Title: Chief Executive Officer

At IAVA: Allison Jaslow is the CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, an Iraq War Veteran, and a dedicated public servant. 

Nationally, Jaslow is recognized as a leading voice on the impact of the military-civilian divide on our political system and as an authority on the unique challenges faced by women in the military.  A former Army Captain, Jaslow is also a seasoned political and communications strategist, serving on the staff of several Members of Congress, and as a White House communications aide. She’s a former Executive Director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), is a co-Founder of Operation Liberty and has recently served as an Adjunct Professor of the Practice at Duke University.

When she was previously 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 organization’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.

Professional background: Prior to joining IAVA, Jaslow built a reputation as a leader, trusted advisor and innovative political strategist in Washington and on campaigns across the country. She 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.

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 speaks 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.

More about Allison: 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 has served on the Board of Directors for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, 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.  Jaslow is a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a charter member of the National Parks Conservation Assn.’s Veterans Council, and was named both an Aspen Institute Ideas Festival Scholar and Aspen Security Forum Scholar. For her military service, Jaslow’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal and the Army Commendation Medal with a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.

Ask Allison about: Her passion for leadership, good music and the young people she’s so lucky to have in her life.