Hon. Benes Z. Aldana (Ret.) is a retired U.S. Coast Guard Captain, former Chief Trial Judge of the Coast Guard, and nationally recognized judicial educator and leader. He previously served as President and CEO of the National Judicial College, where he led national and international judicial education programs serving thousands of judges each year and launched major initiatives focused on judicial leadership, civic education, emerging legal issues, and public trust in the courts. As Co-Founder and CEO of Judicial Pathways and Leadership Strategies, LLC, Benes brings deep experience in judicial leadership, governance, national security, rule of law, and institutional transformation to help courts, judges, judicial aspirants, and justice professionals lead with purpose and integrity.