Her Story
About Katie
Katie Baillio serves as a Rural Veterans Career Advisor with the Texas Veterans Commission, where she supports veterans facing significant barriers to employment through case management and outreach to nonprofits and businesses. A retired member of the U.S. Army with two decades of service, she moved into state and federal veterans services work following her military career, holding prior roles with the Texas Workforce Commission and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Her focus today centers on justice-involved veterans and rural populations who often face unique obstacles in securing employment and successfully transitioning to civilian life.
Baillio holds a Ph.D. in Human Services from Walden University, with an emphasis on military families and culture, along with a Master of Science in Human and Social Services from the same institution. Her academic work culminated in a dissertation examining how women veterans use gender-specific online support systems to maintain social identity after leaving military service. She has shared her expertise on a national stage, presenting on justice-involved veterans at the National Association of State Workforce Agencies in Washington, D.C., and holds professional credentials as a Mental Health Peer Specialist and a Recovery Support Peer Specialist through the Texas Certification Board.
Deeply committed to community service, Baillio has held numerous leadership positions within the Veterans of Foreign Wars, including Post Commander, District Commander, and Adjutant, and currently serves the organization as Commander, Trustee, and Historian. Her contributions have earned her recognition including a Congressional Veterans Accommodation from Congressman Pat Fallon and the Texas Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist of the Year award. She also maintains active membership in the American Legion and DAV. Outside of her professional and volunteer commitments, Baillio enjoys live music events and professional bull riding, and looks forward to returning to reading now that her doctoral studies are complete.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Katie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the foundation I built during my 20 years of service in the U.S. Army, followed by my continued work in veterans services through the Texas Workforce Commission, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and now the Texas Veterans Commission. Mentorship and perseverance carried me through my Ph.D. journey, and one of my proudest achievements has been presenting on justice-involved veterans at the National Association of State Workforce Agencies in Washington, D.C.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've received is that this is a marathon, not a sprint. I've also learned how invaluable it is to have mentors, like Dr. Reese Strong, who understand the challenges of pursuing a Ph.D. and who are willing to stay in the fight with you, especially during moments of self-doubt.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women to seek out mentorship, give back to their communities, and step into leadership roles with confidence. As a woman veteran myself, I understand the importance of serving others and helping change perceptions of what veteran leaders look like.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field is ensuring that all veterans, particularly those in rural areas and those who are justice-involved, can successfully find employment and transition into civilian life. There is also significant opportunity in connecting veterans to benefits they may not have claimed, such as those related to Agent Orange exposure.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Giving back and serving others are central to who I am, both professionally and personally. My role as a Rural Veterans Career Advisor allows me to support veterans facing significant employment barriers, and my membership in organizations like the Veterans of Foreign Wars closely aligns with and reinforces the work I do every day at the Texas Veterans Commission.
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