ABOUT VEL INSTITUTE

Veterans, Entrepreneurs, and Leaders are essential to healthy communities. VEL Institute helps establish valuable relationships between Veterans, Entrepreneurs, and Leaders who demonstrate a heart to lead, want to connect with like-minded people, are driven to develop personally and professionally, and value learning from one another.

Veterans are Leaders

Our military invests an average of $209,000 in the professional development of each service member. VEL Institute believes every Veteran is a leader. Veterans, Entrepreneurs, and Leaders learning together in collaborative environments empowers Veterans to lead their companies, communities, and country into the future.

Entrepreneurs are Essential

U.S. small businesses are essential to the economy and employ 49.2% (120 million people) of the U.S. workforce. Veterans, Entrepreneurs, and Leaders learning the essentials to start and run a business in a collaborative environment empowers Veterans to become successful entrepreneurs.

Leaders are Wanted

Leadership is the #1 skill employers desire. Leaders unite and strengthen the communities and organizations they serve. Veterans, Entrepreneurs, and Leaders learning together in collaborative environments empower Veterans to become great leaders.

0%
of Veterans are employed
0%
of U.S. companies are Veteran Owned
0%
U.S. organizations report a leadership gap

Board Members and Advisors

Charles Newnam
Veteran, USN Submarine Warfare
Electrical & Nuclear Engineering
MBA, Kenan-Flagler Business School
Psychology, TC, Columbia University
Management Consulting Executive
Leadership, Culture, and Innovation

Elizabeth Greever
EverSan Cooper
Texas A&M University
Inspired Leaders, Founder

Lizzie Pritchett
Entrepreneur
CEO Bellwether Concepts
PhD Southern Methodist University
MA St. Edward’s University

Mike Ramirez
Veteran, U.S. Army
MPA Harvard University
MBA UT Austin
Private Equity Consulting
Leadership coaching, business mentor

Rolland Coleman
Veteran, USAF
Tuskegee University-BA Psychology
Columbia University- MA Org Psychology
Columbia University-Exec Coach Certification
Graduate-USAF Weapons School
Booz Allen Hamilton, Strategy & Management Consulting

Sean Buckley
Veteran / Leader
Naval Officer
Villanova / University Pittsburgh – Alumni
Juris Doctor / MBA
Attorney – Adams and Reese LLP