WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 9, 2018) – Today, VA Secretary David Shulkin hosted Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) Chief Policy Officer, Melissa Bryant and other Veteran Service Organization (VSO) leaders at the monthly VSO roundtable breakfast at the VA Central Office in Washington. Secretary Shulkin briefed IAVA, the leading Post-9/11 Veterans Empowerment Organization, and other leading groups on VA’s latest news and priorities, and IAVA’s Bryant represented IAVA’s 425,000 nationwide membership and presented our priorities. 

Bryant, an Iraq War veteran and spokesperson for IAVA’s historic She Who Borne the Battle campaign, was recently promoted to Chief Policy Officer following her impressive tenure as IAVA’s Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. Bryant reiterated IAVA’s priorities, including increasing recognition and services for women veterans, reforming VA, defending and expanding education benefits, and combating suicide, as well as other top priorities outlined in our most recent Policy Agenda.

“IAVA was very glad to have the opportunity to once again sit down again with Secretary Shulkin and senior VA officials to hear the latest from inside VA. We appreciate their continued openness and commitment to ensuring that all veterans have the best in class services they have earned,” said Melissa Bryant. “We will continue to share the voices of our members nationwide and look forward to working with VA and our VSO partners on our shared priorities as we move ahead in 2018.”