Jennifer Dane has been named by the Modern Military Association of America (MMAA), America’s largest LGBTQ military non-profit, as its interim executive director.
Dane, an Air Force veteran, was selected by the board of directors of MMAA, which works to advance fairness and equality for the LGBTQ military and veteran community.
The MMAA serves as a top organization of LGBTQ servicemembers, military spouses, veterans, and allies.
Jennifer Dane as the executive director
Dane served as an intelligence analyst in the Air Force focusing on geopolitical, terrorism, and threat vulnerability issues.
Recently, she was the MMAA Director of Education and Programs. She also served in leadership roles in the legacy organizations that merged to form MMAA, i.e. OutServe-SLDN and the American Military Partner Association.
Dane said of her selection: “I’m so proud to take the helm of the Modern Military Association of America as we embark on a new chapter in our mission for the LGBTQ military and veteran community.”
“As we face new challenges and attempts to roll back our hard-won progress, our work to support LGBTQ military and veteran families is vitally important,” she added.
“We are a united voice for the LGBTQ military and veteran community, and the MMAA team will continue to fight each and every day for our nation’s modern military families,” she said.
Jennifer Dane’s education and background
Dane had earned a diversity and inclusion certificate from Cornell University and an associate degree in intelligence studies from the Community College of the Air Force.
She also received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Bethel University, and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from Arizona State University.
She is presently finishing her PhD in Education Policy with a focus on history at the Ohio State University.
Ashley Broadway-Mack, a member of the MMAA Board of Directors, praised Dane: “I’ve personally witnessed Jennifer’s passion and unwavering commitment to the LGBTQ military and veteran community over the past several years.”
“Her collaborative leadership style and clear vision for modern military and veteran families are a perfect fit for the vitally important work we have ahead of us,” Broadway-Mack said.
Former MMAA executive director Andy Blevins
Andy Blevins, MMAA’s former executive director, will continue to work with MMAA as an executive consultant on legal and policy issues.
Blevins, who is making the said transition to devote more time as a caregiver to his father, said: “It has been an absolute honor and privilege to lead MMAA over the last year.”
He also praised Dane: “Our incredibly talented and hard-working team has achieved important victories together, and I’m excited to see that progress continue as Jennifer leads MMAA into a new era in the fight for equality.”
It was under Blevin that the two leading LGBTQ military and veteran non-profit organizations in the US merged to form MMAA in May 2019.