GRIT AND GRACE

The Women of Special Operations Forces Panel: Fox Force Founder and Normandy Jump Teammates at the Military Influencer’s Conference (MIC), Atlanta, September 2025

Sponsored by: BLK OPS Foundation

In September 2025, the Military Influencer Conference (MIC) in Atlanta brought together leaders from across the veteran, national security, and creator communities to discuss the future of service, leadership, and influence beyond the battlefield. Among the most powerful sessions of the conference was the BLK OPS Foundation-sponsored "Grit & Grace" panel, a conversation featuring women who have served within the Special Operations community and who continue to lead in new arenas after their military service.

Representing Fox Force, founder Toni Lavery joined fellow veteran leaders (and Normandy jump teammates, Mary Kate Soliva and Shirley Baez) to speak candidly about the realities of operating in elite environments, the responsibility of leadership, and the importance of building the next generation of resilient women.

The discussion highlighted the unique path many women in Special Operations have taken—often serving in demanding roles across multiple deployments while quietly shaping mission success behind the scenes. Panelists shared lessons learned from years of operational experience, including the importance of adaptability, composure under pressure, and the power of mentorship.

For Fox Force, the conversation reflected a core belief: the leadership forged in service does not end when the uniform comes off. The same grit that carried these women through deployments now drives their continued service to their communities.

Events like MIC create an important platform to elevate these voices and connect veterans, entrepreneurs, and mission-driven organizations working toward the same goal—empowering those who continue to serve long after the battlefield. For Fox Force, the mission remains clear: developing strong, capable women who lead with both grit and grace.