New York, NY — Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the leading Post-9/11 veterans empowerment organization, is proud to announce the launch of the IAVA Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee is a dedicated group of patriotic leaders committed to supporting our mission to connect, unite and empower the post-9/11 generation of veterans. The committee will act as powerful advocates, trusted advisors, valuable mentors, experts in their field and force-multipliers for the IAVA team and mission. IAVA’s Board of Directors, established in 2004, elevated and reinforced IAVA’s work, leading to unprecedented impacts in veterans education, employment, suicide prevention and equality. The Advisory Committee will further this work and launch IAVA’s impacts into the future. 

“Our entire movement of IAVA members and allies nationwide are thrilled to have the support of our Advisory Committee as we advocate for policies that support servicemembers and veterans that have sacrificed in service of this country – from quality healthcare to robust military education benefits to improved services for women veterans. This is an exciting time for IAVA; as we move forward into this next chapter of our history, this period of transition is an opportunity to build upon the incredible work done by our Board of Directors and IAVA founder, Paul Rieckhoff,” said IAVA CEO Jeremy Butler.

The Board of Directors remains the governing body of IAVA and oversees the organization’s activities.  The Advisory Committee is a resource for IAVA staff and the board, providing expertise and support as needed.  The Committee is comprised of a dedicated group of patriotic leaders committed to supporting IAVA’s mission, advocacy and support programs. 

Inaugural IAVA Advisory Committee:

Elizabeth Borukhovich, Director of Military and Veteran Programs, Crisis Text Line

JW Cortés, Actor/Activist

Melanie Gideon, Director, UCLA Health Operation Mend

Pete Griffin, President and CEO, Musicians on Call

Rosanne Haggerty, Founder and CEO, Community Solutions

Samantha Heffner, Attorney

Sebastian Junger, Author, Filmmaker 

Thomas Kehoe, CEO, The North Star Wellness Group

John Kirby, Military and Diplomatic Analyst, CNN

Robert McDonald, Former Secretary of Veterans Affairs & Former CEO, Procter and Gamble

Floyd “Shad” Meshad, President and Founder, National Veterans Foundation

Kim Mitchell, President and CEO, Veterans Village of San Diego

Nik Mittal, Investor and Finance Professional 

Benjamin Patton, Executive Director, Patton Veterans Project & CEO of Patton Productions

Lauren Rieckhoff, Founder and CEO, WilyFoxx

Alex Shapses, Partner, Heritage Strategies LLC

Tommy Sowers, Regional Director, National Security Innovation Network, Department of Defense & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Duke University

Tom Tarantino, Senior Public Policy Manager, Twitter

Jim Wright, President Emeritus, Dartmouth College

Michael Zacchea, Executive Director, United States Veterans Chamber of Commerce