Angel Shuford 2/10/25 Angel Shuford 2/10/25

HarvardX Strong: Leading National Invest In Veterans Week® into a New Era

Excerpt: Harvard Leadership and the Future of Veteran Entrepreneurship

As President & CFO of National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW), I have the privilege of leading one of the most impactful veteran entrepreneurship initiatives in the world. My experience at HarvardX’s "Technology Entrepreneurship: Lab to Market" has provided me with a structured framework to scale innovation, financial sustainability, and long-term economic impact.

Harvard Business School’s Professor Karim R. Lakhani and Professor Vish Krishnan emphasized that entrepreneurship isn’t just about ideas—it’s about execution, market fit, and sustainable growth. Their insights have directly influenced how I approach building a scalable, financially strong, and globally recognized NIVW.

With a multi-generational vision, I am ensuring that NIVW’s leadership, economic strategy, and national influence continue to expand. By applying HarvardX methodologies and leveraging institutional partnerships—such as our work with Live Oak Bank, New York Life Investments, and Congressional leaders—NIVW is evolving into a sustainable force for veteran business success.

Introduction: Harvard Excellence and Veteran Entrepreneurship

As President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW), I lead one of the most influential veteran entrepreneurship initiatives in the world. My background in military aviation, real estate, and technology has shaped my approach to leadership, but my experience studying at HarvardX’s "Technology Entrepreneurship: Lab to Market" provided the framework for scaling innovation, financial sustainability, and long-term economic impact.

Harvard Business School’s Professor Karim R. Lakhani and Professor Vish Krishnan taught me that entrepreneurship is not just about ideas—it’s about execution, market fit, and sustainable growth. Their insights into technology commercialization, funding strategy, and leadership systems have directly influenced my strategic vision for NIVW’s future.

NIVW is not just an organization—it is a multi-generational movement that has evolved to meet the needs of veteran entrepreneurs. As its new leader, my mission is to expand its reach, increase its financial sustainability, and solidify its legacy for generations to come.

Lesson 1: A Multi-Generational Legacy Must Be Built on Systems, Not Just People

HarvardX taught me that lasting organizations thrive on systems, not individual leaders. Many companies fail because their success relies too much on one person's vision rather than scalable, replicable models.

As President, my role is to ensure NIVW is bigger than any one leader. My leadership will be defined by building systems and structures that make NIVW financially strong, operationally efficient, and globally recognized.

How I’m Implementing This at NIVW:

Institutionalizing NIVW’s Leadership Structure – To ensure continuity, I have appointed an elite leadership team that will drive NIVW’s mission forward:
- Dr. Richard S. Freeman – Legal Advisor, veteran entrepreneurship policy expert.
- Jim Freeman (The Five Satins) – Cultural Ambassador, connecting music, business, and veteran advocacy.
- Kevin D. Shoun – Director of Strategic Development, expanding financial and business partnerships.
- Cpt. Sherman Williams Jr. – Military Affairs Liaison, advocating for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.
Financial Growth Initiatives – I am leading NIVW toward profitability and long-term sustainability through corporate sponsorships, investment opportunities, and government-backed programs.
Scalability Models – Inspired by Harvard’s commercialization frameworks, NIVW is adopting a repeatable, scalable strategy for veteran business support.

The success of NIVW is no longer dependent on a single leader—it is an ecosystem of experts, systems, and financial resources that will outlast any one presidency.

Lesson 2: Market Fit Determines Success More Than Innovation

One of the most valuable insights from HarvardX’s commercialization course is that innovation alone doesn’t guarantee success. A product, service, or business must be positioned correctly within the market to gain traction.

At NIVW, I’ve applied this market-first approach to ensure veteran entrepreneurs are not just launching businesses, but scaling them successfully.

