Misty Stutsman
Misty Stutsman, director of entrepreneurship and small business programs in the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), has been selected to participate in the George W. Bush Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program. The first-of-its-kind initiative is aimed at individuals serving the nation’s veterans who are motivated to broaden their skillsets, knowledge and influence across the country. Stutsman is one of only 43 individuals nationwide selected for the invite-only program.
Throughout the five-month program, Stutsman and other participants will meet with nationally known and distinguished professionals, educators and experts in post-9/11 veteran transition issues and leadership development. Program sessions will commence at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas this week where President George W. Bush, General Peter Pace, former U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs and IVMF board member Bob McDonald, and former U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings will give remarks.
Future sessions will be held in Seattle and Washington, D.C., with the final session and closing ceremony held at the Bush Center in Dallas in October.
“I am honored to represent Syracuse University and its commitment to the military-connected community as part of this dedicated group of individuals working hard to make an impact for those who serve our country,” says Stutsman. “The profile of this program, the other participants and the caliber of those presenting is as thrilling as it is humbling. I am excited to begin the training and bring what I learn back to support the IVMF’s mission of advancing the post-service lives of veterans and their families and Syracuse University efforts to be the best place for veterans.”
Program participants hold a variety of roles, including business and community leaders, members of veteran-serving non-profits, as well as leaders in government, academia and active military service members all of whom were selected after a rigorous application and review process. This year’s class joins the 33 scholars from the 2018 inaugural group who are rising leaders—both veterans and non-veterans—from a wide range of sectors who are working to improve post-9/11 veteran outcomes. Stutsman’s selection marks the second University participant as Amy Taft, curriculum and learning manager at the IVMF was among the program’s first cohort.
The Stand-To Veteran Leadership Initiative is part of the Bush Institute’s commitment to developing and supporting effective leaders. It builds on the Bush Institute’s extensive body of work on veteran transition issues, and each participant joins the program with a personal leadership project, which allows them to implement what they learn in the program in service of improving veteran outcomes across the United States.
