Iraq vet, longtime advocate, will be first woman to lead the groundbreaking Post-9/11 veterans organization

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 27, 2023
CONTACT: press@iava.org

New York, NY –  Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) announced that Allison Jaslow— a widely respected leader in the veterans movement — will become the organization’s third CEO and the first woman to lead the organization. She will also be the first openly gay veteran  to lead a major veterans organization in the country. 

A veteran of the Iraq War, Jaslow recently returned to IAVA to serve on its Board of Directors after serving on staff as its Executive Director during Paul Rieckhoff’s tenure as CEO, and brings over a decade of executive level experience to the role. Her first official day as CEO will be March 15, but Jaslow will be on Capitol Hill this week as IAVA members descend on Washington to advocate on behalf of the Post-9/11 generation of veterans. 

“Nobody has the backs of the Post-9/11 generation of veterans better than IAVA,” said Jaslow. “I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to be in the fight again for such an important mission, to lead IAVA into its next decade of impact, and I’m grateful for the confidence of our Board of Directors as I assume the role as its next CEO.” 

Unanimously elected CEO in a vote by the Board of Directors after an extensive nationwide search, Jaslow is not only a former IAVA leader, but has been a successful congressional campaign manager, a Chief of Staff to a Member of Congress and is a seasoned political and communications strategist. A former Army officer and recipient of the Bronze Star for her wartime service, she is a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a charter member of the National Parks Conservation Assn.’s Veterans Council and recently served as an Adjunct Professor of the Practice in Duke Universtiy’s Sanford School of Public Policy. 

“IAVA’s groundbreaking work has always been a team effort. Allison has been a part of that team as a staff member, a board member, and no one will be more dedicated to the organization’s work as its next CEO.” said IAVA’s Founder Paul Rieckhoff. “Jaslow helped us put women veterans on the map as the face of our #SheWhoBorneTheBattle campaign. She’s a relentless fighter. And she’s the right leader to guide IAVA into its 20th year of impact.” 

IAVA’s Interim Board Chairman, Bruce Mosler added. “Allison Jaslow is one of the finest leaders of our time. She embodies the best of America, is someone who continues to live the Army values as a civilian, and has an unwavering commitment to her fellow veterans. The IAVA Board of Directors, staff and members nationwide are honored to stand with Allison in service of our ‘New Greatest Generation’ and we are excited for an incredible future for IAVA.”

“Allison Jaslow is precisely the leader we need at the helm of IAVA, the organization that most effectively serves and advocates for veterans of the post-9/11 period,” said IAVA Board Member General (Ret.) David Petraeus.  “I am confident that Allison’s experience leading organizations, serving in Iraq, and working on Capitol Hill will enable her to take IAVA to new heights.  She has dedicated her life serving our country and fellow veterans, and IAVA’s future will be bright with her as our CEO.”

Jeremy Butler, IAVA’s current CEO will be transitioning to the organization’s Board of Directors after his tenure concludes and will work hand in hand with Jaslow to ensure a smooth transition over coming weeks. 

Allison Jaslow will be available for interviews to discuss her vision for IAVA’s future, in addition to IAVA’s Board Directors, Mosler and General Petreaus and Founder Paul Rieckhoff.  

More on Allison Jaslow:

Veterans Advocacy: 

• In her role as Executive Director of IAVA, Jaslow led a national campaign to increase recognition of, and support for, women veterans. The “She Who Borne the Battle” campaign boldly targeted the Department of Veterans Affairs’ gender exclusive motto and put the needs of women veterans on the map  – and in the headlines. 
• Jaslow also oversaw the IAVA’s successful campaigns to block over $4 billion in cuts to veteran education benefits, and to reverse the Defense Department’s efforts to claw back bonuses paid to California National Guardsman. 
• Jaslow was instrumental in orchestrating the first-ever “Commander in Chief Forum” in partnership with NBC, ensuring issues important to the military community remained front and center during the 2016 presidential campaign. The forum drew over 15 million viewers.
• Since her time at IAVA, Jaslow has continued to be a relentless advocate for women veterans, to include co-founding Opertion Liberty with IAVA Founder Paul Riekchoff to advocate for troops and veterans in wake of the fall of Roe v. Wade 

Political and Communications Expertise: 

• Jaslow served as Chief of Staff to Illinois Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, after leading Bustos’ successful campaign to unseat an incumbent Member of Congress in what has since become a bellwether region for the success of both political parties.
• Jaslow also served as a communications aide in the White House, as Press Secretary for former Virginia Senator and decorated Vietnam veteran Jim Webb and in leadership roles for various other Members of Congress.

Operating in the National Spotlight:

• Jaslow has twice testified before Congress and made appearances on national news programs including NBC’s Today Show, CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360, MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow Show, and the CBS Evening News, where she’s spoken on issues ranging from national politics to our national security and the military-civilian divide.
• She has contributed to The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN Opinion and Marie Claire in addition to other national publications.
• Jaslow has also worked closely with the entertainment industry, leading impact partnerships with several noteworthy films including Warner Brothers’ Dunkirk, Netflix’s War Machine, and Blood Stripe, an independent film which depicts a woman Marine’s transition from combat to civilian life.

Personal:

• Jaslow graduated from the University of Central Missouri and Wentworth Military Academy and Junior College, both of which she attended on ROTC scholarship, before entering active duty in the United States Army.
• She served two combat tours in Iraq, first in Taji during OIF III, and then within the complex at the Baghdad International Airport during the surge from 2007-08 
• In addition to her Bronze Star, Jaslow has an Army Commendation Medal with a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.
• She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America until stepping down to become CEO, was a founding Director on the Board of the 2LT Richard W. Collins III Foundation, and was the first and only woman on the Board of Trustees for Wentworth Military Academy.
• She’s been named both an Aspen Institute Ideas Festival Scholar (2017) and Aspen Security Forum Scholar (2018) and has twice been recognized by her alma mater, the University of Central Missouri, for early career achievement 

IAVA is the voice for the post-9/11 veteran generation. With over 425,000 veterans and allies nationwide, IAVA is the leader in non-partisan veteran advocacy and public awareness. We drive historic impacts for veterans and IAVA’s programs are second to none. Any veteran or family member in need can reach out to IAVA’s Quick Reaction Force at quickreactionforce.org or 855-91RAPID (855-917-2743) to be connected promptly with a veteran care manager who will assist. IAVA’s membership is always growing. Join the movement at iava.org/membership.

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