21 minute read
Walking the Talk of InclusiveWIFLELeadership STRONG
1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Leadership Day Workshops
Workshop A (WELI I extended session)
Workshop B (WELI II extended session)
Workshops C (WELI III extended session)
Additional Workshops: Note the Time Change
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Choose Workshops D, E, F, or G.
WIFLE Executive Leadership Institute (WELI
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
I)
1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Meeting Rooms 5-6
A. Training on Inclusive Policing for Leaders
Rebecca Keel, Educator and Diversity Consultant – Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
During this workshop, participants deepen their appreciation for the importance of trust and legitimacy and their relationship to effective police operations and strengthen their capacity as leaders to build and guide organizations that embrace inclusivity. Specifically, participants will reinforce their understanding of historical barriers to strengthen their capacity to practice the four basic components of inclusive policing: prioritizing cooperation, self-care, joint problem-solving, and proactive transparency; understand and be equipped with strategies for leading constructive dialogue; become equipped with strategies for recruiting, retaining, and promoting a diverse workforce; and deepen their capacity to lead in times of crisis.
*Pre-Registration Required
Class Limit: 100
WIFLE Executive Leadership Institute (WELI
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
II)
1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Meeting Room 12
B. Your Career Trajectory – Let’s Identify Which Way is Up?
Panelists:
» Julie Cabus, Deputy Assistant Secretary/Assistant Director to the Training Directorate, Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Department of State (DSS/DOS)
» Deanne L. Reuter, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, Miami Field Division (DEA)
» Loucious Hires, Executive, Office of Equity and Employee Support Services, U.S. Secret Service (USSS)
» Carolyn J. McMillon, MA, ACC, Owner, ASK-Coaching-Training-Consulting, The Power of 3, LLC Office of Equity and Employee Support Services Executive, U.S. Secret Service (Retired)
Panel Moderator:
Dr. Willidean Wilkerson, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, The Wilkerson Care Group
Do you feel stuck in your career, or simply ready for a change? How do you really determine if you are on the right career trajectory? Most people identify feeling stuck in their careers when there are no opportunities for advancement, or they are unable to change their career path (Indeed.com).
If you are interested in a career change or simply exploring your options, please join this session to determine if you are on the right career trajectory. This session will help you identify your strengths, evaluate your short- and long-term goals, and find your passion for a more fulfilling career by taking a broad look at the requirements for advancing to the Senior Executive Service.
During this interactive workshop, you will be able to engage in real-time discussions in the following manner:
» Participants will hear directly from a panel of current and former senior executives as they share their successes and failures while ascending to the top.
» Engage with peers to expand your professional network.
» Gain insights and tips for career advancement.
At the conclusion of the workshop, participants should gain a better understanding of which way is up!
*Pre-Registration Required
Class Limit: 50
1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
WIFLE Executive Leadership Institute (WELI III)
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Location: Meeting Room 11
C. Emotional Intelligence and Leadership
Suzanne Hines, Instructor - Leadership Institute
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)
Emotional intelligence is a set of emotional and social skills that influence the way we perceive and express ourselves and use emotional information in an effective and meaningful way to build relationships and cope with challenges. It focuses on emotional self-awareness and the ability to understand our emotions and how they affect not only ourselves, but others as well. It can be learned, developed, and enhanced.
Leaders set the tone for their agencies and organizations. To be effective in leadership, one must not only know their people and recognize the value they bring to the agency or organization, but one must also understand oneself and the impact one has while interacting with people and how those interactions affect their performance. The most effective leaders are those who possess strong emotional intelligence. This course provides the foundation and outlines the structure for developing emotional intelligence competencies for law enforcement leadership. Emotional intelligence is inclusive of a set of competencies needed by every leader at every level of the organization. This course is designed to instill the importance of emotional intelligence in fulfilling leadership responsibilities and provide the basis for the development of a plan for strengthening those critical competencies.
