Eli Williamson, Director of the Veterans Program for the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, is a former noncommissioned officer with the U. S. Army. Eli is a co-founder of Leave No Veteran Behind, a non-profit focused on debt relief and transitional employment programs, workforce skills training, and community service opportunities for veterans.

Prior to 2009, Eli served in both Iraq and Afghanistan as a psychological operations specialist and as an Arabic linguist, working on outreach to civilian communities in support of special operations forces. He is the recipient of the Bronze Star, two Army Achievement Medals, an Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, and Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals. He also served as a wildland firefighter in Montana. Eli received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Linguistics (with a minor in African studies) from Luther College in Iowa and is presently completing a Master’s Degree in Non-Profit Management from DePaul University.