I still remember the sound advice of the Senior NCO at the Army Recruiting office which I was recruited from. This Senior NCO said to me, “A leader is one who provides guidance, influence, and motivation.” After over 28 years of military service, I still live and breathe this advice every day. I AM a decisive leader, seeking any opportunity to positively influence and motivate at all levels. I’m personally driven by individuals or groups seeking to achieve clear goals which support enhancing or improving people and organizations, in particular, efforts which help build/enhance capacity and capability in foreign countries. I’m influenced by positive people who provide guidance on achieving success and are willing to share their experiences to better other people. My direct work in Rwanda, Uganda, Senegal, and Ghana have led to partnerships with key leaders from the Department of State, US Embassies, United Nations, and Partner Nation leadership. I work with the Ghana Armed Forces; Rwanda Defence Force, Senegalese Armed Forces; and the Uganda Peoples' Defence Force. I love sharing my experiences and offering advice whenever needed. I have been extremely fortunate to see a good part of the world due to my military experience and I treasure those experiences because they have allowed me to see and learn more than I ever would from seeing photos or reading a book. I light up when I get a WhatsApp message from key leaders from Senegal, Ghana, Rwanda, or Uganda providing unsolicited updates on how things are going in their respective countries and when they follow-up with me directly on issues pertaining specifically to the programs I work with them on. This makes all the efforts worthwhile despite challenges that exist with trying to help four African countries enhance their peacekeeping capabilities. I am part of a family of veterans (my husband, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, cousin) and very proud to serve our Great Nation.