In September 2015, she returned to the White House to become the executive director of its Joining Forces initiative for supporting veterans, service members, and military families.

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in management, with a minor in French,[13] from the United States Air Force Academy, graduating 4th in the class of 1996.

[14] While at the Naval War College, Malachowski was the first USAF officer to earn the Admiral Stephen B. Luce Award as the class honor graduate.

After successfully completing her tour with the USAF Thunderbirds in November 2007, including approximately 140 performances, Malachowski served on staff of the Commander, United States Air Force Warfare Center, at Nellis AFB, to June 2008.

Malachowski was then selected to participate as a White House Fellow in Washington, D.C., from 1 September 2008 to 31 August 2009, serving in the General Services Administration with the Presidential Transition Support Team and as deputy chief of staff.

On 1 July 2009, she participated in a White House ceremony at which legislation (S.614) awarding a Congressional Gold Medal to the WASP was signed into law by President Barack Obama.

Although she had to use a wheelchair due to a broken left leg, Lt Col Malachowski delivered remarks during the ceremony held 10 March 2010, in the United States Capitol awarding Deanie Bishop Parrish the medal on behalf of all 1,102 WASP pilots.

[22] After leaving the War College, Malachowski served as the deputy director of United States Air Force Readiness and Training at the Department of Defense.