Message From Our Secretary
Candace Croughwell
Stronger Through Service.
One of the things I appreciate most about Women in Defense Central Florida is the chance to give back to a community that has given so much to all of us.
WID is a great place to build relationships and grow professionally, but it’s also about how we show up for each other. That can mean helping someone make a connection, mentoring a younger professional, sharing an opportunity, volunteering our time, or simply being willing to help when someone needs it.
Serving as Secretary has given me an even greater appreciation for how much our members put into this organization. There are a lot of people working behind the scenes to create events, bring people together and find ways for WID to support the broader Central Florida defense community.
Giving back doesn’t always have to be a major commitment. Sometimes the smaller things make just as much of a difference.
I’m grateful to be part of this group and to serve alongside so many people who care about what we’re building. I’m looking forward to seeing where we can continue to grow, connect, and give back together.
Spotlights
WID Central Florida Leaders Attend 2026 National Conference in Arlington, Virginia
September 2026
Three Women In Defense (WID) Central Florida board members represented the chapter at the 2026 WID National Conference, held September 14 at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel in Arlington, Virginia.
Kristi Evans, Chapter President; Lindsey Spalding, STEM Director; and Danielle Golson, Historian, joined defense and national security professionals from across the country for this year’s conference, themed “AI Driven. Human Powered. Where Innovation Meets the Mission and the People Who Drive It.”
With 21 chapters and more than 3,000 members nationwide, Women In Defense continues to provide a strong network for professional development, collaboration, and community engagement. The conference featured engaging presentations, insightful discussions, and valuable networking opportunities focused on emerging technologies, leadership, innovation, and the people advancing our nation’s defense missions.
WID Central Florida extends its appreciation to the Honorable David Norquist, NDIA President and CEO; Audricia “Driece” McKinney, WID Executive Director; Ann Lewis, WID Associate Director; and the entire conference team for organizing an outstanding event. Our chapter leaders returned with new connections, valuable insights, and renewed enthusiasm for advancing the WID mission throughout Central Florida.
A special thank you to Audricia (Driece) McKinney, our Executive Director, for your steadfast dedication, innovative spirit, and mission-driven focus.
WID Central Florida Earns National Recognition in 2026 Chapter Championship Challenge
August 6, 2026
Women In Defense (WID) Central Florida is celebrating two national top-three finishes in the 2026 WID Chapter Championship Challenge! The chapter was recognized for its outstanding membership growth in both the Individual Member and Government Member categories (see full press release here).
WID Central Florida earned Third Place (Tie) in Individual Membership Growth, welcoming five new members, and Third Place in Government Membership Growth, adding four new government professionals to its growing network.
These achievements highlight the chapter’s commitment to expanding connections, fostering professional development, and strengthening relationships across Central Florida’s defense, national security, government, industry, and academic communities.
“This recognition represents much more than membership numbers; it reflects the strength of the community we are building in Central Florida,” said Kristi Evans, WID Central Florida President. “Every new member brings new experiences, perspectives, and opportunities to connect, learn, mentor, and contribute.”
Congratulations to WID Central Florida’s members, leadership, and volunteers whose dedication and enthusiasm continue to advance the chapter’s mission. A special welcome to our newest members, who will help shape the next chapter of our growing defense community.
WID Central Florida Members Participate in Inaugural TechNet Orlando
September 17, 2026
WID CFL was proud to participate in AFCEA Orlando’s inaugural, sold-out TechNet Orlando event, held at UCF’s Tech Grove. The event brought together leaders and professionals from across the defense, technology, space, and national security communities to explore emerging technologies, share insights, and strengthen collaboration.
We were especially proud to see Dr. Christina Bouwens and Lindsey Spalding represent our community as panelists, contributing their expertise and perspectives to important discussions shaping the future of defense innovation.
A highlight of the event was the recognition of Women In Defense by keynote speaker Mr. Lee James III, Deputy Capability Program Executive, CPE ST3. His acknowledgment reinforced the important contributions women make throughout the defense and national security sectors and highlighted Florida’s distinction as the only state with four WID chapters.
TechNet Orlando provided an outstanding opportunity to build relationships, exchange ideas, and strengthen partnerships across Central Florida’s defense ecosystem. The discussions underscored the importance of diverse perspectives, collaboration, and investing in the talented professionals driving innovation and mission success.
