Janaia Nash

Janaia Nash graduated from the United States Military Academy and was commissioned as an Adjutant General Officer for the Army in 2003. During her six years of service she deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and also received numerous awards for her contributions to diversity programs, emergency relief efforts, and personnel programs. While serving she was awarded the Distinguished Honor Graduate for her advanced school and earned her Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management from Webster University.

At the conclusion of her military service, Janaia transitioned into the civilian sector and worked as a manager in the federal government and retail before pursuing her passion of serving others in the nonprofit space. Janaia joined The Mission Continues, a veteran-serving organization, as the Fellowship Program Director where she was responsible for all aspects of the program including oversight of all program development and operations, staff, and coordination of internal and external organizational efforts. Following this position, she accepted a role as the Vice President, Veterans and Military Programs for Points of Light (POL). POL is the world’s leading organization focused on volunteerism and civic engagement. Janaia developed the military strategy for the organization as well as embedded National Service (AmeriCorps) in the military and veteran community as a way for service members, veterans and their families to leverage volunteering as a method to integrate successfully within their local communities.

Janaia presently serves as the Chief Programs Officer for the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF). TMF empowers veterans and the families of fallen heroes to develop character in future generations. In her current role, she oversees the strategy, development, expansion, and implementation of TMF Programs nationwide. She has been instrumental to the continued growth of programmatic initiatives supporting the personal growth and activation of Veterans and Surviving Families. Under her leadership, TMF launched the Spartan Leadership Program investing in veterans through a 7-month immersive program of leadership and personal development as well as elevating and adapting programs to remain sustainable in the midst of a health pandemic. Janaia is also the co-chair for TMF’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee which she spearheaded in 2019.

A leader in the veteran space, she has taken the stage to represent the Military and Veteran Community on multiple accounts:
– Moderator, Points of Light Conference, “Caregivers”
– Feature on Sirius XM with former Secretary McDonald, “Veterans are Civic Assets”
– Keynote speaker, University of Minnesota, Veterans Day
– Keynote speaker, COX Communications, “The Power of Courage”
– Keynote speaker, The Home Depot, Veterans Day
– Fireside Chat, The Mission Continues Women Veterans Leadership Program
– Panelists, Combined Arms Institute, “Voices of Black Veterans 2022”

Her more recent accolades and accomplishments include:
– Scholar, Bush Institute Stand-To Veterans Leadership Program
– Finalist, Female Veteran of the Year, Vetty’s
– Graduate, American Express Leadership Academy
– Graduate, Introduction to Cross-Sector Leadership, Presidio Institute

In her personal time, Janaia is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, an active member of West Point’s Black and African American Alumni Association Do More Together, co-founder of Athena’s Shield, and community volunteer with various non-profit organizations.

Janaia currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia.