The Business of Belonging: Why Veterans Need More Than Just a Job with Greg Sisa

Summary In this conversation, Scott Schimmel and Greg Sisa discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by veterans transitioning to civilian life. Greg shares his experiences as the Director of Development for the Warrior Heritage Foundation, emphasizing the importance of community, support systems, and the need for programs that address the entire family during the transition process. They explore the vision of the Warrior Heritage Foundation, which aims to empower veterans and their families in Los Angeles County, and highlight the significance of sharing success stories to change the narrative around veterans. Takeaways The transition from military to civilian life can be challenging.Community and belonging are crucial for successful transitions.Veterans often face unexpected challenges after leaving the military.Creating support systems for veterans is essential.Programs should focus on the entire family during transitions.Success stories of veterans can inspire others.Expectations for life after military service need to be managed.Networking and building relationships are vital for success.Never burn bridges; relationships are important.Service members have the capability to succeed in civilian life. Sound Bites "You have to surround it with people that care.""You will succeed outside the military.""Surround yourself with great people.""It's important to never ever burn a bridge.""We need to tell the stories of success.""You eat the elephant one bite at a time." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Warrior Heritage Foundation03:03 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life06:07 The Importance of Community and Belonging09:00 Navigating the Challenges of Transition12:08 Creating Support Systems for Veterans15:00 The Vision of the Warrior Heritage Foundation18:13 Empowering Veterans and Their Families20:55 Expectations and Realities of Transitioning23:59 Advice for Transitioning Service Members27:03 The Future of Veteran Support Programs About Greg SisaGreg Sisa brings a rare combination of elite military experience, entrepreneurial leadership, and mission-driven development work to every endeavor he undertakes. A former U.S. Navy SEAL with nearly a decade of service, Greg has dedicated his post-military career to helping others navigate transition and unlock their fullest potential. Greg currently serves as the Director of Development for Warrior Heritage Foundation, the official non-profit of LA County Department Military and Veterans Affairs that is committed to helping veteran families achieve success in their civilian lives across the region. In this role, he spearheads fundraising, strategic partnerships, and organizational growth initiatives to extend the Foundation’s life-changing programming to more warriors and their families. After leaving the Navy in 2016, Greg co-founded With Your Shield, a pioneering program in partnership with the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business. This certificate course was designed to equip military families for the psychological and relational shift to civilian life. Building on that success, he went on to co-found Version Bravo, a multinational entrepreneurship accelerator that supports transitioning Navy SEALs from the U.S. and Israel in launching and scaling businesses. Greg's areas of expertise include strategic planning, leadership development, team building, and high-performance organizational design. His passion for serving those who serve has been a consistent theme throughout his career — from the battlefield to the boardroom to the nonprofit world. Whether he’s building out fundraising strategies, mentoring veteran entrepreneurs, or creating frameworks for personal transformation, Greg remains deeply committed to one goal: helping others find clarity, purpose, and momentum in their next mission. 🎯 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.