About Us
History
The Valkyrie Project, Inc. was founded in 2018 as an LLC with the mission to provide intuitive, cycle-based workout programming for women pursuing military roles that were previously closed to them1. Recognizing the need for specialized training and support, the organization transitioned into a 501c(3) nonprofit to expand its mission and address broader issues related to the advancement of American servicewomen.
What We Do
The Valkyrie Project operates in the realms of human performance, education, research, and advocacy. It provides American female service members with the tools they need for success across the full spectrum of military service.
Key initiatives include:
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Training Programs: Offering five training tracks tailored to female tactical athletes (FTAs) to enhance their physical readiness and performance.
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Symposiums: Hosting the annual Military Women’s Symposium in collaboration with MIT Lincoln Laboratory, focusing on leveraging research and technology to empower female service members.
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Community Support: Building an online community dedicated to the success of military women, providing a network for support, education, and advocacy.
Why We Do It
The Valkyrie Project is driven by the belief in the boundless potential of modern military women. Inspired by the Valkyries of Norse mythology, who were female demi-gods influencing battles, the organization aims to empower women warriors to achieve victory on and off the battlefield.
By providing specialized training, advocacy, and community support, The Valkyrie Project ensures that female service members have the resources they need to excel in their roles and break through barriers that have historically limited their opportunities.
Meet Our Team
Meg Tucker, MA, MS
Founder
President- Board of Directors
Meg spent fifteen years in service: two years in the National Guard, and thirteen on active duty in the US Army. She has 13 years of coaching experience, ranging CrossFit to boot camps to individual personal training. Meg competed in the 2013 Reebok CrossFit Games Regionals, and has been published in The CrossFit Journal, Task and Purpose, Small Wars Journal, and Special Warfare Magazine. She holds a Bachelor's and Master's of Arts Degrees in Modern Languages from Winthrop University, and a Master's of Science degree in Information Strategy and Political Warfare from the Naval Postgraduate School.
Meg has witnessed--and believes in--the boundless potential that all humans possess. She saw the need for more community support and precision athletic training for women warriors after the US Armed Forces announced all jobs and schools would become available to women in 2013. She has a passion to support military women seeking to grow professionally through training and job specialties that were unavailable to them until recent years.
Meg believes that all it takes for today's military woman to reach her dreams is to be willing to put in the work, and push the boundaries physically, mentally, and emotionally a little bit every day. Small bites of short-term success lead to long-term dreams realized. "Do today what others won't. Do tomorrow what others can't."
Candace Esquivel
Member of the Board of Directors
Candace Esquivel is an active-duty Senior Chief with over 18 years of service in the United States Navy. Over the course of her career, she has served in diverse senior enlisted leadership positions afloat, within special operations, and in national security policy development.
From the beginning of her Navy career, Candace has played an active role in continuing to integrate women in naval service. She was amongst the first women to integrate a guided missile cruiser, USS Bunker Hill in 2006 and continued to be a catalyst for change during her service at Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) and Joint Cyber Operations Group (JCOG).
She gained an appreciation for policy development through her experience in the Navy intelligence, cryptologic, and special operations communities leading to her selection as a Department of Defense (DoD) Fellow for Congressman Seth Moulton.
Candace understands and appreciates the challenges associated with military service. Using her experience as a DoD fellow, she is passionate about ensuring service members are empowered and have the resources they need to succeed and push the boundaries of what they are capable of through policy change.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in management studies and is pursuing a master’s in interdisciplinary studies in management specialization. Finding a passion for Olympic weightlifting, she is working towards her first weightlifting competition and a 200lb clean and jerk.
Tiffany Myrick-Woodley, MBA
Member of the Board of Directors
Tiffany Myrick-Woodley served two decades in the United States Army’s Military Police Corps. Throughout her service, Tiffany supported a wide array of tactical and strategic organizations. She held every direct leadership position, culminating her career as a First Sergeant and Sergeant Major Academy- select.