*Pre-Registration Required
Class Limit: 50
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Florida Room V
D. What is An Employee Resource Group (ERG) and How Does It Support Inclusion?
Panelists:
» Martina Dent, Program Manager for Strategy Division, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
» Alfonso Dyson, Chief - Uniformed Division, U.S. Secret Service (Retired)
» Carla Harris, Program Manager, Employee Engagement Group - Co-Lead, Pentagon Force Program Protection Agency (PFPA)
» Christine Harris, Physical Security Specialist, Employee Engagement Group - Co-Lead, Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA)
» Alisa Petrakis, Program Manager, Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
» Maria Ruano, Inspector - Uniformed Division, U.S. Secret Service (USSS)
Panel Moderator:
Alana-Paige Bell, Acting Supervisory Air Marshal in Charge - Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS)
Employee resource groups (ERG), also known as employee associations (EA), are voluntary employee-led groups which convene over collective interests, backgrounds, or demographics and provide opportunities for employees to be heard, feel valued, and engaged in the workplace. ERGs focus on the inclusivity, collaboration and enhancement of the employee’s workplace experience and add immense value to the agency/organization. These groups provide resources and opportunities for employees through trainings, mentoring, and developmental opportunities, ultimately impacting recruitment and retention.
ERGs create platforms for members; encourage relationship building and support; increase engagement; and provide valuable resources for leadership’s decision making for decisions which impact the organization. There are so many benefits to having ERGs within the workplace.
During this discussion, we’ll hear more about the benefits of ERGs and how they’ve impacted multiple agencies/departments. We’ll also hear about:
» How different ERGs were organized and operate
» Best practices and lessons learned
» Topics of focus
» The importance of leadership buy-in/support
» Having a seat at the proverbial table
» Connecting with other ERGs or the DEIA community
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Florida Room VI
E. Making the Roadmap Visible: Ascending to Leadership Roles in Federal Law Enforcement
Dr. Rhonda Glover Reese, CEO – The Rhonda M. Glover Group, LLC, Federal Bureau of Investigation (Retired)
The principles presented during this workshop are based on 30 years of federal law enforcement experience and a doctoral study conducted by Dr. Reese. The session will outline steps federal law enforcement leaders can take to position their employees to become better law enforcement personnel and prepare them for leadership roles. Participants will be able to understand the nine leadership themes generated by Dr. Reese’s doctoral study that can be applied to law enforcement personnel, and attendees will be able to improve their organization’s leadership pipeline and gain access to strategies to position law enforcement personnel as leaders that have yet to attain a leadership title.
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Grand Salons E-J
F. Building and Maintaining Resilience (One-time Session)
Dr. Mary Beth Janke, Forensic and Clinical Psychologist
The objective of this workshop is to educate the audience on a topic of importance and pertinence in their daily lives; to give participants tools to identify areas they can work on individually to be a healthier person, both physically and mentally; and to shift their mindsets in order to live a happier, healthier life. At the end of this session, participants will better understand what resilience is; why resilience matters; the benefits and foundation of resilience; coping tools; and discover how to build and maintain resilience.
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Notes
3:15 PM – 4:45 PM
Location: Grand Salons E-J
Panel Discussion
G. New Role, New Solutions, New Opportunities: Federal Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) (One-time Session)
Panelists:
» Kay Een, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)
» Kelly Fenner, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – Maryland Transit Administration (MTA)
» Yowanda Godfrey, Sr. Advisor to the PFPA Director (Acting), Chief Diversity Officer, Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA)
» Candice Moore, Chief Equity Officer, Office of Equity and Racial Justice, City of Chicago
» Shanita Wilkins, Chief of Affirmative Employment, DEIA, and Analytics, U.S. Secret Service (USSS)
» Sharon Wong, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Chief Engagement Officer, Executive Director for Strategic Talent Recruitment, Inclusive Diversity and Engagement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS-STRIDE)
Panel Moderator:
Marcia K. Thompson, Esq., Assistant Professor - Criminal Justice, Aurora University
With the new executive order, all federal agencies will create a new Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) role to lead all diversity efforts for each agency. This senior executive position will have the ability to create a framework of inclusivity for the agency that will integrate justice, equity, diversity and inclusion into policies, practices, and procedures. This panel will provide insight from those who have practiced in the field for many years in the corporate, federal, and state sectors to include law enforcement. You will leave understanding some of the inherent benefits to having a central person or office to lead agency efforts and some of the hurdles to creating a culture of inclusion agency wide.
