Supporting Veterans at BlackRock
BlackRock Veterans

Supporting our Veterans and Allies

BlackRocks Commitment to Veterans

BlackRock recognizes the challenges transitioning veterans face and the importance of supporting their professional careers. We engage with, sponsor and support programs that honor and assist veterans and their families.

2023

Veterans Day

Remembrance Day

Armistice Day

Veterans and Allied Network | BlackRock

Gary Shedlin

Hello I'm Gary Shedlin, Vice Chairman and proud Co-Executive Sponsor of the Veteran and Allies network. Depending on where you are in the world November 11th might be known to you as Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, or Veteran’s Day. No matter the denomination it is a special day and an opportunity to honor the service of those who have gone to extraordinary lengths to defend our freedom and protect our nations. At BlackRock we understand the power of diversity of thought, veterans bring unique skill sets and perspectives that are valued and contribute to the firms success.

Michelle Bolten

Global Co-Chair of VET

In EMEA, the veterans transition program has been in place for eight years. Over that time the programme has become an amazing pipeline for talent. Many service leaders underestimate the skills and experience they bring to the table when they leave the armed forces. We as the network are here to help them realize their full potential.

Franklin Middlebrooks

VET Member

I'm a proud member of the inaugural U.S. veterans transition program. Successes we achieve are rarely ones we celebrate alone, opportunity and connectivity to impactful aspects of the veteran’s transition program make the program a success in diversifying our workforce providing opportunities to service members and connecting each with peers and leaders create inclusion embodies 1 BlackRock and supports the mission of creating a better financial future for our clients.

Tristian Burwell

VET Member

I'm currently on BlackRocks Veterans Transition Program following thirteen years of service in the British Army. The transition program has provided a fantastic opportunity for me to embark on a second career that's a world removed from where I previously worked and shows that my diverse skill sets can be well harnessed in the financial sector.

Aaron Lehn

Global Co-Chair of VET

The Veterans and Allies network strives to maintain the same core values that military culture is known, for giving back to something bigger than oneself, the focus on teamwork, the spree decor and it's so exciting to see the passion and energy that employees bring to the network, the collaboration that takes place across geographies and the sharing of experiences with one another. I hear it from members time and time again who say how rewarding it is to be part of this global community and I'm proud to be part of it.

Sudhir Nair

Co-Executive Sponsor of VET Network

Hi I'm Sudhir Nair and I recently joined Gary as Co-Executive Sponsor of the VET network. While Remembrance Day is a great reminder to show gratitude to our veterans, your support is encouraged all year long. Personally, I'm a proud ally of our vet community. While I didn't serve in the military myself, my father-in-law did and I feel incredibly connected and honored to be part of our network. I'd like to leave you with a few action items #1 join, join the veterans and allied network today you can sign up with just one click #2 give back by making a donation through the Vests for Vets Benevity page to the American Corporate Partners and the Royal British Legion and #3 be an active champion and look for opportunities to show your support and engage with the veteran community regularly. Lastly join the VET teams’ channel to share stories and photos to honor loved ones who have served in the military. To the service members around the world who have bravely served our communities, we thank you.

Reflecting on Veterans Day, Armistice Day and Remembrance Day

Supporting those who have served, commemorating Veterans Day, Armistice Day, and Remembrance Day holds profound significance for BlackRock. These solemn occasions remind us of the sacrifices made by veterans worldwide and underscore our ongoing commitment to honoring their service and sacrifice.

Global Veteran Empowerment

Supporting Veterans and Allies Globally

Explore BlackRock's global support for Veterans and Allies through programs like the Veterans Transition Program and 'Vests for Vets,' acknowledging their invaluable contributions worldwide!

**Europe has dynamically expanded its reach to include Athletes in its programming, Please view the "Athletes Tab" for more information!

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BlackRock Veterans Programs

BlackRock Empowers Veterans: Building Futures Across Continents

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VET Transition Program

BlackRock's Veterans Transition Program

Embark on a Journey of Professional Growth and Success

The Program gives participants the opportunity to work at the world’s largest asset manager for six months, leading to potential permanent roles upon successful completion. Participants gain real-world experience, professional mentorship, and exposure to our organization's senior leaders, enhancing and supporting their transition to civilian work.

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Vests for Vets (V4V)

BlackRock's Vests for Vets: Championing Veteran Transition

Join Us In Honoring Veteran and Allies Journeys

Established in 2019, Vests for Vets acknowledges the profound journey veterans navigate as they transition from military service to their next professional endeavor. Our mission is to provide steadfast support to transitioning service members and their families, celebrating their invaluable skills and experiences.

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VET Corporate Partners

BlackRock's Corporate Partnerships support Veterans Globally

American Corporate Partners (ACP) Mentorship

BlackRock's collaboration with American Corporate Partners enables us to expand our assistance for transitioning Veterans and families. Leveraging ACP's partnership, we provide mentors and guidance, ensuring Veterans navigate career transitions successfully and thrive as they enter into the next chapter of their careers.

