Rear Adm. Lisa Franchetti, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea, shared her career experiences and leadership philosophy with Sailors during a keynote address at the Pacific Northwest Surface Navy Women's Waterfront Symposium, April 22.

Franchetti kicked off the event with her opening remarks, which embodied the symposium's theme, "Empowering Women Leaders: Inspired by the Past, Focused on the Future."

"I see the future of our Navy right in front of me," said Franchetti. "People who are ready to make a positive impact on our Navy and ensure our organization is poised and ready for the challenges and opportunities that await us."

Franchetti stressed the importance of personal growth and shared her "top six" thoughts on having a successful career; those included defining success, understanding your organization, setting goals, developing a good network, creating life-work balance, and embracing excellence.

Throughout the day, women leaders from across the Navy presented educational sessions covering topics ranging from the Office of Women's Policy initiatives addressing women's retention challenges, the enlisted placement and officer detailing process, and special programs.

"As detailers, we're here to provide information on career development and help Sailors explore options to meet both professional and personal goals," said Lt. Kailey Snyder, officer detailer at Navy Personnel Command (PERS-41). "This symposium was a great opportunity to meet face-to-face with the officers and Sailors we serve and discuss their ideas to achieve that balance."

Senior leaders from local Everett and Bremerton, Washington, commands took part in the interactive-panel discussions with junior officers and enlisted personnel, discussing the challenges and opportunities of the future Navy force.

"The Navy is changing," said Lt. Cmdr Satonya Brown, symposium coordinator and executive officer of Regional Support Organization Pacific Northwest (RSO PNW). "We are opening more doors, making more career paths available and taking more things like family into consideration, more so than in the past. We are working to make our Sailors aware of these new options, so that they can make more informed decisions about their careers and hopefully stay Navy."

The symposium was hosted by Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9 in coordination with RSO PNW and was designed to address the challenges that affect women across the surface force and discuss opportunities, solutions, and resources to achieve successful Navy careers.

"I encourage you to focus on your personal goals," said Franchetti. "Focus on what you need to do to achieve them, focus on taking care of the people around you, and never let go of your dreams."

Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea is the regional commander for the U.S. Navy in the Republic of Korea and provides expertise on naval matters to area military commanders, including the commander for the United Nations Command, the Combined Forces Command, and Commander, U.S. Forces Korea.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea, visit www.navy.mil/.