Gretchen Klingler

Gretchen Klingler currently serves as the Director for Veterans for American Ideas at Human Rights First, a position held since November 2024. Prior to this role, Klingler was the Deputy Director of Veteran Outreach at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition from October 2021 to November 2024, leading initiatives focused on the intersection of diplomacy, development, and national security while mobilizing veterans to educate policymakers and advocate for civilian-led international engagement. Klingler's experience includes various management roles in veteran outreach and advocacy, including positions at VFW Ohio Charities, the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, and as a Women Veterans Community Advocate at The Ohio State University. Klingler’s educational background includes dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Cultural Anthropology and Arabic Language from The Ohio State University, as well as language training at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. Previous military service as an Airborne ISR Operator in the United States Air Force further complements Klingler's extensive background in supporting and advocating for veterans.