Episode 26 - Dr. Kyleanne Hunter - CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)
Dr. Kyleanne Hunter - CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)
In this episode of Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker, I sit down with Dr. Kyleanne Hunter - CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). A former Marine Corps AH-1W Super Cobra attack pilot with multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Dr. Hunter has dedicated her career to service, leadership, and advancing policies that strengthen the post-9/11 veteran community.
From directing the Strategy and Warfare Center at the U.S. Air Force Academy to shaping national security research at RAND, Dr. Hunter has been at the forefront of defense, veterans’ advocacy, and academic thought leadership. Today, she leads IAVA in ensuring that the voices of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans remain central to America’s policy and cultural conversations.
In this episode, Dr. Hunter shares her personal journey of military service, the challenges and triumphs of advocacy, and her insights on the future of our veteran community. We discuss misconceptions about post-9/11 veterans, the top issues facing Global War on Terror veterans, and IAVA’s legislative priorities shaping policies.
Whether you’re a veteran, policymaker, or simply someone passionate about strengthening America’s defense and community resilience, this conversation offers a powerful look into the leadership, advocacy, and hope driving the next chapter of service.
About the Guest:
Dr. Kyleanne Hunter serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), a role in which she provides strategic leadership to ensure the post-9/11 generation of veterans remains at the forefront of national conversations. A lifelong servant leader, Dr. Hunter is deeply committed to inspiring veterans to achieve their full potential and advocating for the policies necessary to support their journey.
Before leading IAVA, Dr. Hunter was a senior political scientist at RAND, where she spearheaded the Women, Peace, and Security Initiative. Her academic affiliations include professorships at the RAND School of Public Policy and Oregon State University, and she is a non-resident fellow at the Center for a New American Security. Her distinguished career also includes significant roles at the United States Air Force Academy, where she directed the Strategy and Warfare Center and served as a professor of military and strategic studies. Dr. Hunter was instrumental in addressing critical issues within the military, co-chairing the Culture and Climate Line of Effort for the Independent Review Commission on Military Sexual Assault and chairing the Employment and Integration Subcommittee for the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services.
A highly decorated Marine Corps combat veteran, Dr. Hunter completed multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as an AH-1W Super Cobra attack pilot. Her experience in the Office of Legislative Affairs fueled her dedication to leveraging research and analysis to inform policy decisions and advocate for marginalized service members and veterans.
Dr. Hunter earned her Ph.D. in Political Science and International Relations, along with a Master's in International Security Studies, from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. A respected voice, she has frequently testified before Congress, regularly appears in the press, and has numerous peer-reviewed publications. She is the co-author of “Invisible Veterans: What Happens when Military Women Become Civilians Again”.
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