Women’s History Month – Jennifer L. Yount
As Women’s History Month draws to a close, we spotlight Jennifer L. Yount, MBA, CPCC, PCC (CDR, Ret., CGA ’81), a beacon of bravery and resilience in the maritime industry and beyond. Her energy, passion, and confidence are founded in over 40 years as an accomplished leader in the U.S. Coast Guard, maritime communities, higher education, and small business ownership.
Joining the Northeast Maritime Institute’s Board of Trustees in May 2023, Jennifer has not only enriched NMI with her vast experience and leadership prowess but has also exemplified unparalleled courage in confronting issues deeply ingrained within the fabric of military and maritime establishments.
Jennifer’s bravery is most notably exemplified through her relentless pursuit of justice and reform within the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Her testimony before Congress in December 2023 marked a pivotal moment, shedding light on the shadowed corners of bullying, Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment (SASH), and rape within the officer ranks of the Coast Guard. Coming forward to confront USCG leadership, Jennifer challenged a longstanding legacy of silence and cover-up, advocating for the countless voices that had been stifled by fear and systemic barriers.
Her leadership extends into her role with NMI’s Center for Ocean Policy and Economics (COPE°), leading the Coasties Thriving Together project. This initiative, emerging in the wake of revelations about systemic abuse at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, stands as a testament to Jennifer’s commitment to fostering a culture of accountability, support, healing, and ultimately, a collective effort to get the Coast Guard family back on course. The project not only offers a sanctuary for survivors but also actively works towards policy reform and the establishment of a more inclusive, safe environment for all members of the maritime and military communities.
Jennifer L. Yount’s actions encapsulate the essence of bravery in the face of adversity. Her willingness to stand up against institutional wrongdoing and advocate for meaningful change is a powerful reminder of the impact one individual can have in challenging and transforming entrenched systems. Jennifer’s story is not just one of personal courage but a call to action for all of us to support accountability, inclusivity, and justice within our communities and institutions.
Background
Jennifer attended the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Marine Science, making her one of the first women to graduate from a military academy. Upon graduating, Jennifer entered the Coast Guard as an Ensign. She later attended Barry University of Miami, Florida, where she obtained a Masters of Business Administration degree with Honors.
Jennifer gave over 20 years of service to the Coast Guard, where her success in strategic planning and achieving results culminated in her assignment as ship’s Commanding Officer. She spent over four years in human resource management and policy positions at the Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and almost eight years in operational resource management, oversight, planning, and coordination positions in response to significant national and international issues. Jennifer now serves as a member on the Advisory Board on Women in the Coast Guard.
Before going on to start her own business, Jennifer spent five years as the Director of Leadership Development at The California Maritime Academy and three years as an Assistant Professor in the Marine Transportation Department. Jennifer’s experience as an educator spans over 18 years teaching management and leadership courses at the undergraduate, graduate, and Executive MBA level at numerous universities in the San Francisco Bay area.
Jennifer’s company, Deep Blue Consultancy, provides Executive and Leadership Coaching and Leadership Training and Consulting. Her work focuses on transforming leaders, teams, and organizations looking to move from plans and cultural ideas to strategies and results. Jennifer also consults with businesses on the potential for increased performance efficiency and effectiveness by fostering a climate valuing diversity with policies and practices fair for all groups with a commitment to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and practices.
Jennifer’s coaching extends beyond Deep Blue Consultancy; she is a credentialed professional through the International Coach Federation (ICF) and an accredited Professional Co-Active Coach through the Coaches Training Institute. Jennifer is also a faculty member with the American Management Association® where she delivers content in the Coaching Certification and Strategy Programs.
COPE°
Jennifer joined NMI’s Center for Ocean Policy and Economics (COPE°) in 2023 to lead a project called Coasties Thriving Together. Coasties Thriving Together is an independent action team comprised of volunteer Coast Guard veterans serving survivors of military sexual and physical trauma. COPE° provides a platform for information sharing and resource availability, third-party external recommendations, and a community of compassionate allies dedicated to thriving, not just surviving.
The formation of this safe and secure platform for this community of survivors comes after CNN exposed a secret investigation into alleged sexual abuse at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy that uncovered a history of rapes, assault and other serious misconduct being ignored and, at times, covered up by high-ranking officials in June of 2023. Read more HERE.
On December 12, 2023, Jennifer was one of four women to testify before Congress on how they were subjected to, and silenced about, sexual assault and harassment at the US Coast Guard Academy.
The Coasties Thriving Together project provides a platform for resource and information sharing and third-party external recommendations with the ultimate goal of enabling individuals to thrive, not just survive. With core values of honor, respect, and devotion to thriving, the action team has created a vision to shape policy, identify gaps in governance and resources, call for accountability, and recommend innovation and inclusive solutions to help our own thrive after experiencing trauma.
The formation of this safe and secure platform for this community of survivors comes after CNN exposed a secret investigation into alleged sexual abuse at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy that uncovered a history of rapes, assault and other serious misconduct being ignored and, at times, covered up by high-ranking officials in June of 2023. Read more HERE.
Listen to Jennifer’s testimony before Congress here: https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2023/12/13/us-coast-guard-academy-senate-hearing-sexual-assault-brown-ac360-vpx.cnn.
