Membership Meeting - Built Different: The Strategic Edge of Hiring Military-Trained Talent
2025-11-11 16:30 - 19:00 UTC | ISEC Office, 2190 E Elliott Road, Suite 201, Tempe, AZ, 85283, United States
Could your next top employee be a veteran, and the secret weapon your company needs? Veterans bring unmatched leadership, adaptability, and strong communication skills—exactly what’s critical for roles like heavy equipment operators, project managers, safety managers, and construction foremen. This presentation oﬀers an overview of the beneﬁts of hiring the modern veteran, debunks common myths, highlights key talent sources, and outlines how to build an eﬀective veteran talent strategy – equipping companies to turn knowledge into action and gain a competitive edge.
Why does this matter? According to the Associated Builders and Contractors, the construction industry must attract an estimated 439,000 new workers in 2025 to meet rising demand. This labor shortage delays projects, raises costs, and heightens risks – placing strain on contractors and clients. Veterans oﬀer proven teamwork, technical expertise, and reliability that improve employee retention and jobsite performance, giving companies a distinct advantage amid ﬁerce market pressures.

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Kathy Lowrey Gallowitz is an award-winning businesswoman, former military oﬃcer, author of “Beyond Thank You for Your Service,” and founder of Vanguard Veteran, LLC. With over 40 years of combined military leadership and proven civilian success, she coaches organizations to reduce veteran turnover and build “Veteran-Ready” workplaces through strategic talent initiatives. Kathy’s engaging storytelling and practical strategies inspire leaders to become true Veteran Champions.
To learn more about Vanguard Veteran and other speech topics, contact Kathy at Kathy@VanguardVeteran.com or 270-945-7286

Key Outcomes:

Discover how modern veterans outperform non-veterans
Debunk stigmas and stereotypes limiting veteran potential
Uncover veteran talent pipeline sources
Learn essential steps to build a comprehensive veteran talent strategy

Membership Meeting - Untethered Leadership
2026-01-27 16:30 - 19:00 | Canyon State Electric – Priest Dr., 1618 S Priest Dr, #101, Tempe, AZ, 85281, United States
In fast-paced, high-stakes environments, women leaders are often expected to project confidence, manage urgency, and maintain composure — all while navigating unspoken expectations around authority and communication.
In this session, leadership strategist and executive coach Felicia Davis explores why capable women can feel strained or unheard under pressure — and why the solution isn’t louder communication or tougher skin.
Participants will:

Gain practical insight into how regulation, presence, and clarity shape leadership effectiveness
Learn how these skills apply in demanding industries, such as construction
Develop a grounded, practical approach to leading with authority
Improve clear communication in high-pressure situations
Build the ability to stay steady and composed when demands are high

Felicia Davis is a voice liberation strategist, keynote speaker, and founder of The Haus of Vocal Empowerment. A former HR executive turned award-winning leadership coach, Felicia equips high-impact women and visionary organizations to transform cultural silence into strategic power.
Her signature methodology—Voice Sovereignty™—helps leaders unlearn performance culture, reclaim their unedited voice, and lead with presence over polish. Through her Brand Your Brilliance® framework, she empowers others to own their sound, their story, and their space.
