War Room to Board Room

Ross Dickman is Chief Executive Officer of Hire Heroes USA, the nation's leading employment support nonprofit serving transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses. A West Point graduate and Army veteran, Ross exemplifies successful military-to-civilian transition while helping thousands of veterans achieve the same.Military LeadershipRoss graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a BS in Comparative Politics (2000-2004). His Army career included commanding an Apache Longbow helicopter company of 35 soldiers and 8 aircraft worth over $500 million. Selected ahead of 10 peers, he also commanded a Headquarters Company of 115 soldiers with $12+ million in equipment.His operational roles included serving as Operations Manager for the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade (3,500 soldiers, 120 aircraft), Platoon Leader managing 16 soldiers and 4 aircraft valued at $200+ million, and Logistics Manager for a battalion of 420 soldiers. His final military assignment was Executive Assistant to the Commanding General at the U.S. Army Combat Readiness and Safety Center, coordinating operations and strategic communications for senior leadership.Advanced EducationRoss earned his MA in Organizational Psychology from Teachers College at Columbia University (2012-2013) through the Eisenhower Leader Development Program, a selective partnership between Columbia and West Point. He later completed his Executive MBA from the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia (2018-2020), combining organizational psychology insights with strategic business expertise.Hire Heroes USA JourneyRoss joined Hire Heroes USA in March 2016 as Director of the Independence Project, managing a $13 million, five-year research program examining veteran interactions with the VA disability system. He led program design, data analysis, and a six-person team while managing relationships with major partners and funders.His leadership drove rapid advancement: Interim CEO (February 2020), Chief Operating Officer (October 2020-April 2024), and Chief Executive Officer (March 2024-present). Under his leadership, Hire Heroes USA maintains its position as America's most impactful veterans employment organization.Leadership PhilosophyRoss operates at the intersection of operational efficiency and strategic vision, believing in collaborative problem-solving, relationship building, and evidence-informed processes. He views employment as the primary vehicle for quality of life and community inclusion after military service, driving his commitment to full lifecycle career interventions that impact veterans, families, communities, and the nation.Selected as a Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program Scholar at the George W. Bush Presidential Center (2021), Ross continues developing veteran leaders committed to service beyond uniform.Impact & VisionRoss's journey from commanding combat aircraft to leading the nation's premier veterans employment organization demonstrates adaptive leadership and mission-driven excellence. His combination of military discipline, organizational psychology expertise, and business strategy enables Hire Heroes USA to provide personalized, no-cost employment services that transform thousands of lives annually—ensuring successful reintegration and meaningful civilian careers for America's veterans.

Dr. Meghan Venable-Thomas is the Director of Community Development for the City of Birmingham, Alabama, where she leads people-centered initiatives impacting over 200,000 residents. Her career exemplifies adaptive leadership through successful transitions from military service to public health innovation and municipal government.Military Service & LeadershipA graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point (BS in Chinese and Spanish Languages), Dr. Venable-Thomas served over 15 years in the U.S. Army, including combat deployments to Iraq. As Battalion Human Resource Director in Balad, Iraq, she led operations for 430+ personnel across 30+ locations in a high-pressure environment with 60% turnover, improving data accuracy by 90%.Her signature achievement was creating "Operation Safe Return," a redeployment program that reduced domestic abuse, substance, and motor vehicle incidents by 99%. The program was adopted organization-wide, benefiting over 4,000 personnel. She was named 2010 Army Adjutant General Officer of the Year for this exceptional leadership.At West Point, she excelled in diversity recruitment leadership. As Diversity Outreach Executive Officer, she led a five-person team and increased the yield of accepted diverse candidates by 24%. As Southeast Outreach Officer, she developed marketing campaigns across 90 congressional districts in eight states, increasing under-represented candidates by 13%.Academic ExcellenceDr. Venable-Thomas holds multiple advanced degrees:Doctorate of Public Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2015-2018)Master's in Public Health Management, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health (2013-2015)Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia UniversityMaster's in Human Resources Management, Webster UniversityBS in Chinese and Spanish Languages, United States Military Academy at West Point (2003-2007)She was selected as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leaders Fellow (2019-2022), a prestigious national program supporting leaders addressing health inequities. Her doctoral research focused on health equity in the built environment, community-based design, and healing justice strategies.Civilian ImpactAt Enterprise Community Partners, Dr. Venable-Thomas served as Senior Program Director, supporting community development organizations nationwide in integrating creative and healing-centered approaches for equitable outcomes. She managed the Climate and Cultural Resilience Grant Program, working with organizations across the country to use creative placemaking strategies addressing climate resilience, equity, and community engagement.She has also served as a researcher at Harvard Graduate School of Design's Just City Lab, investigating urban justice and design's role in creating equitable cities, and as an international consultant in Vietnam evaluating cardiac care training programs.Current RoleAs Birmingham's Director of Community Development since April 2022, Dr. Venable-Thomas puts people first by engaging communities to build thriving places. Her work focuses on health equity in the built environment, community-based design, healing justice, and cross-sector collaboration. She leads strategic initiatives that combine her military operational excellence, public health expertise, and commitment to equitable development.Her leadership philosophy centers on change management, people-centered design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and strategic communications—demonstrating how core leadership principles translate across military, academic, nonprofit, and government sectors.

