Monticello native and Purple Heart recipient SGT Kendra L. Young proudly served in the United States Army as a Military Police Paratrooper with the legendary 173rd Airborne Brigade. While stationed in Germany, she deployed to Afghanistan, where she lost her left leg after being hit by an improvised explosive device (IED). Her courage and sacrifice earned her the Purple Heart, and she became one of the first female soldiers severely wounded while serving on the front lines during the Global War on Terror.

Rather than allowing tragedy to define her, Kendra transformed adversity into purpose. Today she is an accomplished entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and Georgia-licensed Residential-Light Commercial General Contractor. As Founder and CEO of Squared Away Construction, she has built a thriving company specializing in custom homes, commercial construction, and development throughout Georgia. She also serves as the Construction Advisor (Boots on the Ground) for Mighty Hero Homes, providing field leadership and construction oversight for its veteran housing initiatives.

A devoted wife, mother, veteran advocate, and community leader, Kendra inspires audiences across the country with her powerful message of resilience, perseverance, faith, and servant leadership. Whether speaking to students, military organizations, businesses, or civic groups, she challenges others to overcome adversity and demonstrates that life’s greatest setbacks can become the foundation for extraordinary success.

“From the battlefields of Afghanistan to building homes, businesses, and hope, Kendra’s story reminds audiences that true strength isn’t measured by what you lose—it’s measured by what you choose to build afterward.”