“Even though I grew up in San Diego, a city famous for its military bases, I never felt a close connection to the military community. In the summer of 2009, I read an article about three women who had returned from a tour of duty in Iraq. They spoke of how while off-duty they would sometimes put on a little eyeliner or wear stilettos for just a moment to remind them of who they are and of home.  I realized how much I had taken these amazing people for granted.  It’s easy for our society to forget or overlook these women in uniform, these women whom are trailblazers and sacrifice so much for our community, country and planet.

 

Not finding any organization that takes products for these women, I was inspired to start a community project to put together female-oriented care packages. In November 2009, we officially launched Operation Courage Is Beautiful, and it has grown tremendously since, providing free care packages to our deployed servicewomen.”

 

For the past ten years, Cindy has contributed her management, operations, marketing, and consumer insights expertise to Operation Courage Is Beautiful and other non-profit organizations and grassroots activism. Cindy has over two decades of experience in entrepreneurship, marketing and product management in the consumer goods, healthcare, retail and food/beverage industries. Cindy holds a BA from UC Berkeley and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Diego is a world-class development professional with non-profit, corporate and operational management experience who delivers effective performance, inclusive team networks, dynamic project/program management, and promotes strong strategic leadership.

Demonstrated success in diversity, equity and cultural change, process improvement and community affairs. Recognized for identifying critical issues, areas for improvement and effective solutions. Excellent communicator as evidenced by building, managing, leading and motivating cross-cultural teams.

Casey started her career as a chiropractic doctor.  Now, she is a stay-at-home mom of her two pre-teen, teenage kiddos and supports the family business from home.  In previous years, she served as the President of the Sunset Hills Education Foundation for her children's elementary school, and as the Founder and Chair of the Sunset Hills Lego Club.  Over the last nearly three decades, she has helped Operation Courage is Beautiful develop from a new to well-established 501(c)3 non-profit.

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Casey often thinks about the sacrifice US servicewomen make to serve our country.  They are hard-working, courageous women, many of which are mothers of young children.  

Ina began her involvement with Operation Courage is Beautiful in 2016 as a board member.

“I have a passion for working with non profits and have served on several boards over the past ten years. It is an honor to give back to organizations that truly make a difference in people’s lives. OCIB is one that provides a unique opportunity to let those deployed service women know we support and are so grateful for their service. Being away from family and home in tough and challenging areas of the world without access to anything but the most basic of supplies for long periods of time can leave anyone wishing for a small connection to home. OCIB boxes bring an opportunity to provide much needed personal supplies that can make a big impact both in needed products and a moral support boost to those deployed service women. I look forward to the organization to the continue to grow and be able to reach many more of our service women.”

 

Education:
B.S. Accounting, National University, San Diego Campus
M.B.A. Computer Information Science, University of Phoenix,
San Diego Campus