Team - IMVFW

Leadership

Elisa Borah, MSW, PhD

Institute Director

Dr. Borah is an Associate Research Professor at The University of Texas at Austin, Steve Hicks School of Social Work, and the Director of the Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness. Dr. Borah’s work focuses on conducting research and designing programs to identify effective programming and supports for service members, veterans, spouses, and their families. Learn more about Dr. Borah.

Abby Blankenship, PhD

Research Assistant Professor

Dr. Blankenship is an Research Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Austin in the Steve Hicks School of Social work. Dr. Blankenship’s has expertise in the treatment and research of military related trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder. Learn more about Dr. Blankenship.

Molly Platz, LMSW

Program Manager & Communications Specialist

Molly Platz received her Masters of Science in Social Work from The University of Texas at Austin. Molly serves as a Program Manager and Communications Specialist at the Veteran Spouse Network and the Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness, with a focus on and communications and graphic design. Learn more about Molly.

Hannah O’Brien, MSSW

VSN Program Manager

Hannah is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin’s Steve Hicks School of Social Work Masters program. As the spouse of a Marine Corps veteran, Hannah is proud to have served as the Program Manager for the Veteran Spouse Network since 2017, helping create, implement, and evaluate supportive programs for military and veteran spouses, partners, and families to ensure they receive the support they need and deserve. Learn more about Hannah.

Ashley Craig, M.Ed

VSN Outreach Program Coordinator

Ashley is a graduate of the University of Houston in Curriculum & Instruction specializing in Learning, Design, and Technology. As a spouse of an Army veteran, Ashley is dedicated to applying her passion for mental health wellness focusing on delivering and providing resources to veterans and their families, through a peer-support model. Learn more about Ashley.

Laurianne Rodriguez, MS

VSN Program Coordinator

Laurianne is a United States Air Force (USAF) veteran, who commissioned as a personnel officer and served on active duty at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. Although Laurianne separated from the USAF as a Captain, she remains happily married to an active-duty military officer, Learn more about Laurianne.

Aubrey Harvey, BS

Research Program Coordinator

Aubrey received her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University where she studied Sport Psychology. Her passion for mental health advocacy led her to work as a Mental Health Technician before starting in her current role at the Institute. Learn more about Aubrey.