Welcome to the Foster Veterans Association (FVA)
The Foster Veterans Association is one of the most diverse and tightly connected veteran communities in any MBA program with the advantage of being in the heart of Seattle. Our group spans every branch of the U.S. military and include leaders from across the operational spectrum: Army Rangers, Air Force TACPs, Naval cryptologists, logisticians, aviators, intelligence officers, and more. We also have several active-duty members in our cohort who bring an amazing network (and paycheck)
We have clear mission: translate military leadership into high-impact business careers. Sitreps-to-Steercos might have got you interested in your MBA, we are here to get you through the door.
At Foster, that transition is deliberate and structured. FVA supports veterans and military-affiliated students (active duty, veterans, and partners) across the full MBA lifecycle - from application and onboarding to career placement and long-term network building.
What we do:
Translate experience into opportunity
We help veterans articulate their leadership, operational decision-making, and risk management experience in ways that resonate with top employers.Build pipelines to top industries and firms
Our network connects veterans to opportunities across the Pacific Northwest and beyond—from Seattle to New York—placing Foster vets into roles in finance, tech, operations, defense tech, and consulting.Accelerate the transition to business leadership
Through mentorship, interview prep, and alumni engagement, we ensure veterans are competitive from day one.Strengthen the veteran ecosystem in the PNW
We actively engage with the broader Seattle and Puget Sound veteran and business communities to expand opportunities and visibility.Integrate the Foster community
We foster strong relationships between veterans and non-veterans, enriching the MBA experience through shared leadership perspectives.
For prospective students—especially those considering the transition from military service to business—Foster offers a veteran network that is both highly capable and highly invested in your success.
If you're exploring business school, Foster should be on your list.
Reach out through our contact page to learn more about how Foster veterans successfully make the transition from military service to leadership roles in the private sector.
Shane Small
Co-President
Full-time Class of 2027
Former Army Infantry Officer who most recently came from Company Command in the 173rd Airborne in Vicenza, Italy. He is currently interested in transitioning to the world of finance and will spend this summer at JP Morgan in their Asset Management / Private Banking division as a Private Banking intern. His wife, Joely Manning, is also in the MBA program.
Nash Phillips
Co-President
Full-time Class of 2027
Former Army Infantry Officer who most recently served in two Company Command positions within the 7th Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. He is currently interested in transitioning to the healthcare industry and will spend this summer at Johnson & Johnson as part of their Medical Technology Marketing Leadership Development Program
Nick Kunkel
Senior VP
Full-Time Class of 2027
Air Force TAC-P who was most recently at JBLM. Nick spent his summer with Accenture as a strategy consultant. He is a proud dog dad.
Joely Manning
Recruitment VP
Full-Time Class of 2027
Joely is a U.S. Army logistics officer with six years of experience leading teams and solving complex operational challenges across Europe, Africa, and the Pacific. Her background includes global transportation planning, sustainment operations, and leading soldiers in fast-paced, high-responsibility environments, most recently serving in the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) in Vicenza, Italy. At Foster, she is pursuing a path in operations and supply chain and will be spending her summer as an Operations Manager at Amazon. Joely is passionate about helping other veterans see how their military experience can translate into meaningful civilian careers. As Veteran Outreach Coordinator, she enjoys connecting with prospective students, answering candid questions about the MBA journey, and helping make Foster feel accessible and welcoming to the veteran community.
Josh Gonzalez
VP Engagement
Full-time Class of 2027
Active Duty Army Cyber Officer who most recently came from Southern California as the Commander of a Top 1% U.S. Army Recruiting Company. He is currently interested in defense, technology, AI, and will spend this summer at Orbis Operations as an Operations Management intern then return his next Army assignment in 2027. His wife, Hailey Gonzalez, is also a student at University of Washington.
Paul Min
Finance VP
Full-Time Class of 2027
Paul served with 10th Mountain Division and 82nd Airborne Division most recently coming off company command. Interested in investment banking, Paul spent his summer in New York with Royal Bank of Canada.
Cooper McCubbin
Recruitment VP
Full-Time Class of 2027
Cooper was an active duty Armor Officer serving in a multitude of positions. He spent his most recent summer with Amazon
Jeff Pendleton
Social VP
Full-Time Class of 2027
Jeff is an active duty Army officer and will be returning to the Army’s Marketing Branch post graduation. He spent his summer with the port of Seattle.
Dan Kwon
Alumni Affairs VP
Full-Time Class of 2027
Dan was an Army Infantry officer and Signal Officer. He most recently is coming off command at JBLM and spent his summer with Amazon.
Linden Penner
Social VP
Full-Time Class of 2027
Linden is still an Active Duty Navy Officer and is a Cryptologic Warfare Officer. He spent his summer in Florida with a defense tech firm and as a gate guard for Google.
Alumni: Your time as an MBA candidate may be over, but there are numerous ways to stay connected and continue contributing to the Foster veteran community.
As a veteran or veteran ally, you understand there are many unfamiliar aspects of the civilian job search, particularly for those who have recently transitioned. The different firms and job functions, basic networking etiquette, and even cultural fit can surprise those who have just left the military. If you are willing to offer assistance to transitioning veterans as they navigate through the Foster School of Business, please sign up using the Mentor Registration Form.