Nathaniel Graff grew up in the American Midwest before serving in combat arms units of the US Army as a medic, including one tour in Iraq. Afterward, he graduated with degrees in political science and philosophy, with graduate degrees in health services administration and long-term care administration. Graff's Veteran related work includes interning for the US House of Representatives Veterans Affairs Committee, serving in VHA clinical operations roles in Compensation & Pension, Primary Care, Surgery, Anesthesiology, Interventional Pain, and a Surgical Intensive Care Unit. Additional VHA roles include serving as a facility Systems Redesign Coordinator, membership of a facility Ethics Committee, and current service in the unique role of a VISN Human Resources Continuous Improvement Manager.