Leading through Listening: The Importance of Communication and Feedback
Whether it's a natural disaster, a community tragedy, or a full-on war, there are turbulenttimes all over the world. Leadership can ignite fear and cause uncertainty, or it can provide clarity, empathy, and foster resilience. Nobody knows better how to react and move forward in times of crisis than top Army strategists Colonel Katie Crombe and Retired General Joe Votel. They understand that much of that leadership relies on clear and effective communication with others. Learn about the importance of trust, culture, and feedback in that mission as they draw on their time in the service to relay essential lessons to leadership.
Crombe is an Army strategist serving as Chief of the Joint Operational War Plans Division, Joint Staff J5. She previously led strategy and planning at U.S. Special Operations Command Central and served as Aide-de-Camp to General Joseph Votel at CENTCOM. Commissioned in 2003, she has held command and strategic roles across Iraq, Jordan, the UK, and Washington, D.C., including leading operations to counter ISIS and reform Army warrior care. She holds degrees from Lehigh University, the Institute of World Politics, and the U.S. Army War College.
General Joseph L. Votel is a retired four-star U.S. Army general and former commander of U.S. Central Command, where he led the 79-nation coalition that defeated ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Over his 39-year military career, he held top leadership roles in both special operations and conventional forces, with combat tours in Panama, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Post-retirement, he led Business Executives for National Security and now advises multiple defense and tech organizations. He is a Distinguished Chair at West Point's Combating Terrorism Center and a Fellow at the Middle East Institute.
Katie is speaking in her personal capacity. The views presented are those of the speaker or author and do not necessarily represent the views of United States Army, the Joint Staff, the Department of Defense, or any other US government agency.
Date/Time: Thursday, October 23, 2025 7:00-8:30PM
Location: Jefferson Educational Society, 3207 State St, Erie, PA 16508
Admission:
- General Admission (Early Bird Pricing) $25
- Preferred Seating (Early Bird Pricing) $50 (Closest Section Near the Stage)
- Additional Fees: Amusement Tax, Processing Fee
Parking: TBD
Colonel Katie Crombe is an Army strategist currently serving on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon. Prior to the Joint Staff, Katie served at U.S. Special Operations Command Central as the Director of Strategy and Plans and prior to this, as the Director of the Commander’s Action Group. Katie was born at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and grew up on numerous Army posts within the United States and Germany. She holds Bachelor's Degrees in English and Political Science from Lehigh University, where she was elected President of the Class of 2003. COL Crombe holds a Master’s Degree in International Affairs and National Security from the Institute of World Politics in Washington, DC and a Master’s Degree in National Security Affairs from the U.S. Army War College.
Katie was commissioned into the U.S. Army upon graduation from Lehigh University in 2003 and has gone on to serve in a myriad of staff and leadership positions throughout her career. Katie served in the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment Support Squadron as a platoon leader, troop executive officer and squadron adjutant, deploying twice to Iraq—first to Al Asad and second to Tal Afar during Operation Restoring Rights. Later, Katie served at the Army’s Human Resources Command, first as an assignments officer and then as a strategic initiatives officer for the Army’s Officer Personnel Management Task Force. Following that position, Katie commanded Chosen Battery (a unit of 300 wounded soldiers undergoing rehabilitation) at Walter Reed Army Medical during the height of the restructuring of warrior care across the Army. Post command, Katie completed an 18-month graduate fellowship before moving to Amman, Jordan. In Amman, Katie worked for three years as a forward planner for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), developing bilateral, coalition and interagency plans during the Syrian Civil War and the invasion of ISIS. COL Crombe then moved to London where she served as an exchange officer in the United Kingdom’s Operational Headquarters, focusing on strategy development for operations across the Middle East. Katie then moved to U.S. Central Command, where she joined the planning team for the Defeat ISIS plan prior to being selected to serve as CENTCOM Commander, General Joseph Votel’s, Aide-de-Camp.
Katie is married to Retired Air Commodore Roddy Dennis, now a Captain for United Airlines. They have four children - Freya, Archie, Dylan, and Owen and enjoy traveling and skiing.
General Joseph L. Votel is a retired U.S. Army Four-Star officer and the former Commander of the U.S. Central Command – responsible for U.S. and coalition military operations in the Middle East, Levant and Central and South Asia. During his 39 years in the military, he commanded special operations and conventional military forces at every level. His career included combat in Panama, Afghanistan and Iraq. Notably, he led a 79-member coalition that successfully liberated Iraq and Syria from the Islamic State Caliphate. He preceded his assignment at CENTCOM with service as the Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command and the Joint Special Operations Command.
Following his retirement from military service, General Votel served as the President & CEO of Business Executives for National Security (BENS). He is member of the Board of Trustees of Noblis Corporation and a Strategic Advisor for Sierra Nevada Corporation and AGI, Inc. Votel is a Board Director with AeroVironment, Minnesota Wire, DC Capital Partners, Helix Decision Science and a member of the Government Advisory Board for Insight Partners. He a non-resident Distinguished Fellow at the Middle East Institute and the Distinguished Chair of the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point.
General Votel is a member the Executive Board at the UPenn Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law (CERL). He is a member of the Board for both Bravo Zulu House and the Veterans Defense Project. Votel is a member of the advisory Board for Spirit of America. He is a current member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Votel was recognized with the Distinguished Military Leadership Award from the Atlantic Council, the U.S. – Arab Defense Leadership Award from the National Council on U.S. - Arab Relations, the Patriot Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, the SGT James T. Regan Lifetime Achievement Award from the “Lead the Way” Foundation and the Freedom Award from the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.
Votel is a 1980 graduate of the United States Military Academy and earned master’s degrees from the U.S. Army Command and Staff College and the Army War College. He is married to Michele; and they have two grown sons, a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. The Votels reside in Lake Elmo, Minnesota.
