Blue Star Families

Congresswoman Jen Kiggans has introduced the Coast Guard Separation Parity Act, a bipartisan bill ensuring that enlisted Coast Guard members who have served at least 18 years aren’t forced out before reaching their 20-year retirement — bringing their benefits in line with other military branches. As our CEO, Kathy Roth-Douquet puts it: “The Coast Guard Separation Parity Act ensures they receive the equal 20-year retirement benefits they’ve rightfully earned — honoring their selfless commitment and reinforcing that no service member’s sacrifice is valued less than another’s.” Backed by key military and Veteran organizations, this legislation is about fairness, retention, and recognizing the Coast Guard’s dedication to our nation. 🔗 https://bit.ly/4c0LT77 #CoastGuard #MilitaryParity #BlueStarFamilies

Celebrating March: A Month of Purpose & Impact with Blue Star Careers! This month, we're highlighting mission-driven careers and the powerful impact of nonprofit work. Join us for our live careers webinar featuring Service to Success. This organization's mission-focused approach empowers veterans and military spouses to thrive in their post-military careers through personalized support and mentorship. Our guest, Nicole Dhanraj, Ph.D, will lead the discussion on Service to Success.    Plus, we're celebrating Blue Star Careers' first anniversary in the Neighborhood community! Don't miss out on our Resource Scavenger Hunt; participate for a chance to win some swag! #MissionDrivenCareers #VeteranSupport #BlueStarCareers #CommunityCelebration #BSFSpouseforce #BSFwelcome

We’re happy to share that Alisha Lindstrom joins BSF as Special Assistant, External Affairs. Alisha brings 13 years of experience supporting C-level executives and has also transitioned into operations-focused roles. Please join us in welcoming Alisha to Blue Star Families! Kathy Roth-Douquet Noeleen T.Lindsay Knight, PhD Brian Whiting Vin Duncan Douglas Rozman Meredith Terrian Ryan Callahan

"Whenever women gather together, failure is impossible." - Susan B. Anthony Happy #WomensHistoryMonth! Our DEPLOY Fellows newsletter is out now and this month's entries feature stories and highlights celebrating the incredible contributions of military-connected women throughout history. Don't miss out — check it out now! 

VOLUNTEERING WITH A PURPOSE IN A NONPROFIT WORLD This month, we’ve focused on how mission-driven work empowers you to make a difference, collaborate with purpose, and create lasting change. Join us LIVE, Wednesday, March 12th, at 10 AM Pacific / 12 CT / 1 PM ET. In this segment, we’re exploring how meaningful volunteering can lead to a career in the nonprofit sector. Join Marcie Valdez, Executive Director of the Utah Chapter of Blue Star Families, and Samantha H. VP of Programs at United Through Reading, as they share their insights! #Nonprofitwork #missiondriven #careers #BSFCareers #BSFSpouseforce #BSFneighborhood #BSFSurvey #utr #utah #navy #marines #airforce

We’re happy to share that Maria Tedford has been promoted to Associate General Counsel. The Associate General Counsel provides Blue Star Families legal guidance and risk management oversight and is a key advisor to the CEO and executive leadership team, as well as providing strategic leadership for the Human Resources function. Prior to her new role, Maria served as Senior Director of Human Resources. Please join us in congratulating Maria on her new role! Kathy Roth-Douquet Noeleen T. Lindsay Knight, PhD Brian Whiting Vin Duncan Douglas Rozman Meredith Terrian Ryan Callahan

Blue Star Families is pleased to announce that Amy Taft joins us as Senior Director, Chapter Expansion. Amy has spent more than a decade working with nonprofits to empower individuals and organizations through education, leadership development, and engagement. We can’t wait to see the impact she’ll make as we continue to expand and grow our footprint. Please join us in welcoming Amy to Blue Star Families! Kathy Roth-Douquet Lindsay Knight, PhD Brian Whiting Vin Duncan Douglas Rozman Meredith Terrian Ryan Callahan Tosombra "Tai" Kimes Sabrina Huda

Blue Star Families is pleased to announce that Gisella Mancilla joins us as Operations Coordinator. Gisella has experience in hosting events and building relationships, and guided families through the online education system. She strives to create a sense of community, offer support, and make a difference in the lives of those around her. We look forward to the impact she’ll have with our team! Please join us in welcoming Gisella to Blue Star Families! Kathy Roth-Douquet Noeleen T. Lindsay Knight, PhD Brian Whiting Vin Duncan Douglas Rozman Meredith Terrian Ryan Callahan Amanda Yeram

Blue Star Families is happy to announce the well-deserved promotions of several dedicated team members who continue to drive our mission forward. Their passion and commitment inspire us every day. Congratulations to: S. Valerie N., Associate Director, Marketing Technology Sheila Rupp, Senior Manager, Communications Laura G., Director, Workforce Innovation Programs Kailey White, Senior Manager, Outdoor Explorers for All It's wonderful to watch our teams grow and our staff progress in their careers. Please join us in congratulating Valerie, Sheila, Laura, and Kailey on their promotions! Kathy Roth-Douquet Lindsay Knight, PhD Brian Whiting Vin Duncan Douglas Rozman Meredith Terrian Ryan Callahan Vicky Perkins

On February 15th, we were honored to receive an Emmy Award for our Combat the Silence PSA campaign — an initiative dedicated to breaking mental health stigmas and encouraging early intervention in the military and Veteran community. Now, we’re sharing the full press release with more details on the campaign, the award, and how we’re working to create a cultural shift that prioritizes mental health. Read more: https://bit.ly/4hZRwok Thank you to everyone who has supported this important work. Together, we can continue to combat the silence and save lives. #CombatTheSilence #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthMatters #MilitaryFamilies #Veterans #BlueStarFamilies