How This Translates to NIVW:

The Pledge to Invest in Veteran Businesses – A corporate-backed initiative ensuring veteran entrepreneurs receive funding and contracts from major companies.
International Expansion – NIVW now has global domains and partnerships to help veteran businesses access international markets.
Strategic Branding & Endorsements – We’ve secured endorsements from Congress, Fortune 500 companies, and investment leaders, ensuring that veteran businesses remain a national economic priority.

By aligning veteran entrepreneurs with the right markets, the right funding, and the right positioning, we are building a sustainable future for veteran-owned businesses.

Lesson 3: Storytelling Drives Influence and Funding

HarvardX emphasized that strong businesses tell compelling stories. Investors, customers, and policymakers don’t just respond to products—they respond to narratives that inspire action.

At NIVW, we have successfully leveraged storytelling to secure funding, media attention, and government support.

Key Branding & Endorsement Successes:

Congressional Record Recognition – NIVW is officially recognized in the U.S. Congressional Record, proving its national significance.
New York Life Investments Feature – NIVW was selected for New York Life’s "2025 Client Outreach Opportunities", a major endorsement from the financial industry.
Live Oak Bank Partnership – Live Oak Bank spotlights NIVW’s research on veteran entrepreneurship, amplifying its reach and credibility.
Corporate & Government Partnerships – Fox Business, Live Oak Bank, and other major institutions now actively promote veteran entrepreneurship using NIVW’s research.

By positioning NIVW as a movement rather than just an organization, we have increased investment, engagement, and national recognition.

Lesson 4: Aligning Business Models with Economic Growth

HarvardX emphasized that businesses fail when their operating models don’t align with their mission. This lesson has been crucial in my strategy to restructure NIVW for long-term financial stability.

Key Financial Growth Strategies for NIVW:

Veteran Business Growth Fund – We are building an investment pipeline for veteran-owned businesses to receive capital at key growth stages.
Corporate Revenue Streams – We are expanding sponsorships, government partnerships, and financial programs to ensure NIVW can operate independently.
Data-Driven Decision Making – Using Harvard’s market research frameworks, we now make evidence-based business decisions to guide veteran entrepreneurship initiatives.

By treating NIVW as a sustainable business rather than just an advocacy group, we ensure it remains financially viable and impactful for future generations.

Lesson 5: Preserving Academic and Intellectual Influence in Veteran Advocacy

Another aspect of HarvardX’s impact on my leadership is the importance of intellectual credibility in business and policy advocacy. Academic research plays a critical role in establishing legitimacy, securing funding, and influencing policy decisions.

My husband, Jeff Shuford, has contributed to this intellectual foundation, with his academic citations in AI ethics, technology commercialization, and economic globalization shaping how NIVW presents its policy and business recommendations.

Jeff Shuford’s Most Notable Academic Citations:

"Deep Reinforcement Learning and Its Industrial Use Cases: AI for Real-World Applications" – Wiley Online Library.
"A Multifaceted Vision of the Human-AI Collaboration: A Comprehensive Review" – IEEE Access.
"Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence: Synergies" – Compliance Cosmos.
"Advancing Breast Cancer Diagnosis through Breast Mass Images, Machine Learning, and Regression Models" – National Institutes of Health (NIH).
"The Mechanisms of AI Hype and Its Planetary and Social Costs" – Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, University of Cambridge.

NIVW benefits from this scholarly credibility, reinforcing our role as a thought leader in veteran entrepreneurship and policy development.

Conclusion: Harvard Knowledge Driving a Multi-Generational Legacy

HarvardX’s Technology Entrepreneurship: Lab to Market has given me a world-class framework for leadership, innovation, and economic empowerment. As President of NIVW, my role is to ensure it remains a multi-generational institution that continues growing beyond any one leader.

This is only the beginning. With Harvard knowledge, structured innovation, and a commitment to veteran entrepreneurship, we will continue building a lasting legacy—one that will empower veteran businesses for generations to come.

