Chief Executive Officer

DTI has retained the executive search firm LeaderFit to partner with the Board and Search Committee on this search. For more details on this role and to apply, please click here to be redirected to the LeaderFit website

About the Organization

Dog Tag Inc. (DTI) is a nationally recognized nonprofit and social enterprise that empowers veterans with service-connected disabilities, military spouses, and caregivers through an innovative business and entrepreneurship-focused fellowship program. Named after the identification tag worn by all members of the military, DTI provides participants with comprehensive training designed to facilitate successful transition into civilian professional environments, with purpose and support, while building confidence and a sense of community.

Through DTI's unique dual‑mission model, fellows gain personal, social, and professional skills through business and entrepreneurship education combined with hands‑on experience at Dog Tag Bakery, our inviting neighborhood social enterprise based in Washington, DC. The bakery is a vibrant place to gather, is a core element to the Dog Tag mission, and generates more than $1M of revenue each year. The certified nut‑free, from‑scratch facility is a beloved anchor in the neighborhood offering breakfast, lunch, catering, and order‑by‑mail, and sells products designed and brought to market by DTI fellows.

What differentiates the Dog Tag Fellowship Program is a powerful combination of resilience‑focused curriculum, high‑touch community‑building, and experiential learning through hands‑on training at the Bakery, an invaluable asset to DTI, the community, and the veterans, spouses, and caregivers involved in the program. Further, at the completion of the program, fellows receive a Certificate of Business Administration through the School of Continuing Studies at Georgetown University.

DTI is proud of our program results. Prior to the fellowship, 82% of Veterans feel unprepared to successfully navigate the transition from military life to civilian life. DTI has an 89% graduation rate, and 75% of Dog Tag fellows report greater access to new career paths, while 76% say the fellowship continues to positively impact their professional life.

Dog Tag Inc. operates with an organizational budget of approximately $4 million.

For more information, please visit https : / / www.dogtaginc.org / .

About the CEO Position

DTI seeks an innovative and visionary leader who brings a deep and genuine commitment to veterans, their spouses, and caregivers. The ideal candidate is highly collaborative and brings a record of success leading and managing teams through strategic and intentional growth and change, successful fundraising, developing and cultivating authentic organizational partnerships, and storytelling that moves a variety of audiences. In addition, they will be able to balance big‑picture thinking with attention to detail, will have a broad range of experience in all aspects of nonprofit operations, will be flexible and resourceful, and will be comfortable working in and managing an environment of growth.

A key priority for this role is driving fundraising success—through cultivating high‑impact partnerships, engaging diverse audiences with compelling storytelling, and securing sustainable financial support to advance Dog Tag’s mission. This leader will also bring experience in building authentic relationships and expanding the organization’s reach and influence and will stay on top of the terrain of continuing education and workforce development.

The DTI program is deeply valued and respected in the military and veteran community due to a 10+ year history of support, trusted guidance, storytelling, and proven impact. There is a long record of steadfast, reliable trust and commitment to ensuring the success of every fellow, staff member, and partner. DTI is a fierce and loyal advocate, working to ensure impact and serve as a key source of support for military veterans, their spouses, and caregivers as they build their lives.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced leader to build on a solid foundation of success and sustainability expertly and intentionally built by the current team, and who can continue to honor and elevate DTI’s roots while continuously pushing for innovation and improvement in service to military veterans, their families, and caregivers.

The new CEO will lead a talented and committed staff of 35, with team members working across various functions. While the role is based in DC, there will be commitments of travel to represent the organization. The majority of team members are based in person at the bakery, others operate in hybrid depending on their responsibilities. The CEO will report to an engaged and supportive Board of Directors.

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