Women in Defense is the organization for professionals working in the area of national defense to learn from, inspire, and support each other.
ABOUT US
NETWORKING
We are a non-profit organization run entirely by a network of dedicated volunteers. Working together, we promote connections and build relationships.
LEADERSHIP
We produce meaningful professional development and networking events that provide members with opportunities to learn, grow, and feel energized about their career.
SCHOLARSHIPS
We support competent individuals who are working toward careers in defense and national security by offering two scholarship programs.
MEET THE BOARD
Ashleigh Moore
President
Ashleigh Moore is a Director at Booz Allen Hamilton and oversees complex cross-functional market delivery teams supporting NAVWAR and NAVSEA missions. She specializes in Operations Management and Strategic Planning, while also leading functional teams in the areas of Mission Integration, Integrated Logistics and Program Security. She holds a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Arizona’s Global Campus (formerly Ashford University), a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of San Diego, is a certified Project Management Professional, and has received several awards throughout her career. Prior to working in the Defense industry in January of 2006, Ashleigh was an entrepreneur, legal assistant and high school girls’ basketball coach. In her spare time, she enjoys discovering new restaurants throughout San Diego County, traveling and spending time with her family.
Ashleigh Moore
President
Denese Cordaro
Vice President
Denese Cordaro is a Professor of Program Management and Financial Management for DAU’s West Region in San Diego, CA. Denese has a dynamic background of over 25 years of experience in program management, financial management, financial consulting, and software development.
Denese began her career as a software developer for PricewaterhouseCoopers. She moved to San Diego in 2001 where she joined KPMG Consulting supporting NAVWAR 8.0 to roll out its pilot program for Navy ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning). Denese was handpicked to move to the NAVWAR 1.0 Comptroller Office where she served as the Financial Systems Functional and Training Manager and supported numerous projects, including serving as the audit liaison, a Cross-SYSCOM Navy ERP Business policy developer, and a guest lecturer in the innovative Learning and Development Program.
Prior to joining DAU, Denese served both the Navy and the Space Force. For the Navy, Denese served as a Business Financial Manager (BFM) and in the Comptroller shop at Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) for over 20 years. She served as the Lead BFM in multiple Program Offices, working routinely with NAVSEA and NAVAIR and on a broad range of programs. She managed various ACAT programs, many employing Adaptive Acquisition Framework pathways. At the end of her Navy tour, she was the Acting Navy Cybersecurity Program Office Deputy Program Manager.
In the Space Force, Denese was the Deputy Director for the Space Force Narrowband SATCOM Acquisition Delta. Her program office managed the $6B+ Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite constellation, a post-Milestone C ACAT 1C program that provides Ultra High Frequency (UHF) satellite communication to users across the DoD, other organizations, and coalition partners with total annual appropriated funds of ~$700M/FY/
Denese has also participated in numerous speaking engagements with NDIA, AFCEA, NATO, and local academia.
Denese Cordaro
Vice President
Ali Wesley
Treasurer
Ali is honored to serve as the Treasurer for Women in Defense, where she is dedicated to empowering women in the defense sector through financial stewardship and strategic planning. With a background in finance, accounting and data analytics in the defense sector, she brings expertise in financial management and organizational development. She has been at Booz Allen Hamilton as a Financial Analyst for six years. In her role at Booz, Ali oversees fiscal responsibility and reporting and supports initiatives that promote the advancement of women in national security and defense. Ali holds a Masters degree in Accounting from California Baptist University and a Masters degree in Data Analytics from Johns Hopkins University. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her husband and two kids, reading good books and exploring new coffee shops.
Ali Wesley
Treasurer
Katy Boehme
Secretary
Katy Boehme is a retired U.S. Navy Captain with over 26 years of military service leading high-stakes programs at the intersection of national security, technology, and acquisition. She managed multi-billion-dollar programs delivering enterprise software, tactical networks, and space and communications systems worldwide, including a $1B annual portfolio supporting nearly 300 Navy ships, submarines, and shore sites, and a $2B+ space-borne signals intelligence system. Her career spanned sea duty aboard the USS Nimitz and USS Ticonderoga, national intelligence work with the National Reconnaissance Office, and senior defense acquisition roles leading teams of 500+ to deliver and sustain complex information warfare systems across the Navy.
Today, Katy is the founder and principal of Tecon Bay Consulting and Coaching. Through Tecon Bay’s advisory practice, she helps technology and defense companies navigate Navy opportunities, contracting, technology, and user requirements, drawing on her deep technical, programmatic and operational experience. As a certified executive coach, she works with ambitious leaders through her LEAD WHOLE framework to cultivate whole-person wellbeing, agency, and authentic connection. As a Founding Certified Partner of Grozaic, she also delivers end-to-end team development, combining data-led team dynamics assessments with expert interpretation, facilitated team coaching, and ongoing accountability to drive lasting behavior change.