Notes
LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS (Continued)
Note: WELI I, WELI II, and WELI III (A, B, and C) are extended workshops held until 5:00 PM
Location: Meeting Rooms 5-6
A. WIFLE Executive Leadership Institute (WELI I): Training on Inclusive Policing for Leaders (Continued)
Rebecca Keel, Educator and Diversity Consultant – Anti-Defamation League
This is a continuation of Women’s Executive Leadership Institute (WELI I). See page 32 for full description.
Location: Meeting Room 12
B. WIFLE Executive Leadership Institute (WELI II): Your Career Trajectory: Let’s Identify Which Way is Up? (Continued)
Dr. Willidean Wilkerson, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, The Wilkerson Care Group
This is a continuation of Women’s Executive Leadership Institute (WELI II). See page 32 and 33 for full description
Location: Meeting Room 11
C. WIFLE Executive Leadership Institute (WELI III): Emotional Intelligence and Leadership (Continued)
Suzanne Hines, Instructor - Leadership Institute, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
This is a continuation of Women’s Executive Leadership Institute (WELI III). See page 33 for full description
Please note the time change.
3:15 PM – 4:45 PM
Location: Florida Room V
D. What is An Employee Resource Group (ERG) and How Does It Support Inclusion?
Alana-Paige Bell, Acting Supervisory Air Marshal in Charge - Federal Air Marshal Service
Repeat Session: See page 34 for full description.
3:15 PM – 4:45 PM
Location: Florida Room VI
E. Making the Roadmap Visible: Ascending to Leadership Roles in Federal Law Enforcement
Dr. Rhonda Glover Reese, CEO – The Rhonda M. Glover Group, LLC, Federal Bureau of Investigation (Retired)
Repeat Session: See page 35 for full description.
Note: The following workshop below was a one-time session and was held from 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Grand Salons E-J
F. Building and Maintaining Resilience (One-time Session)
Dr. Mary Beth Janke, Forensic and Clinical Psychologist
3:15 PM – 4:45 PM
Location: Grand Salons E-J
Panel Discussion
G. New Role, New Solutions, New Opportunities: Federal Chief Diversity Officer (CDO)
Marcia K. Thompson, Esq., Assistant Professor - Criminal Justice, Aurora University
One-time Session
See page 36 for full description.
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: American Social Restaurant, 601 S. Harbour Island Boulevard, Tampa
WIFLE “MEMBERS ONLY” RECEPTION
Non WIFLE Members are invited to join our organization at the WIFLE “Members-Only” Reception on Tuesday, August 15, from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. The networking event will take place at American Social Restaurant, 601 S. Harbour Island Boulevard, Tampa, and is within walking distance from the Marriott Water Street. Hosted appetizers and a beverage of your choice (water, soda, beer, or wine) are provided. Please join us for this important networking event, designed to promote and expand your professional contacts.
All attendees are required to become WIFLE members prior to participating in the WIFLE “MembersOnly” Reception. Sign up tables will be available onsite at this event. Take advantage of the reduced fee membership discount to join WIFLE.
Notes
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Law Enforcement & Security Day
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
Location: Grand Ballroom Foyer
Continental Breakfast/Coffee
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Location: Registration Desk
Registration and Information
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: Grand Salons C-D
Exhibit Hall
8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Grand Salons G-H
Silent Auction
Bid on various items, with all proceeds benefiting the the WIFLE Foundation, Inc. Scholarship Fund.
