Protégés of LEAD Cohort 10

Isaac Toyos is a highly accomplished public sector professional with over 13 years of dedicated experience. He currently serves as a Senate Legislative Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, where he plays a pivotal role in advancing the Bureau's consular policy agenda. In this capacity, he leads legislative strategy development, facilitates high-level engagements with the U.S. Senate, and provides expert analysis on legislative trends impacting consular operations. Previously, Isaac served as Senior Legislative Advisor at the Pentagon, where he provided strategic insights to the Assistant Secretaries of Defense for Sustainment and for Environment, Installations, and Energy. His work included advising on complex defense policy issues such as F-35 Sustainment, infrastructure modernization, and operational energy, while building strong relationships with Congressional offices. Isaac’s leadership extends beyond his legislative roles. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve at 17, beginning a career that saw him progress from enlisted ranks to Sergeant First Class before commissioning as an officer. Over the years, he has served in roles such as Petroleum Supply Specialist, Operations Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO), Recruiter, Platoon Sergeant, and Exercise Planner. He currently serves as a Quartermaster Officer in an Aviation Unit. Isaac serves on the board of directors for Hero Dogs, a Maryland-based nonprofit that places trained assistance dogs with veterans, first responders, and individuals with disabilities in the Washington, DC area. Isaac holds two Masters Degrees in Legislative Affairs from The George Washington University and Executive Leadership from Liberty University, alongside a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management & Homeland Security.

Jennifer Ross served in the United States Air Force as an Intelligence Specialist and retired in 2023. She spent the majority of her career providing strategic guidance and support to Department of Defense leadership in various roles around the globe. In her current position, Jennifer is the Program Director for Veterans Upward Bound in Washington, DC. In her role, Jennifer leads a team that supports veterans who are interested in returning to school or in pursuing educational programs to further career or academic goals. In her spare time, Jennifer supports several veteran organizations and nonprofits including Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, FourBlock, and serves as the Vice President of Strategy for The New York Brigade, a student veteran-focused nonprofit. Jennifer has a Bachelor’s degree in Intelligence Studies from American Public University, a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from UMass Global, and is currently enrolled at Cornell University, S.C. Johnson School of Business pursuing her MBA.

Hannah Becker is the Vice President at Becker Digital—a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business - and Adjunct Professor of Cyberwarfare at Norwich University. Her focus on innovative, human-centered, digitally-informed strategies leads the way in developing solutions in a complex world. She specializes in guiding public sector organizations as they navigate challenges at the intersection of people and technology. Her multi-disciplinary background—spanning agriculture, healthcare, and defense—ensures a grounded, “real-world relevant” approach to consulting. Hannah has extensive experience across academia, business, government, and nonprofit sectors. As a Professor of Practice, she has taught Computer Science, Entrepreneurship, Economics, Management, and Organizational Behavior courses at Virginia Military Institute, Ottawa University, and other colleges. In 2023, she was selected through a highly competitive process as a Non-Resident Fellow at Joint Special Operations University, where she researched Cyberwarfare and Strategic Influence capabilities, particularly relevant to Special Operations Forces (SOF) and the U.S. military. Additionally, she serves on the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association (AFCEA) Cyber Committee, publishing research on emerging cyber threats, cyber education, and digital transformation strategies across sectors. As a military spouse, Hannah has spent the past 15 years advocating for the needs of the modern military and veteran community. With extensive lived experiences and strong community connections, she provides valuable insight into challenges faced by post-9/11 veterans and military families. She previously served on the Military Family Advisory Network’s Advisory Board and as an Outreach Ambassador for the Military Officer Association of America (MOAA). Today, she actively advocates for the passage of the Major Richard Star Act - a much-needed legislation change for combat-injured Global War of Terror veterans. Hannah holds a Bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University, a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from American Public University, a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) from Florida Institute of Technology.

