OUR EVENT SPEAKERS
Suk Smith
Empowered 2A Chair / Bio
Originally from the United Kingdom, Suk immigrated to the United States in 2000 after witnessing firsthand the devastating effects of gun control abroad. Motivated by a desire to exercise and preserve the freedoms enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, she has become a fierce advocate for the Second Amendment and an unwavering opponent of any effort to strip Americans of their right to keep and bear arms.
Suk is a certified firearms instructor through the USCCA and holds a 6th degree black belt in American Kenpo, demonstrating a lifelong dedication to self-defense and personal empowerment. Her unique background and experience have made her a respected leader in the gun rights community and a role model for women across the country.
As Chair of Empowered 2A, Suk is passionate about mobilizing women to become defenders of liberty in their homes and communities. She believes that every woman has the right—and the responsibility—to be her own first line of defense.
Suk is married with two children, and when she’s not on the range or advocating for freedom, she’s at home enjoying the company of her beloved cats.
Alisabet Valdez
Fuerza 2A Chair / Bio
Alisabet Valdes is a wife, mother, and USCCA-certified firearms instructor as well as a range safety officer dedicated to educating and equipping individuals—especially women—on the safe use, storage, and carry of firearms. With a mission to break stigmas in the Hispanic community and beyond, she teaches that self-defense has no language; it is a universal human right.
Holding a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Alisabet combines her academic foundation with practical leadership to empower and inspire others in every area of her work.
As the Chair of Fuerza 2A, the Hispanic coalition within Gun Owners of America, Alisabet leads national outreach efforts to inform, train, and unite Hispanic gun owners. Through Fuerza 2A, she works to ensure Hispanic voices are represented in the fight for freedom by providing education, advocacy, and community engagement.
In addition to her advocacy, Alisabet is a Realtor® with Arium Real Estate, LLC, helping families achieve their dream of homeownership. She brings the same dedication, discipline, and integrity from the range into her business, guiding clients through buying, selling, and financing with clarity and care.
A proud wife, mother, and community leader, Alisabet lives by her core values: family, faith, freedom, and responsibility. Her work—whether on the range, in the community, or in real estate—is driven by her belief that education and strengthening others are the keys to safety, success, and independence.
Kailey Nieman
Director of Development & Marketing / Bio
Kailey Nieman is the Director of Development and Marketing at Gun Owners of America and Gun Owners Foundation. She is deeply passionate about the Second Amendment and has over 10 years of experience in the political arena fighting for our 2A rights.
She is the co-host of GOA’s State of the Second Podcast, which talks about the cultural and political fights that affect our Second Amendment. She is also the host of GOF’s 2A Defenders Chambered for Success where leaders in the firearms industry gives real word advice to the next generation.
She is a wife and a mom to three. She graduated from East Tennessee State University with a degree in media communications and political science, and has served in her current role since 2019.
Leigh Gibson
Texas State Director / Bio
At the helm of Gun Owners of America – Texas is State Director Leigh Gibson, a steadfast advocate for liberty, grassroots activism, and the right to keep and bear arms. Leigh’s passion for defending the Second Amendment is rooted in both personal experience and decades of on-the-ground activism.
She brings a unique perspective shaped by her roles as:
* A concealed carry permit holder in California for six years
* The mother of a USA Shooting Junior World Cup Team member
* The wife of a firearms instructor
* Also a dedicated grassroots activist, campaign organizer, and fundraiser
Leigh began her journey in political activism in 2008, quickly emerging as a respected leader within conservative circles. Since moving to Texas, she has become a driving force in expanding grassroots efforts across the state, building coalitions, and mobilizing communities in defense of freedom.
Her first legislative session as Texas State Director was the 89th Texas Legislature, where GOA Texas tracked nearly 200 firearm-related bills, championed pro-Second Amendment measures, and successfully stopped every anti-gun bill from advancing. Not a single gun control measure passed. Key GOA-priority victories included:
* SB 1596 – Short Barreled Rifle Decriminalization: Removed SBRs from the prohibited list to harmonize Texas law with federal law.
* SB 706 – Handgun License Reciprocity: Ensured Texas recognizes handgun licenses from other states.
* HB 3053 – Gun Buyback Ban: Barred local governments from funding gun buyback programs.
* SB 1362 – Prohibits Red Flag (Extreme Risk) Laws: Passed the Senate and received a favorable House committee report.
Other GOA-backed bills made significant progress, including Kyle’s Law (HB 170/SB 1730), HB 2458 (self-defense protections), HB 2879 (Aleah’s Law), and SB 1065 (ban on firearm restrictions on leased public property).
Before stepping into her leadership role at GOA, Leigh worked as a reporter for the Kerrville Daily Times and coordinated events for conservative leaders and organizations. Today, she leads GOA Texas into the heart of legislative battles and grassroots campaigns, ensuring that Texans’ voices are heard loud and clear in the fight to protect the Second Amendment.
Cyn Ladd
Arizona State DIrector / Bio
Cyn Ladd retired in 2010 from a lifelong career in real estate sales and small business ownership. A devastating car accident in 2013 left her with a broken neck and a traumatic brain injury. What should have been a smooth transition into retirement and enjoying her 5 grandchildren suddenly became a fight for survival.
For the first time in her life, Cyn felt physically and mentally vulnerable to the dangers of the world. As she later discovered, those dangers were always there but her false sense of security had kept her fear at bay.
Prior to the accident, Cyn had her CCW permit and owned a few pistols but had never taken a defensive pistol class. She started training and going to the range to develop her skills. Over the next 3 years she became a national firearms trainer with numerous certifications from the NRA, USCCA, Armed Woman of America, Legal Heat Training and TS Enterprises. Cyn owns Smart Woman Defense specializing in training woman with firearms and educating firearm owners on the importance of advocacy.
In January of 2022 Cyn started volunteering for Gun Owners of America. One year later she accepted the fulltime position of Arizona State Director for Gun Owners of America. Cyn advocates for the 2nd Amendment and firearm legislation at the AZ Capital working closely with state legislators and other influential professionals in the 2A community.
Cyn has taken on the responsibility of organizing the GOA AZ Freedom Festival which focuses on Faith, Family and Freedom to celebrate our God given rights as protected by the 2nd Amendment. The first event took place on March 1, 2025, with over 50 vendors, 20 national and local speakers at the Arizona State Capital. The next Freedom Festival will be held March 28, 2026 in Glendale AZ.
Retirement needs to wait as Cyn is dedicated to protecting and preserving the 2nd Amendment for her adult children, grandchildren and future generations.