Influential Woman · Nonprofit Management and Military Family Advocacy
Courtney Deady
Community Support Director / National Guard Consultant, Building Military Families Network
Sidney, OH 45365
Her Story
About Courtney
Courtney Deady is an educator, mentor, advocate, and entrepreneur whose career is defined by a deep commitment to service, leadership, and empowering others. As Community Support Director for Building Military Families Network and National Guard Consultant for Blue Star Families of Dayton & Southwestern Ohio, she champions initiatives that improve the lives of military families through advocacy, education, research, and community engagement. Drawing from her own experiences as a military spouse, Courtney has become a respected voice on issues including military family readiness, infertility advocacy, mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and family-building support. Her work bridges nonprofit leadership, public service, and strategic communications, ensuring that military families have access to the resources, networks, and support they need to thrive.
Courtney's professional journey reflects a unique blend of education, business, and creative entrepreneurship. After building a successful foundation in sales, customer service, and industrial automation, she transitioned into education, earning a Master of Education in Teaching and Curriculum from Bowling Green State University after completing a Bachelor of Science in Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services from DeVry University. She has served as a communications and media arts instructor, substitute teacher, and marketing professional while simultaneously launching Captivated Photography and Anchor & Ember Creative Agency. Through these ventures, she helps nonprofits, small businesses, and purpose-driven organizations strengthen their brands through strategic marketing, photography, consulting, and public speaking. Her ability to combine business strategy with authentic storytelling has made her a trusted partner for organizations seeking meaningful and lasting impact.
Throughout every stage of her career, Courtney has embraced servant leadership as both a philosophy and a way of life. Inspired by mentors within the military community and motivated by the resilience of military families, she continually transforms personal challenges into opportunities for advocacy and innovation. Her contributions to research and policy discussions surrounding military family-building challenges have helped elevate national conversations, while her leadership within military readiness programs continues to strengthen support systems across Ohio and beyond. Recognized as a National Guard Spouse of the Year and honored for her volunteer leadership, Courtney remains dedicated to mentoring others, building collaborative partnerships, and creating lasting change through compassion, integrity, and purposeful action.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Courtney
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the values my family instilled in me, the unwavering support of my parents and husband, and my neurodivergent perspective, which drives me to take action whenever I see an unmet need. My experiences as a military spouse have further strengthened my adaptability, resilience, and commitment to serving others. Together, these influences have given me the confidence, determination, and purpose to pursue meaningful opportunities and make a positive impact.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is simple but game‑changing: “Build a reputation before you need it.”
It means showing up consistently, doing the work with integrity, and treating people well long before you’re asking for opportunities, promotions, or support. When your name already carries trust, doors open that you didn’t even know existed.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to "burn the ships"—fully commit to your vision without relying on a fallback plan. That doesn't mean burning bridges; maintaining strong relationships and your professional network is essential. Don't let other people's opinions determine your path. I've learned through experience, including my first LLC, that failure is part of the learning process and often provides the lessons needed for future success. Trust yourself, stay committed to your goals, and remember that every setback is an opportunity to grow.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in my field is helping mission-driven organizations and military communities amplify their impact through strategic communication, advocacy, and collaboration. At the same time, one of the greatest challenges is ensuring that meaningful voices—especially those of military families and underserved communities—are heard and represented in decisions that affect them. I believe there is tremendous potential to create lasting change by equipping organizations with the tools, guidance, and support they need to grow sustainably while advocating for policies and initiatives that will benefit future generations.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are authenticity, service, compassion, and integrity. I believe meaningful leadership begins with genuinely caring about people and using my skills to create a positive, lasting impact. I strive to put service above self, whether I'm advocating for military families, supporting nonprofit organizations and small businesses, or helping others share their stories. I also value resilience, viewing challenges as opportunities to grow and learn, and I believe authentic connections built on trust, empathy, and collaboration are the foundation of both personal and professional success.
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