Megan Schuette is an active duty Air Force member in the Department of Defense Legislative Fellowship Program. She is currently assigned to the Joint Staff Legislative Affairs office and completed a year-long fellowship in the office of Representative William Keating (MA-09) during the 118th Congress. Megan was born and raised in southern Illinois and enlisted in the Air Force after graduating from Valparaiso University in 2008. Throughout her 16-year career as a language analyst, Megan has served in both technical and leadership positions, to include multiple deployments and an assignment in the Defense Attaché Office at the U.S. Embassy in Maputo, Mozambique. She is a proven leader and teammate who thrives in dynamic environments spanning intelligence, special operations, and innovation efforts. Megan holds an undergraduate degree in Sociology and a graduate degree in Executive Leadership and Management.

Zachary is a military spouse living in Washington D.C. and currently assists in managing U.S. Bank’s Institutional Trusts Portfolio. In addition to his current responsibilities, he has a passion for public service, human rights and environmental responsibility. He currently serves on the U.S. Bank’s Washington DC’s Development Network Board as their Environmental Policy Representative. Zachary has a unique perspective and is excited in helping bridge the gap between private industry, the military community, and Congress to improve the quality of life for our troops and their families. He is an alumnus of Arizona State University and holds degrees in Accounting, Humanities, and Global Leadership. He currently resides in Washington D.C. with his husband, Jordan, and their two beagles, Cooper & Trevi.

Brian L. Alvarado serves as the Director of Military Spouse Programs at Hiring our Heroes, an initiative of the United States Chamber of Commerce Foundation. This program is designed to measurably impact underemployment through the  overarching strategies of grassroots engagement and  public/private partnerships. In this role, Brian directs a team of dedicated professionals across workforce development events and initiatives that drive the attainability of economic stability through sustainable employment opportunities for the military community. He is responsible for key partnership management to include senior military, government, and business leader stakeholders working to build innovative workforce solutions.  Brian is a graduate of the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy Nonprofit Executive Management Program and is pursuing an advanced degree in Public Policy from Georgetown. As a military spouse, Brian has served as Naval Command Ombudsman at Fleet Anti-Submarine  Warfare Training Center aboard Naval Base Point Loma as well as various Family Readiness Group board positions in support of the sailors and families of commands his service member spouse has served with. He is the 2018 United States Navy Spouse of the Year® and has been recognized by the American Military Partner Association with their National Community Service Award as well as the recipient of the 2016 Vanguard Equality Award from Equality California. He and his spouse, Matthew Alvarado, US Navy (Ret.), reside in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.

Crystal Ellington, MSM, is a dynamic communications and data professional, who tells compelling stories utilizing data and impact. Her unique skillset spans aviation, public relations, data analytics, education equity, and nonprofit. Currently, she is a Strategic Communications Analyst with SAIC, where she supports the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, specifically within Research and Engineering—Critical Technologies. Prior to that role, she was the Director of Antiracist Storytelling at the Community Center for Education Results, as well as the Director of Communications for Minority Veterans of America. She has been a fellow in the Truman National Security Project, the George W. Bush Presidential Center Stand-To Veterans Leadership Program, the Veterans Program for Politics and Civic Engagement at Syracuse University, the New Politics Leadership Academy, and the Next Step Management Program at Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. She also currently serves as a general board member for The Chamberlain Network, as well as an advisory board member for the Veterans Studies Association and PsychArmor. In her military career, she served in the United States Army as a helicopter mechanic in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and is now a combat veteran. She is a dual alumna of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Aviation Communications and her Master of Science in Management with a Certification in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, brunch, volunteering and spending time with her family.

Sean Decker is an accomplished United States Marine Corps veteran with over 12 years of experience in military operations, training, and policy development. Currently serving as a Congressional Defense Fellow in the office of Congressman Jared Golden, Sean advises on national security, defense, and foreign policy matters, including legislation such as the National Defense Authorization Act. Throughout his career, Sean has led diverse teams across the globe, managed high-stakes flight operations, and contributed to advanced military training programs. He holds a Master of Science in International Relations and graduate certificates in Policy & Economics from the Wharton School and Governmental Affairs from Georgetown University, reflecting his dedication to bridging military expertise with legislative impact.

