FourBlock

4 Weeks Until FourBlock’s 15th Anniversary Gala! The countdown is on! In just 4 weeks, we’ll gather aboard the USS Intrepid in #NewYorkCity to celebrate 15 years of empowering #veterans and military spouses through career support, mentorship, and life-changing opportunities. This Week’s Spotlight: Our Guest of Honor We are honored to welcome Yolanda Seals-Coffield, Chief People Officer at PwC, as our Special Guest of Honor! A Champion of Leadership & Opportunity, Yolanda has been a driving force in diversity, inclusion, and career development. She’ll share her insights on the powerful connection between FourBlock and PwC, the importance of service and leadership, and how career pathways transform the lives of veterans. This event is more than a celebration; it is a chance to change lives. By attending, you’ll hear inspirational stories, celebrate our impact, and help shape the future for veterans transitioning into meaningful careers. Secure Your Spot! Sponsor a table or purchase tickets here: https://lnkd.in/gXQsdRSc How can you support the mission? #FourBlockGala #VeteranImpact #MilitaryTransitions #Networking #CareerSuccess #VeteranCareers #Leadership #PwC #CareerPathways Michael Abrams Queta Rodriguez Karin Childress-Wiley

4 Weeks Until FourBlock’s 15th Anniversary Gala! The countdown is on! In just 4 weeks, we’ll gather aboard the USS Intrepid in #NewYorkCity to celebrate 15 years of empowering #veterans and military spouses through career support, mentorship, and life-changing opportunities. This Week’s Spotlight: Our Guest of Honor We are honored to welcome Yolanda Seals-Coffield, Chief People Officer at PwC, as our Special Guest of Honor! A Champion of Leadership & Opportunity, Yolanda has been a driving force in diversity, inclusion, and career development. She’ll share her insights on the powerful connection between FourBlock and PwC, the importance of service and leadership, and how career pathways transform the lives of veterans. This event is more than a celebration; it is a chance to change lives. By attending, you’ll hear inspirational stories, celebrate our impact, and help shape the future for veterans transitioning into meaningful careers. Secure Your Spot! Sponsor a table or purchase tickets here: https://lnkd.in/gXQsdRSc How can you support the mission? #FourBlockGala #VeteranImpact #MilitaryTransitions #Networking #CareerSuccess #VeteranCareers #Leadership #PwC #CareerPathways Michael Abrams Queta Rodriguez Karin Childress-Wiley

Another incredible week at FourBlock! We’ve just wrapped up Week 4 of our Career Readiness Program, where our students focused on one of the most essential career skills—building the right relationships and mastering the art of networking! 🤝 A huge thank you to our dedicated hosts McKesson Booz Allen Hamilton Blackstone Wells Fargo Johnson & Johnson ADP, Truist ManTech L'Oréal CDW, Bank of America PACCAR, Deloitte Catepillar Inc, readiness instructors, and coaches for sharing their knowledge, strategies, and enthusiasm. Your commitment to guiding our students through their transition is truly invaluable. A special shoutout to Missy Rinkenberger at Wells Fargo and Booz Allen Hamilton for leading impactful sessions on "Developing the Right Relationships & Networking"! 🌟 Missy brought incredible energy, delivering valuable insights 💪. She broke down effective networking strategies and tackled a topic that deeply resonates with veterans—Resiliency. She emphasized the importance of bridging the communication gap between military and civilian language, giving our students the tools to translate their skills and experiences for long-term career success. It truly takes a village to support our transitioning service members. The dedication of our employer partners and hosts is instrumental in bridging the gap between military and civilian careers, creating opportunities, and making a real impact. We are grateful for the passion and commitment of both our partners and students as they build meaningful relationships that lead to lasting success. Gary Guzman Mike Abrams Queta Rodriguez Karin Childress-Wiley

