Last week, Cmdr. Gretal Kinney received the Federally Employed Women (FEW) Military Meritorious Service Award at their National Training Program held in Chicago, Illinois on Aug. 6th.
FEW is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting equality for women while addressing the concerns of women in the Federal workforce. This year’s conference theme was Unleashing Your Full Potential: Learn, Recall, Apply, Reinforce.
Aligned to the conference’s theme, Kinney exceeded her potential and was awarded because of her impactful work as the Coast Guard’s Gender Policy Advisor and the Deputy Chief of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. As a result, Kinney’s responsibilities are important, numerous and highly visible. Kinney, who has served at the Coast Guard for 14 years provides subject-matter-expertise to senior leaders and servicemembers. She also provides advice to the Senior Advisor for Diversity and Inclusion (SADI) on diversity and inclusion strategies for gender policies affecting the total workforce. Additionally, she prepares congressional reports, manages a $1.4 million budget, and supervisors a team of 10 active duty, reservist, and civilian personnel.
“Commander Kinney has a selfless devotion to duty and she inspires others, optimizing individual strengths to fill voids,” said Maricela Garcia, chief of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. “She is a genuine leader, committed to recognizing achievements. She also provides appropriate feedback to members and always seeks opportunities for subordinates to achieve their career goals.”
Although only in the position for a little more than a year, Kinney has countless achievements. She spearheaded the project to update a simplified Coast Guard-wide guide of policies impacting women servicemembers. Kinney is also the primary liaison to the Department of Homeland Security for gender-relevant advisory boards and working groups. Also, she is the lead liaison for the new advisory board on Women in the Coast Guard, which provides a direct link from its board to the commandant and the SADI — intended to ensure the success and well-being of women.
In modeling success for military women, it is no wonder that Kinney recently led a program honoring and recognizing the integration of women in the armed services, spanning over 50 years. Kinney led the multi-directorate planning team and facilitated the required extensive research, as well as the coordination of more than 30 participants and volunteers.
“I was completely shocked and surprised to have gotten nominated, let alone to have won the award,” explained Kinney. “I have spent a lot of time throughout my career, trying to impact policy, trying to advocate and be a voice to help people dealing with various things in life.” She said most of her past efforts were through a legal lens.
Kinney is a self-starter and demonstrates it within her work. On her own accord, she completed a four-month training program to earn a diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility certificate. She also taught herself design and communications skills to prepare highly polished products and events during a vacancy in their office’s communications specialist position.
Kinney has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology (2004) and a Juris Doctor degree (2009); she was admitted to the New York Bar in 2010. Her awards include the Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal, the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, and the Navy Achievement Medal.
In her free time, Kinney said, “In no particular order—I like to garden, run and I like to bake.” Kinney grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Now she lives in Maryland with her husband, Todd, and their three children: Dexter, Dorian, and Donovan, whom Kinney described as, “the very best part of [her] life.”
Kinney beamed about being selected for the FEW Award. She said, “This award lists the things I’ve done in the past year in this position, but I like to think that it aligns with the 14 years that I’ve given overall trying to make this service a better place for women.”
[Civil Rights awards help to maximize the Coast Guard's overall mission effectiveness through recognition of members' accomplishments and contributions to Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity. Learn more about the awards and how you can nominate deserving individuals. Visit their website for information.]
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