MFAN Welcomes New Development and Partnership Lead, Noreen O’Neil

A steadfast supporter of the military community, Noreen O’Neil brings more than two decades of expertise to the Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN).  As the senior director of partnerships and development, O’Neil will design, plan, and execute the annual fundraising plan as well as develop and expand mutually beneficial partnerships with other organizations. O’Neil joins MFAN from 3E Leadership Group, LLC where she was a managing partner.

O’Neil understands the critical role that partnerships and collaboration play in effectively and efficiently serving military families. As a former senior advisor at Hiring Our Heroes – a nationally recognized initiative assisting veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses find meaningful employment – O’Neil led the long-term strategic planning for programs, resources, and events, cross-organizational integration, and fundraising. Before assuming the role of senior advisor, O’Neil served as the director of the Military Spouse Program where she oversaw the daily operations, development, and long-term strategies. O’Neil motivated, engaged, and empowered companies of all sizes to join this mission and make military spouse employment a priority. Because of the program’s success under O’Neil’s leadership, military spouse employment became a national conversation.

As an Army spouse of over 20 years, O’Neil has personally experienced several of the large challenges many military spouses face. Originally planning to enter a career in criminal justice, O’Neil quickly learned that juggling a growing family, multiple deployments, and philanthropic work were already full-time jobs many times over. Through her own service as a spouse, however, O’Neil soon discovered a new passion working in and around the military community managing large teams of volunteer staff, high dollar budgets, and fundraising. For her efforts, she has received recognition in both the private and public sector.

O’Neil is the recipient of the Outstanding Civilian Service Award given by General Raymond Odierno, 38^th U.S. Army Chief of Staff. This is the third highest honor within the Department of Defense that the Army can bestow on a private citizen. She is also the recipient of the Yellow Rose of Texas, given by Governor Rick Perry of Texas to outstanding women for their contributions to the greater community, as well as the other local awards given to military spouses with extraordinary levels of volunteer achievement.

O’Neil also volunteers as an advisor to National Military Spouse Network, a professional development organization committed to the education, empowerment and advancement of military spouses and Operation Deploy Your Dress, a 501(c)3 that re-deploys new and gently used formal wear to military dependents. She was previously co-chair of the Military and Veteran Business Council at the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. She has been featured in Forbes, Huffington Post Live as well as numerous other media outlets.

Originally from New York, O’Neil now calls Virginia home. She and her husband, a retired Army officer, have four children, and a son-in-law who serves in the Army.