Heroes Gala

The following awards were presented on 11/6/2025:

Veteran Leadership Award

• Mr. Gerry Byrne

Civilian Leadership Award

• Senator Elizabeth Dole

IAVA Cavalry Award

• Kay Kensington

Corporate Leadership Award

• T-Mobile

There are civilian leaders who show an extraordinary commitment to veterans, military families, and the broader veterans’ movement. The Civilian Leadership Award is presented to exceptional individuals outside of the military community who have used their leadership, platform, and influence to advance the well-being of those who served. This award is reserved for civilians who have consistently stepped forward as trusted allies, advocates, and partners to the post-9/11 veteran community, helping ensure veterans’ voices are heard and their needs are met.

Veteran Leadership Award

There are veterans whose continued service after the uniform reflects the highest ideals of leadership, commitment, and purpose. The Veteran Leadership Award is presented to exceptional veterans who have remained steadfast champions for their fellow veterans and the broader military-connected community. This award recognizes those who have used their lived experience, leadership, and public voice to strengthen the veterans’ movement, expand opportunities for those who served, and demonstrate that service does not end when military service concludes.

There are IAVA members whose dedication to advocacy, service, and community embodies the very best of the veterans’ movement. The Cavalry Member of the Year Award is presented to an exceptional member of IAVA’s Cavalry who has gone above and beyond to advance IAVA’s mission and represent the voice of post-9/11 veterans. This award recognizes a member who has shown outstanding commitment to advocacy, civic leadership, and peer support, and who continues to step up for their fellow veterans, their community, and the future of the movement.

Corporate Leadership Award

There are corporate leaders who show a lifetime of commitment to veterans, a commitment that must be recognized. The Corporate Leadership Award is presented to exceptional corporate leaders who have been steadfast champions of the veterans’ movement. The inaugural Corporate Leadership Award was presented in 2018 to HBO, Inc. Southwest Airlines received the second-ever award. This is bestowed upon corporations that have consistently stepped up to the plate to provide needed financial support, in-kind support, and have invested in the post-9/11 veteran community.

IAVA only occasionally bestows this incredible award.

Occasionally, there are leaders who show a lifetime of commitment to veterans, a commitment that must be recognized. The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to exceptional individuals who have been steadfast champions for the veterans’ movement. Past Lifetime Achievement Award honorees include Sen. Johnny Isakson, Bob McDonald, former Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and American hero Les Gelb. This award is reserved for those who demonstrate a strong, lasting commitment to veterans and is awarded only when the recipient has shown a lifetime commitment to our community.

IAVA only occasionally bestows this incredible award.