REAL review from a REAL former employee - Anonymous employee IAVA Employee Review

1.0
29 Oct 2017
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The organization has been able to bring more media attention to post 9/11 veterans and help advocate for significant veterans legislation. The CEO is a disrupter and knows how to use main stream media and current events to keep veteran issues in the public spotlight. Employees bond quickly and commiserate over the chaotic organization, poor management, disruptive turnover, and constant feelings of frustration. Former employees stay friends. Working with and for veterans. Vacation time and work/life balance.

Cons

Employees are constantly made to feel inadequate. Motivation comes in the form of passive aggressive threats. If you disagree with anything the CEO says, then you are vilified. Someone that disagrees is considered "not loyal" and can no longer be trusted. This organization does not encourage other points of view or professional growth. The only way to succeed is to keep your mouth shut and never disagree with the CEO. The employee turnover is constant- especially in senior level positions because of the CEO. In the short time I was there, we had 4 Chiefs of Communication, 3 Chiefs of Development, and only 2 Chief Finance Officers - one of which only lasted a couple months - most of the time we just didn't have a CFO.

Explore other reviews about IAVA

5.0
17 July 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Amazing people and incredible mission!

Cons

It's a small staff and there aren't job openings very often.

5.0
5 May 2015
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

IAVA is not only a cutting edge veterans organization, it is a cutting edge nonprofit. They play at the edges of what's possible (and sometimes what's popular) because the collective sense of urgency couldn't be greater. They impact the lives of America's newest veterans on the individual level, through their direct support services, and also the entire population of veterans, through their advocacy in Washington. That makes it an exciting, fulfilling, and fun place to work. Some of my proudest work has been at IAVA, fighting the good fight, because I can point to the veterans whose lives we profoundly changed for the better. When others said "slow down, be cautious," we went faster and got it done (most of the time). And some of my closest friendships were built in the IAVA offices - they hire great people to do hard, but worthwhile things. Those bonds were forged in the work and nurtured over a beer or three and the occasional Nerf Gun Battle.

Cons

IAVA plays a watch-dog role and ALWAYS speaks truth to power, if you need to be always liked that can be hard. Also, it's fast paced and everyone is expected to execute at the highest level. That can be stressful if you're not executing at that level.

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