About AWV
VISION
American Women Veterans Foundation believes that women have always been the catalyst for change within our homes, our communities and the world. We envision a society in which the legacy of America’s servicewomen, veterans and their families is celebrated and carried on to future generations of powerful and inspiring women. We strive to empower women from all branches of service with a continued sense of pride and service which enables them to reach their full potential and to contribute as they always have, in making America stronger.
MISSION
American Women Veterans is the nation’s preeminent, non-partisan, 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of servicewomen, veterans and their families. We welcome veterans and supporters from all eras and branches of service.
~ Engaging and advocating for new or improved policies that improve the lives of women veterans and our families
~ Sponsoring retreats, conferences and symposiums focused on empowering our members and our communities
~ Conducting outreach campaigns to raise awareness among service women and veterans of our benefits, entitlements and services
~ Promoting positive images and public awareness of women’s contributions from all branches and eras of service
~ Embracing continued service to our communities and our nation through philanthropic projects
~ Cultivating leadership and professionalism within the military ranks and our communities
PROGRAMS
American Women Veterans Foundation is working to develop a multi-pronged approach to help servicewomen, veterans and their families;
- Outdoor Program — Our outdoor programs brings veterans together in a stress-free outdoor environment that allows them to focus on camaraderie, teamwork and find healing through the process of overcoming personal and physical obstacles. In the past, we’ve partnered with Outward Bound to host all-expenses paid outdoor retreats where all of our attendees have said the week-long getaways have changed their lives.
- Awareness Program — We partner with local communities and universities to raise awareness and educate America about the contribution of women in service through panel discussion and documentary screenings. This engages the American public directly with women who have served in the military in previous eras as well as those that have served in combat and have come home to transition back into civilian life.
- Advocacy Program— We work with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to raise awareness of servicewomen, veterans and familial issues in order to bring about effective and lasting change to policies directly affecting our members.
FUTURE GOALS
American Women Veterans Foundation is always expanding its work within our focus areas. We are currently working to take AWV from a part-time endeavor, staffed with volunteers, to a full-time, fully-operational Veterans Service Organization. We are also continuously researching the needs of servicewomen, veterans and their families with the goal to register and launch programs directly benefitting our members. Beyond this, we will continue to share and celebrate the legacy of women in service and update/add programs as necessary. We will keep our members, supporters and donors informed of expansion plans through our website, as appropriate.
MEDIA & PRESS
American Women Veterans Foundation has been featured in and consulted with many prestigious newspapers, magazines, websites, and television shows, including The Stars & Stripes, The Army Times, Military Times, Marie Claire, Good Housekeeping, In Their Boots; Outside the Wire, The Santita Jackson Show, The Takeaway, ABC News, Yahoo! News, CNN, and PBS.
In addition to these features, Founder and Executive Director Genevieve Chase has been featured in several media outlets to include, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, LIFE, Bill Moyers Journal and NBC Nightly news with Brian Williams.
OUR TEAM
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Genevieve Chase – Genevieve is the founder and executive director of American Women Veterans and a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom VII. After enlisting in the U.S. Army Reserve in 2003, Chase volunteered to serve with the Army’s 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry). While deployed to Afghanistan as a Sergeant in 2006, her vehicle was attacked by a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. The passengers survived the attack, but suffered varying degrees of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). To counter various symptoms of TBI and PTSD, Chase dedicated herself to veterans advocacy.
Since returning from active duty service, Chase has worked tirelessly to bring to light the issues faced by today’s veterans. While advocating on their behalf, she discovered a need for a focus on women veterans and their families from all eras and branches of service. From that void, Chase created American Women Veterans and began, in earnest, the 21st century women veterans’ movement.
A recipient of the Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge, Chase has testified before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee about her experiences in Afghanistan as well as the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee concerning women’s health care. For her outstanding work both in and out of uniform, the U.S. Army Reserve selected her as a 2010 Soldier Hero. In addition to her role as executive director of AWV, she is a defense contractor with BAE Systems, Inc., and serves as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve. Recognized for her experiences in Afghanistan and knowledge of matters affecting female veterans, Chase also acts as a media consultant to major media outlets and publications.
