About IAVA

IAVA Action Staff

STAFF   Staff 

• Communications
• Membership & Outreach
• Policy & Research
• Digital Engagement
• Strategic Partnerships
• Development
• Executive Office
• Operations
• Human Capital

Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director and Founder. Paul is the Executive Director and Founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Paul served as a First Lieutenant and infantry rifle platoon leader in the Iraq war from 2003-2004. He is also the author of the critically-acclaimed Chasing Ghosts, and a nationally recognized authority on the war in Iraq and issues affecting troops, military families and veterans. Prior to going to Iraq, Paul worked as a high school football coach and an Investment Banking Analyst on Wall Street. He received a BA in Political Science from Amherst College in 1998 and lives in New York City.   Todd Bowers, Deputy Executive Director. Todd currently serves as the Deputy Executive Director for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. In this role, he supports and advises the Executive Director in leading the organization. Todd served two tours in Iraq as a Civil Affairs Team Sergeant with the United States Marine Corps, and was awarded the Purple Heart and Navy Commendation medal with “V” device for Valor. In May 2009, he deployed to Afghanistan for 8 months, where he was responsible for developing governmental infrastructure and humanitarian relief efforts for the war torn region. Todd also served in Ayacucho, Peru in 2008, where he conducted Civil Military Operations. He continues to serve in the United States Marine Corps Reserves as a Staff Sergeant. Todd studied Middle Eastern Affairs and Arabic at George Washington University in Washington, D.C, and served on the staff of Congressman Jim Kolbe for two years.   Communications Chrissy Stevens, Communications Director. Chrissy is responsible for increasing media outreach and executing the message of IAVA. Before joining IAVA, Chrissy spent two years working for Governor Eliot Spitzer, with one year on Spitzer’s 2006 Gubernatorial Campaign and the second as the Deputy Chief of Staff to the First Lady in the Governor’s Executive Chamber. Chrissy graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in Legal Studies and a minor in Public Policy. Blake Henderson, Communications Associate. Blake graduated with a BA in Political Science from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and earned a Masters of International Studies at the University of Sydney. Prior to joining IAVA, Blake was a legal assistant at a law firm in Seattle and volunteered his time as a youth basketball coach. As Communications Associate, Blake is responsible for managing IAVA’s media relations and outreach. Michelle McCarthy, Digital Engagement Associate. Michelle assists Digital Engagement with social media outreach and managing the IAVA daily blog. Before joining IAVA, she worked as a reporter and editor covering Wall Street and the U.S. economy. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BA in Political Science, and is currently pursuing a Masters in Media Studies at The New School. Isabel Black, Communications Coordinator. As Communications Coordinator, Isabel provides writing, editing and administrative support for the Communications Department, as well as preparing the Daily News Brief and serving as a liaison between reporters and the Communications Director and IAVA spokespeople. Prior to joining IAVA, Isabel attended the University of Denver, where she received a BA in Political Science and a minor in Geography.   Membership & Outreach Adam Bryant, Acting Membership Director. Working closely with the rest of the department, Adam directs Membership in event planning and execution, paperwork verification and document, and communication with civilian and veteran members. He enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard in September 2004 as an infantry soldier in New York’s 27th Brigade Combat Team. From January 2007 to January 2008 he served in Kabul on a civil military operations team, which completed and initiated more civil projects to build schools, roads, and wells than any other previous rotation. Adam also served in Herat on a 14 man Police Mentoring Team (PMT) and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his service. A prolific writer and photographer, he studied Communications at the University of Buffalo prior to his deployment. He is currently on active drilling status in the Army National Guard, and resides in Queens, NY. Cara Hammer, Veteran Support Associate. As Veteran Support Associate, Cara serves as liaison to veterans and their families, helping them resolve problems related to housing, legal issues, employment, physical and mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, and financial planning. She enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves in 1997 as a Unit Supply Specialist, serving with the 348th Transportation Company based out of Phoenix, AZ and the 310th TACCOM in Ft. Belvoir, VA. In 2002, she joined the active army, serving with the First Infantry Division in Kitzingen, Germany before deploying to Tikrit, Iraq from February 2004 to February 2005 with the 1st Infantry Division. She is a 2009 graduate of Arizona State University where she received a degree in Family and Human Development. An Arizona native, she currently resides in New York City. Jason Hansman, Online Community Manager. As Online Community Manager, Jason is responsible for maintaining and growing Community of Veterans, the first and largest social network exclusively for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.  