First Lady Jill Biden to Deliver the Opening Remarks at Disney’s Veterans Institute Summit

Cappy Surette

by , Manager, Communications at Disney Experiences and co-chair of the Veteran Employee Resource Group known as “Disney SALUTE”

UPDATE 8/17/22: Unfortunately, the First Lady had to cancel her appearance and will not be able to join us at Disney’s Veterans Institute Summit.

Today, we are excited to be announcing that First Lady Jill Biden will provide opening remarks at Disney’s Veterans Institute Summit coming August 19-20. The two-day event features insights and conversations with speakers with a passion for supporting and enabling veterans and military spouses as they explore meaningful employment outside of their military service.

First Lady Jill Biden speaking

Support for the families of our service members and veterans, their caregivers, and survivors is a key priority of the First Lady and has been a cause that she has tirelessly worked on for more than a decade. Dr. Biden, alongside First Lady Michelle Obama created Joining Forces in 2011 to bring Americans together to recognize, honor and take action to support military families, and relaunched the initiative when she became First Lady in 2021. Joining Forces focuses on military spouse employment, military child education and health and wellbeing, and we are honored that she will be accompanying us. This important event will showcase the value of military spouses and veterans in the workplace, share best hiring practices and encourage greater employment opportunities for the military and veteran community.

Speakers at The 2022 Veterans Institute Summit

Additionally, we are happy to share that Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman, Josh D’Amaro will also be in attendance alongside Dr. Beth Funk, Co-Founder & Executive Director, of A Hero’s Light, a non-profit that fosters and sustains a culture of wellness designed for those who actively serve their community. Dr. Funk is also the Founder & CEO of Live Moves Yoga. Joining the impressive roster of incredible speakers will also be Rear Admiral Jo-Ann F. Burdian, Assistant Commandant for Response Policy, U.S. Coast Guard and Stephanie Ramos, Correspondent for ABC News. Actor, and humanitarian Gary Sinise, will be making a special appearance via video with a heartfelt message for the attendees. 

The 2022 Veterans Institute Summit will be webcast live from ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Aug. 19 and 20 and there is still time to reserve a space. We appreciate the support from event sponsors Wounded Warrior Project, Amazon Global Military Affairs, The Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company, USAA, Optum Serve, Enterprise Holdings, Inc., and JPMorgan Chase & Co., who all share a passion for helping set veterans and military spouses up for success following their service to our country. To learn more about this event and register to attend, please visit our Veterans Institute Summit website.