Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelly Kirkland.
Shelly, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always wanted to be a storyteller; even at a young age, I was writing short stories, authoring poetry and taking pictures to capture beauty in the world around me. After working for Fox’s America’s Most Wanted producing crime stories in Washington, D.C., I moved to Dallas in 2007 and joined The Richards Group. For three years, I honed my skills amongst 700 of the “brightest and most focused people in the world of advertising,” as Stan Richards likes to say, telling stories of brands to influence consumers. One of my clients while there was UT Dallas’ Center for BrainHealth. I quickly became captivated by the brain and how scientists were working to unravel the mysteries of the mind for school children, aging adults, those with autism, elderly individuals with Alzheimer’s and healthy folks looking to get an edge. In 2010, I left the agency world to pursue non-profit storytelling full-time at the Center for BrainHealth.
During my nearly eight years there, several scientists were awarded funding from the Department of Defense to study traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in post 9/11 veterans. As part of recruiting for those studies, I met several veterans who changed the course of my career. These were folks who were my age who were quite literally putting their life on the line for me. And doing it selflessly. Courageously. Without question.
It was humbling. It made me proud, and it made me more committed than ever to make sure that when veterans come back, we give back in a meaningful way — a way that changes their life for the better and for the long-term. One of those veterans was former Navy SEAL Morgan Luttrell. He encouraged me to join the Boot Campaign to provide life-improving programs to military families nationwide and also share the stories of those who serve in our Armed Forces — stories that show the struggles but also the incredible fortitude, flexibility, and contributions that veterans and their families make in our communities.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of my favorite quotes is, “Every time I witness a strong person, I want to know: ‘What dark did you conquer in your story?’ Mountains do not rise without earthquakes.”
Powerful, right? We all have winding roads in life that lead us to present day. Our roads are rarely smooth or straight. But oftentimes it’s in the process of traveling a route full of potholes, steep hills and rough terrain that we develop a passion to help and serve others. And, that has been my experience. My path certainly hasn’t been easy, but it helped shape me into who I am today and has fueled my professional mission to help others overcome stigma associated with brain and mental health issues.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Boot Campaign – what should we know?
For ten years, the Boot Campaign has been providing life-improving programs to military families nationwide. We do this by showing gratitude for those who sign their name on a dotted line to protect and defend the United States and asking Americans to lace up the most visible sign of military service: combat boots. More than 500 celebrities and influencers as well as thousands of patriots have donned the symbolic footwear to say, “Thank you for your service.” They do this by purchasing boots through our website, bootcampaign.org, and are encouraged to share photos in their boots with the hashtag, #laceupamerica.
But we want to do more than just make Americans aware about the challenges of military service. We aim to educate Americans about the long-term effects of war by actively providing access to treatment to overcome those issues. We know that since 2001, more than 2.8 million servicemen and women have been deployed around the world.
We know that since 2001, more than 2.8 million servicemen and women have been deployed around the world.
● One in three will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD);
● One in five will suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and
● One in ten will experience a substance use disorder.
What’s more, treatment costs are 7X higher for veterans with complex diagnoses such as PTSD and TBI than those who suffer from physical wounds alone and less than 50% of military personnel and veterans who experience invisible wounds receive care.
Boot Campaign’s comprehensive Health and Wellness Program provides access to innovative and holistic care for traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain, self-medication, and insomnia. We partner with evidence-based treatment and training providers across the country to further scientific research and kick-starts a veteran’s journey to take back control of his or her path to wellness.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
For me, there are two: Faith and flexibility. Two years ago, I felt stuck professionally. I knew I wanted a new challenge, but despite several positions that I had been presented, the door always closed before I could cross the threshold. So, I started a 40-day prayer journey with Mark Batterson as a guide and his book Draw the Circle as my map. On Day 40, I received the job offer from the board of directors at Boot Campaign. Did I feel qualified to lead a national non-profit to serve military families? No. Was I sure that I was capable of being a CEO? No. But I had faith that the opportunity was divinely directed and I accepted. It’s been said that change is the greatest stimulus for growth and flexibility to meet change head on is key to success. I can tell you that in the last two years as CEO of Boot Campaign, I have grown –both personally and professionally — and look forward to what’s in store.
Contact Info:
- Address: Boot Campaign
C/O The Slate
2403 Farrington
Dallas, TX 75207 - Website: www.bootcampaign.org
- Email: shelly@bootcampaign.org
- Instagram: @bootcampaign // @shellykirkland
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/bootcampaign
- Twitter: @bootcampaign
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