Our Leaders

LEADERSHIP

Meet Our Officers

Chambers_Sondra

Sondra Chambers:
President

Ms. Sondra Chambers is the Senior Strategy and Business Development Manager at General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS). She has over 30 years of experience in defining and executing successful win strategies for Department of Defense business growth with a focus in providing training and simulation solutions in support of the Warfighter.

She is delighted to be part of the WID Board of Directors since 2019 and is honored to become the President in October 2021. Sondra also enjoys supporting the Interservice/ Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) and has served on the Human Performance Analysis and Engineering Subcommittee since January 2020.

Sondra is passionate about STEM and early education initiatives and is an advocate for the Orlando Science Center and a volunteer for the Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts. Sondra and her family have resided in Florida for nine years where they enjoy activities including equestrian, baseball, shooting and other outdoor sports.

Julie Kent:
Vice President

Ms. Kent is a Sr. Principal Systems Engineer with Raytheon Company Intelligence, Information, and Services (IIS) in the Global Training Solutions (GTS) mission area. She is a systems integrator with over 20 years of experience supporting large-scale, high-consequence training.

In addition to work activities, Ms. Kent has participated in Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC), European ITEC and MODSIM World. She has supported education initiatives focusing on women with the Society of Women Engineers and the Girl Scouts. She is also an active volunteer at Winter Park Presbyterian Church.

Ms. Kent has a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Tech. She received a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UMBC and an MBA from the University of Baltimore. She is slowly pursuing a PhD in Modeling & Simulation from UCF.

Kristi Evans:
Secretary

Kristi Evans, Planning Specialist with Lockheed Martin Training & Logistics Solutions (LM TLS), received her Protocol Officer Training Certification from the Protocol School of Washington.

Her acute attention to detail, high energy, and passion for success has been demonstrated in the events she has coordinated. She has an extensive background in coordinating logistics for both domestic and international customer meetings, demonstrations, and conferences.

Kristi plays a significant role in preparing her team to best represent Lockheed Martin while demonstrating the utmost respect for the many demographics and cultures with which they interact. Included are her contributions to the LM TLS Innovation Demonstration Center, which has hosted over 40,000 visitors representing 70 countries and Lockheed Martin’s customer engagements at the defense industry’s premier modeling, simulation and training conferences, the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (I/ITSEC). Kristi is a member of Women in Defense and is currently the Secretary for the Central Florida Chapter.

Teresa Speck:
Treasurer

Teresa serves as the Director for Strategic Partnerships for Soar Technology and works as a resource for both government and industry. With over 15 years of Army Intelligence and Federal Government contracting service, Mrs. Speck has collaborated directly with large and small businesses throughout the Department of Defense (DoD) to serve the Warfighter.

LEADERSHIP

Meet Our Directors

Krissy-Stewart

Krissy Stewart:
Programs

Krissy Stewart is experienced in Nonprofit Organization Management. She is advocating for those who will make a difference for tomorrow. With over ten years experience in the not-for-profit sector, Krissy has held positions in administration, development, donor database management, volunteer management, and community relations. She has vast experience in the planning of local and national events.

Krissy is dedicated to making a difference for the next generation. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University, currently also serves as a member of the Women’s Executive Council of Orlando, the 2018 and 2019 Women’s Achievement Awards Nominations Chair, volunteers with local organizations and is an animal advocate.

Jenna Tuck:
Membership Director

Jenna has spent the past 12 years acquiring and honing her skills in providing advanced solutions to Defense clients using emerging technologies. Embracing the core values of innovation, education, and evolution—Jenna is deeply passionate about supporting transformation in the new Digital Era with technological improvements in education; STEM initiatives; and leveraging emerging technologies to improve HR, Sales and Product Development practices.

Marnita-Harris

Marnita Harris:
STEM Chair

Marnita Harris is a Supervisor Contract Business Analyst for the Program Executive Office for Stimulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI). In this role, Marnita is responsible for the acquisition and contract management supporting the International Program Office (IPO).

With 14 years of experience in Contracting, along with certifications in Contacting (Level III) and Program Management (Level I) from the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA), Marnita has served as a Branch Chief/Contracting Officer for the Army Contracting Command – Orlando. Marnita began her federal career in 2007, as Contract Specialist (CS) Intern, successfully graduating from the three-year program six months early. Through the years, Marnita advanced to a Journeyman CS, Team Lead Contracting Officer (with a Level II, Limited Warrant) and has served as a Branch Chief/Contracting Officer (with a Level III, Unlimited Warrant).

