Dana Born Speaks at Denver Women's Leadership Forum
The former Air Force Academy dean will address the International Women's Forum World Leadership Conference in Denver.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Women’s Issues
Dana Born, the first female dean of the Air Force Academy, will speak at the International Women's Forum World Leadership Conference in Denver this week. The conference theme is 'Navigating Peaks and Valley: Leading Amid Uncertainty.'
Why it matters
Born's talk draws on her experience leading through a major policy transition, including her service on the Department of Defense working group that guided the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. The conference brings together women leaders in Denver, a regional hub for professional networking.
The conference is expected to draw about 600 women from 27 countries, and the International Women's Forum, founded in 1974, holds two such conferences a year. The number of sessions or speakers beyond Born is not specified.
The players
Dana Born
Born is a 30-year Air Force veteran who served as the first female dean of the Air Force Academy and is now a senior distinguished fellow at The HOW Institute for Society.
International Women's Forum
The International Women's Forum is a leadership organization founded in 1974 that holds two conferences a year for women leaders.
The details
Dana Born, a 30-year Air Force veteran and senior distinguished fellow at The HOW Institute for Society, will share leadership lessons at the conference. Born joined the International Women's Forum in 2004 and previously helped prepare the Department of Defense for the 2010 repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell by listening to and embracing different experiences.
Timeline
1974: International Women's Forum founded.
2004: Dana Born joins the International Women's Forum.
2010: Don't Ask, Don't Tell repealed under the Obama administration.
This week: Born speaks at the Denver leadership conference.
Big Picture
Born's background includes serving on the Department of Defense working group tasked with determining how to carry out the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell in 2010. Her Denver remarks connect that policy transition to the broader theme of leading through uncertainty.
Women attending the Denver conference will gain access to leadership training and networking with peers from 27 countries. The event offers a direct opportunity for professional development for those who attend.
The takeaway
Leadership through uncertainty often depends on listening to differing experiences before making change. Born's work on the DOD working group shows how that approach can guide large institutional transitions.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in Women's Issues for context on leadership and gender in the workplace.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Colorado Springs Gazette.
