| OVERVIEWA policy organization within the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, the Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity (ODMEO) develops policies and plans, issue guidance, conduct analyses, define strategic direction, and provide oversight and evaluation for DoD-wide equal opportunity, equal employment opportunity, and diversity programs and plans impacting military and civilian personnel. An identified enabling strategy and key goal in the ODMEO strategic plan is the development of a comprehensive analytic capability to ensure that diversity is uniformly included in the design and development of DoD workplace programs and initiatives.
All Federal agencies are required to demonstrate progress and a commitment toward diversity and equality of opportunity at all grades and in all positions. The Federal Executive Webcast Series was developed as a foundational action that addresses data trends revealing that women and minorities in DoD significantly lag behind the general population of senior leaders. DoD leadership training is intended to enable the development of a cadre of world-class senior civilian leaders with the enterprise-wide perspective and the critical skills needed to lead organizations. It is open to all applicants.
ODMEO partnered with the African American Federal Executive Association to advance a strategy for enhancing leadership skills and networking opportunities at the organizational level and recognized that this technological approach could serve as a foundation and model practice for a more efficient Federal Government. For over fourteen years, AAFEA has supported this national effort by developing minority GS-14/15 candidates for the Senior Executive Service (SES). AAFEA provides an established organizational infrastructure for outreach to potential SES candidates as well as a strong network of existing SES members. The ODMEO Federal Executive Webcast Series and the mission of AAFEA are closely aligned. 
Leslye M. Fraser (SES Retired) AAFEA National President Leslye M. Fraser is the National President of the African American Federal Executive Association, Incorporated (AAFEA), a volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to preparing and supporting African Americans for advancement into and within the senior ranks of the United States Government. Ms. Fraser had been on the AAFEA Board of Directors for many years, including serving as the AAFEA Vice-President immediately prior to becoming AAFEA National President. In February 2016, with 21 years of federal service (including 15 as a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES)), and 11 years in the private sector, Ms. Fraser retired from her position as an Environmental Appeals Judge on the Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the first person of color to serve in that role. Her previous positions include Associate General Counsel for Pesticides and Toxic Substances in EPA’s Office of General Counsel (SES); Director of the Office of Regulations, Policy and Social Sciences at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (SES); labor and environmental attorney at a leading international law firm, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher; and research engineer and manager at TRW, an aerospace company. Ms. Fraser received bachelor and master of science degrees in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and a juris doctor degree, Order of the Coif, from the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law. She has received numerous awards and honors, including a U.S. patent for a material she co-invented for spacecraft hydraulic systems; the 2003 Department of Health and Human Services Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service; the 2006 Meritorious Presidential Rank Award, which the President of the United States awards each year to a small group of federal career SES officials who “consistently demonstrate strength, integrity, industry, and a relentless commitment to excellence in public service”; the 2011 AAFEA Ebenezer Bassett Distinguished SES Award; and EPA’s Vivian Malone Jones Legacy Award, which is awarded to persons who have demonstrated consistent integrity and regular contributions to social justice within EPA or in the community at large through personal leadership, mentoring and/or program management. Ms. Fraser also is the current Co-Chair of the National STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Committee for The Links, Incorporated; a professional member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE); a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., BAMIT (Black Alumni of MIT), and NSBE; former regional co-chair of the MIT Educational Council with responsibility for coordinating the interviews of all freshman applicants to MIT from the DC metropolitan area; past President of the Potomac (VA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and the Montgomery County, MD Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.; and a charter member of both the NSBE Chapter at MIT and the Lambda Upsilon Chapter of AKA at MIT, the first sorority on MIT’s campus. HOW TO PARTICIPATEFederal Executive Webcast Series
The objective of the Webcast series is to provide a highly adaptive, effective continuous learning model that focuses on the preparation and leadership development of underrepresented groups for the SES Corps pipeline, outside of traditional and limited candidate development programs. Each session is designed to engage, inspire and motivate selected participants to leverage technology resources, while gaining valuable insight on SES information and foundational topics.
Criteria for Participation:
•Department of Defense Civilian Employee at the Grades levels GS-13, 14 and 15
•Transitioning Active Duty or Reserve Military Personnel (within a year out window of exiting military service) at the rank of O-5/6 and E-8/9
•Career Aspirations for advancement to GS-15 or Senior Executive Service Corps
•100% commitment to attend the 8 required webcasts sessions and all other requirements
•Reading and examining related resources assigned
•Willingness to serve as a mentor for subordinate grade personnel and ambassador for marketing DoD as a potential employer
•Completing all on-line evaluations, surveys and follow-up writing assignments Application Process:
•Complete on-line application
•Provide a letter of recommendation from current or former supervisor
•Prepare a cover letter no more than one page in length to include a statement of interest
•All information to be submitted electronically at www.aafea.org
•Due date for applications: FEBRUARY 21, 2017 5:00 PM
•Participant selections will be announced: FEBRUARY 27, 2017 Note: All webcasts are proposed to occur live at 1:00 pm EST on scheduled dates. |