Tanja Thompson

Activist, Brainstormer, Change Agent, Christian, Concerned citizen, Consultant, Parent, Public servant, Student, World traveler

Tanja Thompson was born and raised in Fort Wayne, IN a small town in the mid-west. Upon graduating from high school, she went to work at a nursing home, while her friends went to work at Dana and Harvester the largest car manufacturing plants in the mid-west. This was not her path – she knew her ticket out of poverty was to get an education, so she enlisted in the Air Force for the educational benefits. The military has afforded her the opportunity to gain life and work experiences. She has a BS, HealthCare Services from UMUC, MS-Human Resource Management from Webster University, and is currently a graduate student in the School of Conflict Analysis and Resolution (S-CAR) at GMU. Tanja’s educational journey has been paid in full by the United States Air Force, in summary she has never had a student loan. Tanja retired from the Air Force with 25 years of honorable active duty service, serving in the Indiana Air National Guard and the District of Columbia Air National Guard (DCANG). Her last assignment was at the National Guard Bureau retiring as a Senior Master Sergeant (E8) with an impeccable military service record. She has numerous awards, medals, and ribbons outlining her distinguished accomplishments. Tanja is moving the needle with two asks of her team members, the first ask is to serve as a volunteer in your specialty for the TEDxCatoctinCircleWomen event...the second ask is for them to mentor s student or young adult to help them gain hands-on experience in their respective field of study. Tanja is a member of the National Association for the Advancement for Colored People (NAACP) where she has served in the role of Legal Redress Chair helping with civil right issues. She was the first African American female to serve on the Loudoun Water Board of Directors, she was a member of the Social Service Board in Leesburg and was a volunteer at the Workforce Development center providing valuable interviewing and resume writing skills to individuals looking for jobs. She is a two-time breast cancer survivor and helps individuals in being their own health advocate. Tanja’s day job is a Mediator in the federal government in Washington DC where she helps individuals and groups navigate how to resolve, response, and build conflict competent skills. Fun fact about Tanja, when she was a teenager she was a magicians assistant.

I am passionate about engaging the community ensuring that there is a level of respect and professionalism in all matters of justice. I am passionate about giving back to the community with volunteerism and mentoring the youth and entrepreneurs with tangible, real world opportunities.

Breast Cancer Advocacy, Communication, Conflict Resolution, Delgation, Engagement, Interpersonal Communication, Leadership, Life Coaching, Mediation, Organizational Design, Process Improvement Techniques, Teambuilding

Listening and allowing others to tell their story