Before she became Captain Colette Y Cottman, she was a single mother of two, working multiple jobs to provide for her daughters during a painful divorce. At 30, she enlisted in the U.S. Army, facing gender bias and the challenges of single motherhood head-on. Through resilience, skill, and determination, she rose to become a decorated Captain, earning recognition for her leadership and courage.

​

After 15 years and retiring with distinction, Colette brought her strategic vision to the corporate world, holding HR leadership roles at multiple companies, including Microsoft. Today, she is a thought leader, speaker, and advocate for inclusion, giving voice to minorities and Black mothers in the workplace. Through coaching, mentorship, and speaking engagements, she shows that no matter your trials, your current situation is never the end—it’s the beginning of a NEW chapter, driven by courage, resilience, and purpose.