Gabrielle Blocher, U.S. Naval Academy Class of ’98, CEO of Sunflower Fuels, is an inspiring force in the veteran entrepreneur community.

At the Naval Academy Entrepreneurial Summit, Gabrielle shared her journey from COO to CEO of a biofuel startup, where she’s currently raising a $4M seed round. Her role is a blend of strategy, pitching, execution, and staying deeply connected to mission-aligned partners. She’s in the trenches every day, building a company with a vision for sustainable impact, and doing it with purpose and grace.

But what really hit home was the emotional power of coming back. To Annapolis. To a network of peers turned family. To an environment where leadership, service, and innovation collide. This wasn’t just about business, it was about legacy.

Gabrielle's now paying it forward by mentoring others, offering connections, and making space for more women and underrepresented entrepreneurs to join the movement. As she put it, “The ratio hasn’t changed much since the Marine Corps days, but I’m going to bring more of my people next year.”

We’re building something special together: bridging generations, industries, and backgrounds through shared experience and entrepreneurial grit. If you’re in the space and want to connect, collaborate, or contribute, reach out. Gabrielle's story is just one of many. And this is just the beginning.