Samir Patel joining us. Samir is the managing partner of Trophy Point Investment Group, an Investor, entrepreneur, military officer, teacher, and traveler. He's an alum of United States Military Academy at West Point, Emory University - Goizueta Business School, and Georgia State University. He currently teaches Leadership at West Point and Real Estate at Georgia State University. Samir’s diverse background brings a unique perspective on leadership, education, and entrepreneurship.

Herman Bulls is an International Director and Vice Chairman at JLL, a global financial and professional services firm specializing in real estate operations and investment management. With over 35 years of experience, I help senior executives solve complex real estate challenges and achieve their strategic goals.He served as a Member of the Defense Policy Board at the US Department of Defense, providing advice and opinions on matters of defense policy. Additionally, I am the Vice Chairman of the Board at USAA, a Fortune 100 diversified financial services firm serving the needs of military members and their families. I also serve as Chairman of the board at Fluence Energy (Nasdaq:FLNC) and serve on the boards of Host Hotels (Nasdaq:HST) and Comfort Systems, USA (NYSE:FIX). I am a NACD Fellow and have been recognized as one of the most influential individuals in corporate America and one of the top 100 corporate governance professionals in the nation. My specialties include real estate, finance, strategy, leadership, governance, and communication. I am passionate about delivering value, creating impact, and building trust.

MAJ Charles Lewis, Ph.D., USAF. A former instructor and graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, MAJ Lewis will be sharing his valuable insights on career mapping, leadership principles, and his research around management. Get ready for a deep dive into strategic thinking and professional development! Our speaker brings more than ten years of leadership, management, and strategic analytical expertise to his current position as Air Force Material Command Budget Analyst in the US Air Force.He has an MBA and PhD from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and is currently working at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in addition to his Air Force duties. He has held a number of leadership and cost-analysis positions in the Air Force, taught management, and served as Duke's Deputy Director of Personnel.He is also the co-founder of Migrate Rollers, a business that has been in operation for more than eight years, and he has academic and military endeavors.

Kyle Eberly - a United States Military Academy at West Point graduate, former military pilot, Googler, and the voice behind Sitreps 2 Steercos - who's redefining what a successful military transition looks like.Hear how Kyle transformed his military leadership skills into:Governance at tech giant GoogleInnovative consulting approaches at PwCGroundbreaking veteran advocacy work

Alana is a Holistic Health Practitioner, Women’s Health Advocate, Author, and Entrepreneur. She is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. She served as a Surface Warfare Officer during her time in the Navy.

Wayne Robinson is a dynamic thought leader in talent and organizational transformations, Advocate of Empowerment, successful Entrepreneur, and Award-Winning Veteran. His journey epitomizes the essence of transition- igniting change and purpose in individuals facing life and career evolutions.As a seasoned Global Leadership Strategist, Robinson orchestrates the rise of exceptional leaders in critical industries like healthcare, technology, and business. At Moderna, as Senior Director of Global Talent, he marshals the brightest minds to spearhead groundbreaking healthcare solutions, with a vision to elevate global well-being.During his tenure at Google, Robinson played a pivotal role in founding The Google School for Leaders, cementing the company's executive echelon with strategic acumen to navigate complex global landscapes. At Deloitte, he co-founded the Deloitte Resilience Academy, redefining leadership development through grit and practical growth.Robinson's strategic leadership ethos is deeply rooted in his 26-year military journey, where he served as an Army Command Sergeant Major and later dedicated nearly a decade to supporting veterans. His initiatives, like Vets in STEM and Student Veterans of America, have set benchmarks in aiding veterans' transition into civilian life and expanding educational opportunities. His impact extends to advisory roles with the US Department of Veterans Affairs, where he provided strategic counsel on programs supporting veterans and their families' educational and training needs.Robinson's academic accolades include an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, complemented by certifications from MIT Sloan and The Wharton School. His unique blend of education and experience embodies the transformation driving change, empowerment, innovation, and integrity-driven leadership in shaping the future