Keynote speaker
Katherine Steele
Chief Executive Officer
Pat Tillman Foundation
Katherine Steele, Ed.D., CEO, holds a Doctorate in Leadership and Learning from Vanderbilt University, a Master's in Educational Leadership from George Washington University, and a Bachelor's in Education from Seattle Pacific University. She is a Pat Tillman Scholar and an adjunct professor specializing in Organizational Behavior for MBA candidates. With expertise in diversity, inclusion, trust, and employee engagement, Katherine is dedicated to empowering leaders through her 20 years of experience in education and corporate settings. As CEO of the Pat Tillman Foundation, she unites and empowers military veterans and spouses to become impactful leaders. Katherine is a Proud ASU Mom!
Welcome speaker
HyeJung Park
Army and Arizona State University Ph.D.
HyeJung, a beneficiary of the California Dream Act and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, has been inspired by her experiences to serve both in the military and in academic research. She enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves through a program that facilitated her U.S. citizenship, aiming to become a research psychologist focused on enhancing the readiness of military personnel and their families.
Her doctoral studies in developmental psychology center on identifying factors that help marginalized youth overcome adversity, such as those living in disadvantaged neighborhoods or belonging to racial and ethnic minorities.
HyeJung is committed to community action and aims to contribute to the development of legislation supported by research findings, advocating for resilient development among at-risk youth. She hopes to bridge the gap between developmental research and public policy, facilitating informed decision-making in Congress.
Presenters
Captain Katrina Hill, ASU Professor of Naval Science
Captain Hill is a career naval aviator with 2,500 hours in U.S. Navy aircraft. She is a combat veteran of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Her command tours include Patrol Squadron 9, where she led operations throughout the European and African theaters, and Navy Recruiting Region East, where she was responsible for officer and enlisted recruiting efforts east of the Mississippi River. She graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, earned an MBA at Penn State University and was a fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School. Her staff assignments include strategy and policy work of the staff of the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, U.S. Strategic Command and the Secretary of the Navy as a liaison to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Rebecca Herrera, Career Coordinator at ASU’s West Valley Campus
Rebecca serves as a Career Coordinator for Partnerships and Programs at ASU Career Services. She is a proud alumna and also serves on various ASU Staff Council committees, is the VP of Communications for CAA at ASU, President of the Doran Community Scholars ASU Alumni chapter, and a member of the Chicano/Latino Faculty and Staff Association at ASU.
Natalie Kowasic, Career Advisor at ASU’s West Valley Campus (Navy veteran)
Natalie is a Career Advisor at ASU, a full-time student at ASU, and a Navy Veteran of 11 years. She is a multiple business owner, transformational life coach, ASIST-trained and a SafeTALK Trainer, and is on the educational path to become a psychologist.
Dr. Alicia Ellis, Director, MA in Global Security Program & Teaching Asst. Professor, Future Security, ASU
Dr. Alicia Ellis has developed and taught coursework on national security, economic statecraft, geopolitics, war & conflict, and international relations. Alicia was appointed as a Presidential Management Fellow in 2012, during which she served as an analyst at the Department of Treasury’s Office of Financial Research and later as a policy analyst for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations. While assigned to the State Department, she studied Russian language at the Institute of World Politics, including 6-week immersion training in Odessa, Ukraine. A former Air Force officer, she served two deployments as an Air Battle Manager in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, including three months as the Joint Air Operations Center Liaison Officer. She received her B.S. in Political Science from Northern Illinois University, her MA in International Relations from St. Mary’s University, and her PhD in Political Science from Arizona State University.
Lisa Benjamin Mitchell, LPC, EdD, Faculty Associate, ASU School of Social Work
Dr. Mitchell has worked in academics and subjective well-being for almost 30 years, from kindergarten to graduate students. Her areas of expertise are anxiety and stress management in the academic setting. She is a licensed professional counselor and holds a doctorate degree in education. She has been practicing meditation for 20 years. Methods of intervention include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, (CBT) Solution-Focused therapy and mindfulness practices.
Lisa Ampil, Group Talent Manager, Enterprise Mobility (veteran spouse)
Lisa Ampil is a seasoned professional with two decades of experience in Enterprise Mobility, where she has held 13 promotions, culminating in her current role as Group Talent Manager. She oversees hiring, recruiting, and training for the state of Arizona. Lisa is married to Rick, an Army veteran who has deployed three times during their relationship. Her passion for helping people extends to her personal life, where she enjoys spending time with her two beloved golden doodles, Wrigley and Teddy.
Sheena Hayes, School Certifying Official, Pat Tillman Veterans Center (veteran & veteran spouse)
I met and married my husband in 2006. We went through two deployments and him becoming a Green Beret while having my first child and struggling with my identity being in the shadow of such an ambitious and successful soldier. I went back to school and got my undergrad in English and History at ASU and then immediately went to grad school and got my masters in Information Science. I did all this through several deployments, living overseas, having a second child, working part time, and during covid. I came to PTVC in 2022 and am extremely fortunate to the family I have made here.
