Here at Nelnet, we’re thankful every day for all those who serve or have served in the armed forces. We’re also thankful to have NelVets, a dedicated and active associate resource group (ARG) that has helped us better understand our veterans and their diverse experiences.
NelVets has created a sense of comradery for Nelnet’s associates who are and were members of the military. It’s also helped us recruit veterans—with their strong work ethic, leadership capabilities, and a teamwork mindset valuable to an organization like Nelnet.
What Does NelVets Do?
While NelVets is an ARG primarily promoted to those with current or prior military service, their families, and allies of the veteran community, it’s open to all Nelnet associates. Members focus on three primary goals:
- Coordinating activities to help maintain a sense of veteran/military comradery
- Promoting the awareness of veteran/military traditions and events
- Serving Nelnet by providing veteran experience and expertise in all aspects of Nelnet business
One of the most important aspects of NelVets is the focus on creating a sense of community for veterans within Nelnet.
Nelnet Claims Representative Destinee Minchow was excited to get involved and is on NelVets’ Board.
I believe NelVets gives members a feeling of comradery similar to what we experienced in our time of being in the military. It’s nice to be able to connect to others who have also served and have gone through the same types of experiences.
Nelnet Claims Representative and NelVets Member
NelVet Members Support Each Other
Through various activities and gatherings such as coffee chats, speaker presentations, and community events NelVets sponsors, members offer additional support to each other and to other veterans in our communities.
According to Minchow, “There are so many ways to support each other in the NelVets ARG. Whether it’s lending an open ear and your time to listen to a fellow vet, or assisting with an event to help get us all together, we pull together and help to make sure everyone feels included and like they matter.”
Nelnet Cybersecurity Engineer and NelVet member Hank Houser emphasizes how veterans have fought for others’ freedoms. This has created bonds among veterans, but also a need to be heard.
There is a bond that is like no other with those who have served and those who have fought. It is quite easy to be overshadowed as an individual by the louder voices in the room demanding attention to their cause...Veterans fought for the rights of those individual causes to be allowed and heard, but are often ignored in the grand scheme for the more current and loud causes. As a veteran, having a place where the people in the room have shared or do share that bond with you allows you to be yourself, tell your story, and be heard. It gives you a place to turn when the damages you carry from service get to be a bit much.
Nelnet Cybersecurity Engineer and NelVet Member
NelVets provides veterans a space within the work environment to feel seen and heard by others who share understanding of their experience.
NelVet Members Educate Other Nelnet Associates
Whether it’s around Memorial Day or near Veterans Day when Nelnet works with NelVets to feature stories about its members’ past or present service, NelVets helps educate civilian associates. Says Minchow, “By holding events and activities, we are sharing our experiences, photos, and more to make people aware of what we do, and what we have done not only for the company, but for the country as well.”
Helping others at Nelnet understand the value of what veterans have done through their service and what they contribute in the workplace is just the start for this group. NelVets has also been a helpful outlet for Nelnet’s veterans to share information with associates about the ongoing needs of servicemembers, veterans, and their families.
NelVets Supports Veterans in Our Communities
Steven Bardouche is Manager of Data Governance with Nelnet Business Services and a co-chair of NelVets. He describes a cause that has been near and dear to the ARG: Fisher House Foundation.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting military and veteran families, Fisher House Foundation builds and provides comfortable, fully furnished homes where families can stay at no cost while their loved ones receive medical care in nearby hospitals. These homes are located at military bases and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers around the world so that families can remain close during challenging times and focus on supporting their loved ones without the burden of travel costs or hotel expenses.
Says Bardouche, “In 2023, we organized a NelVets fundraiser to contribute to this meaningful cause. Thanks to the generosity of our community and an additional donation from the Nelnet Foundation, we were able to donate a total of $4,831.93 to Fisher House Foundation. This contribution directly supports Fisher House Foundation’s mission, helping to provide a comforting and secure environment for families during critical moments.”
Bardouche notes that NelVets is hoping with their 2024 campaign to “build on last year’s success, deepen our partnership with Fisher House Foundation, and continue supporting our veteran community to make a difference for our heroes.”
What It Means to Be a Member of NelVets
Minchow viewed getting involved in NelVets as “an amazing opportunity that I didn’t want to pass up.” According to Minchow, “It makes you feel connected to people even though you may not know them that well yet. Joining the group, you felt included and that people could understand you and your point of view from your prior service. The inclusion is the main reason I decided to join the NelVets. Even though I am not in the service anymore, when we are in meetings, it is nice to still feel like I did serve my country and that it’s not just in the past and doesn’t matter anymore. I chose to be a part of the leadership because I believe in our mission and I am proud to be a U.S. veteran.”
Inclusion, belonging, and open communication are integral parts of being involved in NelVets.
Houser points out, “For me personally, I felt welcome and a sense of belonging at Nelnet immediately after joining NelVets and attending Coffee with the Crew. Being allowed to shape this ARG and to continue to facilitate that feeling and that space where veterans and their families are allowed to express themselves and their stories without judgment or fear of jeopardy to their job makes a world of difference compared to other companies I have worked for.”
Nelnet’s Support of Veterans
Nelnet’s executive team values the skills, teamwork, and leadership development servicemembers bring to the table as associates.
As Houser emphasizes, “This country owes a debt of gratitude to veterans. It is the responsibility of every individual, business, governing body, and agency to facilitate the mission of no homeless veterans, no impoverished veterans, no hungry veterans, and no veteran in medical need. Nelnet has been generous in its aim to move toward completing this mission. The donation matching and open giving to veteran charities has been very important. But the job isn’t done and will not be until this mission is completed.”
Nelnet is proud to employ active and former servicemembers, celebrating their value. For example, the organization was proud to recognize the promotion of Nelnet IT Director and NelVet member Tod Fenner to Brigadier General prior to his assuming command of the Colorado Army National Guard’s Land Component in November 2023. Fenner says he has felt well supported in his civilian and military careers over his 25-plus years at Nelnet.
I appreciate Nelnet’s commitment to recognizing and honoring veterans and active servicemembers. The company’s support for NelVets makes me proud to work for an organization that values gratitude, respect, and meaningful support for those who have served. The fact that the Nelnet Foundation has been actively involved in supporting and matching our past veteran-focused fundraisers has been great to see. This has allowed our collective efforts to make an even greater impact on veterans in the communities where we live and work.
Manager of Data Governance, Nelnet Business Services
Nelnet is proud of NelVets’ community work, and associates have supported their efforts. Through NelVets, there is greater understanding at Nelnet of the value veterans contribute not only through their military service, but through the unique attributes they bring to our workplace.
Celebrate and Support Veterans With Us
On Veterans Day, join us in thanking former and current servicemembers you know for their service. Consider joining our armed services heroes at Nelnet and members of our NelVets ARG as they support Fisher House Foundation with a donation of your own. You may want to check out these Veterans Day events—and we encourage employers to consider completing the Military Friendly Companies Survey, aimed at making institutions in American better for veterans.
If you’re looking a more veteran-friendly workplace to land, consider learning more about #LifeAtNelnet.