From Career Restarts to Career Confidence: My #FourBlock Journey  Sara Simeral FourBlock Military Spouse Alumni As a military spouse, I’ve faced a common challenge—having to start over every few years due to frequent relocations. Each move meant a new job search, a new learning curve, and often feeling like I was rebuilding my career from scratch. After struggling to re-enter the workforce following a career break, I searched for a program that truly understood the unique challenges military spouses face. That search led me to FourBlock’s Military Spouse Career Readiness Program, and it was a game-changer. Biggest Lesson Learned: 80% of jobs are found through networking—not just applying online. That insight completely changed how I approached my job search. Most Impactful Takeaway: The program gave me not only practical tools but also the confidence to show up authentically in interviews and networking opportunities. Key Advice for Military Spouses: Be patient. I wanted to start applying for jobs right away, but waiting until I had the right strategy in place made all the difference. Today, I’m proud to be part of National Employee Benefits Administrators, Inc. as an Assistant Manager in the Retirement Department. No two days are the same, I get to keep learning, and I work with an amazing team. To any #militaryspouse considering FourBlock, I highly recommend leaning into the program, connecting with your cohort, and embracing the journey. You’ll walk away with knowledge, confidence, and a powerful network. If Sara's story resonates with you, we have another chance to learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gmDm9-Q Join us today for a LIVE webinar today at 1:30pm ET here: https://lnkd.in/gPm74rBG Thank you to Andrea Smith, Susan Rietano Davey, Kelley Biskupiak, MA, CPCC, and the entire Prepare to Launch U and FourBlock team for creating a program that truly empowers. #careerreadiness #careertransition #FourBlock #PTLU

Spotlight on Our Partner: The Coca-Cola Company FourBlock is proud to highlight Coca-Cola as a valued partner in our #mission to support transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses as they navigate their career journeys. Through Coca-Cola’s commitment to #hiring, mentoring, and empowering #veterans, they continue to demonstrate the power of corporate leadership in fostering meaningful career opportunities for those who have served. Their dedication to talent development and career readiness aligns seamlessly with FourBlock’s mission of helping veterans find purposeful careers after military service. We are grateful for Coca-Cola’s ongoing support, which allows our participants to gain industry insights, expand their networks, and develop the skills necessary to thrive in their civilian careers. Together, we are building a stronger future for our veteran community. Thank you, Coca-Cola, and the @Coca Cola Foundation for being a champion of veterans and a true partner in career readiness! Stephen Spicher Patrick Plunkett Daniel Pugh Cameron Mattingly Queta Rodriguez Tony Kalams Gary Guzman Mike Abrams Karin Childress-Wiley #FourBlock #CocaCola #VeteranCareers #CareerReadiness #MilitaryTransition #HiringOurHeroes #StrongerTogether 

Week 2, Recap: FourBlock’s Career Readiness Program We’re officially two weeks into FourBlock’s Spring 2025 Career Readiness Program, and the momentum is building! Across the country, transitioning service members and veterans across all cohorts came together for Session 2—a pivotal step in their transition journey. Last week, we focused on self-assessment and #career exploration, helping participants align their #skills, values, and passions with career opportunities. Through insightful discussions, guest speakers, and hands-on exercises, we’re empowering them to take charge of their next chapter with confidence. A huge shoutout to our cohort hosts PwC, The Coca-Cola Company, EY, Wells Fargo, ADP, Guidehouse, Microsoft, ManTech, Fiserv, News Corp, BAE Systems, PGA of America, AT&T, H-E-B, Michaels Stores, Cedars-Sinai who make this journey impactful. Your support is what makes FourBlock a community, not just a program. Looking forward to Week 3 as we continue to guide and inspire the next generation of military leaders in their civilian careers. Let’s keep building together! Joe Wallis Bob Pavlak Queta Rodriguez, Mike Abrams Gary Guzman, Ashley Owens, Tony Kalams, Vic Lance, Olivia Martinez-Stewart, Monica M. McNeal, EJ O’Brien, Eric Stetson, Karin Childress-Wiley