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Stephen J. Vossler
VETERANS ADVOCATES & VOLUNTEERS
Virginia J. Irwin
Matthew Collins – Matt was commissioned into the Marine Corps in 1998 and served as the Intelligence Officer for 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion. After September 11th, he deployed to the Middle East in the Operations section of 2nd Battalion/ 6th Marines as part of a Marine Expeditionary Unit. In 2003, he deployed with the British Army to Sierra Leone as part of the International Military Advisory and Training team, on the Liberian border near the end of the civil war. He deployed again to Bahrain as part of Marine Corps Central Command (MARCENT), traveling to half the countries in the Middle East and serving as the Deputy Commander of MARCENT’s Intelligence briefer during the Marine Corps takeover of the Anbar Province in Iraq. Matt currently assist AWV with grant research and business development.
Kristin Simmler – Kristin is a Military Analyst working with the U.S. Army and the Communications Director for the Congressional Military Service Members and Veterans Association (Congressional Vets). She also co-leads the Alumni Veterans organization at George Washington University. She received her master’s degree in Political Management-Legislative Affairs from George Washington University and two bachelor’s degrees from Washington State University. She currently acts as a volunteer and advisor organizational planning for AWV.
Kelley Lubovich
ADVISORS
Kristen L. Rouse
Patricia Driscoll - Patricia served 9.5 years in the active Army as a Military Intelligence Officer with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 66th Military Intelligence Group and 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade. During that time, she served as a Cavalry Squadron Assistant Intelligence Officer, Division Rear Intelligence Officer (S2/G2), Document Exploitation Team Leader, Tactics Instructor and Company Commander. In 2006, Patricia embarked upon a new career as a civilian where she worked as a defense contractor and federal senior law enforcement intelligence research specialist within the Department of Homeland Security. Her focus areas included counterterrorism, maritime counterdrug and counter-proliferation intelligence analysis. Patricia graduated from Norwich University in 1997 with a B.A. in Political Science and International Studies. She possesses a Masters Degree in Management and Leadership and an M.B.A from Webster University. Patricia is currently a volunteer advisor to American Women Veterans.
Adrianne Kadzinski
Will Felder
LEGAL ADVISORS – COURTESY OF ORRICK, HERRINGTON & SUTCLIFFE
Jason D. Crain – Jason is a managing associate in the Silicon Valley office, is a member of the Emerging Companies group, which advises emerging companies, public companies, venture capital firms and investment banks.
Jason focuses on emerging companies, and represents both public and private high-tech companies and venture capital funds in many areas, including corporate and securities law, venture capital financings, mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, public company representation and technology licensing. Prior to law school, Jason was a member of the United States Navy. After law school, Jason was an associate with the Venture Law Group and a Judge Advocate with the United States Navy. As an associate at Venture Law Group, Jason represented high-tech companies in complex financings, mergers, acquisitions and public offerings. As a Judge Advocate with the United States Navy, Jason represented the U.S. government and individual service members on myriad legal issues including environmental regulation compliance, immigration law, ethical conduct and criminal and civil matters. Education: J.D., Yale Law School, 2000; M.S., Operations Research, Stanford University, 1992; B.S., Marine Engineering and Marine Transportation, United States Merchant Marine Academy, 1991. Related Practice Areas; Emerging Companies, Investment Bank Representation, Mergers and Acquisitions, Public and Private Company Representation, Venture Capital and Strategic Investments.
Stephen C. Lessard – Mr. Lessard is an associate in Orrick’s New York office, is a member of the Tax Group. Mr. Lessard focuses his practice on the taxation of debt and equity offerings, collateralizations, reorganizations, cross-border transactions and municipal finance. Mr. Lessard also has experience counseling nonprofit organizations on federal tax law and corporate governance. Prior to joining Orrick, Mr. Lessard was a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy. Publications: Co-author, “IRS Proposes New Regulations on Contract Manufacturing and Subpart F Income,” Practical U.S./International Tax Strategies, Mar. 21, 2008 Giving Life to LIFO: Adoption of the LIFO Method of Inventory Valuation by the Income Tax Code,” The Tax Lawyer, Spring 2007 “Playing the Economic Substance Trump Card: Black & Decker v. United States,” The Tax Lawyer, Summer 2005. Related Practice Areas, Corporate Transactions (Tax), International Tax, Nonprofit Organizations (Tax), Public Finance Tax.
Tonio D. DeSorrento – Tonio is an associate in the Washington, D.C., office, and is a member of the Financial Markets Group. Before joining Orrick, Tonio was a law clerk at Sallie Mae. Prior to law school, Tonio served for six years as an artillery officer in the United States Marine Corps. Admitted in District of Columbia New York Memberships Advisory Board, The Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics Advisory Board, Charter for Veterans, Inc. Related Practice Areas, Banking and Finance, Asset-Backed Securities, Higher Education and Student Loan Financing, Formation and Early-Stage Financings.
