2022 Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program Scholar Booklet

2022 STAND-TO

VETERAN LEADERSHIP PROGRAM SCHOLARS

GEORGE W. BUSH PRESIDENTIAL

The Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program develops the skills of those who serve our Nation’s veterans and helps increase their impact.

Scholars are rising leaders - both veterans and nonveterans - from a wide range of sectors. Throughout the five-month program, each participant has worked on a personal leadership project, which allows them to implement what they learn in the program in service of improving veteran outcomes across the United States.

PROGRAM UNDERWRITER

Our gratitude to

Audrey Adams

Cross-Cutting Priority Director, The MITRE Corporation Bethesda, Maryland

Audrey Adams serves as the Cross-Cutting Priority Director for Integrated Deterrence within MITRE National Security. In this role, Adams oversees the investment of the MITRE Corporation’s internal research and development funds for solving problems in the public interest.

She began her career in the U.S. Navy. While on active duty, Adams enjoyed an unusually varied career, piloting warships, operating nuclear reactors, serving in the intelligence community, and engaging in cyber warfare.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Adams hopes to learn from the diverse group of Scholars about how to best address issues affecting the resilience and cohesiveness of military-connected communities and our Nation.

Joseph Alexander

Executive Director of Student Programs, Mexia ISD

Waco, Texas

Joseph Alexander serves as the Executive Director of Student Programs in Mexia ISD. In this leadership role he supports the school district as the District Response to Intervention Coordinator, District 504 Coordinator, District Dyslexia Coordinator, Summer Intervention Camp Coordinator, and District Gifted/Talented Coordinator. Before joining Mexia ISD, Alexander served Waco ISD for 22 years at all levels of campus and district leadership where he was able to successfully turn around campuses and improve the quality of life for all children.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Alexander hopes to recruit and train military personnel in transition into the field of teaching.

Vishal Amin

Head of Security Solutions, Defense, Microsoft Federal Carlsbad, California

Vishal Amin serves as the Head of Microsoft Federal’s Security Solutions Origination. In this role, Amin manages the growth and vision of the Microsoft Federal (Defense) Security Compliance & Identity Business. Before joining Microsoft, and his previous roles in the technology industry, Amin served more than 20 years in the United States Marine Corps spanning various roles within the air and ground forces communities.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Amin hopes to strengthen partnerships between the public and private sector. He believes this will advance the impact of digital transformation that drives positive outcomes.

Jen Angeloni

Physical Health & Wellness Regional Director, Wounded Warrior Project Colorado Springs, Colorado

Jen Angeloni is a Physical Health & Wellness Regional Director at Wounded Warrior Project. Angeloni works with the western region of the country to provide health and wellness programming designed to educate and empower veterans and their families to improve their health.

By participating in the Veteran Leadership Program, Angeloni is working to remedy the rising veteran health crisis with programs designed to address the increased risks associated with aging, such as chronic pain, metabolic syndrome, and sleep issues.

Khalil Arab

SIVs & Allies Program Manager, Combined Arms

Houston, Texas

Khalil Arab was hired in 2005 as an interpreter with DynCorp International, and for the next five years, Arab worked full time assisting U.S. and coalition forces in various locations around Afghanistan.

In November of 2021, a few months after the fall of Kabul, Arab was tasked by Combined Arms to manage the SIVs & Allies Program. This new role enables Arab to serve more than 5,200 newly arrived Afghan allies who were evacuated by the U.S. government.

Arab is currently working on a three-phase plan to expand Combined Arms’ SIVs & Allies Program presence in other cities in the state of Texas.

Frances Arias

Director of Operations, Green Beret Foundation

San Antonio, Texas

Frances Arias serves as Director of Operations at the Green Beret Foundation (GBF). In this role, she oversees the day-to-day operations of GBF. Arias also develops and implements the organization’s strategic plan in collaboration with the Executive Director and Board of Directors, works collaboratively and strategically with the development team, and serves as GBF’s liaison for external and legislative affairs. Before joining the Green Beret Foundation, Arias worked at the George Washington University Law School.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Arias hopes to strengthen her strategic leadership skills and learn from other Scholars striving to advance positive outcomes for veterans and their families.

Rochelle Arnold

County Veteran Services Officer, Sacramento County Marysville, California

Rochelle Arnold serves as the Sacramento County Veteran Services Officer. In this role, she manages a staff of eight Veteran Claims Representatives who assist over 84,000 veterans and their eligible dependents in accessing both earned federal VA and state benefits. Prior to being appointed as the CVSO, Arnold served a distinguished 21-year Air Force career, which culminated in her retirement as a Senior Master Sergeant, First Sergeant.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Arnold hopes to forge lasting relationships with other leaders in the veteran community. She hopes to gain more knowledge and resources to better serve veterans and their families in the Sacramento region and beyond.

