With Pride & Grit

Meet Tracy Steele and learn about Hiring Our Heroes. Tracy is a military spouse of over 23 years, Tracy Steele capitalized on volunteer and professional development opportunities to make a career pivot from nursing to workforce development. Having a passion and expertise in helping military spouses realize their marketable skills from unconventional career paths, she helps spouses, new to seasoned, learn strategies for success to be competitive for employment as a Fellowship Program Manager with Hiring Our Heroes. Tracy also supports and elevates the voice of the military spouse and veteran communities through volunteer roles on nonprofit boards such as the Council for Military Spouse Clubs and the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. Hiring Our Heroes (HOH), a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, is a nationwide initiative to empower veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses as they search for meaningful careers. With more than a decade of experience, we understand the complexities of finding the right job at the right time. HOH’s dedicated team leverages its vast network of employers, resources and training tools to connect our nation’s heroes with employers committed to their success. Connect with Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) at: https://www.hiringourheroes.org/https://www.facebook.com/HiringOurHeroeshttps://www.linkedin.com/company/hiringourheroes/ Find show notes for this episode at: ⁠www.prideandgrit.com/HOH Find more episodes at www.prideandgrit.com/podcast

Meet Amy Taft and learn about the COMMIT Foundation. Amy Taft lives in North Carolina where her family stayed after her husband retired from the Navy. Amy has two adult daughters and loves traveling to visit them. Over the past 10 years, she has dedicated her life to helping families successfully transition from the military and create beautiful, purpose-driven lives. Find the Commit Foundation at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-commit-foundation/ https://www.instagram.com/thecommitfoundation/ https://www.facebook.com/TheCOMMITFoundation/ https://www.commitfoundation.org/ Connect with Amy at: ⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/amytaft/ Find show notes for this episode at: ⁠www.prideandgrit.com/commitfoundation Find more episodes at ⁠www.prideandgrit.com/podcast

Meet Genevieve Kruger and learn about Unpacking Emotion: Retirement, Resilience and Rebuilding. Genevieve is a newly retired military spouse of 17 years and a mommy to two teen girls. Her husband retired last year with 22 1/2 years of Army service and they’ve made Huntsville, AL their permanent home. Genevieve is now learning all about her new home while working part-time as a Huntsville Visitor’s Center Assistant. Connect with Genevieve at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genevievekruger/  https://www.instagram.com/lifewithgenevieve/ Find episode show notes at www.prideandgrit.com/unpackingemotion Find more episodes at www.prideandgrit.com/podcast

Meet Anna Blanch Rabe and learn about IVMF's Entrepreneurship Programs Anna Blanch Rabe is Program Manager, Entrepreneurship and Small Business at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), at Syracuse University. Anna’s work focuses on the Center of Excellence for Veteran Entrepreneurship (COE), and the Coalition for Veteran Owned Business (CVOB). Find IVMF at: https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/ https://www.facebook.com/IVMFSyracuseU https://www.instagram.com/ivmfsyracuseu/ https://www.linkedin.com/school/ivmfsyracuseu/ https://twitter.com/IVMFSyracuseU Connect with Anna at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annablanchrabe Find episode show notes at www.prideandgrit.com/ivmf_entrepreneurship Find more episodes at www.prideandgrit.com/podcast

Meet Erin Lorenz and hear about her transition experience including her decision to invest in her own personal growth. Erin is a Navy spouse of almost 20 years who is in mid-transition. Her husband is retiring in the summer of 2023. She is Program Coordinator for Military No Stress PCS. Find episode show notes for this episode at www.prideandgrit.com/personalgrowth Find more episodes at www.prideandgrit.com/podcast

Meet Erin Lorenz and learn about Military No Stress PCS. Military No Stress PCS helps do the research for active-duty members and their families when they move- transition PCS included! Erin is a Navy spouse of almost 20 years who is in mid-transition. Her husband is retiring in the summer of 2023. She is Program Coordinator for Military No Stress PCS. Find Military No Stress PCS at: https://militarynostresspcs.org/ Find show notes for this episode at www.prideandgrit.com/militarynostresspcs Find more episodes at www.prideandgrit.com/podcast

Meet Selena Conmackie and hear her transition story about remaining flexible as plans change. Aloha! Selena Conmackie is a WordPress website designer and also helps small and medium-sized businesses with digital strategy — including social media management, email marketing, and paid ads. Selena’s also co-host of 15{ish} Minute Coffee Chat on YouTube, Chapter Ambassador for the Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs, and a regular blog contributor for Spouselink.Org. Additionally, Hauoli-Socially Inspired LLC is proudly celebrating its achievement in becoming an officially recognized Military Spouse Owned Enterprise. When Selena isn’t hosting a workshop, learning the newest Instagram trend, or adding a plug-in to her client’s websites, you can find her spending time with her “ohana” (family), drinking coffee out of one of her many Starbucks mugs, binging Real Housewives, or having therapy sessions with her rescue dog, Coco. Connect with Selena at: https://facebook.com/thehauoli https://instagram.com/thehauoli https://www.linkedin.com/in/selena-conmackie/ https://www.twitter.com/thehauoli_ https://www.linkedin.com/in/selena-conmackie/ https://thehauoli.com/ Find show notes for this episode at www.prideandgrit.com/flexibletransition Find more episodes at www.prideandgrit.com/podcast

