Powell Closing Virtual Ceremony "Bridging Leadership: From Battlefield to Boardroom" ft. General William "Kip" Ward and Mr. Bernard Height

Bridging Leadership: From Battlefield to Boardroom

Closing Ceremony: 2025 Colin Powell Leadership Institute 

Monday, July 7, 2025 | 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT | Virtual ZOOM LINK 

Join us for the Powell Institute's closing ceremony, spotlighting General William E. Ward, inaugural Commander of U.S. Africa Command, and Bernard Wille Height, SAIC's Senior Capture Director. Their dialogue will explore the evolution of leadership from military command to strategic roles in the private sector, offering insights into global security and innovation.

SPEAKER BIOS 

General William E. “Kip” Ward (Ret.)

Former Commander, United States Africa Command (AFRICOM)
Lifetime Member, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)

General William E. “Kip” Ward is a distinguished former four-star General in the United States Army and a trailblazer in U.S. military history. He was the inaugural Commander of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), where he led efforts to strengthen security cooperation and build strategic partnerships across the African continent. Prior to AFRICOM, General Ward served as Deputy Commander of United States European Command and held multiple senior leadership roles both at home and abroad. He also served under Secretary Condoleezza Rice. 

With over four decades of service, General Ward is known for his expertise in national security, strategic planning, and coalition building. A lifetime member of CFR, he has remained an influential voice in global security and leadership. advising corporations and public institutions on defense, logistics, and organizational transformation. A graduate of Morgan State University and a recipient of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, General Ward exemplifies excellence in service, diplomacy, and cross-cultural leadership. 

Bernard Height

Bernard “BW” Height is a Certified John Maxwell Leadership Speaker, Communication Coach, Corporate Trainer, and GovCon Growth Consultant committed to helping individuals and organizations unlock their full potential. With over 17 years of experience in corporate business development, military chaplaincy, ministry, and leadership coaching, BW brings a unique blend of real-world strategy and biblical principles to every engagement.

As a former Corporate Business Development Director, BW has successfully led teams in securing multimillion-dollar federal contracts. His deep expertise in the Government Contracting (GovCon) space allows him to guide businesses in navigating federal procurement, building competitive strategies, and driving sustainable growth in the public sector. His military service as a Chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserve has deepened his commitment to servant leadership, emotional intelligence, and values-based mentorship under high-pressure conditions.

A dynamic communicator and servant leader, BW is the founder of BW Group Corporation, an organization focused on leadership development through values-based approaches. BW Group LLC is a consulting firm focused on GovCon Growth and business brokerage.

He holds multiple advanced degrees, including an MBA from George Washington University, a Master of Divinity in Christian Leadership from Liberty University, and a Masters of Liberal Arts in Finance from Harvard University. A lifelong learner and ordained minister, BW credits every achievement to God’s guidance and is passionate about helping others win—both in leadership and in life. He is passionate about equipping servant leaders, growing economic output in global solutions, and growing as a student of the Word of God.