Ashley is a highly accomplished professional with a diverse background in nonprofit management, outreach and engagement, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and logistics management. With a passion for making a positive impact in communities, Ashley has dedicated her career to driving organizational growth, fostering inclusive environments, and ensuring efficient operations. Ashley currently serves as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Center for Minority Veterans, Management and Program Analyst as the LGBTQ+ Liaison. In this position she uses the Human Centered Design approach to rebuild trust between minority and underserved Veterans and VA.

Ashley’s played a pivotal role in overseeing day-to-day operations, strategic planning, and program development in both government and non-profit management roles. Ashley successfully implemented streamlined processes, resulting in increased efficiency and improved financial sustainability. Ashely's strong leadership skills and ability to build collaborative teams allowed her to effectively manage staff, volunteers, and stakeholders, ensuring the organization's mission was achieved. Ashley has a proven track record in outreach and engagement. She has spearheaded numerous community initiatives, working closely with diverse populations to address their unique needs and challenges both within the civilian population and Veteran population. Ashley's ability to build strong relationships and establish partnerships has been instrumental in expanding the reach and impact of various programs and services.

Recognizing the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, Ashley has also dedicated their expertise to advancing these principles within organizations. They have developed and implemented comprehensive DEI strategies, fostering inclusive cultures, and promoting equitable practices across the Department of State. Ashley has conducted training sessions, facilitated workshops, and provided guidance to help organizations create environments where all individuals feel valued and empowered.

Ashley served in the United States Air Force where her wealth of experience in logistics management began. She has successfully coordinated complex operations, ensuring the smooth flow of resources, materials, and personnel. Her meticulous attention to detail and ability to adapt to changing circumstances have resulted in cost savings and improved efficiency in logistics processes. 

Ashley holds a degree in psychology, certificates in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the workplace and Inclusive and Ethical Leadership as she continues to stay updated on the latest trends and best practices in her respective fields. Ashley is known for her strong analytical skills, strategic thinking, and ability to drive results. With a genuine passion for social impact and a commitment to excellence, Ashley continues to make a significant difference in the lives of Veterans and those around her.

M.B. Dallocchio is a Chamorro artist, author, and social worker who specializes in artistic psychosocial rehabilitation based in Milan, Italy.

Dallocchio served as a medic, mental health sergeant, and retention NCO in the US Army for eight years. While on deployment to Ramadi, Iraq in 2004-2005, she served as a member of "Team Lioness," the first female team that was attached to Marine infantry units to perform checkpoint operations, house raids, and personnel searches on Iraqi women and children for weapons and explosives.

In addition to having been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle, The New York Times, and many other media outlets covering injustice during and after combat, she also speaks out on DEI, post-traumatic resilience, and the importance of self-empowerment. She received her MSW from the University of Southern California and is a David L. Boren Scholar in Czech studies and international relations.

Ash Wallis (she/her/they) is an Army veteran and writer currently living in Colorado. 
Ash is a passionate advocate for veterans and servicemembers in the areas of homelessness, mental health, and improving equity and quality of life through policy change and direct action in communities. As a member of Minority Veterans of America (MVA), Ash has participated in Capitol Hill advocacy days with the Military Reform Coalition as a storyteller and informs on issues concerning veteran homelessness and veteran suicide prevention. 

Ash holds a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature and a graduate certificate in publishing through Denver Publishing Institute. She was an MVA Emerging Leader in 2020, an MVA communications fellow in 2021, and graduated Leadership Veteran, the nonprofit leadership development program through VFW Post #1 Foundation and University of Denver, in 2023. 

Tiahna Pantovich joined the U.S. Army as an Arabic Cryptologic Linguist. Exiting the Army with two Associate of Arts degrees, she studied and conducted research at the University of Michigan to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Community Action and Social Change, working hard to make the social space around her more equitable for everyone. After graduating from Michigan, Tiahna enrolled at Howard University School of Social Work as a graduate student. While studying at The Mecca, Tiahna was a ferocious advocate for student veterans. So much so, she was nominated as a finalist for the National Student Veteran of the Year Award for 2022. She is now a practicing therapist and Licensed Master Social Worker in the state of Maryland.