General Assembly
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Location: Grand Salons E-J
PANEL DISCUSSION: Best Practices in the Interagency Implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017
Panelists:
» Dr. Mary Bell, Dean, The Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences, Dakota State University
» CAPT Peggy Britton, Deputy Sector Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Virginia
» Colonel Elizabeth Evans, U.S. Army, Florida National Guard (FLANG)
» Claire Russo, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Panel Moderator:
Supervisory Special Agent Jessica McTigue, Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), U.S. Department of State (DOS)
The Women, Peace, and Security Act (WPS) became law in 2017, followed by the 2019 National Strategy and these key agencies have the lead in implementing this strategy: Departments of State, Defense (DoD), Homeland Security (DHS) and the United States Agency for International Department (USAID). During all phases of implementation includes U.S. Government agency assistance to partner governments to increase the opportunity for women to serve in security sector forces, including peacekeeping, military, and law enforcement organizations. The 2021 and 2022 Congressional reports on Women, Peace, and Security include highlighting the 30x30 Initiative that promotes increasing women in law enforcement to 30% by 2030. This workshop will highlight the achievements that U.S. federal agencies have already accomplished with implementing the WPS law and national strategy.
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Break
GENERAL ASSEMBLY (continued)
10:30 AM – 12:00 Noon
Location: Grand Salons E-J
Case Study: Transnational Criminal Organizations and Sex Trafficking in the United States
Panelists:
» Stef Braun, Paralegal, United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota (USAO-MN)
» Panida Rzonca, Directing Attorney, Thai Community Development Center
» John Tschida, Special Agent, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division (IRS – CI)
» Melinda Williams, Assistant United States Attorney, United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota (USAO-MN)
Panel Moderator:
Tonya Price, Supervisory Special Agent, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
With a multi-agency team led by the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO), District of Minnesota, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI), Department of Justice – Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Session (DOJ-MLARS), and the St. Paul Police dismantled a transnational criminal organization that sex trafficked Thai women and laundered more than $40 million in illicit proceeds. This presentation will highlight evidence that was used during the sixweek trial to show what force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion really look like in criminal investigations. Coined by the media as the “gold standard” in how to investigate sex trafficking criminal organizations, media representatives have boldly asked why law enforcement has not replicated this landmark case.
Noon – 1:30 PM
Lunch on Your Own
Notes
Law Enforcement And Security Workshops
Choose from Workshop A, B, C, D, E, or F.
Location: Meeting Room 11
A. Working Covert Operations: The Challenges Women Face and How to Overcome Them
Maureen Dixon, Special Agent in Charge, Health and Human Services –Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations (HHS-OIG-OI), Philadelphia Regional Office
Tamala Miles, Special Agent in Charge, Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations (HHS-OIG-OI), Atlanta Regional Office
Panelists:
» Collette Canady, Special Agent, Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, (HHS-OIG-OI) Roanoke Field Office
» Mary Ann Withrow, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations (HHS-OIG-OI), Philadelphia Regional Office
» Zabrina Zitter, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations (HHS-OIG-OI), Philadelphia Regional Office
Women often face unique and difficult challenges when working covert operations and there are certain considerations that must be addressed when women are in these roles. This workshop will provide an overview of realistic covert operations that would be encountered by a new agent or officer. We will use reallife scenarios – to include real-world videos and some television movie clips -- that women have personally faced. We will also identify different challenges and discuss strategies to safely overcome them, share stories of real covert operations that have gone well and not so well, and include lessons learned.
Location: Meeting Rooms 5-6
B. Fentanyl: Trends, Risks, and Protecting Yourself
Captain Elizabeth Osborne, R.N., Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Health Services Corps
Fentanyl poses a significant threat to law enforcement personnel and other first responders who may come in contact through routine law enforcement duties, emergency response, or life-saving activities. Fentanyl may be ingested orally, inhaled through the nose or mouth, or absorbed through skin or eyes. Exposure to a very small amount may lead to significant health-related complications, respiratory depression, or death. This course is essential to any law enforcement member who has the possibility of coming across fentanyl in their daily activities. The facilitator will provide instruction on protecting oneself from exposure, identifying symptoms that may indicate fentanyl exposure or abuse, differentiating these symptoms from those of a nerve agent attack, and a demonstration of the proper use of a counterdrug in case of fentanyl overdose or accidental exposure.
