Featuring Cheryl Mason, Matthew Schelp, and Cassie Strom

The Welcome Home Forum partnered with the SLU Student Veterans Association to host a wide-ranging discussion on leadership, career transitions, and veteran advocacy.

The event brought together three distinguished leaders: the Honorable Cheryl Mason, former Chairman of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals and now Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs; the Honorable Matthew Schelp, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri; and Major General Cassie A. Strom, former Air National Guard Assistant to The Judge Advocate General of the Air Force.

Together, they explored the realities of navigating legal and military careers, the importance of resilience and emotional intelligence in leadership, and the responsibility attorneys have to support veterans in their communities. Each speaker shared practical insights on adapting to new professional roles, making strategic decisions, and advocating for those who served-whether in the courtroom, inside government, or across the broader public sector.

The conversation also highlighted the mission behind BAMSL’s Veterans Committee and the Welcome Home Forum: building a strong, connected community for veterans and those who support them.