This Veteran's Day, we honor Veterans of foreign wars from all military branches who have served or are currently serving along with the loved ones who support them. We remember the valiant people who have lost lives and others who have lost livelihood to protect our great democracy. We also salute Veterans who work on behalf of other Vets like Jason Kander who worked with colleagues in Kansas City to establish the tiny homes for homeless Vets model where Vets can live with dignity, establish work skills or retire among a community of peers. Veterans in our own circle of GlobalMindED leaders include Air Force Major General, Jay Lindell, who was awarded the Silver Star for his bravery in the Gulf War; Alison Pendergast, Army ROTC graduate and First Gen role model who became First Lieutenant, U.S. Medical Army Service Corps; J.C. Whorton, First Gen and Distinguished Military Graduate in ROTC and Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve; Marci Toler, Retired Lt. Colonel in the Army who during her 33 years of service worked in several combat zones and received a Bronze Star and numerous other awards.

We cherish the time remaining to draw wisdom from the WWII Vets who are now in their 90's and some who have cleared 100. The character and sacrifice of the "greatest generation" provides perspective today as we draw strength from their dedication, manners, courage and generosity. Let's model more of that ourselves while holding our elected officials to the same standard of equity, inclusion and human decency. In this way, we can pay tribute to the men, women and families who have lost loved ones on our behalf.
Thanks to all for your service.

Below is a profile of Vu Tran, a U.S. Marine who is part of GlobalMindED's Young Professionals Advisory Council. He has led thousands of Marines throughout the course of his career and was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal 5 times for his outstanding leadership.

What did you learn about leadership coming from a Vietnamese family while in the military?

My parents escaped Vietnam during the War and immigrated to the United States, where my father became the first-generation graduate in the family. Being the oldest son, I have always felt a sense of responsibility to take care of my family and make my parents proud, by doing more with what they provided me. I share my knowledge with my younger siblings and family members through my military experiences. In some aspects coming from a Vietnamese family gave me an advantage while serving in the United States Marine Corps as I was able to sympathize with various ethnic groups without bias. While serving in the Marine Corps, everyone was treated equal.

How did your experience in the military prepare you for success as an entrepreneur and a global leader?

In the Marine Corps, there are fundamental and foundational structures that can be used in all forms of life including being an entrepreneur and leading people in a small and large scale. The Marine Corps has core values: Honor, Courage, and Commitment and 13 leadership traits: Justice, Judgement, Dependability, Initiative, Decisiveness, Tact, Integrity, Endurance, Bearing, Unselfishness, Courage, Knowledge, Loyalty, and Enthusiasm. These two structures have helped me determine what I need to do as in individual and as a leader. No matter how many years ago I served, I always assess my leadership traits and core values that help me enhance my business.

What insights do you have for other First Gen students who are interested in military service or career service?

The military is one of the best places where you can get a first-hand and real-life leadership experience as an officer. You will get a chance to work with enlisted military members with up to 25 years of military experience that will need your confidence and leadership skills to complete missions and overcome adversities. As a military member you will overcome challenges that will build you as a leader. There is a saying in the Marines Corps, "Know yourself and seek self-improvement."

Why did you join the leadership ranks of the GlobalMindED Young Professionals Advisory Council?

One of my passions in life is giving back to my community., which is why I'm dedicated to GlobalMindED. I love to teach, mentor, and pass on the things that have worked for me so it can positively impact younger generations. Leadership is to inspire and empower others with confidence. This is GlobalMindED in action. Leadership and Diversity & Inclusion are a very powerful trifecta. The young professionals and students of GlobalMindED can be better leaders by understanding the importance of having diversity within small and large companies in this global economy. Our world needs the talent of the emerging GlobalMindED leaders.

Each session is based on how things get done, key stakeholders, measurements and ability to bring about change at scale. Participants do not spend time talking about their background; but emphasize unique, innovative work and what it has achieved. Sessions will be selected based on the following criteria: 

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Building a Democratic Economy: How Do We Create Prosperity for All?

November 13, 2019 - Washington, DC

While our economy continues to grow, our country's prosperity is not broadly shared. Although unemployment is low, too many working people still struggle to make ends meet or build enough wealth to provide for a stable life for themselves and their families. How do we create a new economic system that builds prosperity for all, helping to ensure that everyone shares in the wealth that businesses generate?

A new book, The Making of a Democratic Economy, explores this question by looking at organizations and individuals across the country working to reshape our economy to make it more equitable and to restore power to individuals. From worker cooperatives to socially conscious investing, these leaders are creating different approaches to capitalism that can serve as models for others. The book outlines a set of principles for this new economy that can help guide efforts to address the challenges that many people still face.

Women at HBS Webinar

December 4, 2019 - 4:00pm EST

Hear from members of the Women's Student Association as they reflect on their MBA experience and discuss the environment, resources, and support, for women at HBS.

Entertainment For Change creates original song and dance (#SDGGROOVE) to educate young people on the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Like any meaningful social change, the original song and dance is a collaborative effort between more than 20 singers, dancers, writers and choreographers. Lauded vocalists Natalie Weiss and Antonio Cipriano lend their voices to the powerful lyrics, while each SDG is  danced by performers of all calibers.

"There is an incredible opportunity to make a difference as a 'Real Leader' - now" - Sir Richard Branson

The National Academy of Medicine defines "gender" as a person's self-representation as male or female based on social interactions and "sex" as based on one's genes. The environment can impact gene expression which is known as "epigenetics."

Gender/sex impacts every aspect of our daily lives. The same dosage of medication, for example, has different effects on men compared to women, resulting in a need for us to understand these differential effects in the research and development process before doctors can effectively dose their patients. Similarly, although some products (such as shoes, sports equipment, or cars) seem to have separate designs for men and women, it is important to distinguish between a simple change in aesthetics and a design that actually addresses the biological factors (ie, body composition, bone structure, metabolism) that cause men and women to experience these products differently. Each small detail and seemingly insignificant change in design can heavily impact how we perform at work, school, or in our leisurely activities.

GUIDELINES

Participants:

The challenge is open to all students

Design Requirements:

The design elements can include:

Programs (ex: an educational symposium);

Policies (ex: a policy on inclusion);

Protocols (ex: athletic training protocols or medical guidelines); or

Products (ex: sports equipment, clothing, tools, hardware and machine-human interfaces).

Solution Requirements:

The solution should:

Demonstrate the impact of gender/sex on a design element.

The concept for the design element needs to be clear, concise and actionable.

Submissions (approximately 1-2 pages in length) are due November 7 to contact@globalminded.org. We look forward to your ideas!