Jaslow Tapped to Lead Iraq and Afghanistan Vets Group

WASHINGTON — Allison Jaslow, an Iraq War veteran who later served as chief of staff to former Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., has been named the new chief executive officer of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

Jaslow is the first woman to lead the organization and its third CEO.

When she starts her new position on March 15, she will also be the first openly gay veteran to lead a major veterans organization in the United States.

Jeremy Butler, IAVA’s current CEO, will be transitioning to the organization’s board of directors after his tenure concludes.

“Nobody has the backs of the post-9/11 generation of veterans better than IAVA,” Jaslow said in a written statement. 

“I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to be in the fight again for such an important mission, to lead IAVA into its next decade of impact, and I’m grateful for the confidence of our board of directors as I assume the role as its next CEO,” she said.

Jaslow graduated from the University of Central Missouri and Wentworth Military Academy and Junior College, both of which she attended on ROTC scholarship, before entering active duty in the United States Army.

She served two combat tours in Iraq, first in Taji during OIF III, and then within the complex at the Baghdad International Airport during the surge from 2007 to 2008. 

In addition to her Bronze Star, Jaslow has an Army Commendation Medal with a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.

She currently serves on the board of directors for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and is stepping down to become CEO. 

Jaslow was a founding director on the board of the 2LT Richard W. Collins III Foundation, and was the first and only woman on the board of trustees for Wentworth Military Academy.

Unanimously elected CEO in a vote by the board of directors after an extensive nationwide search, Jaslow has also been a successful congressional campaign manager, and is a seasoned political and communications strategist. 

She is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a charter member of the National Parks Conservation Association’s Veterans Council and recently served as an adjunct professor of the Practice in Duke Universtiy’s Sanford School of Public Policy. 

“IAVA’s groundbreaking work has always been a team effort. Allison has been a part of that team as a staff member, a board member, and no one will be more dedicated to the organization’s work as its next CEO,” said IAVA’s Founder Paul Rieckhoff, in a written statement. 

“Jaslow helped us put women veterans on the map as the face of our #SheWhoBorneTheBattle campaign. She’s a relentless fighter. And she’s the right leader to guide IAVA into its 20th year of impact,” Rieckhoff said.

“Allison Jaslow is precisely the leader we need at the helm of IAVA, the organization that most effectively serves and advocates for veterans of the post-9/11 period,” agreed IAVA board member retired Gen. David Petraeus.  

“I am confident that Allison’s experience leading organizations, serving in Iraq and working on Capitol Hill will enable her to take IAVA to new heights. She has dedicated her life [to] serving our country and fellow veterans, and IAVA’s future will be bright with her as our CEO,” he said.

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue