Misty Bruce Named Executive Director of MCVET

BALTIMORE (Apr. 26, 2023) -Following a nationwide candidate search, the Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training, Inc. (MCVET)has selected Misty L. Bruce as its executive director.

“Aside from my deep respect for the military and veteran community, I value the whole health of an organization and intend to leverage community partnerships, optimize organizational assets, tackle issues around economic inclusion and operationalize a vision for sustainability to secure MCVET’s future and the future of the veterans we serve,” Bruce says. “I am honored to lead MCVET into its next chapter and stand ready to be amazed by the impact we will have on the lives of those we serve.”

With an extensive background in government/military relations, human resources, employee engagement and change management, Bruce brings 25 years of experience in successfully executing strategic plans and shaping organizational culture. She joins MCVET from the American Red Cross – starting as regional SAF specialist, then managing a team of 250+ for the armed forces and international services director, and ultimately serving as executive director for the past four years.

She previously was the volunteer program director with the U.S. Army for nearly eight years. On the corporate side, she served as Chief Administrative Officer and human resources director for Highlands Building & Contracting.

Bruce earned a master’s degree in executive leadership and organizational development, a bachelor’s degree in public administration and an associate’s degree in psychology – military resilience from Liberty University. An accredited inclusive leadership executive coach, she also earned certificates as a professional facilitator in diversity equity & inclusion and as a master resilience trainer from the University of Pennsylvania.

“Misty Bruce is a dynamic and forward-thinking executive with the energy, drive and skills needed to effectuate positive change,” says Evelyn Gaines, MCVET’s board president. “Her focus on community development, humanitarian work and social inclusion, along with a bevy of leadership experiences in talent development, organizational growth, process improvement, fundraising, program implementation and community risk reduction is what MCVET needs for the future.”

Bruce takes the reigns from interim executive director, Adobolia Buford, who Gaines notes was, “instrumental to successfully leading the organization through its recent transition. Our board is grateful for his service.”

About MCVET
The Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training, Inc. is a non-profit 501c3 organization established in 1993. Using a “Veterans Helping Veterans” philosophy, it has provided residential shelter and wrap around supportive services for homeless men and women veterans to over 14,000 veterans from all branches of the military, without regard to their character of service. For more information, visit www.mcvet.org.