Senior level FAC-Project/Program Manager; Office of Mission Support, Acquisition Division for U.S Veteran Administration Hello, I’m LaTanya Yvette Collier I am originally from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I am a huge Roll Tide fan especially since I grew up less than five miles from the University of Alabama. My Education includes a Bachelor of Social Work from Rutgers University obtained in 2004; a master’s degree in Social Work from Rutgers University obtained in 2005 and currently I am 3 classes away from finishing up my MBA from Maryland University. I am contemplating pursuing a PHD in Leadership/Management, since my y daughters have completed their bachelor’s degree and one has obtained her master’s in social work and I am a certified mediator through the Justice Center of Atlanta. I am currently FAC-Contracting level III, and Senior level FAC-Project/Program Manager and a Mentor for my agency. Currently, I work for the Office of Mission Support, Acquisition Division, I am a Supervisory Acquisition Utilization Specialist. I have been with OMS, Acquisition Division for seven years. I oversee all of Veteran Benefits Administrative Central Office FAC-Contracting Office Representative, Project/Program Manager and Facility Engineer Construction programs. I provide acquisition policy guidance and advice to VBA customers. My previous job was a Contracting Officer (1102) for the Veteran Affairs Strategic Acquisition Center. I was a Team lead for the Medical Service Prime Vendor Team. I was responsible for all surgical acquisitions. I was in the United States Army for 4 years active and 4 years inactive. I am a service-disabled veteran; I was injured on active duty in 1997. I have been with Veteran Affairs for 18 years, but I have 21 years of Federal Service. I worked three years as a Clinical Social Worker for the State of New Jersey. I worked as an admission social worker for a psychiatric hospital, and I worked as an in-home therapist for children in crisis. I have a passion for giving back to others and making a difference in society. I am a mentor because it allows me to continue to serve and give back to others. It also allows me to share knowledge and help individuals see their full potential. I feel that it will be a privilege to pay it forward because I have an amazing mentor who plants positive seeds in my life. I believe in honoring, uniting people in various organizations and mentoring future leaders so that we all can have a positive impact in this world. It is an honor to be able to be part of the I Dream Big Academy and to empower children to live and pursue their dreams and achieve their goals.