Scholars Series Conversation with Gen Stanley McChrystal

Stanley Allen McChrystal is a four-star U.S. Army veteran who served as commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan and previously led the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), where he transformed how military and intelligence teams collaborated to address complex global threats. Over his 34-year career, he earned a reputation for exceptional leadership, integrity, and innovation—qualities that have inspired leaders across sectors.

Among his many assignments, General McChrystal commanded the 75th Ranger Regiment and the 2nd Battalion, 504th Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division, serving in the Iraq War, the War in Afghanistan, and Operation Desert Shield. Today, as founder and CEO of the McChrystal Group, he brings those lessons of adaptability, trust, and team performance to organizations around the world, helping leaders strengthen culture and drive meaningful, sustainable results.

His book, On Character, draws on his life experience on setting and meeting standards, aligning actions with beliefs, and offers practical advice on overcoming obstacles and pursuing self-improvement.

John Boyd served for 35 years with the U.S. Army. His final assignment was to lead and direct all Joint exercise planning, training, and operations of NATO Allied Joint Forces Command, synchronizing and executing strategic operations impacting 250,000 service members across 30 Allies and one partner nation. Major General Boyd is a member of the ABMF International Council.

James D. Rosener is the founding chairman of the American Battle Monuments Foundation, leading the organization in raising more than $3.8 million to support education, remembrance, and veteran engagement initiatives.

He is a senior partner at Troutman Pepper Locke LLP, where he advises private equity funds and corporations on domestic and international transactions across the United States, Europe, Latin America, and Asia.

Mr. Rosener is also the founder and president of the European American Chamber of Commerce in New York and Paris, and has served in leadership roles with international legal and business organizations. In 2025, he was awarded the Legion of Honor, France’s highest order of merit, in recognition of his decades of service to advancing Franco-American relations.

Mark Elliott is the Managing Director and Global Head of Military and Veterans Affairs at JPMorgan Chase, where he leads firmwide initiatives to support service members, veterans, and military families in employment, education, and community engagement.

He served nearly three decades in the U.S. Army, commanding at the company, battalion, and brigade levels. He deployed twice to Iraq, including service as aide-de-camp to the commander of all U.S. forces in Iraq. He retired as a Colonel after his final assignment as Director of the Army’s Land Warfare Network at the Pentagon.

Mark joined JPMorgan Chase in 2015 as a senior strategist on the Global Technology Infrastructure team, supporting digital transformation and enterprise modernization efforts.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Alabama, a Master’s in Telecommunications Management from Southern Methodist University, and a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the National War College.

General Mark Milley served as the 20th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s highest-ranking military officer and principal military advisor to the President, Secretary of Defense, and National Security Council. He retired on September 29, 2023.

Before becoming Chairman, he served as the 39th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. A native of Massachusetts, he received his commission through Army ROTC after graduating from Princeton University.

Across 44 years of service, General Milley held command and staff positions in six divisions and a Special Forces Group, including command of the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry; the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division; the 10th Mountain Division; III Corps; and U.S. Army Forces Command.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Princeton University, a master’s in international relations from Columbia University, and a master’s in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College. He is also a graduate of MIT’s Seminar XXI National Security Studies Program.
General Milley and his wife, Hollyanne, have been married for more than 38 years and have two children.