In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Ray Toenniessen, Deputy Executive Director of the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and​ Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University. Through IVMF's innovative programs, including Onward to Opportunity and their entrepreneurship initiatives, the institute serves over 20,000 service members, Veterans, and military families annually.​

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Ray offers insights into authentic leadership development, drawing from both his military experience and civilian career. The conversation delves deep into what makes an effective leader, emphasizing the importance of being present and avoiding ego-driven decision-making. Ray's perspective on translating military leadership skills to civilian success provides valuable lessons for Veterans in transition and established leaders alike.​

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What you'll learn in this episode:​

• Learn how IVMF serves 20,000 veterans annually.​
• Understand how corporate partnerships fuel Veteran support.​
• Gain insights on translating military leadership to civilian success.

Explore Resources from this episode:​

• D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF)

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Terry Hill, the Co-Head of Emerging Middle Market and Co-Head of Veteran Initiatives for JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking. Hill – a U.S. Army Veteran and a West Point graduate – helps lead the firm’s efforts to support veteran and military spouse founders and business leaders. Hill plays an active role in CEOcircle, a program for veteran and military-spouse entrepreneurs led by D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University (IVMF) and sponsored by JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking. ​

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Berry and Hill delve into the crucial role veteran and military-community business owners play in the economy, leadership lessons from the military to run effective teams, JPMorganChase’s broader work supporting veterans and the military community and more. ​

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What You’ll Learn:​

• How Veterans can break into the finance industry and thrive​
• Why leadership isn’t about rank—and how to create impactful teams at any level​
• The inside story of CEOCircle: a game-changer for Veteran entrepreneurs​
• JPMorganChase’s commitment to hiring, training, and supporting 18,000+ Veterans​
• Practical advice for Veterans transitioning into business and beyond​

Whether you’re a Veteran looking to scale your business, navigate a career change, or simply gain insight into leadership that drives results, this episode delivers actionable takeaways you won’t want to miss.​

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Explore Resources from the Episode:​

• JPMorganChase Veterans Programs​
• CEOCircle Program at Syracuse University’s IVMF

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Jennifer Vollbrecht, CEO of J. Volbrecht Consulting and author of My Mom is a Veteran. From her beginnings as a Marine Corps crew chief to becoming a successful entrepreneur, Jennifer shares her story of transformation and leadership.​

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Jennifer discusses a moment in her career that led her to pursue entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of work-life balance. She highlights how military discipline and planning skills translate into effective project management, a crucial element for success in any field. Jennifer also shares her experiences with both exemplary and poor leadership, underscoring the value of mentorship and personal connections. ​

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Balancing her systematic approach to business with creative endeavors, Jennifer demonstrates how storytelling can be a powerful tool in leadership, helping teams understand their mission and context. Her insights offer valuable lessons on leadership and the execution of vision.​

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Explore Resources from this episode:​

• Home - My Mom Is A Veteran Children's Book​
• Jennifer Vollbrecht | Project Management Consulting