Captain Jo-Ann F. Burdian,
U.S. Coast Guard.
Senior Master Sgt. Sonora Vasquez,
U.S. Air Force.
Lt. Col. Cindy Serrano Roberts,
U.S. Air Force.
Command Sgt. Maj. Llirenelli
L. Mari-Ciriaco, U.S. Army.
The third session, titled Successfully Transitioning from Active Military
Service to Civilian and Corporate Careers (Veteran Panel), was moderated
by Ken Barrett, Chief Diversity Officer, General Motors and Ret. U.S. Navy Captain.
Panelists included Brynt Parmeter, Senior Director of Military programs, Walmart &
Ret. U.S. Army Colonel and Marisa Bryant, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Advisor Lead,
USAA & Ret. U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt.
This panel focused on the integration of returning active military service into
the civilian workplace. Attendees learned how Veteran mentorship, sponsorships,
and retention programs are essential for corporate success.
The fourth panel of the day, Highlight of Corporate Initiatives for Veterans -
Presented by Walmart, included panelists Gustavo Torres, Senior Manager,
Walmart; Sandra Olivarez, Program Manager, Military Programs, Walmart, and
Dionne Adams, Marketing Manager, Walmart.
Following the sessions, the distinguished military service awards presentation
honoring the accomplishments of women serving in the Armed Forces began
with welcome remarks by Clarence A. Johnson, Director, Office of Diversity
Management and Equal Opportunity, Department of Defense. Next, keynote speaker
Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy, was presented with the 2021 Trailblazer
Award and Captain Roy Love, U.S. Navy, (Ret) - ANSO, was presented with the 2021
President's Award. The awards ceremony was proceeded by mistress of ceremony
Senior Master Sgt. Sonora L. Vasquez and included the Presentation of the Colors
and National Anthem Armed Forces Color Guard Salute to Fallen Heroes.
Master Sgt. Christian Johnson,
U.S. Air Force.
Petty Officer 1st Class Lorena
Morales, U.S. Navy.
Ken Barrett, Chief Diversity
Officer, General Motors and Ret.
U.S. Navy Captain.
Marisa Bryant, Diversity,
Equity, & Inclusion Advisor
Lead, USAA & Ret. U.S.
Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt.
Special Recognition to the 2021 Veteran of the Year was given to Dr.
Jennifer M. Peña, U.S. Army (Ret) Chief Medical Officer, NURX. Dr. Peña is an
internal medicine doctor, Army veteran, former physician in the White House
Medical Unit under both the Obama and Trump administrations, and expert in
digital and telehealth. LS
Dr. Jennifer M. Peña, U.S. Army
(Ret) Chief Medical Officer,
NURX.
Brynt Parmeter, Senior Director
of Military programs, Walmart
& Ret. U.S. Army Colonel.
30 www.latinastyle.com LATINAStyle V ol. 27, No. 6, 2021