Finding Purpose and Mission

In her inspiring and actionable NASWA keynote, Lida Citroen will help the audience understand how to empower Veterans as they serve to grow their confidence, share their voice and design a post-military career with renewed purpose and focus.

Participants will learn:

• Why identity shifts when exiting the military (and how to navigate the cultural differences)
• That transition isn’t a day or event – it’s an individual process with overwhelming options.
• Why finding a new purpose – a new mission – is critical for today’s Veterans.
• How personal branding uncovers who they are, what they can offer, and who needs to hear their message.
• How to support Veterans in their transition and guide them to take control over their story, feel comfortable with self-promotion, and impact those around them in the civilian sector

SPEAKER

Lida Citroen, CEO, Lida360

Sponsored by:

A Word from our Silver Sponsors

CALIBRE, Geographic Solutions, and Management Concepts

WATCHDOGS: Embrace Your Role in Building Stronger, Safer, More Connected Communities

Today, it’s hard to meet anyone who hasn’t experienced a negative event in their life, community, or industry – but how many of those people have used that event to fuel meaningful change? What if you could be one of those people? As community stakeholders, we come in all shapes, sizes, and roles, yet we all have one thing in common: we’re all everyday people. And for some, it's easy for us to believe we’re not responsible for the well-being of anyone or anything outside of our own bubble. Nikki James Zellner, a mom, mil-spouse, dual business owner, and activist, believes that needs to change. In this provocative and humorous keynote, Nikki makes hearts race and minds change as she shares her journey from everyday mom to activist and law changer, revealing why we're all accountable for being watchdogs in our communities. Without a doubt, audiences will return to the world motivated to move from 'slacktivist' to change-maker – starting in their own backyard.

SPEAKER

Nikki James Zellner*, Founder, Where Content Connects

Mark Sanders Award Presentation

The 2023 Mark Sanders Award for Exceptional Service to Veterans, with special emphasis on Veterans with Significant Barriers to Employment, recognizes the efforts of an entire one-stop career center whose efforts to serve Veterans go above and beyond the scope of mandatory service provision. This award is named in honor of Mark Sanders, who, during his distinguished career with the California Employment Development Department and in leadership positions with the National Association of State Workforce Agencies, was untiring in his efforts to promote excellence in services to Disabled Veterans. The workforce center in Sacramento, California, is named in his honor.

This year’s nominees include:

• Alabama – Opelika Career Center, Opelika, AL
• Oregon – WorkSource Rogue Valley, Medford & Grants Pass, OR

PRESENTERS

Scott B. Sanders, President and CEO, National Association of State Workforce Agencies
Sam Mitchell*, WorkSource Administrator, Employment Connections Military Base Support, Washington State Employment Security Department and Chair, NASWA Mark Sanders Committee

*Indicates individual is a Veteran, NG/Reservist, currently serving, or a military spouse.