Lessons in Leadership

A leader of the Vermont Air National Guard, Brig Gen Laura Caputo, visited Norwich University as a guest speaker for the Women Kicking Glass (WKG) Student Club. She offered an inside look at leadership shaped by more than three decades of military and civilian service.

Brig Gen Caputo, who was promoted from colonel to brigadier general in the Vermont Air National Guard (VTANG) on July 25, 2025, toured campus, attended a reception with students and University leaders, and delivered remarks in Kreitzberg Library followed by a question-and-answer session. Throughout the evening, Brig Gen Caputo spoke candidly about her career path — one that has spanned the U.S. Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard.

She now serves as the chief of staff — air at the Vermont National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters. Her background includes service as a pilot, intelligence officer, instructor pilot, aircraft commander, and group commander. She has flown the T-37, T-38, KC-10, and C-21 aircraft and been cross-trained as an intelligence officer.

Additional leadership roles have included director of joint intelligence and director of operations at the Vermont National Guard Joint Force Headquarters. She has also served as commander of the 158th Maintenance Group at the 158th Fighter Wing, where she led more than 400 Airmen responsible for maintaining the F-35 Lightning II fleet — the Air National Guard’s first fifth-generation fighter aircraft. Under her leadership, the group supported both domestic and overseas deployments.

Brig Gen Caputo has deployed several times, including deployments in support of Operations Allied Force, Northern and Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. Closer to home, she served as a key leader in the Vermont National Guard’s response to Hurricane Irene and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Building a Platform for Women’s Leadership

For the WKG Student Club, Brig Gen Caputo’s visit highlights the caliber of guest that their speaker series aims to include. A1C Isis Edwards ’26, VTANG, president of the WKG Student Club, said the idea surrounding this event had been brewing for a while.

“The idea for the speaker series grew out of conversations our club had been having since the fall semester, inspired by the speakers Norwich regularly brings to campus,” says Edwards. “We wanted to create a series with a specific focus on women’s leadership. For our first speaker, I intentionally chose a military leader as the starting point. As an A1C in the VTANG, I spoke with my lieutenant colonel and captain about potential speakers from our unit, and both independently recommended Brig Gen Caputo.”

What began as a textbook speaking engagement eventually evolved into a larger event. “Initially, the event was planned as just a speech,” says Edwards. “As it developed, it expanded into a larger event that included a dinner and a tour, which added more logistical details, many of which had to be handled during finals week and winter break.”

Despite the added coordination, Edwards said the experience was meaningful both personally and professionally, and highlighted that their advisor, Kate Bennecker, assistant director of alumni engagement, worked closely with the group and made the process smoother than anticipated. “My leadership position in this club represents an opportunity for both personal growth and long-term impact,” says Edwards. “It has allowed me to develop my leadership skills while working toward a mission that genuinely matters to me, promoting women’s leadership and creating meaningful opportunities for students.”

Perspective for the Next Generation

For students preparing to commission, Brig Gen Caputo’s presence carried particular weight. C/CPT Anastasia Abrams ’26, an AFROTC cadet and member of the WKG Student Club, said the opportunity to hear directly from a senior female officer stood out.

“As a senior who is about to commission into the Air Force as an officer, the chance to hear a genuine, firsthand account from a female military officer was what truly caught my attention,” she says. “I was drawn to the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge about career paths, resilience, and leadership from someone who has overcome obstacles like those that many women encounter today.”

Abrams added that hearing Brig Gen Caputo speak made leadership feel tangible and attainable. “Hearing an honest, firsthand account of resilience and leadership — especially from a female military officer who has successfully navigated environments where women are still underrepresented — was one of my favorite lessons learned,” says Abrams. “The idea of pursuing leadership opportunities felt more realistic and achievable after witnessing how important perseverance and mentoring are to long-term success.”

Edwards echoed that sentiment, noting how Brig Gen Caputo’s reflections on her early career hit home with her personally. “My favorite takeaway from the event was the advice Brig Gen Caputo shared about both her career and life more broadly,” she says. “One part that really resonated with me was how similar her early experiences in the Air Force were to my own.”

What stood out most, Edwards added, was Brig Gen Caputo’s perspective on missed opportunities. “She spoke about spending time with friends after work and traveling early in her career,” she says. “What stood out most, though, was her reflection that she wished she had taken advantage of more opportunities when she was younger.”

For Edwards, that message was both grounding and motivating — a reminder to balance enjoying the present with intentionally saying yes to future possibilities.

Creating Opportunity Through Connection

Both cadets emphasized that events like this extend learning beyond the classroom. “As a senior, events like these give me a valuable perspective on the different directions I can take in my future career,” says Edwards. “Overall, these events help me feel more informed, motivated, and confident as I transition from college into my professional life.”

Abrams similarly described the value of exposure to leaders with varied experiences. “Events like these benefit my educational experiences at Norwich because they help me to meet someone new with a different experience and different opportunities that has made their own success story,” she says. “The opportunity to speak to individuals with success stories helps me gain advice on how I can be an effective leader in the future.”

As the Women Kicking Glass Student Club continues to grow, its leadership hope more students will take advantage of similar opportunities. “I would encourage students to get involved in opportunities like this as early as possible,” says Edwards. “Events like these allow students to explore career paths they may already be interested in while also connecting with established leaders in those fields.”

For Abrams, the evening was more than a guest lecture. “Meeting Brig Gen Caputo was more than just a guest lecture; it was an opportunity to hear directly from someone who has experienced leadership, perseverance, career paths, and difficulties,” she says. “Simply showing up can lead to opportunities.”

Brig Gen Caputo’s visit underscored a central tenet of the WKG mission: creating space for connection, mentorship, and the intentional development of future leaders.

“I would thank Brig Gen Caputo for taking the time to speak with us and share her experiences so openly,” says Edwards. “Her speech was not only engaging but incredibly insightful, especially as a woman in the Air Force.”

For Norwich students preparing to lead, the message was clear: leadership is built over time, shaped by resilience, strengthened by mentorship, and defined by the courage to step forward when opportunity presents itself.