Women's Leadership Council Meet & Greet

Description

Thursday, October 23, 2025 | 4:30–6:00 PM at Chamber HQ

Guest Speaker: Angela McConnell, Ph.D.; USA/USAFR, Maj (Ret); Founder - President/CEO

NOVA VETERANS ASSOCIATION

Topic: Menopause Myth Busting - Understand the Truth so you get the Treatment

Why Women get Dismissed by the Healthcare System (doctors) and How to Stop it

MAJ Angela H. McConnell, Ph.D. USA/USAFR (RET) served over 22 years in the U.S. Military, active duty and reserve, in both the enlisted ranks and officer corps. She founded the Northern Virginia Veterans Association 501(c)3 in January 2015. As President and CEO of this growing nonprofit, she directs the mission to provide comprehensive personalized services to the underserved veteran population. The goal is to find these, often marginalized veterans (elderly, poor, disabled) who are not able to help themselves and ensure they receive the services they need and deserve. Direct personalized support and coordination of essential services for these veterans is the critical gap NOVA Veterans Association targets and works diligently to fill. Currently NOVA Veterans has a grant to serve Women Veterans  and will focus on targeting and supporting this population in order to help them have equality of care and services to achieve the healthiest and best quality of life.

Dr. McConnell has noticed that women in midlife are often being dismissed and not provided the healthcare services and treatment they require during peri/menopause (35-60 yrs old). Symptoms of fatigue, fat gain, muscle loss, cardiovascular, neuromuscular, autoimmune, low libido, lost teeth/gum problems, insomnia, and other issues can be overlooked and/or not understood by their doctors. Dr. Ang Mac Consultant and Advocate is now providing consultation and services to help women understand their symptoms and work with their healthcare providers, so they receive the attention and treatment they need and deserve.

In 2025, Dr. McConnell was given the esteemed honor of being appointed by Virginia’s Governor Youngkin to Virginia’s Joint Leadership Council of Veteran Service Organizations (JLC) where she will volunteer her time and expertise towards shaping and informing necessary veteran/military legislation and policy.

Thank you to our annual sponsor!