I found meaning in realizing that I don't need my life to look perfect to know it's strong. I just need to keep showing up for myself and my kids.
Breanna DeLong · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Breanna
Breanna DeLong is a program leader committed to strengthening systems that support veterans, military families, and their communities. Her work centers on bringing together organizations, data, and collaborative networks to better understand the challenges facing the military-connected community and to expand access to opportunity and support.
She currently serves as a Program Manager on the Community Insights & Impacts team at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University. In this role, she helps lead the implementation of the Face the Fight MAP Reach initiative, a national effort designed to help veteran-serving organizations better understand social and community factors that influence wellbeing and to coordinate more effective support across networks of care.
Breanna’s professional background includes workforce development and career readiness programming for transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses. During her time at Operation New Uniform, she supported the growth of employment initiatives that helped military-connected individuals navigate the transition to civilian careers and access meaningful professional opportunities.
Across her career, Breanna has focused on building partnerships, strengthening programs, and improving the ways organizations work together to support the veteran community. She believes that meaningful impact happens when communities, nonprofits, and institutions collaborate to address the broader factors that influence wellbeing, including economic opportunity, education, and social connection.
As a mother of two and a professional working to advance opportunities for military-connected families, Breanna is deeply committed to helping create systems that empower individuals and communities to thrive.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Breanna
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to staying grounded in the people the work is meant to serve. Keeping veterans, servicemembers, and military families at the center of every decision helps me build programs that are not just well-run, but genuinely meaningful and effective.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I was told not to wait until I feel ‘ready’ to take on responsibility. Growth usually comes from stepping into things before you feel fully prepared and learning by doing.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering this industry to talk to everyone and get involved in their community. Building relationships and networking are key to opening doors and discovering opportunities. The more people you connect with, the more support and guidance you’ll have as you grow in your career.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—in my field right now is educating employers on the value of hiring military veterans. Helping organizations understand how veterans’ skills, experience, and discipline can make a vital, positive impact is both a hurdle and a chance to create meaningful change in workforce development.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are trust, leadership, and clear communication, along with flexibility to maintain a healthy work-life balance. I’m also deeply committed to my family—I’m a proud mom of two. Outside of work, I enjoy reading and participate in a mom’s book club, love staying active through sports, and treasure thrifting adventures with my family.
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