Dr. Ariel Shivers‑McGrew (formerly SGT Shivers), a U.S. Army Psychological Operations Airborne veteran with 15 years of service, exemplifies the character, discipline, and impact these awards honor. Her military career reflects excellence in influence operations, cross‑cultural communication, and mission‑critical leadership — the foundation of her continued service to communities today.
After transitioning from uniform, Dr. Shivers‑McGrew earned her PhD in Business Psychology with Global Distinction for Heal the Ages, a social media experiment exploring generational healing. Leveraging the #tactfuldisruption hashtag, the project reached 1.78 million viewers and was recognized by America’s Best in Medicine for its innovation and accessibility.
She was honored as the 2019 Woman Veteran of the Year, acknowledging her leadership, advocacy, and commitment to elevating veteran voices.
As the founder of Tactful Disruption®, a federally recognized NPI‑2 clinical and consulting practice, she blends business psychology, clinical governance, and identity architecture to support first‑generation professionals, neurodiverse leaders, and individuals navigating identity transitions across the Mountain West. Her business has demonstrated clear growth, grossing $125K in 2024 and $219K in 2025, while expanding multistate telehealth services and developing a trademarked methodology.
Her national visibility includes ForbesBLK, Forbes Coaches Council, Brainz Magazine (Senior Contributor), and features in Inc.com. She represents Colorado as a leading psychologist‑founder committed to regulated, accessible, identity‑informed care.
Her service, innovation, and entrepreneurial impact make her an exceptional candidate for both Veteran of the Year® and Vetrepreneur® of the Year®.