Tiffany played an essential role in the gender integration of the Army’s Combat Arms occupations. She served as a member of Cultural Support Team – Two (CST-2), enabling 75th Ranger Regiment and Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) by engaging the Afghan female and adolescent populations prior to the lift of the Combat Exclusion Policy. Further, she was selected to observe and advise on the implementation of standards during the integration of Ranger School, the Army’s premier leadership course.
Tiffany fully understands the physical and mental toughness necessary to perform under high stress in both conventional and Special Operation Forces (SOF) environments. She believes that with proper physical and mental conditioning, anything is possible.
Over the span of her military service, Tiffany discovered that real change comes through policy and education. This prompted her to leave the military to influence policy on a broader scale while continuing to provide inspiration, mentorship, and advocacy to future generations. Tiffany is married with a blended family of four. She holds a master’s in business administration with a concentration in international business and is currently working to complete her public leadership credential.
Tristan Irwin, MPP, MF
Secretary of the Board of Directors
Tristan is a nine-year veteran of the US Army, where she served as a Transportation Officer and a special operations Civil Affairs Officer. As a Civil Affairs Team Chief, she led a four-person team in Moldova, conducting community-level development assistance to strengthen Moldova’s resilience and support its partnership with the US. She holds a Master's Degree in Public Policy from Yale University. Tristan graduated from the United States Military Academy in 2012 with a BS in International Relations and a BS in German. She is also a longtime CrossFit athlete with a passion for fitness.
Alissa Newman, PhD
Research Grants Manager
Nonprofit Advisor
Alissa has a PhD in Health and Exercise Science from Colorado State University, with a focus on physical and psychological readiness and resilience in military populations. She holds a Master’s degree in Health and Exercise Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Sport and Exercise Science, as well as a graduate certificate in Nonprofit Administration. Alissa oversees physical readiness training for the Army and Air Force ROTC programs at Colorado State University. She has over 15 years of coaching in both civilian and tactical environments and is passionate about human performance and empowering people to be their best through education and support.
Perry Wallinger
Head Workout Programming Writer
Perry has a BS in Exercise Science from Ohio State University and works in finance and operations. A functional fitness enthusiast since high school, she's also enjoyed boxing and jiu jitsu. Perry has had a lifelong interest in the military and is thrilled to support our female service members.
Anna Vaillnacourt, MS, CSCS
Pre-Natal & Post-Natal Programming Writer
Anna has a Master's degree in Exercise Science with a concentration in Sports Psychology, a BS in Exercise Science Health Promotion, and has been coaching since 2012. She first worked as a CrossFit coach and gained a lot of knowledge, and then she became a strength and conditioning coach (CSCS) focusing on women's health. Now, she has 12 years of full-time coaching under her belt. Anna worked on the Army’s H2F contract as a strength and conditioning coach at Fort Liberty, working with the 82nd Airborne Division. While there, she created a flourishing Pregnancy and Postpartum Physical Training (P3T) program for the 82nd Sustainment Brigade, which TRADOC featured as a model P3T program. Anna's passion for helping women bloomed when she was pregnant with her first child, and she saw that there was no reliable advice on working out during pregnancy and postpartum. Working in the tactical and civilian world has given her a diverse background working with females from all walks of life and service members of all calibers. As a military spouse, Anna has always had a calling to serve military members and bring her expertise to those who serve.
Anna Vaillnacourt, MIS, MMS
Tara Sutcliffe is an active-duty Marine Corps Officer with over 15 years of dedicated service in
tactical, operational, and strategic missions across the Department of Defense. Her professional
journey reflects a commitment to diverse fields of study, an enthusiasm for service, and the
pursuit of advocacy and community. She holds a Bachelor of Science in English from the United
States Naval Academy, a Master of International Service with a concentration in Negotiation and
Conflict Resolution from American University, and a Master of Military Studies from Marine
Corps University.
Throughout her career, Tara has navigated challenges that have shaped her understanding of how
proper fitness, nutrition, and healthcare can enhance women’s performance and warfighting
abilities. She is a passionate advocate for female service members, committed to equipping them
with the necessary resources to excel and confidently pursue their professional and personal
goals. Tara brings a unique perspective, a wealth of experience, and a resolute dedication to
supporting and empowering women in service.