Chandra Banks

Chandra Banks is Research Coordinator with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) where she conducts research and analysis on veterans issues, with a particular focus on women warriors. She is a committed advocate for women veterans and has appeared in the national and local media and at conferences throughout the country.

Chandra deployed with the US Army to Iraq in 2003 and again in 2005 providing communications support and she continues to serve as a US Army Reservist.  Taking advantage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill she recently graduated from Hood College where she received a BA in Psychology with a minor in Studio Arts. While at Hood College her research concentrated on the female deployment experience.

Chandra is married to US Army veteran Charles Banks III. The process of transitioning out of the military, and helping her husband transition at the same time, has motivated her to continue her work on veterans’ issues. 

Chandra is a leader in the growing community of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and within IAVA where she shares the organization’s goal to “Build the Next Greatest Generation.”  With her professional and personal commitment to this work she is the future of the veterans movement.