The Rev. John J. Cavanaugh, C.S.C., Award - 2019: David W. Walker ’81

In recognition of his service to veterans, David W. Walker ’81 is honored with this award.

Walker serves as president and chief executive officer of the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, a Leesburg, Va.-based not-for-profit organization. He was elected to his current role in July 2012, has been a member of the Coalition’s Board of Directors since 2008, and served as its chair from 2009-2014.

Under his leadership, the Coalition has emerged as one of the most respected veterans service organizations in the nation. It serves a distinct role for combat-wounded veterans by providing emergency financial aid to those at risk of bankruptcy, eviction, hunger, and suicide.

Walker is a proud graduate of Notre Dame and earned his MBA with highest honors from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. He later graduated from the Innovative Leadership Executive Management Program at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Management. He and his wife, Cathie, are the proud parents of two daughters: Amy ’08 and Lindsay.

"I was more than sufficiently honored to graduate from Notre Dame and to watch my daughter follow in my footsteps, but this recognition of my work with wounded veterans fills my heart to overflowing. I am pleased to accept this award on behalf of all the extraordinary people associated with the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, whose selfless dedication to our nation’s defenders truly reflects the legacy of Rev. John J. Cavanaugh."