Jennifer Ballou

Jennifer R. Ballou is originally from Mentor, Ohio. In June of 1994, three weeks after her high school graduation, she enlisted in the United States Army as a Dental Assistant. Jennifer served for almost 21 years, retiring in May 2015. She held numerous leadership positions throughout her Army career, culminating as the Senior Enlisted Advisor of the United States Army Resilience Directorate, Army G1, Pentagon. She also served as First Sergeant, 257th Dental Company (Area Support), 44th Medical Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. It was during this assignment, while deployed to Afghanistan, that her husband, SSG Edwardo Loredo, was Killed in Action.

Some of Jennifer’s awards and decorations include the Secretary of the Army Public Service Award and the Legion of Merit. She earned a Master of Science degree in Yoga Therapy from Maryland University of Integrative Health, a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Franklin University and is an alumnus of the 2022 Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program through the President George W. Bush Presidential Center. Jennifer serves on the USAA Advisory Panel and as a faculty member for Warriors at Ease, a non-profit organization that offers accessible and evidence-based training in yoga and meditation.

Jennifer initially joined the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation in 2022 as their first Gold Star Fellow and currently serves as the Chief of Staff. She was previously the Deputy Chief of Staff for the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio. Additionally, she is a Certified Professional Life Coach, and a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher, specializing in trauma-sensitive, therapeutic, and adaptive yoga.

Jennifer is the wife of Omari Ballou, Command Sergeant Major, US Army Retired, and is the proud mother of Alexis, Eddie, and Sophia.