THE FIERCE ADVOCATE AND THE POOR PRACTITIONER: A LESSON IN SELF-CARE
A thoughtful exploration of the paradox between advocating for self-care and struggling to practice it, revealing how simple ritua…
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FOUNDER TO THE PROFILE
Jon-Michael Hice, MPA
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program Coordinator, U.S.VETS
“I've always believed that success isn't measured solely by what we accomplish individually, but by the opportunities we create for others, the relationships we build along the way, and whether we've left our communities a little better than we found them.”
About
Jon-Michael Hice, MPA, is an accomplished public administration and nonprofit leader with more than two decades of experience in government operations, philanthropy, community development, and human services. His career reflects a longstanding commitment to strengthening communities through strategic partnerships, responsible stewardship of public and philanthropic resources, and innovative approaches to complex social challenges.
Beginning his public service career at age sixteen as a Library Page with Kings County government, Hice advanced through progressively responsible positions within the County's District Attorney's Office and First 5 Kings County. As School Readiness Coordinator, he contributed to initiatives designed to expand access to early childhood education, strengthen family support systems, and improve school readiness outcomes. He also participated in the County's inaugural management leadership development program.
His professional experience subsequently expanded into major philanthropic institutions and nonprofit organizations. At the Annenberg Foundation, Hice supported grantmaking and nonprofit due diligence across education, health, arts, and social services. He later served as Director of Grants and Gifts at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation and held an administrative internship with Los Angeles County, gaining broad exposure to countywide operations, human resources, and executive leadership.
Since 2019, Hice has served in leadership with U.S.VETS, overseeing the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program serving Los Angeles and Orange Counties. His work encompasses multimillion-dollar grant administration, program expansion, staff development, regulatory compliance, strategic partnerships, and the delivery of homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing services. During his tenure, the program has experienced significant growth in funding, staffing, and service capacity. He was recognized as U.S.VETS' 2020 Site Coordinator of the Year.
Hice earned his Master of Public Administration from California State University, Northridge, graduating with distinction, and holds a bachelor's degree from Chapman University.
Grounded in the values of community and resourcefulness, Hice believes effective leadership requires both compassion and accountability. His approach emphasizes collaboration, thoughtful stewardship of resources, and the development of practical, sustainable solutions that improve lives and strengthen the communities organizations serve.
His commitment to veteran services is deeply personal, shaped by a family legacy of military service spanning multiple generations.
Key Areas Of Focus
- 01. Public Administration
- 02. Community Development
- 03. Grants and Program Strategy
- 04. Nonprofit and Government Partnerships
- 05. Policy Analysis
- 06. Nonprofit Leadership
- 07. Veteran Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing
IN HIS OWN WORDS
The Q and A
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01
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the values instilled in me by my family, the mentors who have guided me, and the dedicated individuals I've had the privilege of working alongside throughout my career. My mother, an Air Force veteran who later became an educator working with students who had been expelled from traditional schools, taught me the importance of recognizing potential in others and believing in second chances. Her example shaped my commitment to public service and my belief that everyone deserves an opportunity to succeed, regardless of their circumstances.
Coming from a family with a strong tradition of military service, including my mother and two brothers, has also given me a deeply personal connection to the veterans I serve. Throughout my career, I've learned that meaningful success is never achieved alone. It is built through collaboration, resourcefulness, and a shared commitment to something greater than ourselves. I am especially grateful for the talented teams and colleagues who have contributed to our collective accomplishments. Ultimately, I measure success not simply by professional milestones, but by the opportunities we create, the communities we strengthen, and the lives we positively impact.
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02
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was to never stop learning, remain open to opportunities, and never allow a job title to define my potential. Throughout my career, I've learned that professional growth often comes from stepping outside your comfort zone, embracing challenges, and being willing to take a different path when an opportunity no longer aligns with your goals. I've also come to appreciate that leadership isn't necessarily about authority or position; it's about integrity, accountability, and the ability to inspire and empower others. I believe success comes from remaining curious, building meaningful relationships, and recognizing that every experience, whether a success or a setback, offers an opportunity to grow. Most importantly, I've learned to pursue work that aligns with my values and allows me to make a meaningful difference.
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03
What advice would you give to young men entering your industry?
My advice to young men entering public service or the nonprofit sector is to lead with curiosity, humility, and a genuine commitment to serving others. Take the time to understand the communities you serve, listen to those whose experiences differ from your own, and recognize that meaningful change rarely happens overnight. Seek out mentors, build relationships across disciplines, and never underestimate the value of starting at the ground level. Some of the most important lessons I've learned came from experiences early in my career.
I would also encourage them to develop both compassion and business acumen. Good intentions alone don't sustain programs or organizations. Understanding budgets, public policy, organizational operations, and accountability is just as important as understanding the people you serve. Be resourceful, challenge conventional thinking when necessary, and don't be afraid to advocate for better solutions.
Above all, remember that leadership is not defined by a title, but by your actions, your integrity, and the opportunities you create for others. Success in this field isn't simply about advancing your own career; it's about leaving organizations and communities stronger than you found them.
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04
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest challenges facing the nonprofit and public service sectors today is the growing demand for services at a time when financial resources, affordable housing, and organizational capacity are increasingly strained. In veteran homelessness services, we see firsthand how housing affordability, economic instability, and complex individual circumstances can create barriers to long-term stability. These challenges require us to think beyond traditional service delivery and recognize that lasting solutions depend on addressing broader systemic issues.
At the same time, I believe these challenges present tremendous opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and meaningful reform. Strengthening partnerships among government, nonprofit organizations, philanthropy, and the private sector allows us to leverage resources, reduce duplication, and develop more coordinated, sustainable solutions. We must also invest in our workforce, embrace technology and data-informed decision-making, and remain willing to challenge practices that no longer meet the needs of the communities we serve.
Ultimately, I believe our greatest opportunity is to shift from simply responding to crises toward building systems that prevent them. That requires resourcefulness, accountability, and the collective commitment to measure success not only by the number of people we serve, but by the lasting improvements we make in their lives. For me, that is both the challenge and the promise of public service.
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05
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Two values that have consistently guided both my professional and personal life are community and resourcefulness.
I believe we all share a responsibility to contribute to the well-being of those around us. Whether helping a veteran navigate a difficult chapter in life, building partnerships that strengthen our communities, or supporting a colleague through a challenge, I've learned that our greatest accomplishments rarely happen in isolation. There is tremendous value in bringing people together, recognizing their individual strengths, and working toward a common purpose.
Resourcefulness is equally important to me. Throughout my career in government and nonprofit leadership, I've learned that resources are rarely as abundant as the needs we're trying to address. Rather than focusing on what we lack, I believe in looking for opportunities, challenging conventional thinking, and finding creative, responsible ways to make the greatest possible impact. To me, resourcefulness isn't simply about doing more with less; it's about recognizing possibilities where others may see limitations.
These values are deeply rooted in my upbringing. My family taught me the importance of service, compassion, and giving people second chances. They've also shaped my belief that we have a responsibility to care for ourselves and one another, particularly when the work we do can be emotionally demanding.
Outside of my professional life, I find joy in the simpler things: spending quality time with my longtime partner, Joe, and our family, baking, and enjoying the companionship of our dog, Bentley. Joe has been an important source of love, encouragement, and perspective in my life, reminding me that the relationships we build and nurture are among our greatest accomplishments. Those moments keep me grounded and reinforce my belief that community begins with the people closest to us.
PERSPECTIVES
Perspectives by Jon-Michael Hice, MPA
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