Veteran Debt Assistance becomes presenting partner for 2026 Army Navy Policy Conference

The 2026 Army Navy Policy Conference will bring veterans, military families and business leaders to Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus on Dec. 11, with Veteran Debt Assistance as presenting partner. The one-day event will focus on careers, capital and the transition out of uniform, with Secretary Patrick J. Murphy opening the program.

Why it matters: - The conference is designed to connect veterans and student veterans with employers, investors and public leaders at a key transition point after service. - Veteran Debt Assistance will bring free financial education and tools into the same conversation as careers, business and leadership. - The event aims to give attendees practical guidance on debt, budgeting, risk and long-term financial stability.

What happened: - The 2026 Army Navy Policy Conference named Veteran Debt Assistance (VDA) as its Presenting Partner. - The conference will take place Friday, Dec. 11, 2026, at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus in New York. - The program opens with remarks from Secretary Patrick J. Murphy, the 32nd Under Secretary of the U.S. Army and the first Iraq War veteran elected to Congress. - Additional speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

The details: - VDA was founded to help veterans overcome debt and regain financial independence. - VDA’s financial tools, education and resources are free for veterans. - VDA will host the Risk panel, moderated by Murphy. - The conference brings veterans, student veterans, ROTC cadets and military families together with investors, operators and public leaders. - The agenda centers on building careers and businesses, managing capital and planning for what comes next. - The program includes six panels: Finance, Entrepreneurship, Tech & Defense Tech, Media, Sports and Risk. - The Finance panel will focus on how capital moves and how veterans earn access to it. - The Entrepreneurship panel will feature founders who left the service and built companies. - The Tech & Defense Tech panel will examine what gets funded and what gets fielded for national security. - The Media panel will look at who tells the military community’s story. - The Sports panel will focus on identity, performance and purpose after service. - The Risk panel will address the first six to 12 months after leaving the military. - Past conferences have featured Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Under Armour founder Kevin Plank, Johnson & Johnson’s Alex Gorsky and Gen. James McConville, the 40th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. - Tickets cost $50, with discounted pricing for students and veterans. - Register on Eventbrite. - Sponsorship opportunities remain available; the contact is Genine Fallon at g9@patrickjmurphy.com or (513) 236-4839.

Between the lines: - The conference is leaning into a broader veteran-to-business pipeline, not just a networking event. - Murphy’s comments frame the event as a launch point for veterans moving into civilian leadership roles. - Honorary chair Gerry Byrne brings a Fordham and Marine Corps connection that reinforces the event’s military and alumni identity. - Byrne founded Veterans Week NYC and Veterans on Campus NYC, which adds local veteran-network credibility in New York. - The conference has moved from the Wharton School to MIT, Georgetown University and Johns Hopkins University before arriving at Fordham this year.

What’s next: - More speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. - Organizers are still seeking sponsors ahead of the Dec. 11 event. - The conference will continue its annual run on the Friday before the Army-Navy Game.

The bottom line: - The 2026 Army Navy Policy Conference is positioning Fordham as a hub for veteran leadership, financial resilience and career-building conversations.