A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Katy also holds a master’s in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley and is completing an Executive MBA at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. She lives in San Diego with her husband Tim, also a retired Navy veteran, and their two daughters.
Katy Boehme
Secretary
Brooke Weinert
Scholarship Director
Brooke Weinert is the Founder and CEO of Mount Indie, a San Diego-headquartered recruiting firm specializing in cleared recruiting for the defense and national security community. She founded Mount Indie in 2018 after nearly a decade of DoD, Federal, and Intelligence Community (IC) recruiting experience. Throughout her career, Brooke has grown, trained, and led talent acquisition teams and has extensive experience supporting government contractors in identifying and hiring cleared talent for critical programs.
Brooke served as Membership Director for the Women in Defense (WID) San Diego Chapter from 2024–2026. She was also selected as a finalist for the San Diego Business Journal’s “40 Next Top Business Leaders Under 40” in 2021.
Outside of work, Brooke is passionate about living a healthy and active lifestyle and brings that same energy into the culture she has built at Mount Indie.
Brooke Weinert
Scholarship Director
Emily Andrukonis
Marketing Director
Emily serves as Marketing Director on the WID Board, having joined as Marketing Coordinator in January 2026. She is passionate about strengthening connections across the defense community.
As an Engineering Manager at Noblis MSD, Emily brings 7+ years of experience delivering engineering solutions for Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) and Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific (NIWC PAC) customers. She currently leads teams at the Network Integration Engineering Facility (NIEF), designing and integrating mission-critical systems.
Emily is a Virginia native with a Master’s degree from James Madison University. She moved to San Diego in 2018, where she enjoys the beach and outdoor activities year-round with her dogs, Daisy and Duke.
Emily Andrukonis
Marketing Director
Lisa Ramsey
Sponsorship Director
Lisa Ramsey is a Senior Vice President at INDUS Technology. Lisa joined the INDUS Team in October 2021 following a rewarding career with the U.S. Navy, primarily in the Information Warfare Domain at NAVWAR. Lisa has 30+ years of DoD Acquisition experience, working on major acquisition programs and serving as the Lead Business Financial Manager (BFM) for 2 Program Executive Offices. Lisa’s focus at INDUS is on helping the company grow while providing exceptional support to our customers. Lisa is originally from Indianapolis, IN and currently resides with her family in San Diego, CA.
Lisa Ramsey
Sponsorship Director
Phylis Bushong
Events Director
Phylis Bushong is the Senior Program Manager for Fleet Operations for Sayres Defense in San Diego, California. She provides senior program management support to Department of Defense contracts, including risk management for funding of contracts, Prime and sub-contractor engagement and government customer engagement. Additionally, Phylis serves as Sayres’ Health and Wellness Coordinator and is a Society for Human Resource Management – Certified Professional.
Her program management position is preceded by a 24-year career as an Information Systems Technician in the United States Navy where she served on the USS RONALD REAGAN, USS CARL VINSON and multiple shore commands, both INCONUS and in Europe.
Phylis earned her Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition from the American College of Healthcare Sciences in 2023. Her degree is supported by her designation as a Board-Certified Holistic Nutritionist (Candidate), through the National Association of Nutrition Professionals.
She serves on the National Association of Nutrition Professionals Annual Conference Planning Committee. Additionally, she is a certified Sound Practitioner and has volunteered her services with the Veterans Administration of Loma Linda, Women’s Health Initiative, and the Temecula Valley School District. Phylis lives in the Inland Empire of California and is a proud mom to her three children.
Phylis Bushong
Events Director
Lena Gutermakher
Membership Director
Lena is the Owner and CEO of OpAnalytx, a small business specializing in technical support services for the Department of Defense (DoD). Founded in 2018 in San Diego, CA, OpAnalytx has grown to serve clients across the United States, offering expertise in Systems Engineering and Integration, Digital Transformation, and Cybersecurity. In addition to her leadership role at OpAnalytx, she supports PAE SSP as an Automation and AI Project Manager, bringing innovation and efficiency to complex processes. Lena previously served on the board as the Scholarship Director.
Lena holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of San Diego, with a specialization in Peace and Justice studies. Her diverse professional background includes roles at Amazon, Petco, and growing numerous startups specializing in internet marketing and education. Off the clock, Lena is a long-time volunteer and foster with the San Diego Humane Society. She enjoys reading a good book, exploring new hiking trails with her dog and rewarding themselves with culinary adventures throughout San Diego.
Lena Gutermakher
Membership Director
Alicia Roedell
Past President