Press Release: International Chamber of Veteran Entrepreneurs (ICVE) Uniting Veteran Entrepreneurs Globally Under the National Invest In Veterans Week® Banner

Today, National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW), co-founded by Iraq War veteran Jeff Shuford, marks a pivotal moment in veteran entrepreneurship with the launch of the International Chamber of Veteran Entrepreneurs (ICVE). Designed to connect veteran business owners globally, the ICVE builds on NIVW’s extensive collection of veteran-focused domains. This new network will offer unparalleled resources, including mentorship, training, and business support, enabling veterans to access region-specific services that cater to their unique needs.

Additionally, NIVW is expanding its reach with the launch of the first veteran-focused Progressive Web App (PWA) and a globally syndicated magazine, amplifying veteran voices across 40 international markets.

For Immediate Release | September 28, 2024 | Contact: Chynelle Washington

Washington, D.C. — Today marks a historic milestone as the National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW), co-founded by visionary entrepreneur and Iraq War veteran Jeff Shuford, announces the launch of the International Chamber of Veteran Entrepreneurs (ICVE). This initiative represents the most expansive global network of veteran entrepreneurs, designed to support, connect, and empower veterans in business across the world.

By leveraging the largest collection of veteran-focused domains outside of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the ICVE aims to create localized platforms for veteran-owned businesses, fostering a global community that serves their unique needs.

Mission

The ICVE, operating under the congressionally honored NIVW brand, is dedicated to building a cohesive global ecosystem for veteran entrepreneurs. Our mission is to provide veterans with seamless access to business resources, mentorship, training, and international networking opportunities. By connecting regional efforts under a unified global chamber, ICVE ensures that veterans—whether in the U.S. or abroad—can leverage the full power of the global economy.

Unmatched Digital Infrastructure for Veterans

NIVW has expanded its domain portfolio significantly, offering a digital platform for nearly every state, key territories, and numerous international regions. These platforms provide veterans with region-specific services and resources, ensuring that each community’s unique needs are addressed. From career assistance to health resources and business support, veterans will now be able to access information tailored to their geographical location.

A Comprehensive List of Veteran Domains

National Invest In Veterans Week® now holds domains across the United States, including 19 states, several territories, and 21 international regions (40 regions total). Below is the full list of new domains published under the NIVW brand:

United States Veterans Domains:

FloridaVeterans.com
KansasVeterans.com
NewHampshireVeterans.com
RhodeIslandVeterans.com
MarylandVeterans.com
LouisianaVeterans.com
PennsylvaniaVeterans.com
SouthCarolinaVeterans.com
MississippiVeterans.com
WyomingVeterans.com
NorthDakotaVeterans.com
NewJerseyVeterans.com
TennesseeVeterans.com
WestVirginiaVeterans.com
IowaVeterans.com
DistrictOfColumbiaVeterans.com
OklahomaVeterans.com
DelawareVeterans.com
PuertoRicoVeterans.com

International Domains:

PolandVeterans.com
TurkeyVeterans.com
SpainVeterans.com
GermanyVeterans.com
NorwayVeterans.com
AustraliaVeterans.com
SouthKoreaVeterans.com
JapanVeterans.com
FranceVeterans.com
UnitedKingdomVeterans.com
ItalyVeterans.com
NatoVeterans.com
UnitedNationsVeterans.com
Veterans.International
SwedenVeterans.com
ColombiaVeterans.com
NetherlandsVeterans.com
PortugalVeterans.com
BrazilVeterans.com
IcelandVeterans.com
BelgiumVeterans.com

With these domains, NIVW has created a digital framework that ensures veterans, no matter their location, can find support. This expansion also enables veterans to connect with others who share their experiences and challenges in transitioning from military to civilian life.

Global Syndication of NIVW Magazine

In a groundbreaking move, National Invest In Veterans Week® has become the first brand to create a network of nationally and internationally syndicated veteran contributors. Led by Jeff Shuford, a nationally syndicated columnist with extensive reach across major U.S. media outlets, the NIVW Magazine now extends its influence to 39 international markets. This syndication represents an unprecedented achievement for the veteran community, offering global exposure to veteran voices, businesses, and success stories.

