Title: Program Director
Company: Veteran Spouse Network at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin
Location: Austin, Texas, United States
Hannah O’Brien, Program Director at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at the Veteran Spouse Network, University of Texas at Austin, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Military for dedication, achievements and leadership in Social Work.
Ms. O’Brien has established herself as a prominent leader in her field, currently serving as the program director for the Veteran Spouse Network at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin. Since 2023, she has managed a team of seven full-time staff members, student workers from various universities and graduate research assistants. Her role involves developing strategic plans and visions for the program, ensuring that her team progresses in the desired direction. Ms. O’Brien encourages collaboration among her team members and engages them in partner development efforts to foster strong relationships. Her work focuses on offering peer support and educational programs for military and veteran spouses and their families.
Affiliated with the institution since 2017, Ms. O’Brien previously served as a program manager on campus from 2018 to 2024. During this time, she oversaw two programs, the Veteran Spouse Resiliency Group Program, where she assisted veteran spouses and partners, and the Veteran Couples Connect Program, which focused on post-traumatic stress disorder treatment for veteran couples. Before becoming a program manager, Ms. O’Brien held the program coordinator position between 2017 and 2018, where she honed her skills in managing projects, including the Texas Veteran Spouse Network.
Since joining the university, Ms. O’Brien has been critical in transforming the organization from a local entity in Central Texas to a national presence. Her dedication and leadership have been instrumental in building a team capable of meeting the organization’s needs and supporting its objectives.
Ms. O’Brien began her career as a case manager at Goodwill Central Texas from 2015 to 2016 before garnering experience as an intern at the Literacy Coalition of Central Texas in 2017. These early experiences gave her valuable insights into community engagement and social work, laying the foundation for her future success.
Her involvement with collaborative and coalition organizations further underscores her commitment to fostering partnerships and driving positive change within her community.
Academically, Ms. O’Brien holds a Bachelor of Science in law and society from American University since 2012 and a Master of Science in social work from the University of Texas at Austin, earned in 2017. Her education has shaped her approach to social work and advocacy for military and veteran families. Additionally, Ms. O’Brien holds certifications as a veteran spouse resiliency group peer leader from the Veteran Spouse Network in 2019 and in adult mental health first aid from Mental Health First Aid Trainings in 2022.
Ms. O’Brien’s civic involvement includes associations with collaborative and coalition organizations and military veterans’ communities. She is also affiliated with the Texas Suicide Prevention, where she was presented with an award for her contributions, and has been affiliated with the White Oak Collaborative.
Ms. O’Brien’s personal life is deeply intertwined with her professional endeavors. As a veteran spouse, she brings a personal touch to her work, fueled by her passion for supporting military and veteran families. She also hosts a podcast with her husband, further amplifying their advocacy efforts. Ms. O’Brien attributes much of her success to her husband’s unwavering support and shared experiences.
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