Location: Meeting Room 12
C. Increasing Firearms Proficiency and Female Retention: It’s Not Just Sight Alignment
Nicole M. Shepard, Acting Firearms Section Chief, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations Training Division (EROTD)
Over the past 10 years, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Training Division (EROTD) has provided quality firearms instruction to new hires at our Academy in Glynco, Georgia. Failure to demonstrate required firearms proficiency in the basic ERO Academy was a primary reason for expulsion of students. This training provides information on the evolution of the ICE ERO Firearms Program -- from an area where 10% of the students were terminated and 20% required remediation – to a level in which failure is rare and it is not uncommon for 20% of students to obtain a perfect score. EROTD staff will share their findings that led to the growth of the program, increased success of our students, and increased retention of female trainees. The goal of this workshop is to share information with female federal law enforcement officers to increase their speed and accuracy with firearms proficiency.
Location: Florida Room VI
D.
Active Shooter Attacks: Prevention, Preparedness, Response, and the Impact of Leadership
John P. Skillestad, Supervisory Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
This workshop focuses on preparation for and prevention of Active Shooter incidents by examining lessons learned from incidents to develop strategies to survive them. The instructor will highlight what the public can do to prepare themselves when confronted with these situations. This workshop will provide a framework to develop a platform to train the public in the concepts of run, hide, fight, and create plans to stay safe; understand threat assessment and the importance of encouraging the public to report information about persons of concern who are exhibiting disturbing and troubling behaviors; gain insight into the development of advanced tactics for law enforcement when responding to Active Shooter incidents; and define the role of leaders to show the positive impact they can have in tragic situations.
Notes
Location: Florida Room V
E. Mass Attacks in Public Spaces: 2016-2020: Targeted Violence Prevention Through a Behavior-Based Approach
Dr. Lina Alathari, Chief – National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC), U.S. Secret Service
Ensuring the safety of our communities is a responsibility that belongs to everyone. For over 20 years, the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) has conducted research on the thinking and behaviors of those who commit acts of targeted violence in an effort to prevent future tragedies.
This presentation will highlight past incidents as well as relevant findings and recommendations from NTAC’s latest research, Mass Attacks in Public Spaces: 2016-2020 which indicates that targeted violence is preventable. It will focus on how communities can use a multidisciplinary approach to identify, assess, and intervene with individuals exhibiting concerning or threatening behaviors. This training will enable the participant to:
» Identify potential concerning behaviors and individuals who may pose a risk of engaging in targeted attacks.
» Demonstrate knowledge of the behavioral themes exhibited by individuals who perpetrate targeted violence.
» Develop multidisciplinary, management strategies to intervene and assist individuals in order to reduce the risk they pose of engaging in harmful behavior.
Location: Meeting Room 7
F. DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking
Danica Dupuy, National Program Manager, Continued Presence Program (CP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
June Liu, Program Manager, Forced Labor in the Supply Chain Section
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
Established in 2020, the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) is the first unified, intercomponent coordination center for countering human trafficking and the importation of goods produced with forced labor. Comprised of 16 agencies within the Department of Homeland Security, and led by DHS’ Homeland Security Investigations, the CCHT:
» Directly advises on and supports investigations, particularly high-impact and complex cases.
» Assist with the prevention of good produced with forced labor from entering the U.S. supply chain.
» Provide nationwide public awareness in coordination with the Blue Campaign as well as training and outreach for our domestic and foreign law enforcement, private, public, and non-governmental organizations (NGO) partners.
» Identify, support, and protect victims and the Victim Centered Approach.
This presentation will serve as an introduction to the CCHT and its capabilities to include training on human trafficking indicators and the victim centered response to law enforcement partners; external stakeholder engagement in partnership with the DHS Blue Campaign; subject matter expertise and intelligence analysis in support of investigations; counter-trafficking efforts in support of large-scale events; forced labor in the supply chain; and the Continued Presence Program.
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Break 3:15 PM– 4:45 PM
LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY WORKSHOPS
Choose from Workshop A, B, C, D, E, or F.
