Eric Greitens was born and raised in Missouri and was educated in St. Louis public schools. After attending Duke University, Eric was selected as a Rhodes and Truman Scholar and attended the University of Oxford from 1996 through 2000, earning a master’s degree in development studies and a Ph.D. in politics. His doctoral thesis, Children First, investigated the ways in which international humanitarian organizations can best serve war- affected children.

Eric’s book of photographs and essays, Strength & Compassion, grew from his humanitarian work. He served as a humanitarian volunteer in many of the world’s most impoverished and war-stricken countries, including Rwanda, Cambodia and the Gaza Strip. Strength & Compassion has won several awards since its 2008 release, including the Grand Prize at the 2009 New York Book Festival.

In 2007, Eric used his combat pay from serving in Iraq to start The Mission Continues, where he currently serves as volunteer Chairman and CEO. The Mission Continues empowers wounded and disabled veterans to continue their service to their country and communities as citizen leaders here at home. In October of 2008, Eric was personally presented with the President’s Volunteer Service Award. Most recently, Eric was awarded a Draper Richards Fellowship, given each year to six of the nation’s leading social entrepreneurs.