Bryce Kyle is a concert clarinetist, veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, and doctoral research fellow exploring the transformative power of art and education. After completing a three-plus-year active-duty contract with the U.S. Army Infantry, Bryce returned to music school as a GI Bill student. There, he experienced many of the challenges common to Post-9/11 veterans, e.g., cultural incongruities, loneliness, and identity loss. During this time, art became a source of empowerment—a means to process these conflicting emotions and communicate to civilian peers what his words could not. After completing his Master of Music Performance from Carnegie Mellon University, Bryce is now finding those words via a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio. His research focuses on underrepresented veteran identities in higher education, culturally responsive curricula, and art as a catalyst for transformative learning. His dissertation examines how intersecting identities—including gender, race, and sexuality—shape veterans’ experiences in community art programs and highlights the critical role of these programs in the military care continuum and holistic veteran health.

Captain Eric Evans enlisted in the Army National Guard as an infantryman in 2013 and later deployed to Afghanistan as an engineer platoon leader. He currently serves as a Civil Affairs Officer in the Army Reserve. In his civilian career, Eric is a Public Sector Strategy and Operations Consultant. He is also the Founder and Executive Director of Friendly Forces, a 501c3 nonprofit organization focused on helping employers implement processes and policies that better accommodate military reservists. Eric was a 2021 Center for Junior Officers Leadership Fellow and was honored most recently as a finalist for the Reserve Organization of America Army Reserve Outstanding Junior Officer of the Year Award.

Matthew Sansone currently works for the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the J7. Previously, he was at INR at State Department and is a former US Navy SEAL. Matthew has his master’s degree in international relations from American University’s School of International Service and has previously written about ongoing US-China strategic competition globally. He has a passion for helping fellow SOF veterans transition from service and has advised several Virginia state delegates on veterans issues. When he is not working on or writing about international relations, he can be found golfing, at the gym, or making pasta for his 3 girls.

Ashley is a proud Airman and Mom to two boys (Cayden, 10 & Bradley, 5). She is currently serving as a Defense Fellow in the Department of Defense Legislative Fellowship Program. She is assigned to the Office of Senator Jacky Rosen (NV), in which she serves as an advisor on matters related to national security, defense, foreign affairs, and veterans' affairs. Ashley was raised in a military family growing up in Florida, Virginia and Ohio. She attended Old Dominion University when she enlisted into the U.S. Air Force in 2008, with deployments across the globe. As a Safety professional and strategic advisor for the Department of the Air Force, Ashley is an expert in assessing risk, communicating with leadership at all levels, and leading diverse teams. Ashley holds an undergraduate degree in Occupational Safety and Health, with certifications in lean six sigma, safety, and legislative studies.

Joseph Sklute is a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State. A native of Massachusetts, he earned a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Massachusetts. Before joining the Foreign Service, he worked as a management consultant at LMI Consulting, supporting large-scale logistics programs for the U.S. Army and contributing to business development efforts. At MITRE Corporation, he served as an intelligence analyst, providing geospatial and risk management expertise, including a deployment to Afghanistan to support forward-deployed forces. Joseph began his career in the U.S. Air Force, where he worked as an intelligence analyst supporting air operations over Iraq and Afghanistan. His professional experience spans diplomacy, intelligence, and strategic planning, addressing complex challenges across multiple sectors. Outside of work, Joseph has a keen interest in history, enjoys exploring new cultures through travel, and takes pride in mentoring those pursuing careers in public service. He is always looking for opportunities to bring fresh ideas to his work and make an impact beyond the office.

