Dirk Vanderlaan

Dirk Vanderlaan brings a unique blend of military service and educational recruitment expertise, having served in the Air Force from 2005-2009 as a KC-135 Inflight Refueling Specialist with deployments supporting aircraft over Afghanistan from bases across the globe. After his military service, he pursued higher education at Columbia University's School of General Studies, earning his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2014. His transition to civilian life led him to a meaningful role as an Admissions Manager at Columbia University's School of General Studies, where he guided fellow adult and military veteran students through the competitive college application process. Upon returning to his native San Francisco Bay Area in 2016, he continued his connection with Columbia by leading recruitment efforts for the School of General Studies in California before transitioning into technical recruiting in Silicon Valley. His commitment to supporting veteran transition is evident through his ongoing involvement with organizations like FourBlock and the Center for Veteran Transition and Integration, where he helps bridge the gap between military service and civilian careers.