Workplace Advancement Strategies

05/08/2026

05/08/2026

Today we honor the incredible military spouses who serve their families and our country in countless unseen ways. So proud of my daughter, , and the grace, resilience, and love she brings to military life every day.

04/19/2026

As a Business Leader, What You Should Know About the Georgia Air National Guard!

When most people think about the 165th Airlift Wing, they think aircraft and deployments. But I learned the real story is much broader during our trip to the state headquarters. The 165th operates as part of a larger system delivering local, state, national and international impact—including work that directly affects your workforce.

Take the Georgia Air National Guard Counterdrug Task Force.

The fentanyl crisis follows a global supply chain—originating with precursor chemicals produced and incentivized for export in China, moving through criminal networks, and ending up in American communities. This is a documented operational reality.

The scale:
82.5 million lethal doses of fentanyl seized in Georgia last year (more than 7× our state population)

73,000–77,000 overdose deaths nationally in a recent 12-month period, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Behind every number is a family, a community, and a workplace—and the Georgia Air National Guard is working to protect all three.

For business leaders, this shows up in:
Workforce availability
Safety and reliability
Healthcare and benefit costs
Family and community stability

This isn’t just a public health issue—it’s a workforce readiness issue.

If you’re a business leader, this is worth your attention. Learn their mission. Engage locally. Support the partnerships that strengthen the workforce you depend on.

Thank you to the Ga Air National Guard, Colonel Sheldon Wilson, Colonel Miller, and the entire team at 165th Airlift Wing that created such an educational experience!

04/03/2026

It was an honor to be part of Civic Leader Day with the 165th Airlift Wing.

We had the privilege of welcoming an incredible group of community leaders to the wing—leaders who shape our region every day through service, business, and civic engagement.

Throughout the day, they gained a deeper understanding of the mission, structure, and the dedicated men and women who serve. They had the opportunity to engage directly with the leadership team, ask questions, and experience firsthand what makes the 165th such a vital part of both our national defense and our local community.

And for many, the highlight? Taking to the skies in a C-130J Super Hercules—an unforgettable experience that brought the mission to life in a powerful way.

Opportunities like this strengthen the connection between our military and the communities they serve. When civic leaders understand the mission, they become even stronger advocates, partners, and champions for those in uniform.

Grateful for the chance to help build those bridges and showcase the incredible work happening at the 165th every day.

03/13/2026

What the Forsyth Fountain Teaches About Leadership

Photograph by Shayla Sanchez

If you live in Savannah like I do, you know that St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just a date on the calendar—it’s a season.

One of my favorite traditions each year is the greening of the Forsyth Park Fountain.

For most of the year, the water flows clear and familiar. Then someone pours in the dye, and slowly—almost quietly—it begins to spread. Within minutes, the entire fountain has changed.

What strikes me every time is how one small action transforms the whole system.

Leadership works the same way.

A single clear message.

A well-timed word of encouragement.

A decision that simplifies the path forward.

Like that drop of dye in the fountain, it spreads.

Clarity spreads.

Energy spreads.

Confidence spreads.

But so does confusion if we’re not careful.

That’s why the image of the shamrock also resonates with me this time of year. Legend says Saint Patrick used a simple three-leaf clover to explain the idea of the Holy Trinity to people who just needed a way to understand it.

He didn’t add complexity. He removed it.

As leaders, we spend a lot of time navigating the “tall grass” of spreadsheets, shifting KPIs, and complicated strategies. But our real value isn’t in how much complexity we can manage.

It’s in how clearly we can communicate the path forward. Sometimes leadership simply means holding up the shamrock so everyone—from the front line to the executive suite—can see where we’re going together.

Of course, the Irish story isn’t only about celebration. It’s also about resilience. Generations endured unimaginable hardship during the Great Famine, yet their spirit and culture spread across the world because they refused to let scarcity define them.

We all have our own “famine years” in leadership—those seasons when resources are thin, wins are hard to find, and morale can feel heavy.

It’s easy to lead when the squares are full of sunshine and celebration. But character is often forged in the lean seasons. Those moments invite us to find a deeper kind of resourcefulness—the kind that turns hardship into growth and struggle into legacy.

So as we move through the crowds and festivities this week, I’m reflecting on my own “shamrock” and I challenge you to do the same.

