The Future of Work is Diverse, Inclusive, Just and Equitable
GlobalMindED closes the equity gap by creating a capable, diverse talent pipeline through connections to role models, mentors, internships for low-income students, returning adults, First Gen to college and inclusive leaders who teach them, work with them and hire them.
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Through TBI and PTSD to an Entrepreneurship Program for Veterans, Meet Alan Meyer: Disabled Veteran-Owner of Interactive Entertainment Company
National Veterans and Military Families Month is celebrated in the United States every November. It is a time to honor and thank the men and women serve and have served in the United States Armed Forces. The recognition was established in 1919 as Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I on November 11, 1918. In 1954 the holiday was renamed Veterans Day to honor all veterans of all wars. In 1999, Congress expanded the holiday into a month-long observance, calling it Veterans Month. GlobalMindED is proud to share stories of Veterans this month.
Today meet: Alan Meyer. Alan Is a disabled veteran who has overcome many challenges. While breaking barriers, Andy has been able to achieve many of his goals. His story is one of resiliency and hope and he's sharing it in the hopes that it helps others.
What is your personal/professional story?
I was born, grew up, and continue to live in beautiful Colorado. I've traveled around a bunch but always came back. As a kid, I didn't have a lot of friends because I didn't know how to fit in. I had ADHD and dyslexia, and 35 years later, adult-diagnosed ASD. Because of this, I was in my own company a lot of the time and I developed a very creative mind.
I became an artist and enjoyed several different types. I learned how to express myself through creativity. I went on to become a husband and a dad. I enjoyed an active life working at a college in the media department and volunteering in a fire department. I also joined the Army National Guard. I was assigned as a heavy gunner in a field M.P company and did that for over 9 years. I deployed to a variety of countries and worked in varied situations including peacekeeping in former Yugoslavia, blizzard rescues, multiple fires, the shootings at Columbine, the 2002 Winter Olympics, all of which culminated in the invasion of Iraq.
After I returned home I tried to jump back into life but it didn't last. I had suffered a traumatic brain injury while serving in Iraq, as well as PTSD and it became worse over time. I lost my job, my fire department, the ability to drive, most of my friends, and worst of all, my self-esteem. I struggled for a bunch of years and it got pretty dark, but I fell back into art and started the healing journey.
During this process I needed something positive to put my time and energies into, so I ultimately created the vision for my company's “Dark Portal” story universe (escapism has its perks). I developed the story for the next 10 years, finding different ways to engage and tell the story through longer-duration live-action experiences, books, and an RPG guide. I incorporated Interactive Entertainment Company in 2020.
This cohort program was amazing and brought my game up to the next level. I am still speechless at the level of everything they did and brought to the program. This is another example of some of the kindest and smartest people I have ever met, caring about my success. After a couple of "pivots," I was able to develop my go-to-market strategy, and here we are! Gig 'Em Aggies!
I'm a scrappy little bootstrapper who's proud to call Interactive Entertainment Company, a disabled veteran-owned business. I have chased this dream for many years and I still am as passionate about it as the day it first started. I also want to show people that an average guy (with problems even), can achieve an impossible goal with enough belief, hard work, kindness, and humility! Hopefully, that will help other vets who are struggling as well.
What key moments in your life led you to where you are today?
For me, it was when I really lost it and was rapidly cycling emotions and really just hurting, I chose art to implode instead of something way worse to explode. It was the first time I couldn't handle the problem, and it destroyed me. At my worst I was stuck in my basement where I was manically painting for 2 years with such bad agoraphobia I couldn't even come upstairs. In those moments it really was my kids who helped me hang on, which is ironic as I was hiding from them down in the basement, covered in paint, missing them growing up.
I was able to really start to get a handle on this monster after about 4 years of weekly intensive counseling and EMDR. My next key moment was believing in myself enough to apply to Bunker Labs. I was freaking out the first time I had to go in and meet everybody, but did it. I've pushed through so much because not only am I starting to believe in myself again but I'm more afraid of someone else accomplishing my dreams before me, vs. any social anxiety. Perspective helped with this as well. When I was about to have a panic attack at an event because of social anxiety, I reminded myself that I've helped secure a train station in Fallujah Iraq in April of 2003, and this is nothing. Believe it or not, that worked. I actually felt kind of silly that I had been nervous to begin with. The brain sure is wild!
Where does your passion to serve come from?
