Margaret Kabat sworn in as VA’s next chief of staff

WASHINGTON - Today, Margaret "Meg" Kabat was sworn in as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' chief of staff. In this senior leadership role, Chief of Staff Kabat will serve as the top advisor to the VA Secretary and Deputy Secretary and provide strategic leadership to the organization.

Chief of Staff Kabat - who has served as VA's principal senior advisor since January 2022 and senior advisor for families, caregivers, and survivors from January 2021 to January 2022 - brings to the role more than 25 years of experience serving Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. A licensed clinical social worker, she has played critical roles at VA in advancing efforts on expanding care for women Veterans, supporting caregivers, surpassing goals in getting Veterans experiencing homelessness into permanent housing, implementing the PACT Act, and expanding eligibility for those with Other Than Honorable discharge from service. Partly thanks to her leadership, VA is now delivering more care and more benefits to more Veterans than ever before -and Veterans report trusting VA at record rates.

"Meg is a tireless advocate for Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors - and we're thrilled that she's going to be helping lead VA in this critical role," said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. "As our next chief of staff, she will undoubtedly continue to positively impact our organization and ensure we deliver on the most sacred mission there is: serving America's Veterans."

"On behalf of VA, my immense gratitude goes out to Kimberly Jackson for her excellent service and steadfast commitment to this nation and its Veterans," added Secretary McDonough.

"Serving Veterans, their caregivers, and their loved ones has been the greatest privilege in my career, and I am honored to continue driving our mission forward as VA's next chief of staff," said VA Chief of Staff Margaret Kabat. "As the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran and the granddaughter of a World War I and a World War II Veteran, I carry our mission close to my heart. I am so very grateful to President Biden and Secretary McDonough for entrusting me with this great responsibility."

Learn more about Chief Kabat.