Lt. Gen. Ann E Dunwoody

Lt. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody is a distinguished leader in the United States Army whose 38-year career exemplifies visionary leadership, operational excellence, and unwavering service. A graduate of the State University of New York College at Cortland, she completed the Quartermaster Officers’ Basic and Advanced Courses and the Basic Airborne Course, building the foundation for a career that would ultimately reshape military leadership history. In 2008, she was nominated by George W. Bush to serve as Commanding General of the U.S. Army Materiel Command, a nomination confirmed by the U.S. Senate. In that role, she oversaw one of the Army’s largest global commands, responsible for logistics, supply chain operations, and materiel readiness supporting forces worldwide.

Although she came from a proud military lineage spanning four generations of West Point graduates, including her father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and sister, Lt. Gen. Dunwoody did not initially intend to pursue a military career. From third grade, she aspired to become a physical education teacher and coach, fueled by her love of sports and teamwork. While studying at SUNY Cortland, she played collegiate sports and trained to coach. During her junior year, as the Army expanded opportunities for women following the Vietnam War, she accepted a commissioning program that provided financial support in exchange for a two year commitment as a second lieutenant. What began as a practical decision rooted in financial support, experience, and family tradition became a lifelong calling. She discovered that the Army’s mission driven culture aligned perfectly with her passion for coaching and teaching, ultimately leading and mentoring more than 15,000 soldiers over nearly four decades of service.

Upon retiring in 2012, Lt. Gen. Dunwoody co authored The Higher Standard: Leadership Lessons from the First Female Four-Star General with her husband, Colonel Craig Brotchie, USAF Ret., sharing insights from her groundbreaking career. Today, she continues to serve on several public, private, and nonprofit boards across the technology, financial, and staffing sectors, embracing new challenges beyond her military experience. Deeply influenced by her father, a decorated veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, she credits much of her leadership philosophy to his example of service and patriotism. Her life’s work reflects resilience, integrity, and an enduring commitment to developing others to meet the highest standard of excellence.

• SUNY Cortland - Physical Education

• First Female Four-Star General in U.S. Army History
• Author of a leadership book