Location: Meeting Room 11
A. Working Covert Operations: The Challenges Women Face and How to Overcome Them
Maureen Dixon, Special Agent in Charge, Health and Human Services –Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations (HHS-OIG-OI), Philadelphia Regional Office
Tamala Miles, Special Agent in Charge, Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations (HHS-OIG-OI), Atlanta Regional Office
Repeat Session: See page 41 for full description.
Location: Meeting Rooms 5-6
B. Fentanyl: Trends, Risks, and Protecting Yourself
Captain Elizabeth Osborne, R.N., Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Health Services Corps
Repeat Session: See page 41 for full description.
Location: Meeting Room 12
C. Increasing Firearms Proficiency and Female Retention: It’s Not Just Sight Alignment
Nicole M. Shepard, Acting Firearms Section Chief, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations Training Division
Repeat Session: See page 42 for full description.
Location: Florida Room VI
D. Active Shooter Attacks: Prevention, Preparedness, Response, and the Impact of Leadership
John P. Skillestad, Supervisory Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Repeat Session: See page 42 for full description.
Location: Florida Room V
E. Mass Attacks in Public Spaces: 2016-2020: Targeted Violence Prevention Through a BehaviorBased Approach
Dr. Lina Alathari, Chief – National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC), U.S. Secret Service
Repeat Session: See page 43 for full description.
Location: Meeting Room 7
F. DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking
Danica Dupuy, National Program Manager, Continued Presence Program (CP),
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
June Liu, Program Manager, Forced Labor in the Supply Chain Section
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
Repeat Session: See page 43 for full description.
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: The Terrace Room
PRE-AWARDS CEREMONY / VIP Reception
For award recipients, agency heads, and invited guests only.
7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Location: Grand Salons E-J
Wifle Awards Ceremony And Dinner
MASTER OF CEREMONIES:
Amber R. Jordan, Esq.
Office of Counsel, Inspector Attorney
Labor and Litigation Group
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Vice President, Women in Federal Law Enforcement, Inc.
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Navigating Your Federal Career
7:00 AM – 8:15 AM
Location: Meeting Room 7
WIFLE Annual Business Meeting
Open to all WIFLE members. New members are encouraged to attend to learn more about our organization. Continental breakfast is provided.
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
Location: Grand Ballroom Foyer
Continental Breakfast/Coffee
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Registration Desk
Registration and Information
Leadership Workshops
8:30 AM – 9:45 AM
Location: Grand Salons C-D
A. Post-Critical Incident Seminar: Mental Health and Trauma
Ginnette Rivera Hernández, Ph.D., Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Tam K. Dao, Ph.D., Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) developed the Post-Critical Incident Seminar (PCIS) to address the mental health needs of FBI employees, family members, and task force officers who have responded to critical incidents, shooting incidents, violent crime scenes, or those who have been exposed to repeated stressful events throughout their law enforcement career. Specifically, the workshop will provide the theoretical underpinning for the development of the PCIS to include education on the human stress response; theories on stress and trauma; and evidence-based interventions for exposure to traumatic events. In addition to training the attendees on the relationship between stress and trauma, this workshop will educate them on ways to implement and evaluate interventions for their population.
8:30 AM – 9:45 AM
Location: Grand Salons E-J
B. Planning for Retirement at Every Stage of Your Career: FERS and FERS
Law Enforcement Employees
Tammy Flanagan, Federal Benefits Specialist, National Institute of Transition Planning (NITP)
Retirement planning is more involved, and some might say, more complicated for today’s federal employees than it was in the days when retirement planning started 30 days before becoming eligible to retire. Although it takes more time to be educated and informed about retirement planning in 2023, today’s federal retirement benefits are more flexible and can result in a financially comfortable life after retirement more than under the old “autopilot” system of yesteryear! This session will cover the important retirement planning steps that should be taken in your early career, midcareer, and the five years leading up to the date of separation for retirement! Understanding your retirement is key to a successful transition and also will help you make good decisions when facing important retirement choices.
