About
Shawn VanDiver is a national security and civic leader, strategist, and U.S. Navy veteran based in San Diego. He has built organizations from nothing, shaped federal policy, and led one of the largest civil-society humanitarian operations in American history.
Shawn VanDiver served twelve years in the United States Navy, from 2001 to 2013, deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, the Global War on Terrorism, and counter-narcotics operations. As an AEGIS Weapons System Supervisor aboard the USS Chancellorsville and a Weapons System Technician aboard the USS Thach, he led combat systems operations through multiple deployments. He later served as Assistant Emergency Manager at Naval Support Activity South Potomac, directing emergency response planning and continuity of operations, and as an instructor at the Center for Surface Combat Systems, where he trained more than 1,000 sailors.
After leaving active duty, Shawn built a career at the intersection of security, technology, and public affairs, directing enterprise risk and security for Sony Computer Entertainment America during the 2013 PlayStation 4 global launch and the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, then serving as Chief Operating Officer of the Three Wise Men Veterans Foundation, where he grew the annual budget from $40,000 to $1.4 million and coordinated 10,000 simultaneous fundraising events worldwide. He spent six years at Deloitte as a Senior Manager and Client Relationship Executive, guiding government relations across California and Arizona and leading strategies behind major public-sector wins, including the City of San Diego’s award-winning Get It Done system and the County of Los Angeles 2-1-1 system.
In these same years, Shawn was part of No Exceptions, the veteran-led advocacy effort that pushed the Department of Defense to open every remaining combat job, unit, and school to qualified women. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter adopted that standard in December 2015, ending the military’s combat exclusion policy for good, an early marker of the coalition-building and policy advocacy that would define the rest of Shawn’s career.
In August 2021, as Kabul fell to the Taliban, a call from a friend still in Afghanistan pulled Shawn into what became a full-time mission. He founded #AfghanEvac, now the nation’s leading civil-society coalition on Afghan relocation and resettlement, built a partnership with the U.S. government spanning the White House, the National Security Council, and federal agencies, and has helped shape the policy and legislation that has kept the U.S. refugee and Special Immigrant Visa ecosystem functioning through successive administrations. Under his leadership, the coalition he built, now more than 250 organizations strong, has been party to the resettlement of more than 195,000 Afghan allies and their families, one of the largest humanitarian operations in American history.
Shawn continues to lead #AfghanEvac as founder and president while serving as Principal at Gaslamp Consulting, where he advises government, nonprofit, and private-sector clients on executive positioning, government relations, and strategic growth. He previously served as Vice President of External Affairs at Athenian Group, where he built the firm’s first integrated enterprise growth strategy, and as Chief Growth Officer at M Corp, where he built the company’s first growth department from the ground up.
A committed civic leader, Shawn was appointed by the San Diego City Council to the San Diego Convention Center Corporation board in 2021, elected Chairman for 2025 to oversee a $30 million-plus annual operating budget and a venue generating more than $1 billion in regional economic impact each year, and now serves as Chairman Emeritus. He founded the San Diego chapter of the Truman National Security Project, where he is a member of the Defense Council, and served on the federally appointed Veterans Community Oversight and Engagement Board from 2021 to 2024. He has also served on the boards of the Downtown San Diego Partnership, the Women’s Museum of California, and Emerge California, and has taught homeland security and emergency management as adjunct faculty at San Diego State University and elsewhere.
Across two decades, Shawn has moved between the fleet, the campaign trail, and the boardroom, advising decision-makers at every level of government, from mayors and city councils to members of Congress and senators, to the White House. He has advised national campaigns on veterans and national security issues, including Kamala Harris for President, Joe Biden for President, and Hillary for America. His public advocacy has ranged well beyond Afghan resettlement, spanning the Iran nuclear deal, gun policy, climate and energy, and immigration more broadly, in bylined commentary for outlets including USA Today, The Guardian, The Hill, HuffPost, and The Daily Beast.
Shawn holds an M.A. in Public Leadership from the University of San Francisco, a Graduate Certificate in Information Systems and Operations from the Naval Postgraduate School, and an M.S. in Homeland Security and Safety Engineering and a B.S. in Domestic Security Management, both from National University. He is a Navy veteran, a proud father, and an avid sailor, and he lives in San Diego.
Career
Strategic communications, public affairs, and growth consulting for government, nonprofit, and private-sector clients, integrating executive positioning, narrative development, and government relations.
Built and lead a coalition of 250+ organizations partnering with the U.S. government to resettle 195,000+ Afghan allies, one of the largest humanitarian operations in American history.
Spearheaded a growth strategy that expanded the firm’s pipeline from $300,000 to $50 million in three months and built its first integrated enterprise growth strategy.
Established and led the firm’s first Growth Department, expanding the pipeline from $4 million to $30 million in six months.
Led government relations and strategic client relationships across California and Arizona, including the City of San Diego’s Get It Done system and the County of Los Angeles 2-1-1 system.
Grew the annual budget from $40,000 to $1.4 million and executed 10,000 simultaneous fundraising events worldwide.
Founded the San Diego chapter of the Truman National Security Project and led it for five years, part of a national network of security, policy, and political leaders focused on democracy, diplomacy, and defense.
Directed corporate security for San Diego and Los Angeles campuses, leading a team of 47 through the 2013 PlayStation 4 global launch and the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
AEGIS Weapons System Supervisor (USS Chancellorsville), Weapons System Technician (USS Thach), Assistant Emergency Manager (NSA South Potomac), and instructor at the Center for Surface Combat Systems. Deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, the Global War on Terrorism, and counter-narcotics operations.
Civic & Government Service
Education
Shawn has also served as adjunct faculty teaching homeland security and emergency management at San Diego State University and other institutions.