Shelane Etchison, a U.S. Army veteran and candidate for Congress in North Carolina's 9th District. Shelane’s distinguished military career, which includes service as a Military Police officer and pioneering roles in special operations alongside Army Rangers and Navy SEALs, speaks to her dedication to principled leadership. After deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria, she hung up her 11 year military career and headed to Harvard. There she earned both an MBA from Harvard Business School and an MPP from Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Now, she’s running as an unaffiliated candidate, committed to breaking the gridlock of partisan politics.

Read more about where she stands HERE

During our conversation, Shelane reflects on her journey from military service to politics, the importance of civic engagement, and the challenges faced by women in leadership. As she prepares to welcome her first child, Shelane also shares her thoughts on raising the next generation with integrity, empathy, and a strong sense of community in an increasingly digital age. We discuss critical issues such as the impact of technology on youth, balancing personal and professional life, and the role of community values in parenting and policymaking.

Our conversation underscores the importance of local candidates and why it's essential to research beyond party lines. Shelane's story is a testament to courage and commitment, reminding us that civic duty starts with informed choices. Whether you're a military family, a parent, a mom who continues to follow her passion, or someone concerned about the future of our democracy, this conversation offers valuable insights on leadership, responsibility, and the power of voting.

Tune in, do your research, and remember—your vote matters more than you think.

To learn more about your host, Katelyn Gerhardt:

Cultivate with KG: Katelyn is a business coach, consultant and speaker specializing in help women build their empire as a fierce and loving woman! She helps you bridge the gap between where you are now and where you dream to be. With a focus on building the woman who makes her daydreams a reality, she helps you get crystal clear on what you want and helps you implement the plan to get there one step at a time. If you're looking to start or build a business, grow your team, expand, hire, or create an intentional company culture; let's do it. She's helped hundreds of women master their time so they can build the life they desire. She offers self paced courses, 1:1 coaching and workshops!

Independence Academy: In 2015, Katelyn co-founded Independence Academy a private Montessori and Reggio inspired school serving children 2 yrs through elementary. Sitting on 13 acres, Independence Academy is a place where children are immersed in nature and are taking back their childhood. With a team of 30+ women, (and her smokin' hot and oh so wise husband), Katelyn's mission is to create a ripple affect that will impact the lives of the children that attend, their families, and her team to give them skills and a mindset that will forever serve them on their journey.

Diaries of a Boss Babe Podcast: The passion project! Cultivating community is the main mission of this podcast. To connect, to relate, to create magic one conversation at a time. Come follow along on Instagram where we keep the conversation going and need YOUR input!