In this conversation we hear from a true servant leader about what it takes to build a supportive infrastructure for student veterans and about the community bonds forged through teamwork & physical exertion.

Betsy Montañez is the Assistant Director of the Veterans and Military Resource Center at NYU’s School of Professional Studies. She has more than 13 years of experience working in veterans higher education.

Titus Battle is a veteran of the US Army Reserves recently housed by DVS. He is currently serving as a Resiliency Facilitator for Volunteers of America. In today’s conversation we hear his tale of survival and self-discovery – an unbelievable journey spanning four decades of trauma, addiction, and homelessness, but ultimately defined by his resilience.

On our inaugural show, we hear from the senior leaders of DVS. The team tells us about how they first came to work in City government and their collaborative process of setting and executing the agency’s vision and mission. They talk about continued service, reframing veteran narratives, and about the kind of department they hope to leave for their successors.