Daniel Avegalio

Dean of Student Services, State Fair Community College

Green Ridge, Missouri

Daniel Avegalio is currently the Dean of Student Services at State Fair Community College in Sedalia, Missouri, where he oversees advising, financial aid, veterans services, TRIO, the testing center, admissions and records, outreach, campus housing, and student life. He also serves in the role of the Title IX and Student Conduct Officer. Before his role at SFCC, Avegalio was the Director of Student Services at Sierra College in Rocklin, California, overseeing DSPS, veterans services, and providing support to health services and residence halls. Avegalio served in the Marine Corps from 2004 to 2009 and was deployed three times to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Avegalio is working to improve workforce outcomes and opportunities for veterans and military affiliated families.

Jennifer Ballou

Deputy Chief of Staff, National Veterans Memorial and Museum Westerville, Ohio

Jennifer Ballou is the Deputy Chief of Staff for the National Veterans Memorial and Museum (NVMM). The NVMM is the only museum in America that honors all veterans – from all branches of service and from all eras of service, both peacetime and wartime.

Ballou is also a resilience training expert, certified professional life coach, 200-hour registered yoga teacher, and Warriors at Ease faculty member. She is dedicated to sharing her passion for wellness and resilience with others, specifically the military community.

Ballou served in the U.S. Army for almost 21 years where she held numerous leadership positions throughout her career culminating in her role as the Senior Enlisted Advisor of the United States Army Resilience Directorate, Army G1, Pentagon.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Jennifer is committed to highlighting the Gold Star Family community and their strength, courage, and leadership after the loss of their loved ones.

Parshva Bavishi

Chief Impact Officer, The Headstrong Project

Fords, New Jersey

Parshva Bavishi is the Chief Impact Officer at The Headstrong Project. His work involves program impact and evaluation, strategy development, and product innovation. Bavishi has worked in the fields of international development, impact and evaluations, and partner management. Some of the organizations he has worked for include the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Society for Science & the Public, and Older Adult Technology Services. He has worked directly with government agencies, private corporations and public institutions in Asia, Europe, and South America.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Bavishi hopes to advance access to mental health using data alongside a diverse cohort of Scholars from a variety of fields and backgrounds.

Claudia Bergheger

Project Manager, Executive Projects, Office of the Chancellor, Vanderbilt University Clarksville, Tennessee

Claudia Bergheger is a Project Manager for executive projects in the Office of the Chancellor at Vanderbilt University where she leads veteran and military spouse employment initiatives and strategy. Her work focuses on recruitment, relationship building, and establishing an effective onboarding process for military veterans at Vanderbilt University.

Prior to her role at Vanderbilt, Bergheger worked in the Nashville office of U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn as a Constituent Services Representative and Correspondence Lead for the Senator. She has been a fellow of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute since 2016 after she was selected to participate in the Leadership and the American Presidency program.

By participating in the Veteran Leadership Program, Bergheger hopes to build and implement an onboarding process for veteran hires at Vanderbilt University and beyond.

Holly Bernardo

Chief Executive Officer, Big Bend Homeless Coalition

Tallahassee, Florida

Holly Bernardo serves as the CEO of Big Bend Homeless Coalition. In this role, she works to help clients access safe and affordable housing and connect them to community resources to stabilize. Previous positions include working as Chief Development Officer for Connecting Everyone with Second Chances, whose focus is also helping clients stabilize and access affordable housing. Bernardo’s background as a marriage and family therapist gives her a unique perspective on the importance of relationships, community, and housing.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Bernardo will work directly with veterans of Big Bend Homeless Coalition’s Home Front project to better engage and integrate them within the Tallahassee community.

Harrison Bernstein

Founder & CEO, Soldiers to Sidelines Denver, Colorado

Harrison Bernstein serves as Founder and CEO of Soldiers To Sidelines (STS).

STS is a nonprofit VSO that provides purposeful work for service members and veterans as character-based coaches in their communities. Before founding Soldiers To Sidelines, Bernstein served as a football and sports performance coach in the NFL, NCAA, and at various high schools. He wrote and published a book titled The Everyday Coach: Harnessing the Magic of Influence, which illustrates how we are all coaches every day in all aspects of our lives, whether we realize it or not. It is based on Bernstein’s decades of experience as a coach and a teacher at George Washington University.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Bernstein hopes to cultivate the ideas and experiences of the diverse VLP Scholars to improve the organization and implementation of the STS continued education program. Together, we will steward the mastery of coaching skills for our service members and veterans to positively impact the athletes of our country’s local communities.