Marnita holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University. She is a member of the United States Army Acquisition Corps. She is very pleased to serve as the Scholarship Director for WID CFL. She is eager to support all WIDs programs, especially the scholarship program. Marnita previously supported the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Sunshine Chapter and served in several leadership positions. In addition, she serves as a mentor for the Habitat for Humanity, on Financial Focus Mentorship program.

Marnita currently resides in Orlando, Florida with her husband, Michael W. Harris. Together they have three children, Netra, Michael II, and Erica, and two grandchildren.

Erica Haglund:
Communications Director

Erica Haglund is a Training Systems Architect with The ASTA Group. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Educational Technology. She holds a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, along with Bachelors in both English Education and English, Professional Writing and Publishing.

She is excited to be serving as the Communications Director to help Women in Defense – Central Florida this term. Previously, she served as a Special Projects Director with Women in Defense – Central Florida.

Diane-Sears

Diane Sears:
Historian

Diane Sears of Orlando is the CEO, editor and publisher of i4 Business, a monthly magazine that covers the people, projects and priorities shaping Central Florida. She is the author of the books Tapping Your Inner Entrepreneur: Making the Move from Employee to Business Owner and Inside AP: A Guide to Today’s Accounts Payable Profession, as well as thousands of magazine and newspaper articles.

Diane is also founder and president of DiVerse Media LLC, which assists clients with content marketing strategy projects. A career journalist, she previously worked for several publications including Florida Trend magazine and The Orlando Sentinel.

She is the co-founder of the Go for the Greens Foundation, a nonprofit that produces an annual international conference for women business owners. She serves as the historian for the Central Florida Chapter of Women in Defense and as the Central Florida director for the Women’s Business Development Council of Florida. For her work helping women, Sears was inducted into the Women’s Business Enterprise Hall of Fame in 2015 by the American Institute of Diversity & Commerce.

Justin-Barwick

Justin Barwick:
Special Projects

Justin has been in the financial industry for 15 years with more than half working with higher education. Justin sees the importance education can make on people’s financial journey. Being part of WID allows the opportunity to positively impact the future leaders of STEM by bringing the community together to support their educational success.

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LEADERSHIP

Meet Our Advisory Board

Debbie-Berry

Debbie Berry:
Director of Elections

Debbie L. Berry, has over 34 years with Lockheed Martin. She currently manages the Innovation Demonstration Center (IDC) in Orlando, FL.

Ms. Berry has supported the simulation and training industry, domestically and internationally, as an engineer, program manager, tradeshow manager and business development senior staff analyst. As customer engagement liaison, she is responsible for management of capabilities demonstrations, business development and strategies She previously led the Lockheed Martin Training and Logistics Solutions Military/Veterans Employee Resource Group.

Debbie is a founding member of the Women In Defense (WID) Central Florida Chapter (the first of four active Florida chapters), served as the inaugural chapter president and currently serves as an advisor to the chapter and immediate past Chair of the WID National Council. She served as president for the National Defense Industrial Association Central Florida Chapter and continues to serve as a director.

Debbie served in several executive committee and officer positions for the Association of the U.S. Army Sunshine Chapter, including President, and now serves on the Board of Governors.

Debbie served as Conference Chair of I/ITSEC 2001 and ITEC 2009. She is a charter member of the Modeling and Simulation Professional Certification Commission (CMSP) and an alumnus of Leadership Orlando (Class 78). She is a board member for the Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation and a member of the Go for the Greens steering committee.

Her credentials include lifetime memberships in NDIA, WID, Navy League of the United States, and the Army Aviation Association of America. In recognition of her distinguished service, Debbie has been recognized with the prestigious NDIA Silver Medal, the AUSA Sunshine Chapter Royal of the Flamingo medallion and the Noble Patron of Armor. She is the inaugural recipient of the WID CFL Debbie L. Berry Legacy Award.

She enjoys attending University of Central Florida football games, golfing and mentoring others.

Debbie received her Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Florida.

Tiffany-Sanders

Tiffany Sanders:
Advisor

Tiffany Sanders is the Director of Account Planning for Knight Agency – an Orlando-based branding and strategy firm. She joined Knight after a decade of service as Senior Vice President at JHT Incorporated, a veteran-owned training and simulation firm.

She received a BA in Advertising/Public Relations from the University of Central Florida and an MA in Contemporary Art from Christie’s NY. She is a past president of Women In Defense Central Florida and the National Defense Industrial Association Central Florida chapter.