On Tuesday, September 16th at 6:00PM ET, BigTentUSA welcomed Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Janessa Goldbeck, Vet Voice Foundation CEO, for a crucial virtual conversation on the urgent threats facing our national security, democratic institutions, and the veteran community.

SENATOR TAMMY DUCKWORTH is an Iraq War Veteran, Purple Heart recipient and former Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs who was among the first handful of Army women to fly combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Duckworth served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years before retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2014. She was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016 after representing Illinois’s Eighth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives for two terms.

One of the landmark bills she authored and passed—the Troop Talent Act—helps returning veterans transition into private-sector jobs. She’s also been a relentless advocate for cutting waste and fraud at the Pentagon and across the federal government.

Duckworth attended college at the University of Hawaii and earned a Master of Arts in International Affairs from the George Washington University.

JANESSA GOLDBECK is the CEO of Vet Voice Foundation, a national nonprofit that mobilizes veterans and military families to shape American democracy and defend democratic values. As a Marine Corps Combat Engineer Officer, Janessa led missions overseas and served as a Uniformed Victim Advocate, supporting fellow service members through some of their toughest moments. While on active duty, in addition to her assigned duties, Janessa worked to reform the military’s broken sexual assault reporting process and played a role in overturning the discriminatory Combat Exclusion policy. Janessa holds a B.A. from Northwestern University and a Master’s in Public Leadership from the University of San Francisco. She currently serves as a Senior Advisor to VoteVets and on the California Governor’s Veterans Board.