Hi. I’m Shana (pronounced “Hanna” with an S), and my last name is like an Etch A Sketch meets María—just call me Shana.

Born in Chorrillos, Perú, now leading at US Southern Command, I believe leadership is about trust, adaptability, and lifting others up.

As Senior Enlisted Leader for Religious Affairs, I build partnerships across the Americas through interfaith dialogue, human rights advocacy, and direct support for warfighters and their families. I’ve led teams through crises, built rapid-response systems, and see every challenge as a chance to grow.

When I’m not working, you’ll find me learning rueda de casino in Miami or catching up on my favorite anime—because they bring me so much joy.

I’ve also been embedded in a defense tech startup, where I saw firsthand how the most high-performing people operate, and I was hooked!

I’d love to connect. Find me on X @shanaetch.

US Air & Space Force Chaplain Corps HOPE Initiative - I co-led the HOPE Initiative to strengthen resilience and connection among Airmen and Guardians through a peer-to-peer volunteer network spanning more than 20 bases. This pioneering project is rooted in rigorous science: research from Columbia University demonstrates that strong spiritual fitness—meaning, purpose, and belonging—can increase protective factors by 90% against depression and 80% against addiction to drugs and alcohol. By translating these insights into action, I designed and implemented a scalable network of Airmen and Guardians equipped to support their peers. The model proved effective in geographically isolated bases and high-pressure training environments, where resilience is most tested. More info here

Defense Ventures Alumni - Dropped into the world of venture capital and tech startups for eight weeks, I traded my uniform for a hoodie and embedded with Adyton—a defense tech startup pushing the boundaries of innovation. I saw firsthand how the most high-performing teams operate, learned to move at startup speed, and brought back fresh insights and a bias for action to the Department of Defense. Bridging the gap between military tradition and commercial innovation, I now champion new ways of thinking within the DoD.

Design Warfare Graduate - Thirty days, one mission: rewire how we solve problems. I dove into design thinking, rapid prototyping, and project-based learning, joining a network of Airmen who turn “what if” into “let’s do it.” Now, I champion open-mindedness and creative change from the inside out.Join the network here

Exemption To Navy & Air Force Policy - Merging Air Force and Navy financial policies isn’t just paperwork, it’s a full-contact sport. I navigated the maze of regulations and championed a unified approach that replaced contradiction with collaboration in the Chapel Tithes and Offerings Fund. Bringing two massive systems into sync required relentless problem-solving, cross-service negotiation, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.

Building Better Decision Makers - I completed an intensive, hands-on program recognized for its rigor and real-world application. Through high-pressure simulations and direct feedback, I learned to make tough calls under uncertainty and help others do the same. This wasn’t just theory; it was a masterclass in judgment, resilience, and leading when it counts. Get started here.

Base Wide Water Crisis (2021) - Thanksgiving brought a crisis: 14,000 gallons of fuel contaminated the water supply for military families. Our team worked around the clock, finding creative ways to support families living in hotels and facing the unknown. Relief wasn’t just a job—it was a promise to our warfighting community. More info here.

COVID Vaccine Religious Accommodation - With just 72 hours’ notice, I built a process to support service members seeking religious exemptions for the COVID vaccine. We listened to over 300 stories, processed 86 requests across Hawaii and the mainland, and devoted the time each person deserved. In a system where approvals were rare, we made sure every voice was heard. More info here.

People

“Something revolutionary happens in the heart when you recognize that every single person you will ever meet is made in the image of God.”

— Jackie Hill-Perry

“As you grow as a leader in any org, all of the things in your past (the trauma, tragedies, conflict) that you run away from will pursue you until you confront & integrate them.”

— Garry Tan

“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.”

— Winston Churchill

Books

Los Heraldos Negros by Cesar Vallejo. Los Heraldos Negros poem

Tradiciones Peruanas by Ricardo Palma.La Llorona Del Viernes Santo

Gnomes by Wil Huygen. Lovely set of stories and observations about gnomes.

Documentaries

The Insanity Of God - The Insanity of God is the true story of missionaries Nik and Ruth Ripken. After the death of their son, this ordinary couple journeys into the depths of the persecuted church, asking the question- IS JESUS WORTH IT?

Writing With Fire - In a cluttered news landscape dominated by men, emerges India's only newspaper run by Dalit women. Armed with smartphones, Chief Reporter Meera and her journalists break traditions, be it on the frontlines of India's biggest issues or within the confines of their homes, redefining what it means to be powerful.