Vanessa Nakate to Open Giving Black Conference 2026 With Climate Justice Keynote
2 weeks ago
Gina Elise combines entrepreneurial skills with healthcare activism as the founder of Pin-Ups For Vets, an award-winning nonprofit dedicated to supporting hospitalized veterans nationwide.
Gina Elise is the Founder of this award-winning nonprofit organization dedicated to helping injured and ill American Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, National Guard members, Coast Guard members, and Sailors, and current active-duty personnel. It sells and distributes calendars to raise funds, deliver gifts, and boost morale for service members.
Gina Elise is a Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society graduate of UCLA. She formerly worked as a Corporate Sales Manager in the hospitality industry. Influenced by news reports in 2006 regarding under-funded Veterans’ healthcare programs and the experiences of hospitalized veterans and wounded service members, she decided to create a project to generate funds and boost morale. Drawing inspiration from the World War II pin-up girls who supported soldiers, and to honor her late Grandpa Lou, who served in the Army during World War II, Gina developed the concept for Pin-Ups For Vets.
Gina’s vision for Pin-Ups For Vets encompassed three main objectives: to sell calendars to raise funds for hospitalized veterans, to deliver them as gifts to ill and injured veterans, and to ship them to deployed troops to boost morale. Pin-Ups For Vets, currently celebrating its 20th anniversary with a calendar featuring 13 female veterans, has made significant contributions. The organization has donated over $130,000 worth of state-of-the-art rehabilitation equipment to VA and Military hospitals across the nation. Additionally, Pin-Ups For Vets has undertaken a 50-state VA and Military hospital tour, visiting over 20,000 ill and injured veterans at their bedsides in over 100 VA Hospitals, Military hospitals, and State Veterans Homes. Visits have extended to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and 25 military bases for morale-boosting initiatives.
Pin-Ups For Vets has received Congressional Recognition and honors from the State of California Senate, California Legislature Assembly, and Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Eleven flags have been flown over military bases and during missions in Iraq and Afghanistan in recognition of their work. Gina Elise transitioned from her corporate sales role to dedicate herself full-time to Pin-Ups For Vets, combining her business acumen with her commitment to veterans’ support. She is a frequent speaker at veteran events, including the American Legion, VFW, and Elks Club, and has been featured across various media outlets, including ABC, NBC Nightly News, CBS, FOX, PBS, HLN, Inside Edition, and The Kelly Clarkson Show.
Curious about our offerings or have inquiries? We're eager to assist!
Just complete the form, and we'll respond promptly.
