Ms. Jennifer Bennett, while serving with the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), the Navy's Acquisition organization was severely wounded and is one of four survivors of the 16 September 2013 Navy Yard Shooting. Her experiences were chronicled by the Washington Post in September 2014 and most recently in the October 2017 SHOWTIME documentary, “Active Shooter, America Under Fire”. Jennifer’s recovery included trauma repair, reconstructive surgeries and over two years of progressive physical therapy. Since the events of September 2013, Jennifer has spoken to Church congregations, faith-based organizations, political groups, law enforcement, security professionals and other organizations regarding her experience, resiliency, leadership, organizational culture, culture change, active shooter and insider threat. Jennifer presents her faith-based story of God’s presence in a time of tragedy as well as a unique perspective on a leader’s impact upon an organization’s employees and culture.
A native of Ohio, has served as a United States Navy Civil Servant for 22 years progressing from a Program Analyst to various program management positions within the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), the Navy’s premier systems acquisition and fleet support organization. These include Chief of Staff, Program Executive Office Ships; Human Systems Integration Engineer for the Littoral Combat Ship Program; Organizational and Operations Manager, Cost Engineering and Industrial Analysis Directorate; Deputy Chief of Staff and principal Strategy Analyst for the NAVSEA Chief of Staff.
Jennifer is a graduate of Regent University’s school of Business and Leadership with Bachelor of Science and Master of Art degrees in Organizational Leadership and Management with a focus on cultural effects of Executive Leaders on their workforce. She also possesses a Masters certification in Human Systems Integration Engineering from the Naval Post Graduate School.