I grew up in a military family. Pride in service was not only talked about but also modeled. For me, it was fun to be of service. I enjoyed helping others and making people smile. I enjoyed it in the Cub and Boy Scouts, I worked a summer when I was a teenager with folks with disabilities in a day program. I served in the Army, and I also enjoyed serving in a volunteer fire department. All of these things have driven my passion and continue to today as I transition into my next phase of service.
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Highlights from the 2023 GlobalMindED Annual Conference this past June:
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PBS12 Denver filmed and live-streamed the 2023 GlobalMindED Inclusive Leader Awards on June 7th as well as our main stage plenaries and presentations on June 8th. You can find them all individually on the GlobalMindED YouTube channel.
2023 GlobalMindED Inclusive Leader Award Winners' introductions and acceptance remarks:
Miriam Calderon, Chief Policy Officer, ZERO TO THREE: Inclusive Leader - Early Childhood Education
Dr. David Miyashiro, Superintendent, Cajon Valley Union School District, Inclusive Leader - K-12 Education
Carrie Billy, CEO, American Indian Higher Education Consortium: Inclusive Leader - Higher Education
Afua Bruce, Founder & Principal, ANB Advisory Group: Inclusive Leader - Government
Dr. Elena Rios, President & CEO, National Hispanic Medical Association: Inclusive Leader - Health & Wellness
Hassan Salem, Head of Commercial Banking, US Bank: Inclusive Leader - Banking & Finance
Greg Robinson, James Webb Space Telescope Project Director NASA (ret): Inclusive Leader - Space & Aerospace
Mary Nichols, Professor, UCLA Institute of the Environment, Inclusive Leader - Energy & Sustainability
Michael Campbell, General Manager, Education Division, Intel: Inclusive Leader - Technology
Diego Mariscal, CEO & Chief Disabled Person, 2Gether-International: Inclusive Leader - Entrepreneurship
Mario Carrera, President & CEO, CLLARO: Inclusive Leader - Media & Arts
Nasruddin Rupani, Chairman, Ibn Sina Foundation: Inclusive Leader - Foundations & Funders
Rosanna Durruthy, VP, Global Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, LinkedIn: Inclusive Leader -Global Impact
Kimberly Bryant, Founder & CEO, Black Innovation Lab; Black Girls Code: Inclusive Leader - Non-Profit
Click below to see Insights from GlobalMindED Leaders:
View the Main-stage Presentations:
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View the Sessions from our United Nations Event: Transforming Financial Boundaries |
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Carla Harris, Vice Chairman, Morgan Stanley and James Rhee, Founder/Owner, red helicopter
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Michael Maquet-Diafouka, Managing Director, Global Family and Institutional Wealth, UBS, Chris Marsh, Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor, UBS,Janet C. Salazar, Chairman & President, Foundation for the Support of the United Nations
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Tyler Naha, Student, Denver East High School, Dr. Mary Papazian, Exec. VP, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, Dr. Philomenta Mantella, President, Grand Valley State University, Dr. Yustina Saleh, Managing Director, Innovation Solutions, The Burning Glass Institute, Alfonzo Alexander, Chief Ethics & Diversity Officer, National Association of State Boards of Accountancy
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Dr. D'Andre Weaver, Chief Digital Equity Officer, Digital Promise, Michael Woods, President, Woods Capital, the Honorable Dr. Kimberly McClain, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department HUD, Preston James, II, Co-Founder and CEO, Divinc, Gaby Rowe, Founding Principal, Grow Associates
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Dr. Craig Jonas, Founder and CEO, CoPeace, Victoria Vasques, Owner & Chairwoman, Tribal Tech LLC, Sachin Chaudhry, Founder and CEO, TrustCircle and BringChange Foundation, Kyle Hybl, President & CEO, El Pomar Foundation, Beth Cobert, Acting President, Markle Foundation
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Dr. Denise Lujan, Director, Entering Student Experience, University of Texas at El Paso, Javaune Adams-Gaston, President, Norfolk State University, Dr. David Miyashiro, Superintendent, Cajon Valley Union School District, Gina Fratarcangeli, Managing Director, Google, Shital C. Shah, Sr. Advisor, Strategic Partnerships, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Dept. of Education
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Sam Lalanne, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion |
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Would you like to give to support our student programs? You can scan the QR code below or go to our website to support our year-round programs. GlobalMindED is a 501(c)(3).
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Thank you to all of the Sponsors, Speakers, Students, and Attendees at GlobalMindED 2023
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