Megan Rowley is a dedicated military spouse of 12 years, committed to improving the lives of military families and service members. With experience as a Soldier and Family Readiness Coordinator for both active-duty and National Guard units, she has been a steadfast advocate for the military community. Currently, Megan is leading initiatives to combat food insecurity on her base and serves on a council focused on improving on-base housing conditions for families and unaccompanied service members. Her work is driven by a deep belief in the power of community, compassion, and connection to drive meaningful change. Megan and her husband, Christopher, met in college through ROTC and share a strong commitment to service and helping others. Although Megan’s path to commissioning was interrupted by a cancer diagnosis during her teenage years, this life-changing experience instilled in her a profound resilience, adaptability, and fearless determination to confront challenges head-on. Eager to expand her impact, Megan is excited to embrace the opportunities presented by the LEAD program. She looks forward to growing, being challenged, and furthering her ability to serve the military community through advocacy, policy, and purposeful action.

Will Parish is a management consultant based in Arlington, VA. He is a seasoned leader with over two decades of service in global defense, diplomacy, and public policy. A Navy veteran, Will’s career includes flying both he F-14 and F/A-18 as well as strategic roles in multiple U.S. embassies and on Capitol Hill that shaped international relations and national security policy Will is a native of Texas. He holds a Bachelor of Science in History from the U.S. Naval Academy, a Master of Arts in National Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, and completed the Tuck School of Business Next Step Program at Dartmouth University.

Dr. Kelly Flynn joined the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Comptroller team as the deputy director of strategic communication in September 2024. She has served in public affairs and strategic communication roles since 2005 for organizations including Marine Corps Systems Command, the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, Naval Special Warfare, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Defense Suicide Prevention Office, Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment, U.S. Department of State, and defense industry. More recently, she served as a Department of Defense spokesperson for acquisition and sustainment. Before her DOD civilian career, she served in the U.S. Air Force as a photojournalist. She was assigned to Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye; Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany; and deployed to Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. Dr. Flynn has a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Tulane University and a master’s degree in strategic public relations from the George Washington University. She received a doctorate in public administration from Liberty University with a dissertation examining the effect strategic communication had on funding for Marine Corps acquisition programs.

Jamie is a Defense Fellow in the Department of Defense Legislative Fellowship Program. She is currently assigned to the Office of Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04), in which she serves as an advisor on matters related to national security, defense, foreign affairs, homeland security and veterans' affairs. Jamie was born and raised in Northern Virginia and enlisted into the U.S. Air Force in 2011. She started her military career as an Aircraft Armament Technician, later retrained to become a Workforce Planner, and most recently worked Global Force Management as a Force Generation Requirements Manager at Headquarters Air Force. Jamie has an undergraduate degree in International Relations, a graduate degree in Organizational Performance Improvement, and is currently pursuing a graduate certificate from Georgetown University in Legislative Studies.

A U.S. Army Major with over a decade of active-duty service and continued commitment in the Army Reserve, Philip Busick has distinguished himself as a leader in logistics and operations. His military career includes managing multimillion-dollar programs and executing complex international operations across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. Currently a Senior Associate Consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Philip applies his expertise to mergers and acquisitions, helping clients optimize strategies and deliver impactful results. A Georgetown MBA graduate with certifications in Customer Analytics and Nonmarket Strategy, Philip combines his military and professional experiences to drive change and strengthen ties between the public and private sectors.

