Inside the ‘highly suspicious’ veterans charity that celebrities love and ex-employees can’t stand
“After working there for six months, I still don’t know what the non-profit does to help veterans,” one former employee said.
By Jasper Craven | Published Dec 2, 2021 9:37 AM
News Features
In 2019, Assal Ravandi appeared to be riding high, and in especially glamorous company.
The “Vettys,” her glitzy awards show recognizing some of the most respected veterans’ advocates in America, had all the trappings of a Hollywood awards show, as well as a historic new venue: the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C. A parade of special guests graced the red carpet that year, including CNN anchor Jake Tapper, actor Casey Affleck, and then-Acting Navy Under Secretary Thomas Modley. Financial underwriters included Goldman Sachs, Koch Industries, and Mark Rockefeller, an Air Force veteran and son of former U.S. Vice President Nelson Rockefeller.
The Vettys, and Ravandi’s related non-profit, the Academy of United States Veterans (AUSV), are meant to support the military and veteran community’s most respected advocates and allies. This is accomplished chiefly through the Vettys, which signal- boosts worthy figures and organizations, as well as other social and philanthropic activities. But behind the scenes, multiple current and former employees tell Task & Purpose they labored through internal chaos for an organization with sometimes questionable financial practices, and whose actual impact on the veterans’ community appears to be dubious.
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/vetty-awards/
