Moments ago, The Walt Disney Company announced that First Lady Michelle Obama will give the keynote address at Disney’s first-ever Veterans Institute workshop on November 14 at Walt Disney World Resort.
“We applaud First Lady Michelle Obama’s efforts to raise awareness of the strengths and unique needs of veterans and their families,” Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger says. “We are honored to have her join Disney’s first-ever Veterans Institute, a program designed to showcase the value of veterans, share best hiring practices, and encourage greater employment opportunities for military men and women transitioning into civilian life.”
The First Lady has made supporting military families and U.S. troops a top priority. In 2011 Mrs. Obama and Dr. Jill Biden launched Joining Forces, an initiative dedicated to connecting servicemen and women, veterans, and military spouses with the resources they need to find jobs at home. Through this initiative, Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden have met with military families, learned about their successes and challenges, and have connected them with businesses and non-profit organizations as they look for work in the private sector.
Veterans Institute is the latest effort in Disney’s long history of respect and appreciation for the U.S. Armed Services, and it will leverage the success of Heroes Work Here, which Disney launched in March, 2012 with a commitment to hire more than 1,000 veterans by 2015—a goal the company has already surpassed. This past March, Disney increased its hiring goal to create opportunities for another 1,000 former service members in the next two years.
If you or anyone you know is interested in participating in the inaugural Veterans Institute workshop, please go to DisneyVeteransInstitute.com.