Lauren is the Director of Hippie and a Veteran Foundation. An organization dedicated to spreading awareness, education and access to alternative, culturally and individually appropriate PTSD treatments & therapies for Veterans. A former Army Combat Medic, they are a Medical Access Activist and Advocate that advises on Suicide Prevention in Veteran & marginalized communities at the local, state and federal level.

Bob Jensen brings more than 40 years of experience across a broad spectrum of assignments both inside and outside of the U.S. government. While a senior official he led the U.S. government’s on-the-ground crisis communications efforts after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response and for more than 30 major disasters in the U.S. including Hurricane Sandy for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

Bob served as a spokesman for the White House’s National Security Council and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. He currently consults with national governments as well as major global corporations, law enforcement agencies and international aid and development agencies on crisis, risk and emergency management.

He has been a keynote speaker at conferences globally and in the U.S., is Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Minority Veterans of America and is President of the Emergency Management External Affairs Association.

Ash Wallis (she/her/they) is an Army veteran and writer currently living in Colorado. 
Ash is a passionate advocate for veterans and servicemembers in the areas of homelessness, mental health, and improving equity and quality of life through policy change and direct action in communities. As a member of Minority Veterans of America (MVA), Ash has participated in Capitol Hill advocacy days with the Military Reform Coalition as a storyteller and informs on issues concerning veteran homelessness and veteran suicide prevention. 

Ash holds a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature and a graduate certificate in publishing through Denver Publishing Institute. She was an MVA Emerging Leader in 2020, an MVA communications fellow in 2021, and graduated Leadership Veteran, the nonprofit leadership development program through VFW Post #1 Foundation and University of Denver, in 2023. 

Kathryn Monet is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. In this role, she focuses on the execution of NCHV’s strategic policy and technical assistance agenda, and on expanding NCHV’s strategic partnerships to more effectively end veteran homelessness. Kathryn has spent over a decade in the public and nonprofit sector working to address housing instability and homelessness among veterans. Prior to joining NCHV, she was with the National Alliance to End Homelessness focusing on the promotion of data-driven, evidence-based interventions to end homelessness, particularly among veterans. Kathryn also was involved in veteran homelessness in a legislative capacity during her time at the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. She earned a Masters of Public Administration from Villanova University and a Bachelor of Science in Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall University. Kathryn currently serves on the VA Advisory Committee for Homeless Veterans, the US Vets DC Advisory Council, the Board of Directors for the National Low Income Housing Coalition, and the Board of Governors for the National Housing Conference.

Cassie Gabelt Byard is a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, a US Navy veteran, Communications Manager for Minority Veterans of America, Selective Service Board Member, Ohio Supreme Court trained mediator, and IBM Certified Analyst. She holds an M.P.S. from The George Washington University and is a special advisor to AVOW Magazine. She has also served as a Stark County Honor Court Mentor (Ohio).

Melissa A. Bryant is a seasoned senior executive and strategist with over 20 years of experience spanning executive branch roles, nonprofit and advocacy work, military service, and political strategy. With expertise in management, communications, policy, and operations, she has driven innovative and impactful campaigns both domestically and internationally. In her most recent role as Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Veterans Affairs in the Biden-Harris Administration, Melissa pioneered a data-driven outreach tool for the VA, transforming how veteran stakeholders are engaged. Previously, she held leadership roles as Acting Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at VA, National Legislative Director for The American Legion, and Chief Policy Officer for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).

An Operation Iraqi Freedom combat veteran and former Army Captain, Melissa’s public service also includes roles as a senior intelligence officer with the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Joint Staff. Recognized as Woman Veteran of the Year 2023 by VetsInTech, Melissa is a champion for women and minority veterans, and she continues her advocacy as a board member for organizations like VetsInTech and Minority Veterans of America. A Philadelphia native and third-generation combat veteran, Melissa holds a BA from Hampton University, an MA from Georgetown University, and attended Howard University School of Law.

