THE 2021 NELA GALA
HONORARY CHAIRMAN
GENERAL PETER WILLIAM CHIARELLI
United States Army (Retired)
General Peter William Chiarelli, U.S. Army (Retired) dedicated nearly 40 years of service to the United States. As Commander of the Multi-National Corps-Iraq in 2006, Chiarelli coordinated the actions of all four military services and was responsible for the day-to-day combat operations of more than 147,000 U.S. and Coalition troops. From March 2007 to August 2008, Chiarelli was the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. During this time, Chiarelli pioneered efforts to restore government and economic stability as well as essential services during two tours in Iraq; exercised command and control of combat operations; and trained, prepared, and mobilized reserve forces for critical response operations.
While serving as the 32nd Vice Chief of Staff from 2008-2012, Chiarelli led the daily operations of the Army and its 1.1 million soldiers both active and reserve. It was during this time that General Chiarelli advanced the efforts of the Department of Defense on post-traumatic stress (PTS), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and suicide prevention. He retired from the Army in 2012.
In 2013, Chiarelli received the Patriot Award, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s highest honor, for his work to aid service men and women as well as their families suffering from the invisible wounds of war.
March 2012, General Chiarelli continued his advocacy on brain health and became the first CEO of One Mind, a not-for-profit organization advocating for and facilitating scientific and medical advancement to accelerate effective, lasting treatment for brain disease and injury as well as reducing stigma. Along with leading the organization’s strategic initiatives, he worked expeditiously with members in the government, corporate, scientific, and philanthropic communities to significantly accelerate large-scale research for brain illnesses and injuries through Open Science data sharing and collaboration. His recent achievements include leading One Mind’s support of the TRACK-TBI research collaboration by aiding TRACK-TBI in its progress towards obtaining FDA approval of biologically based biomarkers for TBI. Although General Chiarelli retired as CEO in 2018, he continues to advocate for this critical work.
As a native of Washington State, Chiarelli holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Seattle University, a Master of Public Administration from the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington, and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategy from Salve Regina University. He is also a graduate of the College of Naval Command and Staff and the National War College.
Other Board of Director and Advisory positions:
- L3Harris Technologies – Director
- The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. – Director
- BAE Systems Aerospace Company – Consultant
- Booz Allen Hamilton – Consultant
- Airbus Aerospace Company – Advisor
- Raydon Corporation – Consultant
- NFL Scientific Advisory Board – Chairman
- UCLA Operation Mend – Board of Advisors