Page 23 - San Diego Woman interactive pdf

Women of Distinction

Amy also got married in 2010 and “During my deployment in 2006, Amy has turned
accepted a job offer working for the an IED killed a dear teammate of her passion for
department of defense as a civilian on ours, a female Marine officer named communications
the U.S. territory and island of Guam. Maj. Megan McClung. Experiencing and strategy into
‘I was still in the reserves, so we moved such loss cannot help but affect you. an opportunity to
to Guam and lived and worked there Coming home with one less person share it with cor-
porate industry ex-
for about five years. Guam was an than you left with, really reminds you ecutives who want
amazing place to work, and it allowed of just how serious things were.” to know the secrets
me to travel extensively throughout Amy’s book project coming out to crisis communi-
the Pacific to places like Sri Lanka, this summer will highlight the sacri- cations and digital
Singapore, Japan, and Malaysia.” fices of the those who deployed from leadership. She
Amy’s husband, Dieter, also Camp Pendleton and how the sur- serves as a Man-
enjoyed living and working on Guam rounding communities have rallied aging Director for
but moving half-way around the about our heroes and their families. Victory Strategies,
world was a huge adjustment. Taking “My goal with this project is to honor was to curate stories and images a leadership assess-
a risk to move to a tropical island those men and women who fought highlighting all the military memo- ment and devel-
opment company
in the middle of the Pacific Ocean for our country and to also focus rials dedicated to honoring service comprised of elite
was much better than regretting the on what was going on back home. members in San Diego County military members,
opportunity to live overseas. Amy, During the Iraq war years, I did an and particularly North County in Fortune 500 exec-
Dieter, and their adorable rescue dog, interview with a local dry cleaner. He Oceanside, Fallbrook, Vista, San utives, and high
Schatzie, a 6-year-old terrier mix, showed us a bunch of uniforms that Clemente, and Dana Point. The goal impact entrepre-
returned to the U.S. in early 2020 and had not been claimed. He knew why; is to honor these small communities neurs that improve
now live in Fallbrook. the owners did not make it home safe and show how they have played such organizational
Amy has served in uniform for to pick them up. He couldn’t bear to a big role in supporting our service culture, alignment,
more than 28 years and continues to get rid of them just in case a family members. This project will be a and efficiency
through leader-
serve in the Navy Reserve and holds member wanted them. This was an ‘thank you’ to all the brave men and ship development
the rank of Lieutenant Commander. example of how the effects of this war women who serve in our military training and team
She plans to retire from the Navy in a became very personal to the com- and a love letter of sorts to Camp engagement. You
few years and let the next generation munity.” Pendleton commemorating the 20th can follow Amy on
of men and women carry the torch “I'm always trying to maximize anniversary of 9/11. LinkedIn, twitter
in protecting our country and way my potential and help open doors for Thank you for your service, Amy and instagram at
of life. “I've been fortunate that I've others in any way I can. I volunteer Forsythe, and thank you for helping @amyforsythe70.
had great employers and supporters to help new public affairs officers our communities receive the thanks
through the years that were always in the Navy Reserve by offering my they deserve for supporting the fam-
accommodating through deploy- tips for navigating their way. I also ilies and loved ones who play such an
ments and they welcomed me back occasionally write stories for various important role in creating a strong,
into my civilian jobs upon my return.” publications that showcase our veter- powerful military.
Amy came away from the Ma- ans and their post-military successes.
rine Corps with some great technical I set out to tell the story of just how
skills. “Now that I'm working as a much courage it takes to put on a
civilian, I can do a lot of things that uniform and go to work every day or
would take three or four people to go on deployment.”
put together. My latest endeavor is Prior to Covid-19, Amy did a
the creation of a digital product and a lot of public speaking engagements
book to commemorate, the new me- both in the business and military
morials honoring the fallen Marines sectors. “I often speak to high school
and sailors that were stationed here and college students and share
at Camp Pendleton during the years career insights about the media and
of the Afghanistan, Iraq Wars as communications industry and what
well as the memorials to those who military public affairs officers do on
perished during 9/11, which is about a day-to-day basis. I like to share my
to celebrate its 20th anniversary. story of being a ‘late bloomer’ and
“I lived right off base during chasing down dreams in small incre-
those years and with the uncertain- mental ways. Hopefully, I connect
ty of everything during that time with someone in the audience who,
and how the community was really like me, isn’t ready for college but
supportive through all those years. still wants to do big things in life and On assignment on Guam - Amy served as a civilian visual
Not everyone realizes it but, more start their career in the military or information specialist and the bureau chief for the Department of
Marines and Sailors died from Camp vocational school.” Defense's Media Activity on the U.S. island territory of Guam from
Pendleton than from any other base Amy’s upcoming project is 2015-2019. She covered stories about military operations and large
or station in the United States.” wonderful, and we will tell you more scale exercises happening in the Asia-Pacific region. She learned to
Amy and her team suffered some as the release nears. I asked Amy to shoot and edit video, write scripts and produce stories while serving
very personal losses during that time. share a bit more about it. “The idea as an enlisted Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton.
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