Department of Veterans Affairs Makes Unexpected Leadership Changes
In a surprising move, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the dismissal of the directors overseeing the Center for Women Veterans and the Center for Minority Veterans.
This shake-up is part of a broader wave of personnel changes underway since President Donald Trump took office on January 20.
Lourdes Tiglao, an Air Force veteran who has championed issues impacting women veterans since 2021, along with Navy veteran James Albino, who advocated for minority veterans, were both relieved of their positions without formal justifications provided.
Reflections and Interim Leadership
In her farewell message, Tiglao reflected on her experiences, expressing heartfelt thanks to her colleagues for their unwavering commitment to supporting women veterans across the country.
A VA spokesperson noted that these personnel shifts align with the transitions typically seen with new administrations, a practice not foreign to previous leaders, including President Joe Biden.
However, it’s worth mentioning that Biden’s team took several months before appointing new directors, while the current dismissals occurred a mere nine days after Trump’s inauguration, ahead of the Senate’s confirmation of a new VA secretary.
Officials were quick to clarify that the recent changes do not indicate a move to undermine diversity, equity, or inclusion initiatives within government agencies.
Both centers will continue their operations, now temporarily led by new interim directors until permanent replacements are appointed.
Debra Walker, previously the Deputy Director for the Center for Minority Veterans, will serve as the acting director for that office.
Meanwhile, Lynda Davis, who holds the position of Chief Veterans Experience Officer at the VA, will step into the role of acting director for the Center for Women Veterans.
Focus of the Centers
Established in 1994, the Center for Women Veterans is dedicated to improving access to VA benefits and services for women, who represent about 12% of the veteran population in the United States—an increase expected in the coming years.
The Center for Minority Veterans has been operational for three decades and focuses on outreach to boost awareness and utilization of VA resources among minority veterans, who currently account for roughly one in four veterans—a figure projected to reach one in three over the next two decades.
Compounding the situation, VA officials reported last week that 60 employees primarily involved in diversity and inclusion positions were placed on administrative leave as they await news regarding their employment status.
This development follows an executive order issued by Trump, which effectively suspends all federal equity and inclusion programs.
Source: Militarytimes