Adam R. Cole had a 20-year career in the U.S. Navy, where he served in various roles specializing in public affairs and communications. He began his military career after enlisting in 2004 and worked in positions ranging from a staff journalist with Commander, Amphibious Forces 7th Fleet to a public affairs officer at U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet in Naples, Italy. His experiences in these roles helped him gain expertise in international relations and crisis communications, especially during high-profile missions and deployments in regions such as Haiti following the 2010 earthquake and the Mediterranean and Middle East regions during multiple carrier strike group deployments. Adam’s military career included serving as the Force PAO for Commander, Amphibious Forces 7th Fleet/Task Force 76 in Okinawa, Japan, where he led communications during high-stakes crises, including operations in the Asia-Pacific region. Later, as deputy public affairs director for the Chief of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C., Adam was responsible for managing internal communications to over 400,000 sailors and their families, overseeing strategic messaging to ensure clear and timely updates across the Navy’s personnel and their loved ones. After transitioning to civilian life, Adam joined NAVSEA as part of the internal communications team, where he draws on his military background to foster effective communication within the organization. His experience in managing large-scale communications efforts, both in peacetime and during crises, allows him to support NAVSEA’s mission with a focus on clear, timely messaging. Adam holds a Master of Science in International Relations from Troy University, a Master of Arts in Communication from San Diego State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Born and raised in Ukraine, Anna immigrated to Bellevue, Washington, in March 2001. Grateful for the opportunities the United States had provided, she decided to give back by enlisting in the U.S. Army Reserves in 2009, where she served as a mental health specialist out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). Shortly after enlisting, Anna experienced the devastating loss of her partner to suicide. This deeply personal tragedy reinforced her passion for suicide prevention and advocacy, dedicating her career to supporting the mental health and well-being of others. In 2012, Anna deployed to Afghanistan as a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO), where she was trusted to run Combat Stress Control Clinics. This included conducting battlefield circulations to provide mental health support directly to service members in high-stress environments. In 2017, Anna transferred to the Maryland Army National Guard. However, in 2019, Anna faced another profound loss when her fiancé, MSG Nick Sheperty, tragically died in a military freefall training accident. This heartbreaking event led Anna to help establish the MSG Nick Sheperty Foundation with Nick’s family, an organization dedicated to honoring all military freefall deaths within the special operations community. In 2020, Anna deployed with the Military Intelligence Brigade, serving as part of the special staff to the leadership team. Shortly after deployment, she experienced a life-altering medical emergency, becoming paralyzed from the ribs down. She was sent to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and then to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for recovery. After extensive evaluations, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which led to her medical retirement as a Sergeant First Class (SFC) in 2022. During this period, Anna again experienced deep personal losses. Her grandfather in Ukraine passed away, followed by her beloved grandmother weeks after the invasion of Ukraine. These series of tragedies led Anna into her own personal lows, but through reflection and healing, she made a conscious decision to work on creating a culture of normalizing conversations around grief and healing. Anna has shared her story on platforms such as StoryCorps, Speak Your Truth, and NPR One, using these opportunities to reach a wider audience and raise awareness about mental health and resilience. Anna has earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Wilmington University and a Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Towson University. Currently, she works as an Outreach Specialist with the Wounded Warrior Project in Washington, D.C., providing support, encouragement, resources, and, most importantly, connection. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, connecting with others, hiking, spending time outdoors with her dogs, and continuing to expand her knowledge and involvement in the advocacy space.

Lieutenant Colonel Steven Song is an Army Officer serving as the inaugural Director for Analytics & Innovation and Principal Program Manager at the U.S. Army Headquarters' G8 Program Analysis & Evaluation Directorate. Drawing on two decades of expertise in data analytics, intelligence, and cybersecurity, he leads initiatives to eliminate cost inefficiencies, strengthen the National Security Industrial Base, and accelerate defense innovation. He also serves as an adjunct professor at George Washington University, teaching graduate-level cybersecurity and privacy courses. Steven has held key intelligence leadership roles in the U.S. Army and Special Operations, including two deployments to Iraq. His professional experience spans roles as a data scientist at Army G1 (People Analytics), cybersecurity fellow at Verizon, professor of systems engineering at the United States Military Academy, and research scientist at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, where he advanced intelligence and decision-support technologies. Steven earned his Doctor of Engineering in Cybersecurity Analytics from George Washington University, M.S in Engineering and Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and B.S. in Systems Engineering from the United States Military Academy.