BlackRock Veterans Programs

BlackRock Empowers Veterans: Building Futures Across Continents

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VET Transition Program

BlackRock's EMEA Veterans Programme

6-Month Opportunity for Transitioning Veterans and Athletes

The BlackRock Veterans Program supports veterans and athletes transitioning into their next career. Successful participants may receive permanent employment at BlackRock. The program offers meaningful tasks, immersion in team work, finance training, mentorship, exposure to senior leaders, and social and networking opportunities.

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VET and Athletes Network

EMEA Veterans & Allies Network:

Supporting Veterans in their next chapter with purpose

BlackRock's EMEA Veterans Network facilitates seamless career transitions for veterans, providing formal aftercare for reservists, professional mentorship, and philanthropic support. Committed to fostering broader inclusion, we actively engage in internal and external events to promote participation and support our members' professional growth.

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Charitable Partners

EMEA Network Charitable Efforts

Giving back to our communities

The EMEA Veterans Network currently supports multiple foundations including the Royal British Legion, SSAFA and Re:ACT through charitable efforts such as London Poppy Day and a Charitable Dinner, raising significant support alongside BlackRock’s Benevity Giving Tuesday, with BlackRock matching donations 2:1.

BlackRock’s Athlete’s Programme

David Denton

Associate

Title: What did you do before you joined BlackRock?

So I was a professional rugby player, I played for a number of clubs in the UK and I played for Scotland international.

Title: What would you say is the highlight of your sporting career?

First game I played for Scotland I was 21 at the time and it it was just this moment that I'd been kind of dreaming about since I was a kid of playing international rugby.

Title: What is the Althetes Programme?

It's a diversity program that was brought in alongside what was already an established veterans program and it aims to bring in former elite athletes into the firm on their six month internship.

Title: What does the programme bring to BlackRock?

It gives the firm an opportunity to hire from a very diverse pool of talent and most importantly I think different talent pool to where we usually hire from.

Title: Why did you choose BlackRock?

The thing I appreciate the most about it was I found the firm in the first instance that valued the skill set that i could bring and by starting this program I realized that BlackRock was that place

EMEA Athlete Internship: Discover Your Next Career at BlackRock

The Athlete Internship at BlackRock offers a unique opportunity for world-class elite athletes transitioning into their next career. Participants will gain valuable experience, training, and mentorship while working on meaningful tasks and projects. Successful participants may receive permanent employment at BlackRock.

Jazmine

A [VET] Story

My, name is Jazmine and this is How I Lead.

Oh, goodness. That's all I got.

(Laughs)

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I'm from Newark, New Jersey, born and raised, but moved to South Jersey around the age of seven. I'm the third oldest out of the seven and first to go to college.

I think moving to more of a suburban neighborhood gave us that safety and the freedom to do certain things. Particularly, they had a JROTC, program which is Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, that's the leadership program in military. I joined the National Guard in 2015 and I was in a chemical unit. I simultaneously was working for this chemical unit in the National Guard in Virginia while going to college. So I think having that balance within that lifestyle was very different and unique to my experience. When you come from a service life of the military and then you jump into a corporate life, you take one uniform off and then put on a suit. It's kind of a different experience. But there are all types of military individuals here. So not only the service members that have served as well, but also additional people, allies, within the veterans program. Having an opportunity to create that family and that dynamic, that support system, that's kind of like that moment where I felt like I belonged here, but I could thrive here as well. And that was one of my happiest moments here at BlackRock so far.

A real leader cares, but cares enough to inspire others to really push for the same goals or even surpass those goals. People only want to give in what you're putting out. So I think taking that time to really understand that is something that not all leaders have been able to do. If I had to give one word for my type of leadership, it's inspiring. I think even putting on the uniform each day when I walk outside, how often do you see a black woman who is a leader, not just any type of soldier, but also leading a whole company of over 200 soldiers? Being a part of that type of rare opportunity and rare experience and position gives me that unique view on life, but also gives others that unique view that, no this is not a one-time thing. There's others to follow me.

I think when we look at our full selves, we think more than just-- I think more than just the military, I think more than just being a black woman. There's so many things I identify as. And I think they have a network for almost every single thing that I identify as. But even the things I don't even know I will be a part of in the future.

From the Out & Allies to the Veterans Network, but also Black Professionals, I've

been able to tap into each one of them and find some different type of support that made me feel comfortable in my own way. And I think that's an awesome experience and feeling, but also impactful for the networks to actually-- to actually put in the work and give that support and make it feel like more than a job. It feels like fun.

BlackRock

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Celebrating Those Who Served

At BlackRock, our dedication to Veterans and Athletes strengthens our capacity to serve clients effectively. Veterans enrich Blackrock with their unique and valued perspectives, shaped by extraordinary backgrounds and experiences.

BlackRock's Executive Sponsorship

"To Our Veteran colleagues and military spouses, we are grateful to have you as part of our One Blackrock Community!"

Gary Shedlin
BlackRock Vice Chairman, VET Co-Executive Sponsor
Gary Shedlin is a Vice Chairman of BlackRock. As a member of the Office of the Chairman, Mr. Shedlin focuses on strengthening relationships with some of the firm’s most important clients and partners as well as key strategic initiatives.
Sudhir Nair
BlackRock Senior Managing Director, VET Co-Executive Sponsor
Sudhir Nair, Senior Managing Director, is the Global Head of Aladdin and a member of BlackRock's Global Executive Committee.