base, shared her personal story of military service during the Lexington Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business event in Lexington, Massachusetts, Nov. 12.
The monthly event highlights professional journeys, particularly women in leadership roles. The Chamber seeks out women from various career fields and backgrounds to share their stories, and the events are open to all.
This was the first time a representative from Hanscom Air Force Base spoke at the event.
“I was excited to discuss the opportunities and challenges in my own life as a woman in business and a woman serving in the United States Air Force,” Landale said.
The daughter of factory workers, Landale grew up the youngest of three sisters in a small town south of Buffalo, New York. She earned her commission through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Tampa, where she was also a collegiate swimmer.
Growing up, Landale said she dreamed of being a secretary and spent hours pretending to schedule meetings and take calls in an “office” she set up in her bedroom closet. She credits her mother with encouraging her to aim higher when it came to “work ambitions.”
“I remember my mom consistently saying to me, ‘Don’t you want to be the boss?’ I saw her trying to develop a drive for education in all three of her daughters.”
Landale highlighted the many education opportunities she received throughout her Air Force career, which prepared her to take on leadership roles.
She also shared stories of the inspiring women she has served with during her career.
“In 1976, the first class of females entered our military academies,” Landale said. “We call them ‘80s Ladies’ because that is the year they graduated. I worked for one, retired General Janet Wolfenbarger, when I was stationed in Ohio as a young captain. She was incredible. She shared stories with us about her life in the military and what it was like to be at the U.S. Air Force Academy.”
Landale said she often thinks about how she can help create pathways for others to have a successful career.
“I really can’t believe the changes that I’ve seen in my 22-year career,” she said. “The amount of progress that we’ve made in the Department of Defense when it comes to women is unbelievable. The research that I did preparing for this event reminded me of the benchmark moments that have allowed women to do the things that I do today.”
Landale said forums like the Women in Business event are an important resource for women and professionals to share their experiences, celebrate successes, and encourage the next generation.
Maija Sawyer, the Lexington Chamber of Commerce executive director, said having Landale speak to the Lexington business community was “amazing and so inspiring.”