Kelly Hruska was appointed Executive Director of the Office of Survivor Assistance at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) when she took the oath of office on July 21, 2025. In this role, she serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary on all policies, programs, legislative matters, and initiatives affecting the surviving family members of deceased Service members and Veterans. She also plays a key role in the development, adoption, and implementation of Department-wide programs and policies related to survivor assistance—ensuring survivors are honored, supported, and empowered through timely access to resources and benefits.
A recognized expert in policies affecting surviving families, and broader military family issues, Ms. Hruska has testified before both the Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committees, offering expert insight on legislation impacting military families. She served as Co-Chair of the Survivor Benefits Committee of The Military Coalition (TMC), where she led advocacy efforts to improve survivor benefits.
Prior to her appointment, Ms. Hruska led a dedicated team advocating for quality-of-life improvements for the families of all eight uniformed services at both the federal and state levels, advancing policies that strengthened military readiness and family resilience.
Ms. Hruska holds a Master of Public Administration from Shippensburg University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from La Salle University. She resides in Virginia with her husband, Jim, and daughter, Emily.