SMSgt Samantha Payne is a Secretary of the Air Force Legislative Fellow assigned to the Secretary of the Air Force Legislative Liaison Directorate, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. She is currently completing her development tour on the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Commander's Action Group. Her responsibilities include providing support to the Chairman with interactions with the White House, Cabinet Members, Congressional Committees, and Members of Congress. Sergeant Payne manages, controls, directs and monitors strategic communications and activities involving Congress and elements of the Department of Defense (DoD), including the Office of Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Armed Services, and Defense Agencies. Her legislative liaison activities are the direct, daily, and personal contact with members and committees of the U.S. Congress and their staffs for the purpose of presenting, justifying, and defending the DoD's requirements. SMSgt Payne enlisted in the Air Force as a Chinese language analyst in the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance community. Her experience includes a wide range of operational, training and developmental roles and missions at the National Security Agency-Washington as a multi-disciplined language analyst including the Joint Operations Superintendent of Counterintelligence. Prior to assuming her current position, she was the Policy Advisor to the Special Assistant to the President (SAP) and Senior Director for Technology and National Security, National Security Council (NSC), Executive Office of the President (EOP), at the White House. She also served as the Senior Enlisted Leader of Chinese Education at the China Aerospace Studies Institute at Maxwell AFB, AL.

A native of the greater St. Louis, MO, area, Chief Petty Officer(ret.) Kurt Riggs graduated from Pacific High School in 1995 and enlisted in the Navy in June of 1996. He holds a BA in history from the University of Arizona and a Masters in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Upon completion of Basic Training in October of 1996 he reported to Navy Journalist “A” School at Fort Meade, MD, graduating in June of 1997. Various assignments throughout his career included Naval Media Center Detachments Sigonella, Sicily, Diego Garcia and Crete, Greece, and duty aboard USS La Salle and USS Mount Whitney as part of the embarked 6th Fleet staff, as well as USS Bonhomme Richard and USS Essex as the Public Affairs Officer. He completed several combat tours, deploying to Kosovo during Operation Joint Endeavor as part of the Kosovo Stabilization Force, the middle east and Afghanistan, serving on the International Security Assistance Force during Operation Enduring Freedom. Ashore, Riggs’ assignments include duty as the Public Affairs Officer for Naval Recruiting District San Francisco, Commander, Naval Forces Europe/Commander 6th Fleet public affairs, two tours aboard the OPNAV staff in the Pentagon, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Headquarters in Washington D.C., and duty as an instructor for the Basic Mass Communication Specialist course at the Defense Information School. Riggs completed his Navy career as the Chief of Navy Production at Defense Media Activity Headquartersat Fort Meade, MD, retiring in January of 2023. Riggs was promoted to Chief Petty Officer in September of 2013 and holds numerous awards from his distinguished career including, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, The Navy Commendation Medal, The Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal (numerous awards) and various other unit and campaign awards. He and his wife Julie have been married since 2004 and have college-bound twins.

Jonathan H. Tennis is a dedicated Program and Project Manager with over 20 years of experience leading global teams in the IT and Intelligence sectors. A proud U.S. Army veteran, Jonathan served for five years, where he honed his leadership, strategic planning, and operational management skills while serving his country. His military background continues to shape his commitment to service. Jonathan’s expertise spans Change, Knowledge, Intelligence, and Information Technology Management, enabling him to deliver innovative solutions that drive organizational transformation and operational success. His career has been defined by a passion for empowering diverse teams and fostering collaboration across professional and cultural boundaries. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jonathan is deeply committed to giving back to the community. He actively volunteers with organizations that support veterans and underserved populations, leveraging his skills and experiences to create meaningful change. As a member of the HillVets LEAD cohort, Jonathan is eager to further his advocacy for veterans' issues and contribute to initiatives that bridge the gap between policy, technology, and community impact.