To all who have worn the uniform and continue to serve our nation through leadership and public service, thank you for your courage, sacrifice, and steadfast commitment to the mission.

Service and Sacrifice defines the American Veteran and this is what makes the American Veteran very special. To America’s Veterans and their Family Members who sacrifice so much putting service before self, we honor and support you. Often managing the Veteran’s home station is the Veteran’s Spouse; we honor the Veteran’s Spouse for their sacrifice and duty. During the Veteran’s active military service, it was the Veteran’s Spouse who endured countless moments of worry and concern when the Veteran was thousands of miles across the globe serving in harm’s way. And it was the Veteran’s Spouse who alone balanced the household, children, and the family in general during deployments and TDYs/TADs. 

Further, and often the case, the Veteran’s Spouse subordinated career, hopes, dreams and professional aspirations in full support of the Veteran and the Armed Forces. And moreover, as the Veteran was frequently ordered to a new duty assignment, the Veteran’s Spouse often and singularly endured the challenge of fully relocating the family and home, including the task of moving and re-establishing an entire household. 

Additionally, we honor the Veteran’s children, who all too often grew-up not spending quality time with the Veteran due to deployments and demanding work schedules and who had to endure changing schools and making new friends due to frequent change of duty assignments. Their sacrifice, spirt and drive is what makes them special and sets them apart from non-military children. And to the Veteran, we honor them for donning the Nation’s cloth, picking up a weapon and agreeing to honorably serve without “any mental reservation or purposes of evasion,” and for agreeing to “well and faithfully execute the office” upon which they were appointed to serve. 

Their military duty indeed exemplifies service and sacrifice; thus, we pause today, tomorrow and for the rest of our lives in the highest honor, respect and regard for The Veteran, the Veteran’s Spouse and the Veteran’s Children and other family members. Happy Veterans Day! 

Colonel James M. Durant III, USAF Ret.

Federal Employee Professional Liability Insurance (FEPLI): for defending your federal career.

Why choose Starr Wright USA?

As a company that started with the sole focus of defending the careers of federal employees, we have a deep respect for public service and a 60-year history of supporting public servants. Our mission is to support you through the challenging times - and help you focus on doing your federal job.

• FEPLI gives you access to experienced legal counsel, defense, and financial protection if you’re accused of wrongdoing on the job - so you’re not alone. An expert versed in federal employment matters is ready to help.



Need more? We also offer life, vision, dental, and long-term disability insurance, with no employment requirements or enrollment period restrictions. Get coverage at great rates for yourself or your family, anytime.

To learn more, visit wrightusa.com

Robert Shea, CEO, Gov Navigators

The Senior Executives Association proudly congratulates Robert Shea, CEO of Gov Navigators, on receiving the George Graham Award for Exceptional Service to the Academy on November 6, 2025.

Established in 2006, this award honors Fellows who have made sustained and extraordinary contributions to strengthening the National Academy of Public Administration’s mission and impact.

Rob is a dedicated NAPA Fellow and a key partner in supporting the SEA Policy Committee’s advocacy efforts. This recognition is well deserved and reflects his commitment to excellence in public service and his ongoing work to strengthen the federal leadership community. SEA looks forward to continuing to collaborate with Rob to advance the mission of the Association.

Member Spotlight: Javier Inclan

Past Chair of the SEA Board of Directors and current SEA member, Javier Inclan was inducted on November 3, 2025, as a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. This prestigious honor recognizes his outstanding leadership and lifelong commitment to advancing public service. Javier continues to exemplify excellence in government and remains deeply dedicated to developing the next generation of public sector leaders. 

Member Spotlight: Magda J. Brown

Magda J. Brown serves as an Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, promoting fairness and compliance in the federal workplace. With more than 16 years of federal service, she previously served as a Federal Investigator with the Department of Labor and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Magda is also a Senior Airman with the D.C. Air National Guard, where she manages HR operations and earned the Air and Space Achievement Medal in 2024. She holds multiple advanced degrees, including a Master’s in Negotiations and Conflict Management, and is pursuing a Doctorate in Public Administration at the University of Baltimore.



A dedicated SEA member, Magda is active in leadership and community service through Toastmasters, HUD’s Veterans Affinity Group, and her nonprofit, Emaki’s Home Arts Foundation.

Member Spotlight: Melody Bell

Melody Bell is a seasoned Senior Executive with more than 35 years of distinguished military and civilian service. As Deputy Director of the Department of Energy’s Consolidated Business Center, she leads innovative strategies that strengthen mission delivery and operational excellence across the Environmental Management program.

Previously, Melody served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Resource Management, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Business Administration, and Director of Program Execution Support in DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. She also held leadership roles with the National Nuclear Security Administration and the Nevada Operations Office, overseeing major contracting, acquisition, and business management programs.



A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Melody holds advanced degrees from Pepperdine University and the Colorado School of Mines and is a Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executive Fellow. She is a lifetime Girl Scout, active member of AAFEA, and currently serves as Interim Chair of the SEA Board of Directors where she continues to mentor others and champion lifelong learning and leadership.

Amy Parker-Program Director, Government and Defense Programs, UNC Kenan-Flagler Executive Development and current SEA member 

"Volunteering with the SEA has been a truly rewarding chapter in my post-government career journey. Having spent nearly 20 years in public service, I understand the unique challenges and opportunities that government professionals face. Serving as a volunteer allows me to give back to a community that shaped my career, and to support my former colleagues as they navigate their own paths. I am deeply committed to fostering connection, growth, and resilience among government leaders, and SEA provides the perfect platform to do so.



