TERESA SHICK

Founder

Teresa Shick is the Founder of The Pillar Foundation. She was a military spouse of 19 years to her husband Jerry, who is a Retired Navy SEAL that served his country honorably for 24 years. Teresa served alongside her husband as Ombudsman at Naval Special Warfare Development Group. During her time as Ombudsman, Teresa advocated and supported command families, surviving spouses, and upheld the foundation of those who serve the home-front for seven years. She has also volunteered and devoted her time and spirit to various military and NSW charities, foundations and fundraising events. Her unwavering dedication to our country's military families and spouses cannot go unnoticed.

Teresa's position as Ombudsman shaped her ability and understanding to help and aid people in times of crisis and uncertainty. She quickly realized that connection and stable support is key. Teresa then received a certificate in Nonprofit Management and used her skills and applied knowledge to create The Pillar Foundation.

The Pillar Foundation is a nonprofit that addresses the needs of the Naval Special Warfare spouse, after service. Our mission is to provide a support network to spouses of transitioned Naval Special Warfare service-members; to share resources, to mentor and guide newly transitioned wives into the civilian world by holding retreats and garnering a database of sisterhood to reconnect state to state. Further objective is to assist with the needs of the spouse educationally or with entrepreneur endeavors.

Teresa's passion and purpose aims to alleviate and reduce the stress of retirement, transition and relocation by offering a sisterhood that will maintain the relationships made and support systems acquired to the pillars of our NSW military families well after time served has ended.

Teresa and Jerry moved home to the great state of Texas in 2017. They currently reside in Tyler, Texas with their 4 children. They happily continue to serve in faith, duty and contribution to their country, community and church.

Angela Dejarnette

Director of Programming

Foundation (TPF), Angie brings her personal knowledge to the women TPF serves. Dedicated to meeting every woman where she is, Angie and TPF strive to replenish the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual tolls of being the spouse of a Special Operations service member. Angie has been married to Captain Tom DeJarnette for the last twenty years, seventeen of which he spent on active duty as a U.S. Navy SEAL. So, she knows the struggle wives face before, during, and after separating from the military. During those 17 years, her family experienced six deployments, ten moves, and two overseas tours (Okinawa & Belgium). She has worked closely with the Ombudsman and Family Resource Group Coordinators to support the families of service members on deployment which has proven to allow the service members to more successfully focus on their mission, knowing their families are being supported at home. Now Angie supports the wives of veterans and soon to be veterans helping families to adjust to their new circumstances during the most difficult transition yet. Angie is a graduate of Vanderbilt University, and of the Military Spouse Leadership Development Program in 2022 with certificates from The McChrystal Group Academy, Harvard University National Preparedness Leadership Initiative, and Psych Hub Mental Health Ally. Now living in California with her husband and two children, Sophia (17) and Jack (14), and their Golden Retriever, Sandy, Angie enjoys living near the beach while giving back to her military sisters.