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Draft:Shawn VanDiver

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Shawn VanDiver at SXSW Wikipedia Event

Shawn J. VanDiver (born September 30, 1983) is an American national security expert, veteran, and civic leader based in San Diego, California. He is the founder and president of #AfghanEvac, a global nonprofit focused on relocating and resettling Afghan allies, and serves as the Vice President of External Affairs at the Athenian Group, a professional services firm. VanDiver has been recognized for his work in national security, veterans’ advocacy, civic engagement, and humanitarian efforts[1]. He has advised government officials at the federal, state, and local levels, including working behind the scenes with the Biden administration on critical issues.

Early Life and Education

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VanDiver was born in Springfield, IL and grew up in Bakersfield, CA[2]. He served in the United States Navy from 2001 to 2013, where he was deployed numerous times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, the Global War on Terrorism, and the War on Drugs. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Domestic Security Management and a Master’s in Homeland Security and Safety Engineering from National University. He also earned a Master of Arts in Public Leadership from the University of San Francisco and a graduate certificate in Information Systems and Operations from the Naval Postgraduate School[1].

Career

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Military Service

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VanDiver served as a Fire Controlman in the United States Navy. Including as an AEGIS Weapons System Supervisor on the USS Chancellorsville and as the Assistant Emergency Manager for Naval Support Activity South Potomac. His military career included a stint as an instructor at the Center for Surface Combat Systems Detachment West[1].

AfghanEvac

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Shawn VanDiver and Secretary of State Antony Blinken sign MOU for AfghanEvac and State Department

In August 2021, VanDiver founded #AfghanEvac, a nonprofit that administers a public-private partnership with the U.S. Government to help relocate Afghan allies[3]. As of September 2024, the organization has helped resettle over 170,000 Afghans. His leadership in this space has earned recognition from the White House, the Secretary of State, and other senior officials[4][5][6][7].

Public Policy and Civic Engagement

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VanDiver has advised and collaborated with members of Congress, state legislators, and local elected officials on national security, refugee issues, and veterans' affairs. His expertise on U.S.-Mexico border issues and behind-the-scenes work with the Biden White House to address pressing national security challenges have established him as a thought leader in policy and civic engagement[1].

Media and Public Speaking

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VanDiver is a regular media commentator on domestic[8][9] and national security[10], foreign policy[11], veterans' issues[12], and humanitarian issues[13], having appeared in local, national, and international outlets. He has also been a speaker at global forums like SXSW[14], and his writing has been published in national[15] and international media[16].

Awards

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  • Veteran Business Leaders of Influence, San Diego Business Journal (2023)
  • International Public Service Award, American University of Afghanistan (2023)
  • 40 Under 40, San Diego Metro Magazine (2018)[17]

Personal Life

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VanDiver resides in San Diego, California, with his family[1][2].

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Dyer, Andrew (2022-10-10). "He found his activist voice in the Navy. Now this San Diego veteran is being courted by Washington". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  2. ^ a b Passons, Omar (2019-09-23). "Someone San Diego Should Know: Shawn VanDiver". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  3. ^ "One Decision: I Will Save Them Myself". podfollow. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  4. ^ Kheel, Rebecca (2023-03-03). "Veterans and Others Who Helped in Afghanistan Evacuation Honored at White House". Military.com. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  5. ^ "Secretary of State Blinken Participates in a Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony with the #AfghanEvac Coalition". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  6. ^ "President Biden reaches out to San Diego-based #AfghanEvac Coalition". ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV. 2022-08-30. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  7. ^ Stokols, Eli (October 25, 2024). "An Under-told Afghanistan Success Story". Politico.
  8. ^ VanDiver, Shawn. "Let's hope baseball shooting brings us new national gun laws to make us safer". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  9. ^ VanDiver, Shawn (2014-05-14). "A Former Navy Firearms Instructor and Proud Gun Owner On Why We Need Common Sense Gun Control". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  10. ^ "Why Iran nuclear deal is working and Trump's action is risky". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2017-10-13. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  11. ^ Vandiver, Shawn (2021-04-30). "As a veteran, I'm glad the U.S. military is leaving Afghanistan. But vulnerable people will suffer". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  12. ^ Vandiver, Shawn (2021-07-02). "I swore an oath to the Constitution. This Independence Day, I'm thinking about it through a new lens". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  13. ^ Cota, Carlos; Lai, Elvin; Vandiver, Shawn (2021-07-16). "How the San Diego Convention Center became a humanitarian hub". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  14. ^ "#AfghanEvac: Civic Engagement Changed the Course of History". SXSW 2024 Schedule. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  15. ^ VanDiver, Shawn. "USS McCain collision shouldn't have happened. We must find out why it did". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  16. ^ VanDiver, Shawn J. (2016-08-10). "Donald Trump doesn't speak for us 'second amendment people'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  17. ^ Magazine, SD Metro (2018-10-04). "40 Under 40 Awards, San Diego Metro Magazine". SD METRO. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
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