LtCol Kathy Gallowitz, USAF (Ret.), is a John Maxwell Team-trained speaker and leadership coach, strategic advisor, and award-winning businesswoman who helps organizations turn the value of military talent into a competitive advantage. As Founder and CEO of Vanguard Veteran, LLC, she works with employers to develop effective Veteran talent strategies and Veteran-inclusive cultures that improve their ability to attract, hire, retain, and advance Veterans.

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A third-generation Veteran, Kathy served 29 years in the Air Force and brings a distinctive perspective shaped by military service, business ownership, and firsthand experience leveraging Veteran hiring and retention best practices. As a business owner, she hired Veterans and achieved productivity results that exceeded those of comparable companies in her industry. She holds master’s degrees in Nursing and Political Science.

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Kathy is the author of Beyond “Thank You for Your Service”: The Veteran Champion Handbook for Civilians, a resource that helps civilians better understand the Veteran experience and translate appreciation into meaningful action.

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Kathy’s life calling is to cultivate Civilian Veteran Champions -equipping citizens to understand, value, and champion those who have served. She believes two significant gaps stand in the way: our nation lacks a coordinated approach to welcoming Veterans home, and most civilians have little opportunity to learn about the Veteran experience.

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She was inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame in 2025 and named a Greater Phoenix Chamber ATHENA Award finalist in the private sector in 2026.

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Through her work with Women Who Lead, Kathy is committed to helping close those gaps by fostering understanding, connection, and belonging so women Veterans feel welcomed and valued—not just when they return home, but throughout their lives.

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Learn more about Kathy, here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lt-col-ret-kathy-lowrey-gallowitz-0618314/