Representatives from the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and foreign militaries gathered at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Crystal City, Virginia for the 29th annual Sea Services Leadership Association's (SSLA) Joint Women's Leadership Symposium (JWLS) June 14-15.

This year's theme, "Leading with Purpose: Impacting our Future!" works to prepare women to excel in the military of today and provides attendees opportunities for networking, education and mentorship from all five armed services.

JLWS has been recognized as the premier professional and personal development conference for women in the military. Past symposiums have featured senior leaders from the White House, Department of Defense, and private sector.

"The dynamic two-day professional development provided by the Joint Women's Leadership Symposium has never been more valuable, essential, and relevant to women and men in uniform than today," said U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. June E. Ryan, chairperson, SSLA Board of Directors. "For nearly three decades this event has readied thousands of service members to perform to their highest potential. And in today's military there's no limit to how high they can soar."

During JLWS 2016, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from guest speakers such as Secretary of the U.S. Air Force Deborah Lee James, Under Secretary of the U.S. Army Patrick J. Murphy, and the first female four star general in the U.S. military retired U.S. Army General Ann E. Dunwoody.

Vice Adm. Jan Tighe, commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command commander, U.S. 10th Fleet, was the Navy keynote speaker on the first day of the conference and spoke on the contribution of vulnerability to true leadership.

"If you want to build trust with your Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen Marines, [and] civilians you have to be willing to show yourself; building trust is fundamental to being a leader," said Tighe.

The 29th annual Sea Services Leadership Association's Joint Women's Leadership Symposium continues through June 15.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil/, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy/, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy/.

To learn more about the Sea Service Leadership Association or JWLS 2016 visit http://www.sealeader.org .