A Story of Service and Strength: Introducing Our Colorado ENGAGE Guest Speaker
We are honored to welcome Chief Master Sergeant (Ret.) Denise Jelinski-Hall as our local Guest Speaker for the Colorado Women Veterans ENGAGE Conference.
With a distinguished career spanning decades of service, leadership, and impact, CMSgt Jelinski-Hall has paved the way for future generations through her commitment to excellence and dedication to those who serve. From her early days in the Air Force to her historic role within the National Guard Bureau, her journey reflects resilience, strength, and an unwavering passion for supporting service members and their families. We are proud to share her story and excited for our community to hear directly from her at ENGAGE.
In the spirit of connection, community, and purpose, we are proud to share her journey in her own words:
Chief Master Sergeant (Ret.) Denise Jelinski-Hall, a native of Minnesota, began her distinguished Air Force career in 1984 as an air traffic controller. In 1987, she Palace Chased into the Air National Guard and cross-trained into Ground Radio Operations. In 1990, her family moved to Oahu, Hawai’i where she joined the 297th Air Traffic Control Flight, Barbers Point. In 2004, she was selected as the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the 154th Wing, Hawaii Air National Guard. In 2006, she was selected as the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the Hawaii Air National Guard. Shortly thereafter, the Adjutant General of Hawai’i selected her to serve as the State Senior Enlisted Leader for the Hawai’i National Guard (Army and Air). She held both positions simultaneously until she assumed the position of the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau in February 2010.
In this position, her responsibilities included advising the Chief of the National Guard Bureau on all enlisted matters affecting training and utilization, health of the force, and enlisted professional development of approximately 415,000 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen. Additionally, she was heavily involved in all matters that affected the families of National Guard members.
In 2010, Chief Master Sergeant Jelinski-Hall had the distinction of being the “first woman” to achieve the highest position ever held by an enlisted woman in the history of the United States Armed Forces.
She served as a board of trustee for United Through Reading, Military Child Education Coalition, and served as a military advisor at Veterans United Home Loans. She currently volunteers with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve and is active in her church. Chief Jelinski-Hall is the author of the book, “From the Prairie to the Pentagon” and co-author of the leadership book “Breaching the Summit”. She holds an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree presented by Hawai’i Pacific University. Denise and her husband reside in Colorado, have four children and nine grandchildren, and one great grandson.
Official National Guard Bureau Biography
We are proud to bring her voice to the ENGAGE stage and to create space for meaningful connection and inspiration.
Join us as we come together in connection, community, and purpose, and experience the power of shared stories and leadership.
👉 Register here: Colorado Women Veterans Engage Conference