Molly Brooks

Founder & CEO, Hero’s Bridge

Midland, Virginia

Molly Brooks serves as the CEO of Hero’s Bridge, a nonprofit dedicated to the needs of older veterans of the WW2, Korea, and Vietnam conflicts. She utilized her background as a registered nurse and daughter of a Vietnam veteran to develop programs to meet the special needs of low income, elderly veterans who have fallen through the cracks of the VA and healthcare systems. Before Hero’s Bridge, Brooks spent 28 years as a registered nurse serving mostly in geriatrics and hospice care roles.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Brooks hopes to meet like-minded veteran-serving leaders with which she can learn and grow our collective capacity to serve.

Phillip Burt

Branch Operations Manager, Southern States Toyotalift

Jacksonville, Florida

Phillip Burt serves as the Branch Operations Manager for Southern States Toyotalift in Jacksonville, Florida. He manages service, parts, and rental departments providing material handling solutions to our community. His efforts directly impact the flow of goods from a warehouse to the table. Before joining Southern States Toyotalift, Burt served in the United States Navy as an Aviation Maintenance Chief Warrant Officer for 25 years.

Through his participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Burt hopes to learn from his peers and create more opportunities for veterans in the private sector on a national scale.

Ryan Callahan

Vice President of Marketing, RallyPoint

Ipswich, Massachusetts

Ryan Callahan is the VP of Marketing at RallyPoint, the world’s largest online military social network. In 2016, he joined RallyPoint as the Head of Advertising Operations. Before RallyPoint, he served as an Account Manager for Ve Interactive and also led digital acquisition channels for Sperry’s e-commerce business. Callahan currently serves as a board advisor to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Callahan hopes to help veterans connect to resources within their geographic locations.

Sidney Covington

Veterans Engagement Associate, AmeriVet Securities

Chicago, Illinois

Sidney Covington serves as the Veteran Engagement Associate at AmeriVet Securities. She is a Chicago native and U.S. Army veteran. Covington earned the title of combat medic through her deployment to Afghanistan in November of 2011, where she worked as the night shift head medic. In addition to her military service, she most recently worked as a trainer with the Posse Veterans Program, where she assisted transitioning service members and veterans in attending top-tier colleges and universities.

Covington also served as the Constituent Liaison for Military and Veterans Affairs in Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s office where she spearheaded veteran’s outreach for the state of New York and assisted in the U.S. Service Academy nomination process. Covington currently holds her license of social work in both New York and Illinois.

Shaydi DeJesus

Emerging Manager, Military Connected Capital

Austin, Texas

Shaydi DeJesus is an underrepresented Emerging Manager, utilizing her nontraditional insights to open new conversations in the investment community. She is a 2020 PAAMCO Prisma/100 Women in Finance/CAIA Scholar (1 of 20 selected globally), former Military Spouse, Dept. of Defense Management Consultant and Governor Dolph Briscoe Jr. Scholar with special studies in wealth, asset building and economic development. DeJesus was part of the early team of NALCAB — National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders. Since 2008, NALCAB has been a catalyst for more than $300 million in investment in minority communities. Federal intermediary work included collaborations with White House Initiatives, SBA, NAACP, LULAC, LISC, ACCION International, World Bank & various Federal Reserve Banks.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, DeJesus aims to realign the Venture Capital, Banking, and Impact Investing landscape of disparate funders, government, and allies to advance national initiatives that impact our military and urban communities.

Richard Delgado Jr.

Community Investor, Boeing

San Antonio, Texas

Richard Delgado Jr. serves as the Community Investor for Boeing Global Engagement at The Boeing Company. In his role, Delgado is responsible for establishing and managing relationships with community and business partners by networking, sharing information, and identifying opportunities for collaboration and philanthropic investment in order to maximize impact in San Antonio and across Texas, and promote Boeing as a global leader in corporate citizenship.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Delgado hopes to expand his network and bring to light the impacts of food insecurities within our active-duty forces, veterans, and their families.

Crystal Ellington

Director of Communications, Minority Veterans of America Sanford, Florida

Crystal Ellington serves as the Director of Communications at Minority Veterans of America. In this role, Ellington is not only responsible for all things communications related, but also creates community and a sense of belonging among historically marginalized veterans through open dialogue, events, and round-table conversations. Before joining Minority Vets, Ellington served in the United States Army as a helicopter mechanic in a special operations aviation unit.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Ellington hopes to join a robust and diverse group of leaders who are dedicated to advancing outcomes and opportunities for veterans, present and future.

Bryan Escobedo

National Systems Director, Combined Arms

Houston, Texas

Bryan Escobedo is the National Systems Director and National Expansion Manager at Combined Arms. In his role as National Systems Director, Escobedo manages the day-to-day operations of the Combined Arms Technology Department. In his role as National Expansion Manager, Escobedo serves as the chief consultant and technology project manager to cities and states migrating their veteran services network to the Combined Arms technology platform.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Escobedo hopes to be an accelerator to forming a strong national alliance of Scholars who share the same vision of improving the lives of service members, veterans, allies, and their families.

