--- title: Valuing Diversity Among Veterans description: Jessica Hope is a diversity and inclusion strategist for USAA, and develops strategies that advocate for DEI and so much more. image: https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hubfs/Jessica%20Hope%20Ridenour_announcement%20image_20210225.png --- [![Website Logo - White-1](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Uplifting%20Impact/Website%20Logo%20-%20White-1.png?width=1827&name=Website%20Logo%20-%20White-1.png "Website Logo - White-1")](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/) ![HEADER - Podcast 2](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hubfs/Uplifting%20Impact/Headers-Backgrounds%20-%20UI/HEADER%20-%20Podcast%202.jpg "HEADER - Podcast 2") # Valuing Diversity Among Veterans Posted by [Deanna Singh](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/uplifting-impact/author/deanna-singh) | Feb 25, 2021 3:00:00 AM ![](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hubfs/Jessica%20Hope%20Ridenour_announcement%20image_20210225.png) I am so excited to be here with Jessica Hope, a diversity and inclusion strategist for USAA, where she develops holistic, data-driven strategies that advocate for people, marginalized populations, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a whole host of other amazing things. She shares with us how her background in the military and as a social worker, as well as through the art of storytelling, she is able to connect with others and do the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through our conversation she talks about the role of politicians in this work, and challenges us to check with ourselves, are we just checking boxes off? Or are we actually making a difference. I so enjoyed this conversation and I know you will too. ## Topics in this episode - The importance of empathy to bring new people to the table - Everyone has a diversity autobiography - Techniques for creating a dialogue with someone around their experiences - Economic disparities, and the work she is doing in this space - Covid’s effect on low economic families - A major opportunity companies can re-think the role of veterans within their organization ## Connect LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-hope-people-leader/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-hope-people-leader/)   Recent Conversations We’ve Enjoyed - [How To Diversify Your Corporate Board](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/uplifting_impact/how-to-diversify-your-corporate-board) - [‘Demanding More’ From Systems, Leaders, and Ourselves](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/uplifting_impact/demanding-more-from-systems-leaders-and-ourselves) #### Written by [Deanna Singh](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/uplifting-impact/author/deanna-singh) Deanna Singh is a business consultant, speaker, and podcaster who is internationally recognized for her work in leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Deanna helps her clients create more equitable and inclusive work environments and engage more authentically within their internal and external communities. A gifted communicator, she is a champion for marginalized communities through her work. Her podcast, Uplifting Impact with a focus on looking at the intersection of Leadership and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, focuses on solutions and is directed at people who want to break the status quo. Singh earned her Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Fordham University, a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University, a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and certification in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Cornell University. 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