The Zach McIlwain Leadership Fellowship, 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.
Veteran Leader Fellowship Program
Overview
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.
Participation in IAVA’s Leadership Fellows program is by invitation only and is offered to stand-out members of IAVA’s Cavalry.
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.
History
With a comprehensive approach to advocacy leadership development, the Veteran Leader Fellowship Program was launched in Fall 2023 to create a profound and lasting impact on the lives of veterans and their families.
Renamed in 2025, the ZACH MCILWAIN LEADERSHIP FELLOWSHIP honors the memory of Zach McIlwain, an early IAVA Fellow and dedicated advocate who passed away in December 2024.
“Zach McIlwain embodied the spirit of service and leadership that this fellowship stands for,” said Dr. Kyleanne Hunter, IAVA CEO. “Renaming our fellowship in his honor is a reminder that our work is not only about policy but about people and about ensuring no veteran ever feels alone in their fight.”
“With IAVA, Zach found community, purpose, and a place where he belonged. He counted his work with IAVA among his greatest achievements and said it made him feel like he was truly making a difference for veterans,” stated Selena Gibbs, Zach McIlwain’s mother. “Having this fellowship carry his name means his legacy will live on in action through veterans who lead with courage and keep fighting for those who served.”
“Zach believed deeply in the power of veterans lifting each other up and making change from the front lines of advocacy,” stated Kaitlynne Yancy, IAVA Director of Membership. “Naming this program after Zach is not just a tribute. It is a promise to continue the work he cared so deeply about.”
Zach McIlwain – 2014 – Washington, DC
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
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
Michael Matos
2023 Leadership Fellow
Christina Schauer
2023 Leadership Fellow
Eric Hall
2023 Leadership Fellow
Natalie Coleman
2023 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.
Upcoming Cavalry Events
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