The Walt Disney Company reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to the military community with the return of Disney Veterans Institute, a complimentary one-day seminar that helps organizations strengthen career pathways for veterans and military spouses.
Held June 4 in Washington, D.C., the event brought together policy leaders, talent and HR professionals, civic partners, and subject matter experts for learning and dialogue on veteran and military spouse employment. The program is part of a 2026 multi-city series and a key project of Disney’s Heroes Work Here initiative.
The event opened with U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, whose keynote remarks on veteran support and workforce opportunity were followed by a fireside chat with Susan Fox, Executive Vice President and Head of U.S. Government Relations at The Walt Disney Company.
Tinisha Agramonte, Senior Vice President and Chief Opportunity & Inclusion Officer, The Walt Disney Company, moderated a feature panel on how veterans and military spouses have built meaningful civilian careers and now help others navigate similar transitions.
“What made this day so impactful was the consistent theme of community — employers, collaborators and advocates united by a shared commitment to honoring our nation’s heroes,” Agramonte said. “As a military spouse, this work is deeply personal. We gained practical, actionable insights from organizations leading in this space while sharing Disney’s best practices to help drive continued progress.”
The event was made possible through the collaboration and support of key sponsors, including honorary sponsor Wounded Warrior Project, and other sponsors Tyson Foods, GE Vernova, McDonalds and Partners Federal Credit Union.
Throughout the day, speakers discussed progress over the past decade, remaining challenges, and practical steps organizations of any size can take to expand employment access and support long-term career success for military-connected talent.
Session highlights included:
- Policy, corporate, and community-based strategies to improve hiring outcomes, scale solutions, and strengthen partnerships.
- Personal career journeys and how veterans and spouses are supporting others through mentorship and advocacy.
- How culture, leadership, and everyday actions can build trust, engagement, and belonging.
- How transferable skills and the leadership strengths veterans and spouses bring to the workforce can help employers build more resilient, adaptable, and high-performing teams.
- Common hiring barriers and practical ways organizations can create more accessible, supportive recruitment experiences.
The event underscored actionable strategies for employers, from recognizing transferable skills to supporting career mobility and creating environments where military-connected talent can thrive.
The day ended with a special surprise as Mickey Mouse visited attendees and publicly debuted his new patriotic look for Disney’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, giving this audience a first look at his commemorative attire.
Want to learn more? Watch highlights from the conversation with Secretary Collins and Susan Fox in this C-SPAN exclusive.
As Veterans Institute continues in additional cities, including Los Angeles, New York City, and Orlando, Disney will keep sharing insights and best practices to help organizations strengthen career pathways for veterans and military spouses.
