The Future of Work is Diverse, Inclusive, Just and Equitable
GlobalMindED closes the equity gap by creating a capable, diverse talent pipeline through connections to role models, mentors, internships for low-income students, returning adults, First Gen to college and inclusive leaders who teach them, work with them and hire them.
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Navy Veteran Creates Healing for Other Vets: Meet AARP Purpose Prize Winner, Ken Falke
Veterans Day is a time to honor and thank all the brave men and women who have served our country. GlobalMindED esteems, recognizes, and honors all veterans for their sacrifices, contributions, and generous leadership. They are beacons of bravery for all of us.
Ken Falke's story is truly inspirational as he uses his experience to improve the lives of others, especially those who are injured and suffering. Ken Falke is a 21-year combat veteran of the U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) community and retired Master Chief Petty Officer. Ken is highly respected around the world as an innovative and forward-thinking leader on the subjects of wounded warrior care, military and veteran transition, counterterrorism, military training, and innovative technology development.
In January 1982, Falke helped pull out the wreckage and recover remains at the Potomac River site of the Air Florida Flight 90 plane crash. His fascination with the Navy divers’ work recovering victims and parts of aircraft, along with his hard work, impressed one of the divers’ leaders into mentioning that they could use someone like Falke at EOD. He transferred to the Poseidon U.S. Naval submarine base at Holy Loch, Scotland, in 1983, plunging into a grueling year of EOD training, where each member had to be qualified in diving, parachuting, and working with chemical weapons.
Falke served 19 years in Navy EOD. He would go on to make over 1,000 parachute jumps and roughly as many dives. He also led crews on thousands of high-risk operations, including many in support of Navy SEAL Teams and U.S. Army Special Forces.
What led you to join the Navy?
I joined the Navy after a failed attempt to play professional ice hockey. When my life felt like it was at rock bottom, I looked back on my childhood mentors, teachers, guidance counselors, bosses, and scoutmasters, most of whom were military veterans. I thought if the military made them great people, it could possibly do the same for me…and it did.
What have you learned through joining the Navy?
The US Navy is the most predominant sea service in the world. It’s like playing on a professional sports team. The Navy values character and core values like honor, courage, and commitment. These values helped shape me into the man I am today and for that, I am grateful.
What key moments in your life led you to where you are today?
In 2010, my wife and I began to host families of wounded warriors at our home in Bluemont, Virginia. We then donated 37 acres of our estate and built the nation’s first privately funded retreat for veterans and their families, opening our doors in September 2013. At an early retreat, I had a wife tell me, “I wish my husband had lost his legs. He’d be treated like a hero. Instead, he has PTSD and is treated like a criminal.” We can’t treat people who fight for this country this way. That was when I knew I had to do something better.
Where does your passion for serving come from?
I come from a military and first responder family. One lesson I took from my grandfather and father is that service never stops. It’s on each of us to do what we can to make the world a better place. As a veteran myself, I can’t live in a world where we lose more of my brothers and sisters in the military and first responder communities to suicide each year than we do while they’re in the line of duty. That’s why I’ve created the Boulder Crest Foundation. Over the last 13 years, we’ve helped 100,000 combat veterans, first responders, and their families transform their struggles into strength through the science and wellness teachings of Posttraumatic Growth.
Tell us about your AARP Purpose Prize Award. What does it mean to be given this prize?
In September 2023, I was awarded the AARP Purpose Prize, receiving $50,000 as well as access to technical assistance for my organization. This prize is huge for our small nonprofit. To be recognized by AARP, one of the nation’s finest organizations, is a true honor and we are hopeful that because of this prize, more people will be able to learn about Boulder Crest.
How can GlobalMindED help you reach your goals?
I think it would be great to develop programs for First Gen that focus on character, patriotism, and military service.
To learn more about Veterans Day click here. To support organizations supporting veterans look below:
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Highlights from the 2023 GlobalMindED Annual Conference this past June:
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PBS12 Denver filmed and live-streamed the 2023 GlobalMindED Inclusive Leader Awards on June 7th as well as our main stage plenaries and presentations on June 8th. You can find them all individually on the GlobalMindED YouTube channel.
