Join us for a conversation with retired Lieutenant Colonel Katie Petronio, USMC, Bowdoin Class of 2007, and Quincy Leech, USMC ground intelligence officer, Bowdoin Class of 2017, as they discuss their service and deployments overseas, American national security and foreign policy, and their time at Bowdoin. Moderated by Gil Barndollar ’04.

Katie Petronio ’07 was born and raised in Oahu, Hawaii, and entered the Marine Corps in August 2007. Following graduation from Marine Corps Combat Engineer School, she reported to Marine Wing Support Squadron 271, where she served as a platoon commander and executive officer. Petronio deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, building patrol bases in the Sangin River Valley. Following deployment, she reported to Officer Candidate School, where she served as a platoon commander and coordinator of student activities.

In 2015, Petronio reported to the newly formed Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in Hawaii and assumed duties in the investigation, recovery, and repatriation of unaccounted service members from WWII. Returning to Camp Lejeune in 2018, she served as G3 operations officer for 2D Marine Logistics Group before being selected to serve in a NATO billet. While deployed, she served as the lead advisor for general engineering efforts for both Afghan Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Interior general staff. Following her tour in Afghanistan, she took over as the executive officer for 8th Engineer Support Battalion.

In 2021, Petronio led the Marine Corps Forces Pacific (MARFORPAC) Pacific deterrence/posture planning and infrastructure development efforts for three years. She was selected to work in the MARFORPAC command deck, coordinating strategic engagements throughout the Pacific until her retirement in March of 2025. She currently resides in Texas with her husband and two children and is pursuing a master’s in sports management at Texas A&M University.

Quincy Leech ’17 is a US Marine Corps ground intelligence officer. At Bowdoin, she co-captained the volleyball team and was recognized with the Annie L. E. Dane Trophy for Outstanding Leadership and the Andrew Allison Haldane Cup for exemplary character and service. After commissioning in the Marine Corps, she served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Now based in Washington, DC, Leech works as an associate at Booz Allen Hamilton. She continues to seek challenge and purpose beyond work as an ultrarunner, Ironman athlete, and certified divemaster.

Gil Barndollar, '04, is currently a Senior Research Fellow at the Catholic University of America. From 2009 to 2016, Gil served as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps. With Jack Abbott '63, he is a co-founder of the Bowdoin Marine Corps Society.

Sponsored by the Everett P. Pope Lecture Fund.

For more information, contact Jenn Berube Lord at jberube@bowdoin.edu or 207-725-3928.

Open to the public free of charge.