9:45 AM – 10:15 AM Break
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: Grand Salons E-J
C. Ganbatte Kudasai! (Do Your Best Please)
Jean Kanokogi, Ph.D., Director of Mental Health and Peer Support Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA)
In Japanese, the phrase Ganbatte Kudasai (do your best please) is often used to encourage people to always do their best in everything they do. What does it mean to do your best? Most think it is to try as hard as you can or do it as well as you can. In most cases that is true, but let’s not limit doing our best to external forces, let’s do our best taking a global approach.
In this session, we will discuss how to take a proactive approach to do and be our best by utilizing mindset and resilience skills; being the best version of ourselves; being aware, connected and living our best life; finding our purpose; capitalizing on our strengths; building our emotional intelligence skills; and much more. The workshop will empower you and give you tools to deal with the vicarious trauma and other challenges you face in your life and work life.
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: Grand Salons C-D
D. Harnessing Gender-Specific Differences in Threat Management Training
Stephanie McGuigan, U.S. Postal Inspector, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)
Threat Management training is comprised of Firearms, Control Tactics, Arrest Techniques, Building Entries, Use of Force, and Physical Fitness Training. There are many physical, emotional, and mental differences between women and men. Women comprise a small percentage (approximately 14.5%) of the Law Enforcement Officers in the United States. Because of this, females have very unique strengths and encounter very specific challenges that their male counterparts may not face. This can be especially true when it comes to threat management situations and training. Firearms and Control Tactics training is often run by male instructors to mostly male classes. In these training situations, some female agents may feel added pressure, anxiety, and the need to conform to the mental space that their male counterparts are in. Females have often reported they do not feel like they can ask questions due to fear that the instructors will think they are weak – or should know things. This workshop will help attendees identify what agents can do to create a more productive and inclusive training environment specific to threat management training.
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Lunch on Your Own
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: Grand Salons E-J
E. Queen’s Talk: Celebrate Your Triumphs, Confront Your Challenges
Lynda R. Williams
Professor of Criminal Justice Administration, Middle Tennessee State University
Deputy Assistant Director, U.S. Secret Service (Retired)
Board Member, WIFLE Foundation, Inc. and Women in Federal Law Enforcement, Inc.
Queendom is defined as the position or status of a queen. As a result of the underrepresentation of females in law enforcement, we need to seize every opportunity to celebrate our individual and collective triumphs. During this hour of power, you will hear from our moderator and other experienced women who have faced what appeared to be insurmountable challenges; however, they handled them with the grace befitting of a queen. The “Queen’s Talk” is sure to provide you with the motivational nuggets needed to change your trajectory for the better!
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: Grand Salons C-D
F. Updates on Pregnancy Accommodations
Panelists:
» Jamie Holt, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
» Monica Laguna, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO)
» Kristen Sullivan, Deputy Chief of Staff, Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
» Malissa Tucker, Esq., Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
Panel Moderator:
Mary Hogan, Community Relations Officer, Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
This workshop will provide attendees with information about accommodations that may be available to them during the pregnancy and post-pregnancy recovery period. Panelists will discuss recent changes to laws that govern accommodations and to assist members in developing questions and improvement proposals that they may take back to their own agencies. They will also delve into the application and inconsistency of current policies, the real-time application of the June 2023 Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and address reasonable accommodations, firearm-related issues, and possible waivers.
2:00 PM – 2:15 PM Break
2:15 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: Grand Salons E-J
G. Flash Mentoring
Facilitator: Jessie L. Lane, Vice President, WIFLE Foundation, Inc., Deputy
Executive Director, Women in Federal Law Enforcement, Inc., U.S. Secret Service
(Retired)
WIFLE’s Flash Mentoring session gives conference attendees an opportunity to meet “face-to-face” with high-ranking law enforcement executives and officials to discuss how to further enhance your current and future career aspirations in the field of law enforcement. You will certainly benefit from this transfer of experiential knowledge following this two-hour networking session.
4:30 PM – 4:45 PM
Closeout