Prior to joining IAVA, Jason completed an 8-year enlistment in the Army Reserves as a Civil Affairs Sergeant.  From 2004 to 2005, he was deployed to Mosul, Iraq as the Operations NCO of a Civil Affairs company and helped manage hundreds of reconstruction projects.  Jason graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A. in Political Science, with a minor in Near Eastern Language and Civilization.     Policy & Research Jonathan Schleifer, Policy Director. As Policy Director, Jonathan is responsible for IAVA's legislative agenda and strategy. He also oversees IAVA's research projects and policy development. Jonathan most recently worked on former New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen's successful bid for the United States Senate. He had previously worked as Congressman Anthony Weiner's (NY-9) Senior Policy Adviser. Before earning his Master of Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, Jonathan was a public school teacher in the Teach for America program. He taught middle school in the South Bronx for five years. Jonathan also holds an MA from Columbia University's Teachers College. Tom Tarantino, Legislative Associate.  Tom is a former Army Captain who left service in 2007 after 10 years. He returned from Iraq in 2006 after one year of deployment with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Tom served in combat as both a cavalry and mortar platoon leader, and was awarded the Combat Action Badge and Bronze Star. Tom graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara in 2002 with a degree in Global Studies and International Relations. As Legislative Associate, Tom assists with IAVA’s research and policy through coordination with Congress, Veterans Service Organizations and governmental organizations. Tim Embree, Legislative Associate. Tim works with the legislative team as a liaison to members of Congress, Veterans Service Organizations, and to other government agencies. Tim joined the United States Marine Corps Reserves in 1999 and served two combat tours in Iraq before being honorably discharged in 2007. He holds a bachelor degree in political science from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. Tim has extensive professional experience working in local government administration in the Midwest. Bryan Maxwell, Research Assistant. As a research assistant, Bryan supports the Policy Department in researching and contributing to IAVA’s Issue Reports. Prior to joining IAVA, Bryan worked as Congressional Staffer for a Member of the House of Representatives. Bryan received a B.A. in History from University of Virginia in 2004 and also serves as an officer in the Army Reserves. Patrick Campbell, Legislative Counsel. Patrick provides critical legislative analysis and up to date information on the implementation of the New GI Bill. After returning from Iraq in October 2005 after one year of service, he was awarded the Combat Medical Badge and the Meritorious Service Medal. Patrick, a graduate of Law School from the Catholic University of America, is a combat medic with the Washington, D.C. National Guard.   Digital Engagement Daniel Atwood, Director of Digital Engagement. As Director of Digital Engagement, Daniel is responsible for expanding IAVA’s online visibility to reach both veterans and civilian supporters using new media platforms. Prior to joining IAVA, Daniel worked as a legal assistant at a New York law firm and has held positions as a computer specialist and academic mentor. Daniel graduated from Trinity College with a BS in Computer Science. Meghan Teich, Digital Engagement Associate. Meghan received her BA in Political Science from Fordham University at Lincoln Center and is the proud daughter of an Army Veteran. Before joining IAVA, she worked at the United Nations Association of the USA as an Editor and Publications Coordinator. Megan Hemler, Digital Engagement Coordinator. As Digital Engagement Coordinator, Megan supports the Digital Engagement department with social media outreach and new media initiatives. Prior to joining IAVA, Megan received her B.A. in Political Science from the University of Notre Dame with a minor in Peace Studies.      Strategic Partnerships Katie VanLangen, Director of Strategic Partnerships. As Director of Strategic Partnerships, Katie oversees all of the organization’s relationships with external partners, with a special focus on IAVA’s veteran outreach campaign with the Ad Council. Prior to joining IAVA, Katie managed marketing for teacher recruitment at the NYC Department of Education and directed the development and production of various PSA campaigns at the Ad Council. She graduated from New York University with a Masters in public administration and a BS in marketing, management and journalism. Michelle Rabinowitz, Senior Strategic Partnerships Associate. Michelle is responsible for developing and managing IAVA’s partnerships in the entertainment and media industries. She joined IAVA after working with the organization as a journalist at MTV covering young veterans’ issues. While at MTV she also produced Iraq: Uploaded,  A Night for Vets:  An MTV Concert for the BRAVE and the networks 2008 presidential campaign coverage. Over the course of her career Michelle has also worked for NBC and ABC, consulted non-profits on media initiatives and directed and produced a feature-length documentary.  