Lieutenant Colonel (LtCol) Zempel was born in Montana and attended college at the United States Naval Academy. She graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in quantitative economics and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps.
Upon completing The Basic School and Marine Corps Engineer School, LtCol Zempel reported to 7th Engineer Support Battalion (ESB) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. From there, she was augmented to 1 Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) (Forward), with whom she deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in 2010. She served as the Reports/Frago Officer and the engineer liaison for Civil Military Operations. Upon redeployment and return to 7th ESB, she served as a Platoon Commander with Charlie Company, deploying a second time to Afghanistan in 201.I.
In 2012, LtCol Zempel reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island, Recruit Training Regiment (RTR), 4th Recruit Training Battalion. She served as Series Commander in November Company for three cycles, before becoming the battalion's H&S Company Commander and Operations Officer. After two years in the RTR, she was selected to serve as the MC RD/Eastern Recruiting Region Staff Secretary. During her time at MCRD Parris [sland, LtCol Zempel completed non-resident Expeditionary Warfare School and earned qualification as a Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival.
ln 2015, LtCol Zempel reported to 8th ESB, 2d Marine Logistics Group (MLG) as the H&S Company Commander. In January 2016 she was augmented to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa in Djibouti, Africa where she served as the Engineer Planner and Special Operations Forces Liaison Officer. Upon her return to 8th ESB, she served as Commander of Bridge Company for the remainder of her tour.
LtCol Zempel reported to Monterey, California in 2017 as a student at the Naval Postgraduate School where she earned a Master of Science in Management in Defense Systems Analysis. During this time she also completed Command and Staff College. For her utilization tour, LtCol Zempel reported to the Defense Information Systems Agency (DlSA) at Fort Meade, Maryland. LtCol Zempel initially filled the role as Release Manager for the Global Command and Control
System-Joint (GCSS-J) Program. She was then selected to serve as the Executive Officer to the Assistant to the Director of DISA.
In June 2021 LtCol Zempel executed orders to the Republic of Korea to serve as the Executive Officer for Marine Corps Installation (MCI) Camp Mujuk, under Marine Corps Installation - Pacific (MCIPAC). The following year, LtCol Zempel reported to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion (CEB), \st Marine Division, where she served as the battalion's Executive Officer until 2024.
LtCol Zempel reported to 3d MLG in July 2024. She initially served as the G-3 Operations Officer until she assumed command of 9th ESB.
LtCol Zempel's personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.