Nutanix Champions Veterans with Project Victory
By Raven Willis
At Nutanix, we're proud to champion a culture of diversity and inclusion, which is clear when it comes to supporting our veterans. At the heart of this commitment is Project Victory, an employee-led L.I.F.E. group (employee resource group) that goes above and beyond to support veterans within our community and beyond.
The Project Victory Impact
Project Victory was formed in 2018 by Scott Ragsdale, a Senior Director in Sales who served as a Sergeant in the US Army. He formed this community with a clear mission to help Nutanix hire, train, and support veterans and their families. This initiative is driven by the valuable wealth of experience, discipline, and leadership skills military members bring to the civilian workforce.
Scott Ragsdale
Today the Project Victory community amasses over 200 members made up of veterans and allies. Leading the charge is Tu McLendon, a Channel Senior Systems Engineer with eleven years of service in the Air Force before transitioning to Nutanix. He knows firsthand how transitioning from the military to civilian life can be challenging, and he is passionate about ensuring veterans feel supported and valued. Tu shared:
As part of the Federal team, I have the privilege of interacting with and servicing our active-duty, civilians, contractors, and veterans daily. It has been a great joy to have them as our customers, and even better to assist them with their transition out of the military hopefully onto Nutanix. Leading and participating in Project Victory has enriched my life by exposing me to many wonderful people. I am humbled by our team members and those in the veteran community. I love how supportive our company is, it is amazing to me how much Nutanix has contributed in funds and support to help our veteran community.
Tu McLendon
Project Victory provides a strong network of advice, support, and resources for veterans within the company. This sense of camaraderie and shared experience is invaluable for veterans navigating a new chapter in their lives. Cassie Morris, a Sales Development Representative and member of the Army Reserves, also highlights the group's impact when she was preparing for basic training:
It was phenomenal because so many people reached out to me, and they gave me tips and tricks and things that they went through when they were active in the military.
Cassie Morris
Sparking Hiring and Community Aid
Project Victory members welcoming our veterans on Honor Flights
Project Victory's initiatives extend beyond our employee community. The group actively works to attract veterans to Nutanix through various initiatives like mock interviews, mentoring events, and hiring partnerships. One notable example is the partnership with the Department of Defense (DOD) SkillBridge Program, which offers transitioning service members the opportunity to gain civilian work experience at Nutanix. The program’s leader, Aaron Simonds, joined Nutanix as a SkillBridge fellow transitioning from the Air Force and was later offered a full-time role as a Talent Advisor on the University Recruitment team. He shared:
I support this program by identifying and onboarding SkillBridge participants, ensuring they find roles that can apply their skills. My involvement began with Project Victory and aligns with my passion for helping veterans establish fulfilling civilian careers. Working with veterans through SkillBridge and Project Victory has truly been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the unique skills veterans bring to the workforce, and it’s broadened my approach to talent acquisition, reinforcing how diverse perspectives enrich a company.
Aaron Simonds (2nd photo: First on the right)
The DOD SkillBridge program has been highly successful in attracting and onboarding talented veterans into the company. To date, Nutanix has welcomed 29 SkillBridge participants, nine of whom have transitioned to full-time employees. One of these is Trent Bryan, now a Senior Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Program Manager, who joined Nutanix as a SkillBridge member transitioning from the Marine Corps. Trent shared how impactful the program has been for him:
I have been very fortunate to find Nutanix through the SkillBridge program. I wanted to find an organization that truly lives its values and culture. It can be very scary leaving something you've done for over twenty years and going into an environment that you don't know a lot about. Nutanix agreeing to bring veterans on, giving them that experience, and easing the overall transition process is so beneficial.
Trent Bryan
In addition to hiring and training, Project Victory also focuses on supporting the broader military community. This includes volunteer opportunities through our Nutanix Spark corporate social responsibility program, which generates donations and support for causes close to our employees’ hearts. For instance, at Nutanix .NEXT in 2023, we contributed $38,500 to the Wounded Warrior Project. Our teams in the EMEA region drive these ambitions by organizing an annual 26-mile marathon hike to raise funds for military charities such as Help for Heroes and UNICEF UK.
Help for Heroes and UNICEF Hike
Furthermore, the new Project Victory Scholarship provides financial assistance to veterans and their families seeking higher education. This scholarship benefits the spouses and children of active and non-active military service members as they pursue degrees in the field of technology.
Applications will open here in February 2025.
Unique Employer Support
Nutanix CEO Rajiv R. and Nutanix Employee Tu M. posed with a Declaration for the ESGR.
One of the most impactful ways Nutanix has demonstrated this commitment to veterans as an employer was in 2022 when Nutanix CEO, Rajiv Ramaswami, signed a Declaration for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) backed by Project Victory in our McLean, Virginia office.
Nutanix and my team have always been very supportive of my role within the company and my endeavors outside the company while in uniform. I also appreciate Project Victory. It is a unique group that fosters that camaraderie that most of us miss when we step out of uniform.
Mariah Melligan
This is also activated through the unique benefits Nutanix offers its military employees. When an employee goes out on military leave, their job is protected. However, not all companies pay the difference between their military pay and civilian job salary like Nutanix, which offers six months of paid military leave.
Scott Ragsdale, Project Victory’s founder and a driving force behind this initiative, emphasizes the financial challenges many veterans face during military leave. He notes that "In some cases, incomes get cut in half or a third, maybe, and they still have all the bills." This policy provides much-needed peace of mind for employees and their families, knowing that their financial stability is secure while they serve their country.
The impact and commitment to veterans by Nutanix are reflected in the numerous accolades the company has received. In 2024 and 2023, Nutanix was honored with the UK Ministry of Defense Employer Recognition Scheme Award and was also recognized as a Top Veteran-Friendly Company by U.S. Veterans Magazine in 2022.
Nutanix employee Ian Moore (1st photo: Fourth from the left. 2nd photo: Second from the left) at UK Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Awards hosted by the North West Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Association at The Monastery Manchester.
Ian Moore, a Strategic Account Manager for the Public Sector, looks after the Central Government and Defence space for Nutanix in the UK, while also leading Project Victory initiatives for the EMEA region. Ian played a key role in helping Nutanix obtain the UK Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Award. He shared:
The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) acknowledges employers that go above and beyond to provide exceptional support to the Defence and Armed Forces community. I first looked at the ERS in 2022 when I started working in the public sector. To be successful, it’s important to show that we support the organisation and its people, which we obviously do. It becomes a real team effort. From Project Victory to the Legal, HR, and Recruitment teams, everyone plays a role in this process. I’m proud to represent Nutanix at the UK Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition awards ceremonies because, for me, it truly embodies our values of being Hungry, Humble, Honest, with Heart.
Overall, Project Victory continues to drive steadfast support for military members at Nutanix and demonstrate the value veterans bring to the workplace. We appreciate the crucial role they play in fostering an inclusive environment for #LifeAtNutanix!
If you're ready to join the ranks of our dream team, take a peek at our open roles here. And while you're at it, check out our programs for veterans.
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