We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kelley Saunders a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kelley, appreciate you joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My journey has been marked by the unforgettable lessons my Aunt Linda and Uncle Corky imparted during my toughest early days, a journey that set the foundation for everything I would become. Growing up in Miami with my older siblings, I faced responsibility at a very young age when I had to care for my ill mother. Losing her to Sickle Cell anemia at 12 felt like the world had crumbled, yet it was this very loss that compelled me to grow resilient and resourceful.

Moving to Minnesota, I was embraced by my Aunt and Uncle, who not only provided a loving home but also invested wholeheartedly in my education and character. My uncle became the father figure I desperately needed, showing me what it meant to be a man with strength, integrity, and unwavering dedication. Whether it was his steady voice encouraging me to keep moving forward or his silent example of commitment and honor, he instilled in me a deep respect for responsibility and service.

At the same time, my aunt epitomized what it meant to be the backbone of a family. With her strong work ethic and quiet wisdom, reminding me to “see a lot, say a little, and never let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” she taught me that the greatest strength often lies in subtlety and humility. Her example of balance between ambition and grace became a guiding light in how I approached both my personal and professional life.

Armed with these life lessons, I joined the Marine Corps as a tank operator, a role that demanded precise teamwork, strategic thinking, and the courage to face danger head-on. Serving as part of a QRF (Quick Reaction Force) in Iraq, I drew deeply on the values of honor and discipline that my family instilled in me. Every challenge on the battlefield was met with the resolve to make a difference, a resolve that my upbringing had nurtured.

Transitioning to civilian life, I continued to serve my community as a full-time firefighter. In those moments of crisis, I often recalled my aunt’s teachings on commitment and my uncle’s lessons on leadership. It was these values that guided me through rigorous training, long shifts, and the constant need to remain calm under pressure.

Not stopping there, I transformed those life experiences into academic and professional achievements. I earned a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice, a Master’s in Business Administration, and even pursued a second Master’s in Organizational Leadership and Management. Today, as a Project Manager at one of the top firms in the country, I apply the core principles I learned at home: proper planning, punctuality, respect, and perseverance.

Every accolade and milestone I’ve reached has my Aunt and Uncle’s influence woven throughout. They not only provided me with a secure foundation after losing my mother but also equipped me with the values necessary to excel in a variety of fields—from the battlefield to high profile clients. Their belief in my potential transformed my early struggles into a journey of service, leadership, and continuous growth a journey that continues to inspire every step I take.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a proud United States Marine Corps veteran who served four years of active duty at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and later continued to serve my country for two more years in the Marine Reserves at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. My time in the military taught me discipline, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence qualities that have shaped every part of who I am today.

After my military service, I transitioned into another form of service, becoming a full-time firefighter. For nearly four years, I had the honor of running toward danger to help others in their most critical moments. That role meant everything to me until life took an unexpected turn. I was hit by a driver under the influence and was in a car accident that left me with major injuries, ultimately resulting in a medical separation from the fire department. That moment could have ended my story but instead, it fueled a new beginning.

I refused to give up. I used that setback as a springboard. I poured myself into education, earning a Master’s in Business Administration, and a second Master’s in Organizational Leadership and Management. Determined to rebuild my career, I moved to the DMV area at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic—a time when jobs were scarce and uncertainty was everywhere. But I leaned into my network, stayed relentless, and, with encouragement from my now-wife, I connected with PwC.

Through sheer perseverance and strategic networking, I landed a role as a Project Manager at one of the most respected firms in the world. I’ve since had the privilege of leading successful projects with some of the country’s most prestigious companies as clients. My unique ability to adapt under pressure, solve complex problems, and deliver results on time has made me a trusted leader in every space I’ve entered.

But my story doesn’t end with personal success, I believe in reaching back and lifting others. That’s why I founded ETS (Elevate Transitioning Servicemembers) a nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans engage meaningfully with their communities and connect to the right resources, benefits, and support systems. Our mission is to help veterans not only transition from service to civilian life but thrive in it.

What sets me apart is that I’ve lived the transition. I’ve faced the unknown after service, navigated career pivots, dealt with trauma, and still stood tall. I bring that same fire and empathy to my work whether it’s managing high-stakes projects or helping a veteran find a career or mental health support.

I’m most proud of turning pain into purpose. I’m proud of the Marine who became a firefighter, who became a project manager, who became a founder. I’m proud of the lives we’re impacting through ETS veterans who felt forgotten, now finding community and opportunity again.

To potential clients, partners, and supporters: I want you to know that everything I do is rooted in service, excellence, and authenticity. Whether I’m leading a corporate project or building a veteran-focused event, I bring the same core values to the table: integrity, resilience, and results.

My brand is built on lived experience. My mission is fueled by purpose. And my work is dedicated to making sure no one walks their journey alone.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the most defining stories of my resilience began after I was medically separated from the fire department a career I had dedicated myself to following my military service. After serving four years of active duty as a tank operator in the Marine Corps and two years in the reserves, I continued my commitment to protecting others by becoming a full-time firefighter. For nearly four years, I gave everything to that role. But then, life changed in an instant.

I was hit by a under the influence driver in a major car accident that left me with major injuries and ended my firefighting career. That moment was devastating not just physically, but emotionally. I had built my identity around serving others, and suddenly, I felt stripped of my purpose.

But I refused to let that be the end of my story.

While recovering, I chose to focus on what I could control. I poured my energy into continuing my education earning two Master’s degrees: one in Business Administration and another in Organizational Leadership and Management. I relocated to the DMV area during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, with no job and a lot of uncertainty. But instead of giving in to fear, I leaned into faith, networking, and persistence. My wife encouraged me to look into PwC, and I did just that connecting, engaging, and staying ready for opportunity. Eventually, I was hired as a Project Manager and began working with some of the most respected companies in the country.

That journey from Marine to firefighter, to injured and unemployed, to rising again as a corporate leader embodies what resilience means to me. It’s not about avoiding hardship. It’s about refusing to stay down when life knocks you over. That experience didn’t just change my path it gave me the strength and purpose to found ETS (Elevate Transitioning Servicemembers), a nonprofit that helps veterans find their next chapter, too.

Resilience isn’t something you’re born with it’s something you earn, one comeback at a time.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A major lesson I had to unlearn was thinking I had to carry everything on my own. Growing up, I lost my mother at 12 and felt like I had to be strong for everyone around me. That mindset followed me into the Marine Corps and my career as a firefighter. But after a car accident ended my firefighting career, I was forced to face the reality that true strength includes asking for help. It was during my recovery and career transition that I learned resilience isn’t about doing it all alone, it’s about leaning on others and allowing support in. That shift changed how I lead, live, and serve others through my work and nonprofit.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etservicemembers.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelleywsaunders/
• Linkedin: https://www.etservicemembers.org/