Camouflaged Sisters

Leadership Through the Eyes of Senior Military Women Leaders

Lila Holley

• Publisher: Purposely Created Publishing Group
• Year: 2019
• eBook ISBN: 9781644840832
• Edition: 1
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Military & Maritime History
• Index: History

The journey to becoming an effective leader can be full of stumbling blocks and learning curves. But for women, particularly those pursuing a career in male-dominated settings, learning to lead can be a tumultuous road. Camouflaged Sisters: Leadership Through the Eyes of Senior Military Women Leaders examines the grit, perseverance, and determination it takes to rise through military ranks as a woman in uniform.

In this anthology, twelve trailblazing women leaders recount tales of the adversity they faced to gain the trust of their Troops, earn the respect of their peers, and make promotion. Their stories offer candid advice to women leaders learning to navigate a system that is not always supportive of their success. The leadership toolkit offered in these pages provides readers a vital resource for achieving a successful military career. Young women leaders will find this anthology invaluable to their leadership journey.

Meet the Authors

Lila Holley is a US Army combat Veteran. She is the multiple award-winning, Amazon bestselling visionary author behind the Camouflaged Sisters book series. This retired US Army Warrant Officer has published a solo project and four anthology books with 66 co-authors, with two additional projects scheduled for a 2019 release.

Lila is on a mission to empower military women and women Veterans to take back the narrative and ownership of their stories. She believes there is no one better to tell these stories than the women who lived them. Lila is creating an amazing platform that celebrates military women and women Veterans with her online radio show, virtual and live events, retreats and getaways, and workshops. She has established an organizational membership for her community and has additional book projects planned. The Camouflaged Sisters community is where military women connect with each other, access resources, and share their stories. Camouflaged Sisters is more than just books - it’s a movement!

Learn more at camouflagedsisters.org

Tanya M. Smith is a retired Army Veteran, leadership development specialist, and the Founder/CEO of Life in Quarters, LLC. She has been leading diverse individuals and teams in government, private, and public sectors for over 30 years. Her expertise is in leadership and organizational development, talent management, and performance improvement. Tanya designs and conducts training sessions, and facilitates workshops in various locations in the US, Europe and Central America.

As a speaker, trainer, and coach with the John Maxwell Team, Tanya has designed and delivered numerous customized sessions which have added value to individuals and organizations. The International Association of Top Professionals awarded Ms. Smith the Top Leadership Award for 2018.

To learn more, visit Lifeinqtrs.com or follow Life In Quarters, LLC on Facebook and Instagram

Alejandra M. Santiago emigrated from Mexico as a young child and enlisted in the Army after graduating high school. She transitioned from enlisted to officer after earning her Industrial Engineering degree from the University of California at Berkeley and commissioned as an Engineer Officer on Active Duty. She also holds a master’s degree in International Relations and is currently serving as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserves.

Alejandra is an artist with several works of art in the permanent collection of Reflections of Generosity, a traveling exhibition honoring the military. She continues her studies in spirituality and health and is a certified Master Reiki practitioner. An advocate for alternative treatments like hemp, she combines Reiki and art in greeting cards she creates, infused with Reiki intended for the recipient.

To learn more, contact Alejandra Santiago at

[email protected]

Melissa D. McFrazier hails from Taunton, Massachusetts where she joined the Army in May 1988. After giving the Army 30 years of distinguished military service as a combat medic, she retired in July 2018. Melissa has held numerous leadership positions throughout her military career, to include Drill Sergeant, First Sergeant, and Command Sergeant Major. She consistently placed great emphasis on sponsorship, mentorship, and Soldier development, with the goal of teaching, coaching and mentoring the leaders of tomorrow.

Melissa was inducted into the FORSCOM Sergeant Audie Murphy Association, and the Order of Military Medical Merit (O2M3). She serves as a teen mentor and guest speaker for the TX ChalleNGe Academy – East, in Eagle Lake, Texas, a program for at-risk teens to attain their high school diplomas. Melissa is also a recording artist and frequently uses her poetic and spoken word talents to boost morale and support diversity during Equal Opportunity program observances.

Karen Wright-Chisolm is from Charleston, South Carolina. She served 27 honorable years in the US Air Force in places like the Pentagon, and became the first female and first African American to hold the position of Superintendent, 315th MSS, Charleston, South Carolina. Karen is a Doctorate of Management candidate in the College of Health Administration (Executive Track) at The Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina. She earned a dual Master of Arts degree in Human Resources Management and Human Resources Development from Webster University and a bachelor’s from Southern Wesleyan University. Her organizational affiliations include service as the current CEO/President of Boots-2-Heels, South Carolina Chapter, and a Life Member of Tuskegee Airmen. She also is a member of the N.A.A.C.P., Jack and Jill, and Eastern Light No. 360 OES. Karen is married to Paul Chisolm, Jr. and mother to Tamara, Eric, Paul III and Jazmine.

To learn more, contact Karen at

[email protected]

Amanda Randolph is a retired Chief Warrant Officer Four Army Veteran of 26 years. Amanda entered the Army as an Intelligence Specialist, progressed through the ranks to Staff Sergeant, and transitioned to the Warrant Officer Corps. She deployed twice to Bosnia Herzegovina in support of Operation Joint Forge and twice to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Amanda is a recipient of the Military Intelligence Corps Knowlton Award, for outstanding contributions to Army Military Intelligence. She has a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Intelligence Studies and a Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling, Ma...

Table of contents

• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Foreword
• Why Leadership As A Topic, Why Now?
• LEADERSHIP
• The Five People I Met on My Leadership Journey
• Making People and Organizations Better Through Leadership
• Expectation Management and Values
• Pearls of Wisdom
• MENTORSHIP
• Mentorship Is Critical for Your Success
• Mentorship Requires Investment of Time and Energy
• Important Matters
• LEADERSHIP
• The Unintentional Leader
• The “Conversation”
• Leading from the Middle
• Leadership: A Science and an Art
• Beyond Competence
• Meet the Authors