Dr. Elizabeth Yates is the Associate Director of Democracy Protection at Human Rights First. Liz leads the democracy protection portfolios on xenophobia, antisemitism, and extremism impacting the military community. In 2022, she provided expert testimony to the Senate Homeland and Government Affairs Committee during a hearing on the Great Replacement conspiracy theory. Prior to joining Human Rights First, Liz was a Senior Researcher at the START Center at the University of Maryland, where she co-authored the first quantitative analysis of criminal extremism among veterans and servicemembers in the U.S. military. Liz has a PhD in Sociology from the University of Pittsburgh and a BA in International Relations from Tufts University.

Jackii Wang is a Senior Legislative Analyst for the Federal Reproductive Rights and Health Team at the National Women’s Law Center. She previously worked at an anti-sexual violence organization advocating for reforms at the state and federal levels. Prior to that role, she served as a Legislative Assistant for Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and as a Women’s Congressional Policy Institute Legislative Fellow for Congresswoman Jackie Speier.

Jackii completed her master’s degree in public administration at The George Washington University. A native New Yorker, she has worked for the New York City Department of Education and a local boutique lobbying firm. Jackii received her bachelor’s degree in political science from New York University. She previously served on the Board of Directors for the Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL) which provides public service opportunities to Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander youth.

MaCherie is a retired, Air Force combat veteran, having served as an Operator with RED HORSE, the Air Force's combat engineers. She earned her B.A. in Communication with a minor in Military Security Studies from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks; and has spent the last decade as a dedicated community advocate. MaCherie is now an independent political advocacy and operations consultant, contracted as COO of Black Veterans Project and Chief of Staff of Food Systems for the Future. She also serves as the only veteran on the Washington D.C. Mayor's Advisory Committee on LGBTQ Affairs and sits of the board of directors for the Veterans Multi-Service Center, serving veterans in PA, DE, & Southern NJ; leading initiatives for Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion. MaCherie has contributed to blogs, podcasts, and other expert panels, raising awareness on disparities in VA healthcare and equitable access to upward mobility through benefit allocation. 

Kayla M. Williams is an author, veteran, and advocate. She was most recently a Senior Policy Researcher at RAND, where she focused on military personnel and veterans’ issues. She previously served as Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), where she was formerly Director of the Center for Women Veterans. Kayla was also Director of the Military, Veterans, and Society Program at CNAS. Ms. Williams was enlisted for five years as an Arabic linguist, serving in a Military Intelligence company of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

Tab Bartley is a disabled Marine Corps veteran with 8 years of service as a Public Affairs Specialist. She was the first pregnant woman to run for Indiana State Senate and first mentally and physically disabled Marine Corps female veteran to run for Indiana State Senate. Tab worked as a project manager for unit campaigns at the Purdue for Life Foundation before returning to the National Capital Region. Her current role is as a public affairs specialist for USDA Agricultural Marketing Services. Tab serves as the President for the USDA’s Veteran Employee Organization (first female president), on the Board of Directors for Minority Veterans of America, Women Veterans Policy Coordinator for the Interagency Veterans Advisory Council, the Marking and Public Affairs Officer for the Jack Maas Marine Corps League Detachment and hosts the Oath We Took Podcast. 
Tabitha is married to Jacob Castro and they have four children.

Peter Perkowski is the Legal & Policy Director at Minority Veterans of America, where his work focuses on both legal work and advocacy for systemic policy change on behalf of vulnerable veteran populations. Peter is also a Staff Attorney at the Veterans Legal Clinic (VLC), one of six clinical offerings of the Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School, which provides legal services to veterans and their families before state and federal agencies, including the VA, using creative legal strategies not just to vindicate the rights of individual veterans, but to pursue systemic reforms within the institutions and programs that are designed to support the veteran community. 

Peter previously served as the Legal & Policy director of OutServe-SLDN (now known as the Modern Military Association of America), a non-profit civil-rights organization dedicated to fighting inequality and injustice against military personnel and veterans based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status. Peter directly advised and assisted service members and veterans with legal needs pertaining to equal access, equal treatment, and equal service; he also represented the organization in impact litigation and as amicus curiae in high-profile cases that would affect the lives of the LGBTQ+ military community.