447. From Pregnant Runaway at 14 to Washington D.C.’s Police Chief at 39—A Remarkable Story of Resilience

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Cathy Lanier, whose amazing story continues to inspire. At age 14, Lanier got pregnant, ran away from home, dropped out of high school. But by age 39, this single mother became Washington D.C.’s Chief of Police, earned two master’s degrees, and now serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Security Officer for the National Football League (NFL). In her role with the NFL, Lanier coordinates the efforts of the League offices—that is, all 32 clubs!—and federal, state and local law entities to ensure the security of the NFL’s venues, fans, players, staff and infrastructure. Cathy served as Chief of Police in Washington, D.C. from 2007 to 2016, where she was not only the first female police chief but also the longest serving chief, serving under three mayors. Her innovative strategies were credited with reducing violent crime in Washington, D.C. by 21 percent from 2007 to 2015 while the city’s population grew by 15 percent. LISTEN TO the radio broadcast live on iHeart Radio, or to “THE MENTORS RADIO” podcast any time, anywhere, on any podcast platform – subscribe here and don’t miss an episode! SHOW NOTES: CATHY LANIER: BIO: BIO: CATHY LANIER, Senior Vice President and Chief of Security, National Football League NEWS & CLIPS with Cathy Lanier Women in Football: Cathy Lanier, NFL Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier, Washington, DC Police Chief https://www.youtube.com/embed/QE0J8c91rWQ?feature=oembed A Conversation with NPS Alumna, Ms. Cathy Lanier Other News clips involving Cathy Lanier Keynote Speaker, Ms. Cathy Lanier, Senior Vice President of NFL Security, Fall 2018, Naval Postgraduate School Graduation Ceremony NFL calls on Congress to address growing drone threats at games Cathy Lanier Changes Policing in D.C. and Maybe Nation