Amanda Tallman, Owner and CEO of First Page (Army veteran)
Amanda Tallman enlisted in the Army Military Police Corps in 2007. She deployed to Afghanistan from April 2008 to July 2009 as a MK19 gunner. Upon her return, Amanda was diagnosed with cancer. Once in remission she received an Army Green to Gold Scholarship and was commissioned into the Army Reserves as a Military Intelligence Officer in Arizona. Due to injuries sustained on deployment, Amanda developed significant medical issues that led to her medical retirement in 2018.
Amanda received her master’s in social work at ASU. She has worked in a variety of roles with individuals and communities. Amanda volunteers and serves a number of organizations around the country to make a positive impact and empower veterans, first responders, and their families, but is most dedicated to the non-profit she started in 2020, First Page.
First Page is a 501(c)3 organization based in the Greater Phoenix Area of Arizona, dedicated to creating a resilient community by improving well-being and mental health by partnering with horses for Equine Assisted Learning.
Sonia Carrasco, Senior Success Advocate, Pat Tillman Veterans Center (Army veteran)
My name is Sonia; I am the Senior Student Success Advocate here at the Pat Tillman Veteran Center. I completed a four-year contract with the Army back in 2011 and I’m currently pursuing a graduate degree in Social Work. My experience as a nontraditional college student has equipped me with the skills and knowledge to help other service members achieve their academic goals in higher education and beyond. I decided to pursue a degree in social work because I want to continue to serve the military community as they transition into civic life.
Emily Mesler
Emily is the founder and practitioner of Empowered Vitality. She is an Arizona native and passionate about helping others gain and maintain overall health and wellness through proper nutrition, education and lifestyle.She is a certified Holistic Nutritionist and Sound Practitioner.
Jennie Blair
For 26 years, I've traveled through ASU's dynamic spaces, evolving from a student worker to Associate Director of Enrollment Services for the Downtown Phoenix campus and the ASU LA California Center, and part-time faculty associate and division enrichment coordinator. My academic journey in English Literature and Higher Education fuels my passion for lifelong learning. I explore storytelling through social media to amplify our collective stories, fostering community growth. Additionally, my role as a military spouse has deepened my perspectives, supporting my husband Jack through his Navy service, his work at the Pat Tillman Veterans Center, and his time with the Army Reserves, including a deployment to Afghanistan.
Katherine Dei Cas
Executive Vice President
Global Head of Specialty Gases
Global Head of Delivery Systems & Services
EMD Electronics Kate serves as the Global Head of the Specialty Gases and Delivery Systems & Services businesses within the Electronics business sector of Merck, KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. She has demonstrated more than 20 years of experience in the delivery and storage of specialty gases and chemicals for the semiconductor and display industries.At the start of her career with EMD Electronics (previously Versum Materials and Air Products), Kate served as a Project Engineer and was responsible for the execution of a large-scale semiconductor greenfield project. Following the completion of this project, she served as a Production Superintendent overseeing the manufacturing of specialty chemicals. Demonstrating her deep understanding and experience in semiconductor manufacturing and delivery systems, she has then successfully held various customer-facing commercial management positions over the past 15 years.In her current position, Kate has P&L responsibility for a cross-functional global team supporting manufacturing, engineering, quality, field services, and sales for specialty gas and chemical materials, equipment, and services. Kate also serves as an advocate for her peers by actively driving the implementation of the company’s diversity and inclusion strategy. She’s an active member of the SEMI US DEI Advisory Council and the Semi Americas NAAB.Kate holds a B.S in Chemical Engineering from Bucknell University and a M.B.A. from Arizona State University. Kate is very active in her community and has served as a member on the Board of Directors for Child Crisis Arizona and has offered her spare time as a volunteer for the Kyrene Youth Lacrosse and 1Mission organizations.
Officer Cami Illgen
I have been an officer with ASU Police for a little over 1.5 years and am currently assigned as a School Resource Officer at ASU's Polytechnic Preparatory Academy. I am a RAD instructor with the Department and am incredibly passionate about talking about and teaching self-defense!
Emcee
Michelle Loposky
Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships, Pat Tillman Veterans Center
Dakota Webber
Assistant Director, Career Readiness, Career Services
Within the ASU Women Veterans and Military-Connected Students community, members find opportunities for mentorship, academic support and professional development. Whether they are transitioning from military service to civilian life or seeking to enhance their education and career prospects, women veterans and military-connected students benefit from resources tailored to their specific needs and aspirations.
Through advocacy, outreach and programming, this community strives to promote gender equality, diversity and inclusion within the broader military and academic spheres. By amplifying the voices and experiences of women veterans and military-connected students, ASU demonstrates its commitment to honoring their service and facilitating their successful integration into campus life and beyond.