2023 GlobalMindED Inclusive Leader Award Winners' introductions and acceptance remarks:
Miriam Calderon, Chief Policy Officer, ZERO TO THREE: Inclusive Leader - Early Childhood Education
Dr. David Miyashiro, Superintendent, Cajon Valley Union School District, Inclusive Leader - K-12 Education
Carrie Billy, CEO, American Indian Higher Education Consortium: Inclusive Leader - Higher Education
Afua Bruce, Founder & Principal, ANB Advisory Group: Inclusive Leader - Government
Dr. Elena Rios, President & CEO, National Hispanic Medical Association: Inclusive Leader - Health & Wellness
Hassan Salem, Head of Commercial Banking, US Bank: Inclusive Leader - Banking & Finance
Greg Robinson, James Webb Space Telescope Project Director NASA (ret): Inclusive Leader - Space & Aerospace
Mary Nichols, Professor, UCLA Institute of the Environment, Inclusive Leader - Energy & Sustainability
Michael Campbell, General Manager, Education Division, Intel: Inclusive Leader - Technology
Diego Mariscal, CEO & Chief Disabled Person, 2Gether-International: Inclusive Leader - Entrepreneurship
Mario Carrera, President & CEO, CLLARO: Inclusive Leader - Media & Arts
Nasruddin Rupani, Chairman, Ibn Sina Foundation: Inclusive Leader - Foundations & Funders
Rosanna Durruthy, VP, Global Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, LinkedIn: Inclusive Leader -Global Impact
Kimberly Bryant, Founder & CEO, Black Innovation Lab; Black Girls Code: Inclusive Leader - Non-Profit
Click below to see Insights from GlobalMindED Leaders:
View the Main-stage Presentations:
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View the Sessions from our United Nations Event: Transforming Financial Boundaries |
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Carla Harris, Vice Chairman, Morgan Stanley and James Rhee, Founder/Owner, red helicopter
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Michael Maquet-Diafouka, Managing Director, Global Family and Institutional Wealth, UBS, Chris Marsh, Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor, UBS,Janet C. Salazar, Chairman & President, Foundation for the Support of the United Nations
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Tyler Naha, Student, Denver East High School, Dr. Mary Papazian, Exec. VP, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, Dr. Philomenta Mantella, President, Grand Valley State University, Dr. Yustina Saleh, Managing Director, Innovation Solutions, The Burning Glass Institute, Alfonzo Alexander, Chief Ethics & Diversity Officer, National Association of State Boards of Accountancy
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Dr. D'Andre Weaver, Chief Digital Equity Officer, Digital Promise, Michael Woods, President, Woods Capital, the Honorable Dr. Kimberly McClain, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department HUD, Preston James, II, Co-Founder and CEO, Divinc, Gaby Rowe, Founding Principal, Grow Associates
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Dr. Craig Jonas, Founder and CEO, CoPeace, Victoria Vasques, Owner & Chairwoman, Tribal Tech LLC, Sachin Chaudhry, Founder and CEO, TrustCircle and BringChange Foundation, Kyle Hybl, President & CEO, El Pomar Foundation, Beth Cobert, Acting President, Markle Foundation
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Dr. Denise Lujan, Director, Entering Student Experience, University of Texas at El Paso, Javaune Adams-Gaston, President, Norfolk State University, Dr. David Miyashiro, Superintendent, Cajon Valley Union School District, Gina Fratarcangeli, Managing Director, Google, Shital C. Shah, Sr. Advisor, Strategic Partnerships, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Dept. of Education
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Sam Lalanne, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion |
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Would you like to give to support our student programs? You can scan the QR code below or go to our website to support our year-round programs. GlobalMindED is a 501(c)(3).
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Thank you to all of the Sponsors, Speakers, Students, and Attendees at GlobalMindED 2023
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