The Women in the Arena

In this episode of The Women in the Arena Podcast, we are excited to introduce Major Danielle M. Park, an accomplished F-16 Instructor Pilot with the 179th Fighter Squadron, 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard. Based in Duluth, Minnesota, Maj Park is not only a key NORAD Aerospace Control Alert Pilot, supporting the critical 24/7 homeland defense mission, but she also manages the Wing Orientation Flight Program and oversees the Squadron’s recruiting efforts for both rated and unrated positions.Maj Park's journey began at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics in 2010 before receiving her commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. In this engaging conversation, Maj Park delves into the adventures of life in the Air Force, from building resilience during deployments to her unique experience of training Brie Larson for the Captain Marvel movie. She also opens up about personal topics such as navigating marriage while managing a demanding military career and her experiences as a dual military spouse. Join us to hear Maj Park’s inspiring stories and gain insights into leadership, balancing personal and professional life, and embracing the dynamic challenges of a career in the Air Force.

In this episode of The Women in the Arena Podcast, we are thrilled to welcome Kate van Dam, the Head of Strategic Growth at SkyFi. At SkyFi, Kate leads efforts to establish a leading geospatial hub, driving innovation and growth in the field. Prior to her role at SkyFi, Kate was a Senior Director at InQTel, where she worked with cutting-edge start-ups and the US government to enhance national security capabilities.Kate is currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps Reserves and served 10 years of active duty as an attack helicopter pilot, conducting crucial combat operations in Helmand Province and counter-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden. In 2017, she made significant contributions as a White House Fellow, supporting disaster response at the Department of Housing and Urban Development during a record year for natural disasters.A graduate of the US Naval Academy, Kate also holds an MA in International Economics and International Relations from Johns Hopkins University SAIS. In our discussion, Kate delves into her approach to leadership, shaped by her diverse experiences in both military and corporate settings. She shares insights on overcoming adversity, balancing the demands of a high-profile career with parenting, and pursuing new ambitions following her transition from military to civilian life.Join us to hear Kate’s inspiring story and gain valuable lessons on resilience, leadership, and navigating career transitions.

Shelane is the daughter of small business owners, growing up in central Florida and working on horse farms throughout her youth. After the attacks on 9/11, she was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army, becoming the first in her family to join the military.Shelane deployed to Ramadi, Iraq leading Soldiers as a Military Police Platoon Leader and Executive Officer. Upon returning, she moved to Fort Bragg, North Carolina and was specially selected for a Special Operations pilot program deploying women on combat missions in Afghanistan with Army Rangers and Navy SEALs, and charged with gathering critical intelligence on high-value Taliban and Al Qaeda targets. Shelane and her teammates’ contributions to this historic program are chronicled in the New York Times bestseller, Ashley’s War.Motivated to continue serving in Special Operations, Shelane attended and passed selection for a highly elite Special Mission Unit. She was deployed to combat yet again, partnering with Kurdish women forces in Syria to fight against ISIS, in addition to serving with inter-governmental agencies throughout the Middle East.Interested in how business approaches can provide solutions to public issues, Shelane left the military after 11-years and earned a MBA from Harvard Business School and MPP from Harvard Kennedy School of government. She’s worked abroad on economic development projects, domestically as a security consultant, and volunteers with nonprofit organizations for youth leadership development and Afghan refugee resettlement.As a passionate advocate for community empowerment and inclusive governance, Shelane has stepped forward as an independent candidate for Congress in North Carolina's 9th district. Don't miss this opportunity to hear firsthand insights into leadership, service, and community empowerment from a dynamic individual making waves in both national security and public policy.

Welcome to a compelling episode of The Women in the Arena Podcast, brought to you by Iron Butterfly Media. Today, we shine a spotlight on the extraordinary journey of Command Sergeant Major (CSM) JoAnn Naumann, from her early days as a Voice Language Analyst to her current role as the Command Sergeant Major of United States Army Special Operations Command, where she is responsible for approximately 36,000 people across 80 countries. The mission of U.S. Army Special Operations Command is to organize, train, educate, man, equip, fund, administer, mobilize, deploy and sustain Army special operations forces to successfully conduct worldwide special operations, across the range of military operations, in support of regional combatant commanders, American ambassadors and other agencies as directed.Throughout her career, CSM Naumann has been on an impressive fourteen deployments across CENTCOM and AFRICOM regions. She's taken on some pretty high-stakes roles too, like being the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) J2 Senior Enlisted Advisor and serving as Command Sergeant Major for the 15th Military Intelligence Battalion (Aerial Exploitation) within the JSOC Intelligence Brigade and Special Operations Command - Korea.Her military education is just as extensive, including the Arabic Basic Course, Air Assault Course, and Basic Airborne Course, as well as specialized courses like the Military Freefall Course and Special Operations Forces Intel Leaders Course. She's also a graduate of the Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy.Tune in to hear CSM JoAnn Naumann's compelling journey to military leadership spanning 28 years of dedicated service. CSM Naumann shares insights on leadership and how she prioritizes wellness amidst her demanding career. Don't miss this episode for a glimpse into CSM Naumann's impactful contributions and her leadership ethos.

Join us for an inspiring episode of The Women in the Arena Podcast powered by Iron Butterfly Media as we delve into the extraordinary life and career of Phyllis Wilson. With 37 years of dedicated service in the United States Army, Phyllis J. Wilson has left an indelible mark on military intelligence and leadership.Phyllis Wilson's journey spans across the globe, from Europe to Asia, Africa to South America, and North America, where she served as a Military Intelligence (MI) Voice Intercept Operator and later as an Intelligence Analyst with Special Operations in Iraq. Her tenure as the most senior Warrant Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve highlights her exceptional leadership, managing over 200,000 personnel and an $8 billion budget. A lifelong learner, Phyllis holds multiple degrees, including two Master’s and two Bachelor of Science degrees, and has pursued advanced studies at institutions like the Defense Language Institute and the George C. Marshall Center. Her accolades include induction into the Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame and the U.S. Veterans Hall of Fame.Today, Phyllis Wilson continues to make an impact as President of the Military Women’s Memorial, advocating for the recognition of women’s contributions in the military since the American Revolution. She also serves on the Reserve Forces Policy Board and is a Senior Fellow at the Association of the United States Army. A proud mother of eight children, including four combat veterans, Phyllis Wilson embodies dedication, leadership, and service.Don't miss this episode as we explore Phyllis Wilson’s remarkable journey through military service, leadership, and advocacy, showcasing her unwavering commitment to her country and her fellow service members.To learn more about the Military Women’s Memorial, or to share a story of a woman service member, visit their website: https://womensmemorial.org/

Iron Butterfly Media launches Season 1 of The Women in the Arena Podcast, dedicated to amplifying the diverse experiences and authentic voices of women veterans. The Women in the Arena Podcast honors their resilience, authenticity, and leadership while celebrating remarkable women who have dared greatly in various areas of life. In this season premiere, Army veteran and host Sarah Scully shares her own story and military career, honors the women she served alongside, and reflects on the inspiration for creating The Women in the Arena Podcast.Subscribe to Iron Butterfly Media's YouTube channel to check out The Women in the Arena's sister podcasts, including Iron Butterfly Podcast.To support The Women in the Arena Podcast, visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheWomenintheArenaPodcastTo learn more about Iron Butterfly Media, check out our website: https://www.ironbutterflymedia.com/