2024 Annual Conference - Santa Fe New Mexico - 08/01/2024 to 08/03/2024Kristin Beck, Retired Navy SEAL and Civil Rights Activist Kristin Beck is a retired United States Navy SEAL, who served for more than 20 years in the Special Operations Forces, as well as a civil rights advocate. Over the course of 13 deployments and seven combat deployments, she conducted special operations with small UAVs, HUMINT, and Direct Action missions. Her final tours were with the counter-terrorism Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU or “SEAL Team Six”) to head the Special Reconnaissance units and various Task Forces as a HUMINT source handler and technical operations director. For her service, she has been awarded more than 50 ribbons and medals including: the Bronze Star with valor, the Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal. She is exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau.
In 2009, Beck was requested by name to be the Advisor to SOCOM’s Science Director, Mr. William Shepherd (SEAL/Astronaut). She became an integral part of SOF technology and advancements while serving in this capacity. She has prepared and briefed position papers on SOF- unique technology for State Department and White House approvals. As a result of these outstanding achievements, Kristin Beck received the coveted NDIA 2010 Special Operations Award.
Now a civil rights activist, she gives speeches and lectures at various events around the country. Beck was a key voice in the Congressional Bill to end discrimination toward the LGBT community. She continues her “new mission” fighting for equality for all Americans and a documentary story of her life, Lady Valor: The Kristin Beck Story, aired on CNN in 2014.
Today, Beck is known as “Lady Valor” and offers services in consulting, full spectrum law enforcement training, motivational and informational speeches, innovation collaborations, art and other original works such as books, comic books, screenplays, painting/pottery/abstract multimedia pieces. She is the founder and president of the Mindful Valor Foundation, an organization seeking alternative methods and technology to help those experiencing symptoms of trauma to live a full and prosperous life. Beck is also the national advocacy officer for the Military Order of the Purple Heart, dedicated to serving veterans, addressing their needs, and advocating on their behalf.
In February 2015, Beck registered as a candidate in the 2016 US Congressional race. She is a Democrat and ran against Steny Hoyer, who has been an incumbent in that office since 1981. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristin_Beck |