Through coaching and mentoring, I strive to create safe spaces where individuals feel heard, encouraged, and empowered to reach their full potential. Witnessing the positive impact that genuine support and guidance can have on someone’s career and confidence is incredibly fulfilling. I am grateful for the chance to contribute to an organization that values collaboration and lifelong learning, and I look forward to continuing this meaningful work—helping others thrive and ensuring the next generation of leaders feels supported every step of the way. As an association, SEA provides a community, and I've been proud of how this community continues to look for ways to support one another."

We deeply value the service and dedication of our federal employees and want to address the many SEA members concerned about their FEDS Protection coverage during the ongoing government shutdown.  For FEDS members whose policy renewals have been impacted by the government shutdown, we will be ensuring your policies remain in force until the shutdown ends.  And for those utilizing our payroll deduction payment method, please be assured that your active FEDS policies will not be cancelled for payments missed during the government shutdown.

If your ability to renew or pay for your FEDS policy has been impacted by the shutdown, please Contact Us.  We stand behind federal employees and hope that the government reopens soon. 

FEDS Protection has been a proud partner of SEA. We truly appreciate your business and will continue striving to provide the excellent service that you deserve. 

If you have any questions about your policy, please reach out to FEDS Protection via email at feds@fedsprotection.com or phone at 866-955-3337. We are confident that, by standing with one another, the federal employee community will get through this difficult time. 

SEA members are invited to join Executive Women in Government (EWG) for an upcoming webinar in collaboration with FormerGov.com, a professional platform founded by former DOJ prosecutor Brian Levine to help former government and military professionals connect with employers, recruiters, and organizations seeking their expertise.

The session, Navigating Career Transitions with FormerGov, will provide insights on how to optimize your profile, enhance your visibility, and leverage FormerGov to explore new opportunities in and beyond public service.

Event Details



Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Time: 12:00 PM (EST)

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform every sector, organizations must prepare their future leaders to navigate this shift. This article examines how emerging leaders can ethically and responsibly weave AI into organizational strategy to stay competitive while prioritizing employee, customer, and community trust.

Donald Bauer, a member of SEA, was recently featured in Federal News Network discussing the new OPM vision for a single HR system.

"The Office of Personnel Management’s new solicitation to consolidate 119 human resources systems into a single, governmentwide human capital management platform deserves credit for ambition. The intent is sound: one FedRAMP-authorized system of record that finally gives government leaders a unified view of the federal workforce.

But did we learn nothing from the Defense Department’s failed attempt to consolidate its five estates? Seven years, millions of dollars and they ultimately pulled the plug. That effort covered roughly 900,000 records across five agencies, and now we want to take on 2 million records across 119? If we charge ahead as written, this will become another expensive cautionary tale: a colossal waste of time, resources and goodwill."

As champions of excellence in public service, the Senior Executive Association is committed to advocating for and empowering career federal executives across government. But we can’t do it without you.

Your financial contribution directly supports our work of amplifying the voice of the Senior Executive Service, expanding professional development opportunities, and promoting the highest standards of leadership in government.

Every dollar makes a difference. Invest in the future of federal leadership today.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION

Together, we lead. Together, we grow.

You Asked, SEA Listened

SEA's website has a new Resources tab---2025 Presidential Transition, that can be found on our landing page. .

Here you will find the latest information on efforts to increase political control over the senior executive service, return to work mandates, and "deferred resignation offers". 

You can also learn more about your civil service protections as a SES or career civil servant and ongoing litigation challenging federal workforce executive orders, including Schedule F. There are also links to help you find legal advice and representation. 

Click here to visit the webpage.

Join one or more communities and start engaging on topics of interest with colleagues across government organizations. To get started and subscribe to any of the communities of practice, visit https://seniorexec.memberclicks.net/communities-of-practice.

The CoPs that are currently active and their administrators are:

Acquisition/ Logistics

Cyber/ Security:

Jude Sunderbruch

AI/Data CoP

General Management

Human Capital:

Dr. Michelle Sutter

Intelligence

Research/ Scientific:

Dr. Peter Reynolds

Dr. Deborah Hollister Lee

Dr. Brenden Godfrey

Federal Engagement:

Dr. Michelle Sutter

Vanessa Tabern

Have something to share? Send your updates to rachel@seniorexecs.org for a chance to be featured.”

November

Arbinger Sponsored Webinar: From Scattered to Strategic: How leadership alignment drives performance after organizational change | November 13, 2025

Federal agencies face nonstop pressure to do more with less—often resulting in overloaded teams and scattered efforts after significant change. The root cause of these impacts? Misalignment and the default inward focus that leaves leaders, teams, and outcomes disconnected.​

In partnership with the Senior Executives Association, this webinar reveals a strategic path forward. Instead of relying on heroic individual efforts or pushing for unsustainable output, discover how federal leaders can shift their focus to fostering clarity, building alignment, and driving shared accountability across their organizations.​

Learn more and register.

G.E.H.A. Sponsored Webinar: G.E.H.A 2026 Health Plans | November 18, 2025

Join us for this open-season webinar on G.E.H.A’s health plans, exclusively for SEA Members.

Let’s discuss our five different health plans and two dental plans as you look at your options for this open season. We will be ready to answer any questions you may have.

Learn more and register.

Navigating Career Transitions with FormerGov | November 19, 2025

SEA members are invited to join Executive Women in Government (EWG) for an upcoming webinar in collaboration with FormerGov.com, a professional platform founded by former DOJ prosecutor Brian Levine to help former government and military professionals connect with employers, recruiters, and organizations seeking their expertise.

The session, Navigating Career Transitions with FormerGov, will provide insights on how to optimize your profile, enhance your visibility, and leverage FormerGov to explore new opportunities in and beyond public service.

Premier Partners