AGENT OF CHANGE
Jodie Grenier, CEO, Foundation A Mission of Empowerment Foundation for Women Warriors CEO Jodie Grenier helps vets transition to civilian life
for Women Warriors Following a stint in the Marine Corps and a decade in intelligence and national security, Jodie Grenier turned to the nonprofit sector. She now serves as the CEO of Foundation for Women Warriors, helping other female veterans overcome challenges that mar the transition to civilian life and working to quash disparaging stereotypes about women and veterans. “I was looking for something else that was mission driven,” she says. Foundation for Women Warriors empowers veterans via education, employment, housing, and childcare. It provides emergency financial assistance to those facing economic hardship, connects veterans with mental health resources, and distributes much-needed practical items like diapers, cribs, car seats, and formula. During Grenier’s six-year tenure, the 102-year- old organization has tripled revenue and become California’s preeminent women veteran service agency. Many veterans face a loss of identity when they transition out of active duty, which can be lonely and isolating. One of Grenier’s favorite aspects of the job is helping women find community while also realizing their career potential. Foundation for Women Warriors invests in veterans’ futures by hosts networking
Jodie Grenier served in the U.S. Marine Corps and worked in in intelligence and national security before joining the nonprofit Foundation for Women Warriors events and business development workshops that cover everything from interviewing to negotiating salary to remaining resilient. “Gathering women veterans for our networking events and professional development seminars is invigorating—it’s something I didn’t have when I got out,” Grenier says. “You work with so few other women that when you get out, you don't necessarily have this sisterhood. You have to almost go out and seek it. Being able to witness and be the creator of these environments in which women have these aha moments and find each other is really powerful. You can see the energy and the camaraderie start to build.” Grenier is also committed to dispelling persisting gender and veteran stereotypes. She has become a leading voice in the field and in 2019, testified before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on issues related to female veterans’ economic wellbeing. “Women have been on the forefront of national security since our country's inception and the sooner that we can enlighten everyone around the contributions and the achievements of women, the easier some of these challenges might be,” she says.
BY SARAH SAPEDA
SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE CHARITABLE SD GIVING GUIDE 2023 76
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