Meet Karen Francis and learn about IVMF's Onward to Opportunity program. IVMF provides no-cost training and pay for one certification exam - which helps military spouses consolidate their varied experiences and validate their knowledge for recruiters/hiring managers. Karen is the Installation Program manager for IVMF's Onward to Opportunity - National Capital Area Region. She is a veteran spouse - Army Spouse and Army Mom. She loves working with our military spouse community and became a career coach to do so. Find IVMF at: https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/ https://www.facebook.com/IVMFSyracuseU https://www.instagram.com/ivmfsyracuseu/ https://www.linkedin.com/school/ivmfsyracuseu/ https://twitter.com/IVMFSyracuseU Connect with Karen at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karensantianofrancis Find show notes for this episode at www.prideandgrit.com/ivmf_o2o Find more episodes at www.prideandgrit.com/podcast

Meet Traci Conner and learn about focusing on communication in a transition. Traci is an Army spouse of 21 years, a wellness coach, a certified occupational therapy assistant, mom to 2 teenage girls, and a crazy weim! She has battled PTSD, depression, and anxiety during her husband's time in service. She strongly believes that families need to be more involved in the transition process and awareness needs to be made of the challenges facing our generation after 20 years of war. Connect with Traci at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/traci-conner www.traciconnerwellness.com Find show notes for this episode at www.prideandgrit.com/communication Find more episodes at www.prideandgrit.com/podcast

Meet Leslie Coffey and learn about the American Corporate Partners (ACP) ACP’s free Mentoring Program connects post-9/11 veterans, active duty spouses, and eligible military spouses with corporate professionals for customized mentorships. ACP assists veterans and eligible spouses on their path towards fulfilling, long-term careers, whether they are job searching or newly employed. Leslie Coffey is the Vice President – Military Engagement for American Corporate Partners and has been assisting transitioning service members and military spouses in developing post-military careers for over a decade. As a military spouse of 26 years, Leslie understands the unique challenges of being a military spouse and is passionate about empowering others to find and grow great careers. Leslie holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Texas A&M University-Commerce and has been awarded for her volunteerism with the Meritorious Public Service Medal, Commander's Award for Public Service, The Trooper's Lady, Yellow Rose of Texas, Order of St. Joan D'Arc, Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher, and Civilian Volunteer of the Year. Her husband has been serving for 29 years in the US Army. Together they have four highly active children from 13 to 25 years old and one granddaughter. Find ACP at:https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-corporate-partners https://www.facebook.com/americancorporatepartners https://www.instagram.com/acpvets https://twitter.com/acpvets Connect with Leslie at: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-coffey/⁠ Find show notes for this episode at: ⁠⁠⁠www.prideandgrit.com/acp Find more episodes at www.prideandgrit.com/podcast

Meet Leslie Coffey and hear about her experience of making hard choices during her transition experience. Leslie is the Vice President – Military Engagement for American Corporate Partners and has been assisting transitioning service members and military spouses in developing post-military careers for over a decade. As a military spouse of 26 years, Leslie understands the unique challenges of being a military spouse and is passionate about empowering others to find and grow great careers. Leslie holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Texas A&M University-Commerce and has been awarded for her volunteerism with the Meritorious Public Service Medal, Commander's Award for Public Service, The Trooper's Lady, Yellow Rose of Texas, Order of St. Joan D'Arc, Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher, and Civilian Volunteer of the Year. Her husband has been serving for 29 years in the US Army. Together they have four highly active children from 13 to 25 years old and one granddaughter. Connect with Leslie at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-coffey/ Find show notes for this episode at: ⁠⁠www.prideandgrit.com/hardchoices Find more episodes at www.prideandgrit.com/podcast

Meet Dr. Lindsay Cavanagh and learn about the challenges that military members and their spouses face during transition periods. Dr. Lindsay Cavanagh is a psychologist, Military Marriage Coach, and fellow military spouse. She has worked with military couples for over 15 years. Connect with Dr. Lindsay Cavanagh at: instagram.com/marriedtomilitary https://lindsaycavanagh.com/ Find show notes for this episode at: ⁠www.prideandgrit.com/yourownwork Find more episodes at www.prideandgrit.com/podcast

Meet LizAnn Lightfoot and learn about transition as a geobachelor from a spouse's perspective. Lizann is a 15 year military spouse, a mom of 5 kids, and a published author. She writes and speaks to encourage and uplift the community of military spouses and loved ones. Connect with LizAnn at: www.facebook.com/SeasonedSpouseBlog www.instagram.com/theseasonedspouse www.Twitter.com/SeasonedSpouse https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizann-lightfoot/ https://seasonedspouse.com/ Find show notes for this episode at: ⁠www.prideandgrit.com/geobachtransition Find more episodes at www.prideandgrit.com/podcast

Meet Stephanie Brown and learn about the Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce. Stephanie grew up in the military, married into the military, and raised two boys in the military. For more than a decade, her professional passion has been helping veterans and military spouses realize the American Dream of small business ownership. Find the Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce at:https://www.instagram.com/milspousechamber https://www.facebook.com/milspousechamber https://milspousechamber.orgConnect with Stephanie at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thestephaniebrown/ Find show notes for this episode at: www.prideandgrit.com/mscc Find more episodes at www.prideandgrit.com/podcast

Founder and fellow seasoned spouse, Jen Pasquale invites you to the With Pride & Grit Podcast, a transition-focused podcast supporting the military spouse journey beyond service life. Join Jen & her guests to hear their transition stories and learn about resources available to help you and your family as you approach a new season of life.  Each episode is an opportunity to lean on the stories of others to be able to find support and familiarity in your own story.