Name:  Sandy Vann

Where were you born and raised?
Born and raised in Newport News, VA with family roots in Eastern NC near Jacksonville. I returned to Virginia in 2017 after living for 7 years near Austin, TX.

What’s a short story around the biggest transition you’ve faced in life?
In 2010, I moved my family halfway across the United States to Austin, TX for a new job. We moved away from everyone that we knew – all our family and friends. We loved our time in Texas! It was a good career move for me, and we lived in a great community in which to raise our young children. We also made lifelong friends in that process. Eight years later, we did it again to move back to Virginia to be closer to our family. I am so grateful for the opportunities that were laid in front of me in both directions and for the difference it made for my family and the growth that we all experienced together. We learned to embrace change and to look at transition as an adventure.

What’s the one piece of advice you’d give a younger you?
Life is a journey… Enjoy every trial, battle, failure and success. They are the sum of who you will become and will provide the wisdom and experience that you can share with others. A mentor of mine once shared that I should “learn the lesson but forget the experience.” Sometimes we are so caught up in the moment and details of what is happening in our lives that we can easily miss the bigger picture. So, I always try to ask myself, “what is the lesson I need to learn from this experience?” This has served me well both personally and professionally.

Your Personal Why?
It is simple – making a difference to others through service. I believe good leaders are servants first and my career has been built on this principle. I am looking forward to putting this into action again at THF.

How does your Why drive you to be a part of the THF Ecosystem?
My Personal Why ties to the mission of THF – “To serve others with honor, for life, so their next mission is clear and continues to impact the world.” After reading an article years ago concerning unemployment rates among veterans, I began seeking a way to utilize my experience in the career services field to make a difference in this area. I am grateful to have found this opportunity at The Honor Foundation and to be able to join the team once again!

Military Connection or Why do you respect Special Operators?
My father (Navy), father-in-law (Army), brother-in-law (Marines), and brother-in-law (Air Force) have all served their country. My grandfather served as a Marine in World War I and fought at the Battle of Belleau Wood. I grew up and spent most of my life in Hampton Roads and was taught to have respect for members of our military and to appreciate the freedom provided to us through the sacrifices made by our military members and their families.

Favorite THF Value, and why?
Practice Artistry – I played two musical instruments as a youth and sang in choirs and performed in my high school band. Improvement for performance is only achieved through practice and repetition. Creating an impact for good in the organizations that I have had the privilege to work for means continually striving for excellence, improvement and the best outcomes for those organizations. I am excited to come back to THF and continue to practice using my skills and experiences to make a difference!

Area/Industry of expertise:
Most of my career has been spent in higher education operations and career services leadership. I have worked directly with students helping them plan and achieve their career goals and I have led teams of career services professionals to do the same. I have also spent time in staffing/recruiting and have experience in sales and business development. I am excited to be a part of the incredible team here at THF (again) and to contribute my skills and experience in helping our Fellows with their transitions.

Contact Sandy directly at sandy@honor.org