"If not me, then who?”
First Lt. Travis Manion, USMC, made this simple yet powerful statement before his final deployment, reflecting the profound sense of duty experienced by service members and their families.
Today on the podcast, BJ is joined by Ryan Manion, CEO of the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF), one of the nation’s leading veteran service organizations. Known for her resilience after losing her brother Travis to war and her mother to cancer, Ryan is dedicated to empowering veterans and the families of fallen heroes to inspire future generations to drive change.
Join the conversation to learn more about TMF, the story behind the quote, and the powerful impact their Character Does Matter training program has on inspiring the next generation of leaders.
Thanks for tuning in!
Key Points From This Episode:
• Ryan shares the background and mission of the Travis Manion Foundation and her role as CEO.
• Who was Travis Manion: Ryan reflects on the life and legacy of her brother.
• The story behind the quote, “If not me, then who?”
• Ryan shares details about their flagship leadership program Character Does Matter.
• What it means to live a life of character for our youth.
Quotes:
“The goal and the goal still continues to be, how can we inspire the rest of society to live by those five words, [If not me, then who?], as well” — Ryan Manion
“For us as a veteran service organization, we knew very quickly that the way to make sure that veterans thrive post their military career is to give them a continued sense of purpose and to make sure that they know that we still need them, even out of their uniform.” — Ryan Manion
“My mom started the [Travis Manion] organization — [with] three very simple goals. One was to continue providing support and resources to returning veterans. The second was to be able to do the same for families of the fallen. And the third — our mission was to help play a part in inspiring the next generation of leaders. ” — Ryan Manion
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
What is Leadership Blueprints?
Leadership Blueprints is the podcast where leaders in the built environment learn to disrupt the status quo, improve their project teams, and steward public and private investments more effectively. Your host is BJ Kraemer. As the President and CEO of MCFA, BJ has navigated the complexities of the architecture, engineering, construction, and development industry. With a blend of interviews with national industry leaders and solo episodes filled with stories, tips, and lessons, Leadership Blueprints is your weekly source of inspiration and practical advice. By tuning in, you will learn how to challenge conventional processes, enhance team performance, and manage projects more effectively, paving the way for innovation and success in the built environment. Join BJ each week for a deep dive into the strategies and mindsets that drive real change and lead to real results.