FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 13, 2025

CONTACT: press@iava.org

Washington, DC — The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) announced today that Allison Jaslow will be stepping down from her role as Chief Executive Officer later this spring. Jaslow, who made history in 2023 as the first woman and first openly gay veteran to lead a major veterans service organization, has been instrumental in advancing IAVA’s mission to support post-9/11 veterans.

During her tenure, Jaslow championed initiatives addressing the mental health crisis among combat veterans, challenges in gaining and retaining employment, and recognition for the women veterans who are too often dismissed from the conversation entirely. Her leadership reinforced IAVA’s commitment to advocating for the real and specific needs of the country’s  post-9/11 generation of veterans.

“Serving as the CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America has been the privilege of a lifetime. It was an honor to return to IAVA more than two years ago to help lead the organization into its 20th year of advocating on behalf of my generation of veterans. I am also grateful for having the opportunity to do so alongside a dedicated team who share my commitment to our members and insist on them being our true north.

IAVA’s work also cannot be executed without an army of individuals and partners who believe in what we do, And, for that, all of us that love IAVA are grateful for our committed Board of Directors, those who share their hard-earned financial resources with us, and our Cavalry that spend their most precious resource — their time — sharing their stories and being our foot soldiers in the fight.

While this decision to step away from IAVA once again was not an easy one, I am confident that the organization is in a strong position to continue its critical mission and build on the momentum we have achieved over the past couple of years.

This work also remains a significant part of my life’s work, and I will never stop advocating on behalf of my fellow veterans, uplifting the best among us, and working to bridge the civilian-military divide.”  

Wayne Smith, Chair of the IAVA Board of Directors, said, “On behalf of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) Board of Directors, we want to express our deepest gratitude to Allison Jaslow for her leadership and unwavering commitment to our nation’s veterans. Her vision, passion, and dedication have strengthened IAVA’s impact, ensuring that post-9/11 veterans receive the support, advocacy, and resources they deserve.

Under Allison’s leadership, IAVA has achieved significant milestones, from advancing crucial policy initiatives to expanding services that directly improve the lives of our members. She has been a tireless advocate for veterans’ rights, a steadfast leader in the fight for change, and an inspiration to all who have had the privilege of working alongside her.

While we are saddened to see Allison depart, we are immensely proud of the legacy she leaves behind. Her work has positioned IAVA for continued success, and we remain committed to carrying forward the mission she so passionately championed.

We wish Allison the very best in her next chapter and know that she will continue to be a powerful voice for the veteran community.”

The IAVA Board of Directors has initiated a search for Jaslow’s successor and will soon announce the next steps in identifying IAVA’s next leader, ensuring a seamless transition to honor the incredible work Allison has done and continue the organization’s vital role in our democracy.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is the leading voice of the Post-9/11 generation of American veterans. We represent over 425,000 members, and our best-in-class, non-partisan advocacy on behalf of the post-9/11 generation of veterans has chalked up big wins for our community – and America – for 20 years and counting.

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