Nearly half of all veterans report difficulty in finding purpose in their first year after leaving the military. For women veterans, that transition often comes with an added challenge: learning to see their military experience for what it truly is: leadership, discipline, and resilience that any organization would be fortunate to have.
Mary, a U.S. Army veteran, graduated from California State University San Marcos in 2025 with a master’s degree in biotechnology. Despite her credentials and drive, she didn’t feel quite settled. Like many veterans stepping into the civilian workforce, she hadn’t yet found the tools to fully own her story or the confidence to lead with it.
Through a fellow veteran, Mary discovered Foundation for Women Warriors and Women Veterans Lead (WVL), a professional development program designed to unlock the personal growth, professional skills, and leadership potential that women veterans already carry within them.
The impact was immediate and lasting.
“Now that I see, I can’t unsee. It’s forever embedded in my being. This program gave me a new sense of security within myself, and I will grip this for life. It’s astounding how something so pivotal was missing in my life and I had no idea. Now that I have been given this opportunity, I truly feel unstoppable.“
Women Veterans Lead helped Mary reframe her military background not as something to explain, but as a competitive advantage. She grew in her confidence, deepened her sense of identity as a veteran and as a leader, and built lasting connections with a community of veterans who understand the journey.
Shortly after completing the program, Mary secured a role as a Research Specialist at NAVWAR Systems Command, stepping into her next chapter with clarity and conviction.
Mary’s story reflects what Women Veterans Lead was built to do: help women veterans recognize their own strength, step fully into their leadership, and build thriving careers and lives after service.
With your support, more veterans like Mary can access the support and professional networks they’ve earned. This is your impact.