"We’ve built a platform where veterans can contribute on both a national and international scale, elevating their stories to a worldwide audience," Shuford remarked. "It’s about creating opportunities and amplifying the impact of the veteran community."

Pioneering the First International Veteran-Focused Progressive Web App

In addition to the expansion of its veteran contributor network, National Invest In Veterans Week® has launched the first international Progressive Web App (PWA) designed specifically for veterans. Available across global platforms, this PWA empowers users to access NIVW’s resources seamlessly from any device, with minimal storage requirements and strong privacy protections.

"The creation of this app is another step in ensuring that veterans have access to vital resources, no matter where they are in the world," noted Lonnell McCall, a key spokesperson at NIVW. "By combining our nationally and internationally syndicated content with cutting-edge technology, we’re creating a truly global support network for veterans."

Revolutionizing Veteran Support with Technology

The acquisition of these domains reflects NIVW’s forward-thinking approach to veteran advocacy. By investing in these digital assets, the organization is establishing itself as a leader in the digital space, ensuring that veterans can easily access the resources they need.

Lonnell McCall highlighted the importance of this initiative: "Technology is at the heart of modern support systems, and we are ensuring veterans are not left behind. With these platforms, we’re offering them a lifeline—direct, region-specific assistance that makes a tangible difference in their lives."

Drayton Florence, NFL veteran and co-founder of the veteran-focused cause, also praised the initiative: "I’ve seen firsthand how much veterans need that extra push when they transition to civilian life. These platforms will be an invaluable resource, giving them the guidance, support, and tools they need to thrive."

A Bold Future for Veteran Advocacy

Looking ahead, National Invest In Veterans Week® plans to continue expanding its digital infrastructure, ensuring that veterans everywhere have access to the services and support they deserve. Jeff Shuford’s visionary leadership has positioned the organization at the forefront of digital stewardship for veterans, and this latest expansion is just the beginning.

"We’re building something that will last for generations," said Shuford. "This is about ensuring that every veteran—no matter where they are—has a place to turn to for support, guidance, and a sense of belonging."

About National Invest In Veterans Week®

National Invest In Veterans Week® was co-founded by Jeff Shuford and is one of the most prestigious initiatives dedicated to supporting veterans. Recognized by Congress, NIVW’s mission is to amplify the voices of veterans, promote veteran-owned businesses, and advocate for policies that facilitate a smooth transition from military to civilian life. Through its innovative digital platforms, NIVW continues to be a leader in providing veterans with the resources they need to thrive.

Media Contact:
Chynelle Washington
Press Office
Email: info@investinveteransweek.com
Phone: (301) 453-2801

🫡 Meet the Team

LTC Rickey L. Pope USA, Ret.

CO-FOUNDER | Retired Army Veteran, Retired Firefighter
Jim Freeman of The Five Satins

GRAMMY Hall of Famer | Brand Ambassador
Pastor Ron Henson

Social Impact Advisor | Navy Veteran
Jeff Shuford

CO-FOUNDER | Iraq War Veteran & Military Spouse
Drayton Florence

CO-FOUNDER | NFL Veteran & Military Brat
Erik M. Pelton & Associates, PLLC

Trademark Attorney | Veteran IP Advocate
Angel Shuford, REALTOR®, MRP

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | Army Veteran
CPT Sherman WIlliams, USA, Ret.

Advisor | Retired Army Veteran
Brandon Sugar

Legacy UX/UI Designer | Army Veteran
Mike Bicek

Creative Director | Army Veteran
Private Jewel

Co-Founders Pup | Biewer Terrier
Lonnell McCall I

Sr. Spokesperson | Retired Navy Veteran
Celeste Everett

Legacy IT Consultant | Army Veteran
Lonnell McCall II

Jr. Spokesperson | Military Brat
Christopher B. Mueller

Lead Video Spokesperson | Veteran Advocate