Veterans Day is Nov. 11, 2023. At Children’s Minnesota, we thank and recognize our kid experts who are active military service members and veterans. Our veterans understand selfless service, dignity, respect and most of all, sacrifice through their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our country.
In honor of Veterans Day, we spoke with Ron Jarvi, organizational development & learning (OD&L) senior consultant and co-chair of the military and veterans employee resource group (ERG) at Children’s Minnesota, to learn more about his role, involvement with the military and veterans ERG and his plans to recognize Veterans Day.
Get to know Ron!
Tell us about your role at Children’s Minnesota.
I’m an organizational development & learning (OD&L) senior consultant and I’ve been in this role for about 18 months. I help integrate and lead organization-wide programs and strategies that include talent calibration and succession planning, annual mandatory training, performance management, enterprise values and culture, and leadership/professional development programs. I accomplish this by partnering with all clinical and non-clinical departments and their leaders.
What is your role in the military and what inspired you to join?
Currently, I am the 34th Infantry Division G1, assistant chief of staff. This is the second highest HR role in the Minnesota National Guard; reporting to a brigadier general (2-star) and primary staff officer for the division commander.
I joined since military service is part of my family’s tradition, beginning with my grandfather who served in the Korean war. My father served 20 years in the Minnesota National Guard with one deployment, and I have two younger brothers who serve; the middle brother is an E6, security forces airmen at the Fort Snelling base, and our youngest brother is an E6 in the Minnesota National Guard, serving as a food service leader and ammunitions specialist.
Additionally – and just as important – was 9/11. I joined after this tragic event to serve beyond myself and for a country where I was fortunate enough to grow up free and with the hope that my future kids would too.
Why did you decide to become a leader for the military and veterans ERG?
I’ve always wanted to support the military community wherever I’ve worked. I believe it’s a very talented community that is often overlooked or undervalued. There is so much talent in the service members I’ve worked with, and the military family is one of the hardest lifestyles to endure at times.
This is the third military and veterans ERG I’ve started over my career, and I’m so proud of our ERG members and supporting leaders like Ian Wolfe, Jennifer Olson and Dr. Emily Chapman. I also had the partnership and support of Gene Brown, our military and veterans ERG co-chair, to lean on and push us to launch last November.
How are you planning to recognize Veterans Day this year?
I am currently serving overseas for the Minnesota National Guard. I can’t think of a more personal way to celebrate. Hopefully I can watch the Children’s Minnesota Veterans Day program from the other side of the world!
What do you think makes kids remarkable?
Kids are our future; they have an amazing and inspiring way to look at the world. While my kids give me lots of grey hair, they can make us better human beings. They can remind us in the cleverest ways how to have fun, be grateful and remain resilient.