Amy Devereaux Thurston, an O’Neill High School and College of William & Mary graduate, has been selected to serve on the William & Mary Veteran-to-Executive Transition (VET) Advisory Board. She was named to it in May 2024 and will serve a three-year term. The program is designed to leverage resources and expertise across the university to support and empower military veterans in their successful transition into high-level civilian management positions. The advisory board, chaired by Chancellor Robert M. Gates, former U.S. Secretary of Defense, provides internal advice and support for William & Mary VET programs.

Thurston is a U.S. Army veteran who served on active duty for five years including a combat tour in Southwest Asia. She has over 25 years in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical devise industries, working for Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Organon and Mallinckrodt. She has done multiple roles of increasing scope and responsibility, earning top awards at every level and role. Her current role is the U.S. lead for Government Strategy across all government segments (federal, Medicare, Medicaid) at Mallinckrodt.

She is the daughter of Ray and Joanne Devereaux of Highland Falls. Thurston and her husband Michael have twins that are sophomores in college, as well as a ninth grader. She was a multi-sport athlete in high school and then went on to the William & Mary, with a BBA in finance. She earned her commission in the Army, participating in ROTC and varsity track and cross country for four years, serving as captain her senior year. She has an executive MBA in Pharmaceutical Marketing from Saint Joseph’s University and earned her certification as a Scrum Master (CSM).

Thurston actively volunteers for the Travis Manion Foundation, serving as leadership ambassador and mentor for the past six years. She has enjoyed presenting to O’Neill High School JROTC students on behalf of that foundation for the past three years.