Paulette Risher is the owner of Learning for the Journey, LLC. She is also twice retired, once as a civilian Organizational Psychologist with the United States Air Force and once as a Major General (2-Star) in the United States Army. With 34-years of active and reserve service, Paulette was the first woman to serve in U.S. Special Operations Command as a flag-officer. Returning to active duty after 9/11, Paulette served as the President of the Joint Special Operations University and the Director of U.S. Special Operations Command’s Center for Knowledge and Future (J7/J9). Upon leaving active duty, Paulette joined Booz Allen Hamilton and led their Organization, Strategy, and Learning team in Huntsville for three years. Subsequently, Paulette served as the Principal Director for Huntsville Operations for DigiFlight, Inc. a Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned small business.
Today, Paulette serves as the President/CEO of Still Serving Veterans (SSV), a Huntsville-based non-profit. SSV's mission is to serve and honor Veterans and their families by empowering them to build meaningful lives through connections to fulfilling careers, benefits and services; and to proactively strengthen Veteran communities through leadership and collaboration. Prior to assuming the position of President/CEO, Paulette served as SSV's Chief Programs Officer for five years
Paulette is a lifelong learner. She holds a BS and MA in Psychology, as well as an MEd with a focus on workplace learning and educational technology. Paulette has completed the Fundamentals of Positive Psychology Certification Program from University of Pennsylvania and is a certified TrueColors facilitator. Paulette is a graduate of both the Army War College and the Air War College.
Paulette is a member of the American Psychological Association, the International Positive Psychology Association, the Society of Military Psychologist, the American Evaluation Association, the Association of the United States Army, and the Women's Economic Development Council (WEDC). Paulette serves as Veteran Employment Committee Chair for the Alabama Veterans Network (AlaVetNet), a Governor’s Commission challenged with building public-private partnerships to meet the needs of Alabama’s large Veteran population. Paulette also serves on the Alabama Workforce Development Commission and the Alabama Small Business Commission. Additionally, Paulette is Chair of the Alabama Task Force on Veterans’ Suicide and co-chair for the Alabama Governor’s Challenge for Prevention of Veteran Suicide.