Myth-Busting the Military-to-Civilian Transition with Natalie Schibell

Summary In this episode of the Vector Accelerator Podcast, Scott Schimmel interviews Natalie Schibell, who shares her eclectic career journey from joining the Navy at 28 to her current role in healthcare and public health. Natalie discusses the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life, the importance of gaining trust in leadership, and her mission to help veterans navigate their career paths through the nonprofit organization, Mission to Commission. She also addresses common myths about veteran transitions and emphasizes the need for better resources and education for service members preparing for civilian careers. Takeaways Natalie's diverse career path showcases the importance of adaptability.Transitioning from military to civilian life can be challenging.Gaining trust and respect in leadership is crucial.Veterans need better resources for career transitions.Understanding the civilian job market is essential for veterans.Mission to Commission aims to support veterans from day one.Military experience teaches valuable problem-solving skills.Not all military skills directly translate to civilian jobs.Networking and mentorship are key for successful transitions.Veterans should prepare for their future careers while still in service. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background06:44 Career Journey and Military Experience15:53 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life23:45 Myths About Veteran Transition27:49 Future Aspirations for Veteran Support 🎯 Take the Next Step in Your Transition:Ready to take control of your next chapter? Start by taking the Transition Readiness Quiz at vectoraccelerator.org and discover a proven process for building clarity, purpose, and career alignment after service. About NatalieNatalie Schibell, MPH, is a digital health and market intelligence executive with over 15 years of experience transforming healthcare and life sciences for global impact. She leads initiatives that position Aetion as a frontrunner in healthcare’s digital evolution, crafting go-to-market strategies that drive business growth and reinforce market leadership. Natalie partners with C-suite executives at Fortune 100 and 500 companies, known for her expertise driving innovation and expanding market reach across healthcare and life sciences. At Zyter|TruCare, she led Product Marketing, Demand Generation, Analyst Relations, PR, and Communications, focusing on strategic positioning, thought leadership, and competitive differentiation. Her cross-functional initiatives elevated Zyter|TruCare’s standing as a leader in value-based care, amplifying brand authority through comprehensive product research, competitive intelligence, and targeted market strategies. At Forrester, Natalie built and led the firm’s largest healthcare vertical and research portfolio, expanding coverage areas and delivering strategic guidance to top industry leaders in digital healthcare. Her insights have been cited globally in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, NBC News, USA Today, Fierce Healthcare, Modern Healthcare, Axios, STAT, and LeMagIT. She provides pivotal guidance to healthcare, life sciences, and pharma clients navigating complex areas like market analysis and value-based care. Her public health expertise proved instrumental in her role at the CDC, where she spearheaded the National Wastewater Surveillance System—a $19B COVID-19 response initiative that significantly advanced public health data capabilities nationwide. Natalie is also the Founder and President of Mission to Commission, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering military and veteran communities to build successful careers. With 12 years of distinguished service as a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy’s Medical Service Corps, she led preventive medicine, industrial hygiene, and occupational health programs, ensuring medical and deployment readiness for the Navy and Marine Corps. While at Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, she directed a team of 400 in the market identification, prospecting, and onboarding of over 1,000 officer selectees, serving as a strategic advisor on talent acquisition and leadership development. Natalie is an inductee of the Delta Alpha Chapter of Delta Omega, the National Honorary Society for Public Health at New York Medical College.