Melissa Cohen was appointed as the Executive Director for Outreach, Transition, and Economic Development (OTED) in January 2024.
She provides oversight of programs aimed at connecting transitioning Service members, Veterans, their families, and caregivers, to benefits and services. Melissa directs outreach events, as well as the policy, training, and compliance efforts for the National Call Centers. She is responsible for the VA’s Transition Assistance Program at over 300 installations worldwide for Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard personnel, across all branches of Service.
Melissa joined the VA in June 2022, serving as the Deputy Executive Director for OTED. In that role, she was responsible for policies and programs impacting the 56 regional and overseas offices, as well as the 200,000 Services members attending the Transition Assistance Program course annually.
Prior to the VA, Melissa served as the Director of the Office of Force Resiliency for the Department of the Navy, responsible for sexual assault, sexual harassment and suicide prevention and response. She started her federal service career at Headquarters Marine Corps in 2010. She’s married to a retired Marine, who proudly served for 31 years. They have five children and reside in Virginia.
