TransUnion and FourBlock: Joining Forces to Support Transitioning Veterans

At TransUnion, we’re proud to support veterans and their families. The Veterans Alliance, our Inclusion and Belonging Group (IBG) dedicated to uplifting veterans and their families, helps support this important community through onboarding, development, community outreach, appreciation efforts and more.

“Our company is a great fit for veterans,” explained Ryan Grippin, Sr. Advisor, Product Marketing and Veterans Alliance president — himself a veteran with 28 years of military service. “Values and traits like trust, accountability and service are ingrained in military culture and these are all key to a shared vision of success.”

After retiring from the army in 2022, Ryan found transitionary support and career development resources with FourBlock — a nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing transitioning service members and military spouses to successfully find meaningful new civilian careers. Following another fellowship with Hiring Our Heroes, he ultimately accepted a role at TransUnion within Product Marketing.

Once onboard, Ryan promptly worked with the Veterans Alliance to expand the group’s veteran outreach and support for transitioning servicemembers — including by tapping into a new partnership with FourBlock.

“Demystifying the corporate world is important for veterans,” Ryan shared. “Sitting down and practicing interview skills helps veterans and corporate partners alike understand that our worlds aren’t necessarily different from each other — we can speak each other’s language. FourBlock helps make this possible for us.”

Through TransUnion’s partnership with FourBlock, Veterans Alliance members hosted two classes for transitioning servicemembers earlier in 2024 as part of the nonprofit organization’s career readiness program. The first event consisted of a two-hour virtual session about best practices for social networking, while the second brought servicemembers in-person to our Chicago headquarters for a two-hour event focused on interview skills. Participants had the opportunity to craft and practice their elevator pitches and learn more about TransUnion’s business, operations and overall strategy.

“We are honored to partner with TransUnion to support military service members in transitioning to meaningful civilian employment,” said Michael Abrams, Founder and President, FourBlock. “TransUnion offers incredible opportunities for veterans to grow in their careers and continue their service post-active duty, and we see it firsthand through the engagement, support and enthusiasm of their employees through our partnership.”

Tina Wong was one FourBlock student in attendance. After four years of military experience and the completion of her undergraduate degree on the west coast, she moved to Chicago and leveraged FourBlock’s network to meet with local veterans and learn from the organization’s robust curriculum.

“The spectrum of transitioning veterans that FourBlock assists is incredibly wide,” shared Tina. “Regardless of where you are in the transition process, the skills covered in their 10-week curriculum are invaluable for job seekers — while also being specific to veterans and highlighting transferrable skills from military experience.”

TransUnion’s events with FourBlock proved impactful for Tina, connecting her to our Financial Services team for new career opportunities. Fast forward a few months, and she’s now a proud TransUnion associate.

“Learning about TransUnion’s purpose of Information for Good^® and rebranding of its global lines of business solutions compelled me to apply,” Tina continued. “I could tell that the organization and I would be a good match.”

Learn more about our commitment to inclusion and veteran programming in TransUnion’s 2023 Diversity Report.