Veteran Leader Fellowship Program

Overview

IAVA’s Veteran Leader Fellowship Program strives to create a network of empowered veteran leaders who are driven by values, authenticity, and a shared purpose.

With a comprehensive approach to advocacy leadership development, the Fellowship Program was launched in Fall 2023 to create a profound and lasting impact on the lives of veterans and their families.

The mission of IAVA’s Fellowship Program is to empower and connect post-9/11 veterans, providing them with the skills, resources, and support needed to become effective leaders in advocacy. We believe in the power of leadership to bring people together around significant issues and motivate action for personal and societal change.

Through our advocacy-focused leadership development initiatives, we strive to equip veterans with the skills to identify key issues, collect relevant data, analyze policies, and understand multiple stakeholders’ perspectives. Our program emphasizes self-determination, empowering veterans to advocate for themselves and others, and providing them with the necessary tools and experiences to develop as leaders.

2024

Veteran Leader Fellowship Program

Schedule

IAVA Fellows undergo extensive virtual training before meeting in person in DC to meet with members of Congress and other influential leaders in the veteran community.
Here’s a quick overview of the schedule for 2024’s Fellowship Program:

  • 14 Nov Virtual Lesson Day
  • 18 Nov Virtual Lesson Day
  • 05 Dec Virtual Lesson Day
  • 08 Dec Travel Day to DC
  • 09 Dec Full Day of Hill Meetings, TikTok Happy Hour
  • 10 Dec White House Tour, Afternoon Hill Meetings
  • 11 Dec Full Day of Hill Meetings,Meet the Press, Evening Reception for Graduates
  • 12 Dec Travel Home from DC

Leadership Fellows

Charles L. Brembry, II

2024 Leadership Fellow

Kay Kensington

2024 Leadership Fellow

Melissa Walther

2024 Leadership Fellow

Meredith Burns

2024 Leadership Fellow

Michael Hoffman

2024 Leadership Fellow | All-Star Advocacy Fly-In

Zack Kreisheimer

2024 Leadership Fellow

IAVA Member Advocates go through a rigorous application process to be selected to participate in IAVA’s Member Fly-In, an annual event in Washington, DC where they advocate with IAVA on behalf of the post-9/11 generation of veterans.

From this exclusive group, a select few are invited to hone their advocacy leadership skills through IAVA’s intense Fellowship Program which emphasizes self-determination and initiative. By providing Fellows with the necessary tools and experiences to develop as leaders, IAVA further empowers them to advocate for themselves and others.

Watch Highlights from IAVA’s 2023 Veteran Leader Fellowship Program

IAVA Fellows report their experiences as IAVA’s 2023 fellowship term progresses. More videos are available in IAVA’s 2023 Veteran Leader Fellowship Program video showcase.

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