She graduated from Wesleyan University with a BA in Art History and received her master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Southern California. Christina Kim, Strategic Partnerships Coordinator. Christina manages IAVA’s partnerships with the corporate sector. She has prior experience working with non-governmental organizations and non-profit organizations and in broadcast journalism. She has also previously assisted “the War Tapes” filmmaker Deborah Scranton with the “Front Line, First Person: Iraq War Stories” conference, bringing together OEF and OIF veterans, journalists, academics and students to discuss the transformation of wartime media and storytelling. She is a graduate of Brown University with a degree in International Relations and Modern Culture and Media and recently completed her MSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science. A Colorado native, she currently resides in New York City.   Development Rob Hansen, Development Director. Rob Hansen is responsible for securing the resources necessary for IAVA to achieve its mission of supporting our new generation of veterans and their families. Prior to joining IAVA, Rob worked for three years at the Robin Hood Foundation raising funds to fight poverty in New York City. Earlier positions include development and communication director roles at the Partnership for After School Education and Doctors of the World. He has an MBA from HEC Montreal and a BA in English Literature from McGill University. Amy Sonnenborn, Deputy Development Director.As Deputy Development Director, Amy is responsible for managing all of IAVA’s Development events and working with leadership-level donors. Prior to joining IAVA, she was a Major Gifts Officer at the Robin Hood Foundation, as well as at Columbia Law School. She also managed fundraising special events at the American Museum of Natural History. Amy graduated from Brown University with a B.A. in History. Miranda Payton, Development Associate. Miranda assists the Director of Operations through management of individual donations, foundation grants and corporate solicitations. She grew up in a military family in Texas, and in 2007 she graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a BA in Political Science and English.   Executive Office Dana Morrissey, Special Assistant to Paul Rieckhoff. As Special Assistant to the Executive Director, Dana is responsible for coordinating internal and external interaction with the Executive Office, serving as an aide to the Executive Director, and managing the schedule and correspondence for the Executive Director. Dana graduated from the University of Virginia in 2004 with a BA in International Affairs and went on to work at the Clinton Foundation for a number of years before joining IAVA. Michael Houston, Special Assistant to Todd Bowers. As Special Assistant, Michael serves as aide to, and manages the schedule and correspondence of, the Deputy Executive Director, while coordinating internal and external interaction with the Executive Office. Prior to his role as Special Assistant, Michael worked as an Associate in IAVA’s Communications Department for three years, where he managed IAVA’s media relations and outreach. Michael is a graduate of Manhattan College in Riverdale, NY where he earned a BA in History and Government. Jason Kleinman, Executive Office Coordinator. As Executive Office Coordinator, Jason is responsible for providing support to the Executive Office, keeping operations running smoothly and efficiently. Prior to joining IAVA, Jason was a student at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD, where he graduated with a BA in Philosophy and a minor in Spanish Language and Culture.   Operations Devon Collins, Director of Operations. Devon has been with IAVA since 2005, serving as IAVA’s Director of Operations for over three years. Devon is responsible for growing the organization through development initiatives and in-house management of IAVA. She graduated Rollins College with a degree in Sociology. Dawn Elizabeth Adams, Office Manager. Dawn joined IAVA to support our New York City headquarters.  She has a B.A. in Hospitality & Facilities Management from Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA and is well versed in Office Management and Executive Administration. She has experience in the fields of technology, entertainment, finance and real estate and is eager to help IAVA grow.   Human Capital Paayal Mahajan, Human Capital Director. Prior to joining IAVA, Paayal managed diversity initiatives for the United States Tennis Association, and multicultural membership for the Girl Scouts of the USA. She also has an extensive background in radio and broadcast media. She graduated from Rutgers University with a BS in Environmental Policy, Institutions and Behavior. After setting up and running IAVA’s Membership Department for the last two years, Paayal is now running IAVA’s Human Capital department.