In 2025, the return-to-office (RTO) landscape is shifting, with 32% of U.S. companies requiring full-time in-office work, while 68% offer hybrid flexibility. A Resume Builder survey indicates that 90% of companies plan to bring employees back to the office, further reducing flexibility—yet military spouse unemployment remains at 21%, significantly higher than the national average. At FourBlock, we are committed to empowering #militaryspouses by providing career education and development programs, mentorship, and access to employers through our Military Spouse Career Readiness Program. Join an Information Session to learn about the program! Monday Information Sessions: https://lnkd.in/gsVGgEEG Wednesday Information Sessions: https://lnkd.in/gPm74rBG Learn how FourBlock’s Military Spouse Career Readiness Program in partnership with Prepare to Launch U can help you build a meaningful career despite the challenges of #military life. Connect with career coaches, industry leaders, and a supportive community that understands your journey. Military spouses shouldn’t have to choose between supporting their families and advancing their careers. Let’s work together to bridge the gap! #FourBlock #PTLU #MilitarySpouseEmployment #CareerReadiness #flexibleWorkforce Andrea Smith Karin Childress-Wiley Queta Rodriguez

The journey began this week as we officially launched the FourBlock Career Readiness Program, across the US in our in-person and virtual cohorts, welcoming a new cohort of transitioning service members and #veterans as they take the next step toward meaningful careers!   A huge thank you to the Seattle Seahawks for their continued support of FourBlock and the military community! Your generosity and insights have a significant  impact on transitioning service members. Special thanks to our hosts, Mike Flood and Kyle Dougherty, for welcoming us to your incredible training facility — what an amazing way to kick off our Program! #FourBlock #CareerReadiness #VeteranSuccess #MilitaryTransition #Veterans #Networking #CareerGrowth #SeattleSeahawks #Leadership #CommunitySupport Monica M. McNeal Gary Guzman Queta Rodriguez Olivia Martinez-Stewart

Meet the FourBlock Career Readiness Instructors!   At FourBlock, we are dedicated to helping #veterans and transitioning military members successfully transition into meaningful civilian careers. Our Career Readiness Instructors are at the heart of this mission, guiding, mentoring, and empowering our participants with real-world insights, industry expertise, and professional networking opportunities.  Each instructor brings a wealth of experience from diverse industries, offering personalized #coaching, resume guidance, interview preparation, and career navigation strategies tailored to the unique strengths of our military community. Their commitment goes beyond the classroom—they are mentors, connectors, and champions for veteran success. Keep a look out as we highlight our incredible Career Readiness instructors throughout the 10-week Spring 2025 cohort.   Tag an instructor—and drop a comment below to share your experience or show your support! Monica M. McNeal Eric Stetson Gary Guzman Vic Lance Tony Kalams EJ O’Brien Olivia Martinez-Stewart Ashley Owens Queta Rodriguez Bernard Beaullieu Mike Abrams Karin Childress-Wiley #careerreadiness #training #veteranemployment #transitionbetter #fourblock

Each year, FourBlock and Marsh McLennan come together to host the annual Inspire Games to support military veterans in partnership with the #NewYorkCity insurance industry. Over the past eight #Inspire Games, we have raised more than $800K towards adaptive sports training and FourBlock’s career transition programming. The Inspire Games are more than a competition—it’s a celebration of resilience and determination. The Inspire Games are hosted by wounded Marine veteran and #FourBlock alumnus Ralph DeQuebec, a 2X gold medalist and member of the 2021 World Champion U.S. National Sled Hockey Team who took home the gold with Team USA at the 2018 Paralympics Games in PyeongChang and the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing. When you sponsor Inspire Games, you’re not just funding an event—you’re fueling transformative stories like Ralph’s. Get a ticket or look at sponsorship opportunities https://lnkd.in/gmS3weTK You can hear Ralph speak at the FourBlock 15th Anniversary Gala on April 24th. https://lnkd.in/gXQsdRSc #veterans #careerreadiness #veteranemployment Mike Abrams Queta Rodriguez Karin Childress-Wiley