FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 23, 2020
CONTACT: press@IAVA.org

New York, NY – Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is proud to announce the addition of three new members to its Board of Directors. IAVA maintains a Board whose members strongly believe in and support IAVA’s mission and values to include representing the diversity of the military and veteran communities. 

IAVA’s three newest Board members are: the Honorable David Shulkin, MD who served as the Ninth Secretary of Veterans Affairs; Karen Brasch, Principal Technical Program Manager, Intuit and retired Navy pilot; and Mary Ellen Pelzer, Management Consultant and General Counsel. These three impressive leaders represent the best of IAVA’s community, and will serve it well in the years to come.

“I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity to work with and learn from our newest Board members”, said Jeremy Butler, CEO, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. “Collectively, they bring an impressive range of experiences, talent and skills to the organization and will be invaluable in keeping IAVA at the forefront of veteran support and advocacy.” 

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to join a leadership team whose mission is to serve veterans,” said Karen Brasch. “As both an Iraq and Afghanistan War veteran myself, and a military spouse, I know first-hand the struggle that veterans and military families face. Through the IAVA organization, I’m excited to have the opportunity to make a difference for the veterans by advocating for those who have served and sacrificed for our great nation.”

“I’ve committed to continuing to advocate for veterans,” said the Honorable David Shulkin, “and joining the IAVA Board allows me to do that while supporting an amazing organization whose mission is to improve veterans’ lives.”

“Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is an important organization that I hold in the highest esteem. Unmatched in their advocacy and support of our newest veterans, they are positive change agents for this community,” said Mary Ellen Pelzer. “I am privileged to join their important mission in the service of these great Americans.”

“It is an honor to lead IAVA’s Board and support the incredible mission of the organization,” said Scott Feldmayer, Chairman of IAVA’s Board of Directors. “I’m thrilled to expand the ranks of our Board with the addition of our newest members who bring an incredible array of experience, talent, and leadership to an already impressive team. The work of IAVA remains more relevant and important than ever and the addition of our newest members will help ensure the organization remains on the forefront of the fight to connect, unite and empower the post-9/11 generation of veterans.” 

Learn more about IAVA and the entire IAVA Board of Directors here.

Founded by an Iraq veteran in 2004, IAVA is the non-partisan leader in advocacy, public awareness and 1-on-1 care management and peer support. We organize locally, drive historic impacts nationally and fight for over 400,000 veterans and their allies nationwide. If a veteran or their family is in need of assistance now, please reach out to IAVA’s Quick Reaction Force at www.quickreactionforce.org or 855-91RAPID (855-917-2743) to be connected promptly with a veteran care manager who will assist you. Visit IAVA’s The Vote Hub at www.votehub.org to register to vote and find polling information.

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