Leadership & Impact | Jared Lyon — A Decade at National Scale

How I Lead

Build the institution before you build the brand. Earn standing across difference. Treat the balance sheet, the program, and the trust of your stakeholders as one system, not three.

I work for the long-horizon outcome — the kind of organization that holds up when the founder leaves, the cycle turns, and the next leader inherits something stronger than they found.

By the Numbers

A Decade of Executive Leadership

Measured results from ten years leading Student Veterans of America at national scale.

1,600+

Campus chapters across all 50 states and three overseas territories, up from roughly 400

6.5×

Revenue growth across the 2016–2026 tenure; team scaled 12 to 42

$68M+

Total revenue raised by the team over the tenure

$8M

Unrestricted gift from MacKenzie Scott — largest in organizational history

$8.5M

Operating budget at end of tenure, with ~$7M net assets and $1M reserve

$0

Organizational debt at January 2026 transition

Track Record

Selected Impact

Stepped in as Acting CEO in August 2015 with the organization carrying approximately $2.1 million in debt and roughly $43,000 in operating liquidity; confirmed as President & CEO in January 2016 and led the institution through a full operating turnaround.
Departed in January 2026 with an $8.5 million operating budget, approximately $7 million in net assets, a $1 million board-designated reserve, and zero organizational debt — a roughly 6.5× growth in revenue over the tenure.
Grew Student Veterans of America from roughly 400 to more than 1,600 campus chapters across all 50 states and three overseas territories, with the staff team scaling from 12 to 42 over the decade.
Led the relationships behind more than $68 million raised across the tenure, broadening and diversifying institutional support.
Led a five-year capital deployment strategy following an $8 million unrestricted gift from MacKenzie Scott — the largest single gift in the organization’s history, received and stewarded as a governance test.
Helped direct a $4 million Google.org-funded initiative across 11 states to expand veteran workforce and education outcomes through national partnerships.
Built and stewarded major cross-sector partnerships with RTX, Disney, Google, Boeing, and TikTok.
Personally visited more than 430 SVA chapters across 49 states over 12 years on staff, building direct connection to the members, campuses, and communities at the center of SVA’s mission.
Represented SVA in sustained, nonpartisan engagement before Congress and in national policy settings across four presidential administrations.

On the Record

Public Service & Testimony

Selected federal testimony, advisory service, and named-outlet appearances. A fuller list lives on Speaking & Media.

2016–2026
Congressional testimony. Multiple appearances before the U.S. House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs on student veteran outcomes, federal education benefits, and workforce policy.
Current
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Education. Federal advisory service on veteran education programs and policy implementation.
Current
George W. Bush Institute Advisory Council. National advisory role supporting work on veterans, leadership, and civic institutions.
Current
Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation Advisory Council. Civic and commemorative leadership for the post-9/11 generation.
2018
Presidential Leadership Scholar. Selected for the joint program of the George W. Bush, Clinton, Johnson, and George H.W. Bush Presidential Centers.
2020
Grand Marshal, New York City Veterans Day Parade. National civic role recognizing leadership in the post-9/11 veteran community.