Veteran Fellowship Program | Testimonials
The Hoover Institution Veteran Fellowship Program (VFP) is a nonresidential, year-long program for 10 military veterans that was launched in the fall of 2021. The program seeks participants who desire to address critical challenges in the public sector with actionable solutions. Focus areas should align with Hoover’s research priorities and seek to inform the formation and implementation of policy. The program is building an effective and enduring network of successful veteran practitioners who confront real-world challenges alongside Hoover fellows with support networks at the Hoover Institution and Stanford University.
The entire inaugural class served in the US military within the past two decades, beginning during the years surrounding the attacks of September 11, 2001. This post-9/11 generation of veterans brings experience and wisdom to a broad spectrum of complex contemporary policy issues. In this respect, they follow in the footsteps of the “greatest generation,” whose members fought in World War II and led America into an unprecedented age of peace and prosperity following their transition to civilian life.
Hear how the Veteran Fellowship Program made an impact by listening to the testimonials below:
Dave Winnacker has served in the US Marine Corps since 1997 in active-duty and reserve capacities. He received his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of California–Santa Barbara and is the fire chief for the Moraga-Orinda Fire Protection District in California.
George “Donnie” Hasseltine served in the US Marine Corps for over two decades. He received his bachelor’s degree from the Virginia Military Institute, a master’s from Naval War College, and executive master’s in cybersecurity from Brown University. He is the chief security officer at Xenon Partners, a San Francisco–based private equity firm specializing in the software industry.
Mike Steadman served in the US Marine Corps for five years. He received his bachelor’s degree from the US Naval Academy and a master’s in American studies from Rutgers University. He is the founder and CEO of both Iron Bound Boxing and Iron Bound Media, which are based in Newark, New Jersey.
Megan Andros served for five years in the US Army. She received her bachelor’s degree from the United States Military Academy and her master’s in public service from Carnegie Mellon University. She is senior program officer at the Heinz Endowments and is responsible for the foundation’s veterans and Military Families Initiative
The 2021-22 and 2022-23 cohorts of the Veteran Fellowship Program at the Roll Call event in Washington, DC. (Jay Mallin, 2022).
Brian O’Connor, member of the 2022-23 cohort of the Veteran Fellowship Program, is a veteran of the US Marine Corps and founder and principal of growth of Veteran Enhanced Technology Solutions. (Jay Mallin, 2022)
Dan Imbat, member of the 2022-23 cohort of the Veteran Fellowship Program, is a veteran of the US Navy and senior director of strategic engagement at Shield AI. (Jay Mallin, 2022)
Mike Wendler, member of the 2022-23 cohort of the Veteran Fellowship Program, is a veteran of the US Marine Corps, currently serves as a colonel in the Marine Corps Reserves, and is a superior court judge in San Mateo County. (Jay Mallin, 2022)
Barbara Comstock, member of the advisory council of the Hoover Veteran Fellowship Program and former US Representative from Virginia, in conversation with Seth Moulton, a retired Marine Corps officer and current US Representative from Massachusetts. (Jay Mallin, 2022)
Major General Barrye Price (US Army, ret.) (left), member of the advisory council of the Veteran Fellowship Program (VFP), in conversation with Admiral Gary Roughead (US Navy, ret.). (Jay Mallin, 2022)
Representative Anthony Gonzales of Ohio (left) in conversation with Pete Koziol (right), US Navy veteran and member of the 202122 cohort of the Veteran Fellowship Program. (Jay Mallin, 2022)
Dave Foster, member of the 2022-23 cohort of the Veteran Fellowship Program, is a veteran of the US Army and the founder and CEO of BDP Impact Real Estate. (Jay Mallin, 2022)
Rosetta Ellis-Pilie is a member of the advisory council of the Hoover Veteran Fellowship Program. A US Army veteran, Ellis-Pilie is the vice president of talent development and negotiations at ESPN. (Jay Mallin, 2022)
Rye Barcott is a member of the advisory council of the Hoover Veteran Fellowship Program. A US Marine Corps veteran, Barcott is cofounder and CEO of With Honor. (Jay Mallin, 2022)
Barbara Comstock is a member of the advisory council of the Hoover Veteran Fellowship Program. Now a senior advisor at Baker Donelson, she previously served as a member of Congress (2015–19). (Jay Mallin, 2022).
Dyan Gibbens, member of the 2022-23 cohort of the Veteran Fellowship Program, is a veteran of the US Air Force and president and CEO of Trumbull. (Jay Mallin, 2022)
Heather Ichord, member of the 2022-23 cohort of the Veteran Fellowship Program, is a veteran of the US Marine Corps, currently serves in the Marine Corps reserves, and is program manager at the Defense Innovation Unit. (Jay Mallin, 2022)
Ben Deda, member of the 2022-23 cohort of the Veteran Fellowship Program, is a Marine Corps veteran and the current CEO of FoodMaven. (Jay Mallin, 2022)
Joe Byers, member of the 2022-23 cohort of the Veteran Fellowship Program, is a veteran of the US Navy and cofounder and chief executive of an early-stage startup focused on the digital transformation of the maritime industry. (Jay Mallin, 2022)
Admiral Gary Roughead (US Navy, ret.), the Robert and Marion Oster Distinguished Military Fellow. (Jay Mallin, 2022)
Abbas Elegba (right) and Lisa McKinnon Munde (left), members of the 2022-23 cohort of the Veteran Fellowship Program. Elegba is a US Army veteran and a partner at American Industrial Partners. Munde is a US Navy veteran and is currently the director of plans, doctrine, and studies at Naval Special Warfare Command in Coronado, California. (Jay Mallin, 2022)
