Jen Paquette, Executive Director of the Green Beret Foundation, discusses how her husband’s injury changed her mission, and how she leveraged her business experience to lead a dynamic non-profit organization.  Jen covers the lessons learned running a not-for-profit; the difficulty of fund raising; building her own credibility; and effective board management.  Jen also discusses the women of Steel Mags, and the vital role they play in the organization.  Most important to Jen is that a fallen Green Beret is never forgotten. Jen is an Honorary Member of the Special Forces Association - only the sixth woman in history to receive this honor at the National level.   Key Takeaways [2:03] Jen became involved in the Green Beret Foundation from her husband, Roland’s, experience in Special Operations Forces. He was traumatically injured by an IED, and stayed a year at Walter Reed; then they moved to San Antonio. In San Antonio, SOC asked her to help start a program for all of SOF. She used her business experience to help, but saw that the Green Berets had no program of their own. [5:35] Jen resigned at SOCOM and started working at the GBF, with no salary for the first 24-30 months, running it out of the Anderson and Paquette homes. [7:13] Jen covers some of the lessons learned running a not-for-profit; the difficulty of fund raising for a not-for-profit, the complexity, building her own credibility, building institutional credibility, donor fatigue, and dealing with a board. [11:16] Transitioning from an executive business role to directing a not-for-profit taught Jen to do more with less. Jen hasn’t been on a vacation since 2005. The staff is small, and emergencies happen. She either had to figure out various jobs herself, or find someone to help her. She has learned to network. [16:15] Jen talks about Gold Star families. Jen’s commitment is to improve their quality of life, and to make sure that that soldier’s name does not get forgotten. [20:49] Jen talks about transition support. [25:53] Jen has noticed that ranks such as Sergeant Major and above have a rougher time to humble themselves. They have to be audacious in battle, but in civilian life that has to be unlearned. The younger guys are still in learning mode, and have an easier adjustment. [29:29] Jen discusses her involvement in the Steel Mags. They are purpose-driven, just like the Green Berets. This is a lifestyle for us, not a 9-to-5. They also do good in the community outside. [34:01] Jen explains her lifestyle with one word: passion! It’s not emotion; it’s drive. [36:47] Jen ends with a story.   Bio Jen Paquette is the Executive Director of the Green Beret Foundation. At Jen’s request, her children call her Mrs. Boss Lady. Her community calls her MBL. Jen  has served as Executive Director of the Green Beret Foundation beginning 1 August 2011. In 2009, Jen served on the GBF’s Board of Advisors helping establish the Foundation and later as Vice-President, Chief Operating Officer and Treasurer since January 2010. She has identified and developed programs and services, planned and executed GBF’s numerous fundraising events raising millions of dollars and awareness for the US Army Special Forces. She has fostered business relationships with other not-for-profits and corporate sponsorships for the Foundation. Jen is the founder of the GBF’s sorority, the Steel Mags. She manages critical aspects of day- to-day operations and handles strategic business development at the Foundation including strategic planning, fundraising, building and maintaining donor and investor relationships, coordination of services with USSOCOM Care Coalition, USASFC, USASOC and delivering those services to Green Berets and their families. Jen’s number one and most important position is being the wife of SSG(R) Roland Paquette III who was an 18D (Special Forces Medic) and now an Emergency Room Physician Assistant and owner and operator of Med Training Group LLC. Roland was traumatically wounded by an IED b