MFAN Welcomes New Finance and Operations Lead, Dalena McGrew

A constant supporter of the military community, Dalena McGrew brings two decades of expertise to the Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN). As the director of finance and operations, McGrew will manage and enhance MFAN’s operations and accounting in anticipation of continued organizational growth. McGrew joins MFAN from Blue Star Families, Inc., where she was the senior financial manager.

McGrew understands the critical role that finance and operations play in effectively and efficiently serving military families. In her former tenure at Blue Star Families, a nationally recognized military family support organization, McGrew managed all financial operations. She worked closely with operations, managing tax filings, charitable registrations, benefits, and payroll administration. Through her strategic planning efforts and programmatic resource management, McGrew helped grow the organization’s processes and reporting. Prior to joining Blue Star Families, McGrew spent five years as a civilian employee at the Department of the U.S. Army, where she worked for the Garrison, Force Management Support Agency, and for a multi-compo Army Division.

As an Army spouse of over 10 years, McGrew has personally experienced several of the large challenges many military spouses face. An established public accountant at the time she married her then husband, she further discovered what “service” meant. She quickly learned how to balance her own career with her role as a dedicated military spouse, both to her husband’s service and the military families they served. She endured multiple PCSs and deployments, while still reaching her goals of a master’s degree and having a family.

McGrew is the recipient of the Superior Civilian Service Award given by General Jeffrey Colt. This is the third highest award of the Department of the Army honorary awards for Department of the Army employees. She is the recipient of the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service, by General Robert Caslen Jr. She also received the Yellow Rose of Texas, given by Governor Rick Perry of Texas to outstanding women for their contributions to the greater community. She has also received awards at the command level for her support to military families in her husband’s unit.

McGrew continues to volunteer as a local neighborhood resource to Blue Star Families, and she is committed to the community building of civilians and military families. She also volunteers as vice president on her home owners association board, and she is passionate about equal rights treatment, and animal rescue.

Originally from Wisconsin, McGrew is currently stationed in Kansas. She has one daughter. She is also a proud Navy daughter and sister.