{"id":4888,"date":"2022-11-15T15:48:22","date_gmt":"2022-11-15T20:48:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hiringourheroes.org\/?p=4888"},"modified":"2022-11-22T15:51:24","modified_gmt":"2022-11-22T20:51:24","slug":"2022-hiring-our-heroes-award-recipients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hiringourheroes.org\/stories\/2022-hiring-our-heroes-award-recipients\/","title":{"rendered":"Sen. Elizabeth Dole Honored For Lending Her Voice to America\u2019s Hidden Heroes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When Elizabeth Dole first brought attention to the \u201calarming number\u201d of unemployed and underemployed caregivers, Hiring Our Heroes and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce immediately committed to helping to find employment opportunities for these \u201chidden heroes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe difference we have made together is hard to quantify because the value of employment is so much more than simply holding down a job,\u201d Dole said. \u201cEmployment is financial security, predictability, and peace of mind. It can provide a sense of purpose, a sense of self-worth, and an opportunity for social connection.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dole was among the 2022 award recipients at the 12th annual Lee Anderson Hiring Our Heroes Awards Gala, presented by USAA on Nov. 9 at the historic Decatur House in Washington, D.C. This year\u2019s gala theme was \u201cChampions of Change.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is no better champion for this important work,\u201d said USAA\u2019s Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Tamla Oates-Forney. \u201cYou (Dole) inspire us all to keep doing more for our military and their families.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur Work Is Far From Over\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Suzanne P. Clark and Hiring Our Heroes President Eric Eversole presented the President\u2019s Award for Lifetime Achievement to Dole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAcross a life of public service, Sen. Elizabeth Dole\u2019s passion has been lending her voice to the voiceless and finding purpose in service to others. No one is more deserving of the Hiring Our Heroes President\u2019s Award for Lifetime Achievement, and on behalf of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, I\u2019m honored to have the opportunity to celebrate her accomplishments,\u201d Clark said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elizabeth
Since launching the foundation in 2012, Elizabeth Dole has led a movement to expose the military caregiver crisis and generate critical resources to help caregivers. \n\nHiring Our Heroes and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation work together to identify employment opportunities for caregivers and resources for employers to hire and retain caregivers. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Elizabeth Dole Foundation\u2019s mission is to empower, support, and honor the nation\u2019s 5.5 million military caregivers \u2014 the spouses, parents, family members, and friends \u2014 who care for America\u2019s wounded, ill or injured service members and veterans at home. Since launching the foundation in 2012, Dole has led a movement to expose the military caregiver crisis and generate critical resources to help caregivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related: US Chamber Foundation Announces 2022 Hiring Our Heroes Awards Finalists<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Hiring Our Heroes and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation<\/a> work together to identify employment opportunities for caregivers. The nonprofit organizations also provide resources for employers interested in hiring caregivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd our work is far from over. Too many caregivers still struggle to maintain a job, especially one that rises to the level of their qualifications,\u201d Dole said. \u201cWe owe it to these hidden heroes to explore every possible way to keep the American workforce open to military caregivers \u2013 from flexible work schedules, to telework options to more generous paid leave policies.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We owe it to these hidden heroes to explore every possible way to keep the American workforce open to military caregivers \u2013 from flexible work schedules, to telework options to more generous paid leave policies.\u201d <\/p>Sen. Elizabeth Dole, 2022 President\u2019s Award for Lifetime Achievement Recipient<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Colonel Michael Endres Leadership Award<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Along with the President\u2019s Award, Hiring Our Heroes recognized individuals and organizations committed to serving and supporting military veterans and their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Beau Higgins, senior manager of military talent acquisition at Amazon, was selected for the Colonel Michael Endres Leadership Award for Individual Excellence in Veteran and Military Spouse Employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Beau
The Colonel Michael Endres Leadership Award for Individual Excellence in Veteran and Military Spouse Employment was presented to U.S. Marine Corps veteran Beau Higgins. Higgins is senior manager of military talent acquisition at Amazon. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo be recognized as the recipient of this year\u2019s Col. Endres award is a true highlight of my time at Amazon,\u201d he said. \u201cWhile my name may be on the award, there was a great team behind me that made this happen. This would not have been possible if not for the continued support and investment of the Amazon Military Affairs team.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leadership award finalists were Ann Gaudard Weeby with Salesforce and Sean Passmore with Wells Fargo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Helping Our Veterans, Military Spouses Reach Their Full Potential<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During his keynote remarks, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. praised partnerships between the U.S. Department of Defense, Hiring Our Heroes, and employers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHiring Our Heroes is a win-win for all. Well done, Hiring Our Heroes. Because of your dedication, our military members can prosper when they take off the uniform,\u201d he said. \u201cThank you for what you do to build a bridge between the military and our business communities and for helping our veterans, our caregivers, and our families reach their full potential.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Angel
Air Force Capt. Angel Johnson launched the activewear line, ICONI, in 2020. ICONI<\/a> was recognized with the Capital One Small Business Award at the 2022 Lee Anderson Hiring Our Heroes Awards Gala. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Black-owned, woman-owned, and veteran-owned activewear line ICONI<\/a> received the Capital One Small Business Award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICONI stands for “I Can Overcome, Nothing’s Impossible.” ICONI donates 10% of its profits to nonprofit organizations. The company\u2019s mission is to \u201cchange the world one legging at a time by motivating people through our high-quality activewear and providing an inclusive environment for everyone, while giving back to those in need and in crisis and remembering our humble beginnings,\u201d according to its website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nate Boyer, U.S. Army veteran and co-founder of Merging Vets and Players<\/a> (MVP), served as the gala\u2019s emcee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe in the Hiring Our Heroes\u2019 mission because they create this amazing ecosystem which provides people with a sense of belonging and purpose. They connect the military community to employers to do meaningful work,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd most importantly, it creates a new sense of purpose for a strong workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Thank you for what you do to build a bridge between the military and our business communities.\u201d<\/p>Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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