Strength in numbers
To persevere in the business world, veteran leaders often find it helpful to lean on each other.
That’s why Snabes and Wegner applied to and joined CEOcircle, a year-long peer accountability group run by Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families. The initiative, sponsored by JPMorganChase, provides veteran and military-spouse entrepreneurs the opportunity to advance their businesses through mentorship and education.
Alex McKindra, Co-Head of Veteran Initiatives at JPMorganChase Commercial Banking and a U.S. Air Force veteran, said that supporting CEOcircle is personal for him and his team.
“I’m very proud of J.P. Morgan’s commitment to the military veteran community. Through programs like CEOCircle, the firm helps veteran-owned companies accelerate their growth through mentorship and education on topics such as access to capital,” added Alex. “Our collective efforts are tipping the scales in favor of veterans who choose entrepreneurship and encouraging more veterans to follow behind them.”
“These are going to be my brothers and sisters in arms,” Wegner said of his fellow cohort members.
Several current and former members have said that CEOcircle provides a supportive community they couldn’t find elsewhere. “I understand what they need, and they understand what I need,” Wegner added. “I’ve always found that when you put the needs of others above your own, it’s amazing how it comes back full circle.”
