Blake Fuhriman has dedicated his life to serving others, particularly veterans. After serving with distinction as an Army Ranger in the 3rd Ranger Battalion, where he completed three deployments to Afghanistan, Blake transitioned to a role as a S.E.R.E. (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) Instructor. His experience in the military and instructing survival tactics honed his leadership and organizational skills, preparing him for the impactful career that followed.

Blake’s journey of service continued when he took on leadership roles within the healthcare sector, serving as the Senior Director of Clinical Operations Support at RiverStone Health, a community health center in Billings, Montana. In this position, he was responsible for overseeing multi-million-dollar budgets and ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. His strategic efforts turned around the financial performance of service lines and improved care delivery.

Driven by his passion to support fellow veterans, Blake founded the Veterans Navigation Network (VNN) in 2019. VNN aims to address the unique transition needs of veterans through personalized resource counseling, peer mentorship, and advocacy. Under his leadership, VNN has assisted over 1,000 veterans, providing access to critical services such as healthcare, mental health resources, and benefits assistance.

Blake’s innovative leadership extends to forging partnerships with over 50 agencies and community stakeholders, amplifying the reach and impact of VNN’s initiatives. His work in suicide prevention and veteran advocacy has garnered recognition, including a Veteran Commendation from the Governor of Montana and inclusion in Billings’ “40 Under Forty” list in 2024. Most recently Blake was honored with a Congressional Record of his accomplishments in creating VNN and the benefits of that work to Montana.

Blake is committed to Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), applying a philosophy of learning from both successes and failures. His military background instilled a relentless drive to lead by example, and he continues to foster a culture of service and resilience at VNN.

Beyond his professional work, Blake is actively involved in the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Yellowstone Valley, the Montana Governor’s Challenge to End Veteran Suicide, and the Montana Behavioral Health Advisory Council Veterans Subcommittee.

Blake’s education and certifications include a Bachelor’s Degree in Global Business Management, Lean/Six Sigma Yellow Belt, PCMH (Patient Centered Medical Home) Certified Content Expert, U.S. Army Ranger School Graduate, and MPCA Emerging Leaders Course.

Veterans Navigation Network