Dina Vardal

Dina Vardal is a retired law enforcement officer, military veteran, and proud mother whose life has been shaped by resilience, service, and cultural tradition. Raised in Joliet, Illinois, in a household influenced by both Greek and Italian heritage, she grew up with a strong sense of family and community. Her parents, Denis and Danira, worked hard to provide opportunities for their children, instilling values of discipline, kindness, and dedication that would guide Dina throughout her journey. Her early years were spent helping with the family’s restaurant, Mykonos Gyros, a gathering place for neighbors from 1982 to 1989. Her father also co-founded Vardal Engineering with his brother in 1958, a business still owned by the family today. Immersed in both entrepreneurial and cultural traditions, Dina learned the importance of hard work and perseverance. These lessons carried into her academic pursuits, where she focused on law enforcement as a calling and as a way to contribute to society meaningfully. After high school, she joined the Army National Guard at 17 while also beginning her college studies. Dina earned an associate degree in Law Enforcement at Joliet Junior College in 1990, then went on to Western Illinois University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1992. Later, while balancing work and family, she achieved a master’s degree in Organizational Development from Benedictine University in 2007. Education, service, and leadership became lasting hallmarks of her life. Her law enforcement career spanned more than two decades across multiple roles. She became a certified SWAT officer, firearms instructor, and concealed carry teacher. She mentored new officers, sharing tactical skills while modeling calmness and courage under pressure. Simultaneously, her military service in the National Guard spanned 22 years, during which she worked as a helicopter mechanic and crew chief. She served tours in Panama and Germany, gaining cross-cultural experiences while building lifelong bonds with fellow service members. After retiring, Dina Vardal transitioned into teaching, working as a substitute teacher for grades 1–8 in New Lenox. She also dedicated herself to volunteer service, supporting Meals on Wheels, local food banks, and her church community. Her joys include traveling to Greece, scuba diving, cooking traditional meals, and tending her garden. In 2022, she married Noe DeLeon Jr., and her greatest joy remains her daughter, Danira, whom she calls her life’s greatest blessing.