WID Central Florida extends its appreciation to AFCEA Orlando for organizing this successful inaugural event and congratulates all the speakers, panelists, sponsors, and attendees who contributed to its success.
We look forward to continuing these important conversations and supporting opportunities that connect, empower, and advance our defense community.
Board Member Spotlight
WID CFL Treasurer Earns Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering
August 21, 2026
Congratulations to Dr. Claire Hughes, Treasurer of Women In Defense Central Florida, on successfully defending her doctoral dissertation and earning her Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Central Florida (UCF)!
Her dissertation, “Toward Standardized Usability Measurement in Augmented Reality: Instrument Validation and Evaluation of Natural vs WIMP Interaction,” explores an increasingly important topic in emerging technology: how natural interactions, such as gestures and voice commands, compare with traditional window, icon, menu, and pointer (WIMP) interfaces in augmented reality environments.
Her research contributes to the growing understanding of user experience and usability as augmented reality technologies become more integrated into training and other real-world applications.
WID Central Florida is incredibly proud of Claire’s academic achievement and her commitment to advancing innovation and technical knowledge. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Claire Hughes on this outstanding milestone! We celebrate her dedication, perseverance, and success and look forward to her continued contributions to the engineering, technology, and defense communities.
Lisa Wetzel Named Among 2027 Engage Federal Citizen Services 150 Leaders
October 15, 2026
WID Board Member Receives Industry Recognition as 2027 Engage Federal Citizen Services 150
Congratulations to Lisa Wetzel who has been selected as one of the 2027 Engage Federal Citizen Services 150, a distinguished group of leaders recognized for their commitment to advancing Federal missions through meaningful engagement, collaboration, and community leadership. The annual recognition from OrangeSlices celebrates 150 executives across the Federal civilian government and industry communities who are making a difference by connecting people, sharing knowledge, creating opportunities, and strengthening relationships that help government agencies achieve their missions.
Selected with input from peers and the broader Federal civilian community, honorees are recognized not simply for their professional positions or organizational achievements, but for their demonstrated commitment to bringing people together, fostering partnerships, supporting emerging leaders, and helping transform innovative ideas into meaningful mission outcomes.
Community Spotlight
Celebrating Leadership: The Women Behind the Central Florida Navy League's 251st Navy Ball
October 16, 2026
As the Central Florida Navy League prepares to celebrate the U.S. Navy’s 251st birthday on October 17, 2026, in Orlando, three remarkable women are helping lead the organization, honor Navy traditions, and strengthen connections across the military and civilian communities.
Berkley Terry, President of the Central Florida Navy League, brings years of dedicated volunteer leadership, including service on the Navy League’s National Board of Directors. As Vice President of Growth and Operations at The Coe Group, she combines her professional expertise in defense training with a lifelong commitment to supporting service members, veterans, and their families.
Dolly Rairigh Glass, Vice President of Communications, has played an instrumental role in strengthening the council’s outreach and community engagement. Serving as Navy Birthday Ball Chair from 2018 to 2025, she helped bring together military leaders, industry partners, and volunteers for one of Central Florida’s signature military celebrations. Her years of service reflect a passion for leadership, collaboration, and giving back.
Kristen Mills, Vice President of Membership Experience, is the incoming Navy Ball Chair. She is a Project Manager and Facility Security Officer at VirTra, Inc., Kristen also serves as the Navy League’s Director of its Cyber Camp. Kristen is a former WID Central Florida Treasurer and Special Events volunteer with extensive experience in community engagement, STEM outreach, and event leadership.
Together, these women demonstrate the impact of volunteer leadership and a shared commitment to supporting our nation’s Sea Services.
Congratulations to Berkley, Dolly, and Kristen for their dedication and contributions to the Central Florida defense community! The 251st Navy Ball, themed “Beyond the Horizon: Air, Sea, and Space,” welcomes military and civilian guests to celebrate the Navy’s proud heritage and the people who serve.
Learn more about the Central Florida Navy League or their events from their website.