What can you simplify to make the path forward clearer for others? Because just like the fountain in Savannah, sometimes it only takes one clear signal to change the direction of the entire flow.

There’s an old Irish blessing often attributed to Saint Patrick that feels fitting this week:

“May your troubles be less,

and your blessings be more,

and nothing but happiness

come through your door.”

Wishing you a safe, joyful, and meaningful celebration. ☘️

Dr. Julie Olsen

03/05/2026

Proud to support the incredible work of the United Way of the Coastal Empire at the Women Who Rule event — dedicated to celebrating leadership while raising critical funds for the Transportation Fund.

This fund provides practical, life-changing support for neighbors who need small car repairs, bus tickets, or other transportation assistance. Sometimes the difference between keeping a job or missing work… between stability or setback… is simply reliable transportation.

It was especially meaningful to invite officers from the 165th Airlift Wing and Army military spouses from Hunter Army Airfield and Fort Stewart to join in the celebration.

Our military members and their families serve in ways most people never see — with strength, resilience, and quiet sacrifice. Bringing together women who lead in business, nonprofits, and the military was a powerful reminder that service takes many forms — and when we support one another, our entire Coastal Empire is stronger.

Grateful to stand alongside leaders who are committed to moving our community forward — literally and figuratively.

02/26/2026

Congratulations to Col Richard "Sheriff" Peace on his promotion to Colonel and his assumption of command of the Air Dominance Center in Savannah, Ga.

Col. Peace left professional football and joined the Air Force in response to the unprecedented attacks on our nation on September 11, a decision rooted in service, courage, and commitment. During his service in the Air Force, he completed five combat deployments, logging more than 700 combat hours across 180 aerial missions in defense of our nation. The F35 fighter jet is only one of the many aircraft he is credentialed to fly.

Following a seven-month tour in Afghanistan, Col. Peace continued his aviation career as a First Officer with Delta Air Lines, while also transitioning to serve as a traditional member of the Air National Guard—demonstrating the very best of the citizen-Airman model.

Service runs deep in his family. His mother served as a Major in the Air Force during Vietnam, and his father retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel. That legacy of leadership and sacrifice now continues as he takes command in Savannah.

Col. Peace brings operational credibility, combat-tested leadership, and a heart for service to this role.

Welcome to Savannah, Colonel Peace—and congratulations on this well-earned promotion and command!

02/24/2026

Congratulations to Col. Stephen “Tracker” Thomas on his retirement after an extraordinary tenure leading the Air Dominance Center (ADC) — also known as the Combat Readiness Training Center (CRCT) — in Savannah.

Since assuming command in 2022, Tracker led the ADC to become the top Air Force jet pilot training center operating under the Air National Guard. Under his leadership, the center trained more pilots than any of the other CRCT and played a vital role in preparing aviators who recently supported missions including Operation Midnight Hammer (Iran) and Operation Absolute Resolve (Venezuela).

His impact goes beyond numbers.

He built a culture of high standards, operational excellence, and relentless preparation — ensuring pilots were not just qualified, but truly ready. His leadership strengthened readiness, enhanced reputation, and elevated performance across the enterprise.

Building a phenomenal training center is no small feat. Leaving it as the standard-setter is even rarer.

Thank you for your leadership and service, Tracker. Congratulations to you and your lovely wife Ashley. Wishing you continued success in the next phase of your career journey.

02/12/2026

It’s February 11: National Don’t Cry Over Spilt Milk Day 🥛

Leadership reminder: things will spill. Projects miss deadlines. A hire doesn’t work out. A strategy falls flat. A comment lands wrong. Even the best teams make mistakes.

Strong leaders don’t stand over the mess assigning blame. They grab a towel, assess what happened, and ask:

What can we learn?

What will we do differently next time?

How do we move forward—together?

Resilient cultures aren’t built on perfection. They’re built on accountability, perspective, and progress.

Clean it up. Learn from it. Keep leading.

02/05/2026

Spots are limited so if you are interested, register today!

For more information or to register, check it out here:
https://academy.workplaceadvancement.com/courses/leading-with-purpose-and-impact-february-2026--c3419065-9750-400d-8185-b77e96e7871a/salespage