Sponsor Spotlight:
C² Technologies
C² Technologies delivers next-gen immersive training, AI-powered adaptive learning, MODSIM, cybersecurity, and digital transformation for defense, federal, and private sector clients. Our Adapt2Learn..ai platform, an LMS + LCMS + Adaptive Learning solution, boosts performance and slashes development time and cost, while Adapt2Bid.ai, the #1 AI Proposal App, brings AI capture and proposal intelligence to GovCon. With 500+ experts across 37 global locations, we support 150+ clients through major contracts and emerging tech. From combat readiness to enterprise transformation, C² empowers America’s heroes to lead, adapt, and win. Headquartered in McLean, VA. Learn more: c2ti.com
Check Out Additional Updates on Our Social Media
2026 UPcoming Events
Event Registration
Thank you message to Our Sponsors
We extend our sincere appreciation to the sponsors whose generosity and partnership strengthen the mission of Women in Defense Central Florida Chapter. Your support empowers our programs, fuels scholarship opportunities, and helps us create meaningful connections across the defense, modeling & simulation, and technology community. Because of your commitment, we are able to invest in future STEM leaders, elevate individuals across our industry, and continue delivering impactful events throughout the year. Thank you for standing with us and helping advance a stronger, more inclusive future for Central Florida’s defense workforce.
Closing Message
Thank you for spending time with us in this month’s newsletter and for being part of a community that continues to show up with purpose, generosity, and enthusiasm. July was a month filled with connection, collaboration, and meaningful progress toward empowering the next generation of STEM leaders and none of it would be possible without the support of our members, volunteers, and dedicated sponsors. As we turn the page to June, we’re excited to carry this momentum forward with new opportunities to engage, learn, and strengthen the network that makes Women In Defense Central Florida such a powerful force in our community. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events and continuing this journey together.
About Women in Defense
Women In Defense (WID) is a national organization dedicated to engaging, cultivating, and advancing women across all sectors of national security. As an affiliate of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), WID provides a powerful platform for professional development, mentorship, and collaboration among individuals working in defense, intelligence, homeland security, and related fields. Through its nationwide network of chapters, WID supports career growth, fosters leadership opportunities, and champions initiatives that strengthen the defense workforce. The organization also plays a vital role in promoting education and STEM advancement, helping prepare the next generation of professionals who will contribute to our nation’s security and technological innovation.
About Our Chapter
Women In Defense – Central Florida Chapter (WID CFL) is a nonprofit professional organization dedicated to supporting women and men across Central Florida who contribute to national defense and security. Established in 2009, the chapter strengthens and influences the regional defense community by inspiring individuals, cultivating leadership, and fostering meaningful professional relationships. Through strategic networking, educational programs, and community engagement, WID CFL provides members with opportunities for career development, collaboration, and industry connection. The chapter also champions the next generation through its STEM scholarship program, encouraging students across Florida to pursue careers in defense, national security, and related technical fields.
Our Mission
Women In Defense – Central Florida Chapter is committed to strengthening and advancing the defense community by empowering individuals, supporting professional growth, and fostering meaningful connections across industry, government, and academia. Our mission is to create opportunities for leadership development, promote education through STEM scholarships, and cultivate a collaborative network that reflects the innovation and diversity of Central Florida’s defense ecosystem. Through programs, partnerships, and community engagement, WID CFL works to inspire current and future leaders who contribute to our nation’s security and technological advancement.
Become A Member
The momentum is building—and the Chapter Champions Challenge is still on!
There’s still time to be part of something impactful. Join the Women In Defense – Central Florida Chapter and connect with a powerful network of professionals dedicated to growth, leadership, and advancing national security.
Whether you’re expanding your career or looking to give back through mentorship and community, WID is the place to be. Don’t miss your chance to get involved.
Visit WomenInDefense.net/Join and use code WIDCFL to join today.
Under membership information when joining WID, under were you referred? Yes, by a WID Chapter and enter referral code WIDCFL.
Let’s keep the energy going and continue strengthening our community—together.
Are you a student looking to get connected with a professional organization? WID now offers student memberships for $25/year.
Under membership information when joining WID, under were you referred?
Yes, by a WID Chapter and enter referral code WIDCFL.
22 October 2026
Time: 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Location:
National Center for Simulation
3100 Technology Parkway, Lab 112
Orlando, FL 32826