Jaime Feeman

Chief Operating Officer, Dog Tag Inc. Seattle, Washington

Jaime Feeman is the Chief Operating Officer for Dog Tag Inc. In this role, she serves as a mission-driven, process-minded, and strategic leader overseeing internal operations, including the fellowship programs, bakery operations, and financial management. Before joining Dog Tag, Feeman was a management consultant with Deloitte, supporting a variety of federal clients.

Feeman is excited to participate in the Veteran Leadership Program in order to work and learn from a passionate and inspirational community as she continues developing as a leader focused on achieving measurable and direct impact.

Wade Franklin

Social Mission Director, American Veterans Group, PBC Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Wade Franklin is the Social Mission Director at American Veterans Group, PBC. AVG is a social impact investment bank that gives 25% of the firm’s profit to support veterans in the communities of business partners. Franklin leads the firm’s charitable giving and partnerships with veteran service organizations. He also manages Armed for Finance, a program started by AVG to introduce veterans to careers in financial services.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Franklin is working to increase veteran employment in financial services through Armed for Finance and partnerships with business partners in the industry.

Derek Fronabarger

Chief Operating Officer, Student Veterans of America Charleston, South Carolina

Derek Fronabarger serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Student Veterans of America. Prior to joining Student Veterans of America, Fronabarger worked as the Director of Government Affairs at Wounded Warrior Project, specializing in VA benefits, toxic exposures, caregivers, and education.

Prior to joining Wounded Warrior Project, Fronabarger worked on the Joining Forces Initiative at the White House and served as the Deputy Director of Government Affairs at the American Legion.

He is a U.S. Army veteran and served as an Air Defense Intelligence Tactical Operator in both the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. He served a 16-month combat tour in Afghanistan and obtained the rank of sergeant before separating in 2008.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Fronabarger hopes to work with leaders in the space to facilitate cross collaboration within the VSO community.

Eric Goralnick

Associate Professor, Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School Newton, Massachusetts

Eric Goralnick is focused on improving patient care in two main areas: equitable, safe access to health care for our most vulnerable patients and collaborations between the civilian and military medical communities.

He is an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is the faculty lead for the Harvard Medical School Civilian Military Collaborative, the Civilian Military Advisor for the Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation, and a U.S. Navy veteran.

Goralnick’s aim through VLP is to strengthen Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s recruitment, support, and collaboration with veterans and those aiming to serve in the military medical community.

Kim Guedry

Chief of Staff & Director, Business Operations, Lumen Technologies Frisco, Texas

Kim Guedry serves as Chief of Staff and Director of Business Operations at Lumen Technologies. In this role, Guedry directs, plans, manages, and supports all facets within North America field operations and network implementation. Additionally, she remains a Captain (O6) in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves where she leads the service’s first-ever reserve detachment at Silicon Valley’s Defense Innovation Unit. Before joining Lumen Technologies, Guedry spent several years on active duty in the U.S. Coast Guard, including as Commanding Officer of a ship.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Guedry hopes to merge her past and present military and technology field experiences to create a mechanism for veterans and their spouses to find their next chapter in the technology industry.

As a former military spouse and mom of two boys, one with special needs, Guedry is an advocate for both military-centric and special needs-centric organizations through Board membership and nonprofit involvement.

Mark Harper

Chief Executive Officer, We Are The Mighty Yucca Valley, California

Mark Harper is Chief Executive Officer of We Are The Mighty (WATM), an entertainment company creating authentic content that celebrates the military community, and a founder of Gig Line Media, a service-disabled veteranowned business supporting federal clients with video production, marketing, advertising, and consulting services. Before these two companies, Harper served in the USAF Combat Camera and deployed for OEF and OIF leading combat-ready photojournalists providing the world insight into military operations, contingencies, exercises, and humanitarian relief operations.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Mark hopes to engage with and learn from other leaders in the extended military community about ways to foster further impact for our service members and families.

Jacob Hicks

Case Manager Supervisor, Harris County Veteran Services Department

Humble, Texas

Jacob Hicks serves as a Case Manager Supervisor for the Harris County Veteran Services Department in Houston, Texas. In this role, Hicks leads a team of case managers who coordinate care for veterans and their family members through community partners and caregiving organizations. The primary population of veterans his team focuses on is veterans experiencing homelessness and those who are justice-involved. Prior to joining the Harris County Veteran Services Department, Hicks provided training and mentorship for Special Forces Units on Unconventional Warfare tactics through government contracting.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Hicks hopes to learn from passionate and motivated Scholars who are trying to make a difference for veterans and their family members. Additionally, Hicks is hoping to learn new ways to break down barriers and provide pathways to success for the men and women who served our country.

David Hodges

Special Forces, U.S. Army Tampa, Florida

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) David J. Hodges enlisted in the Army in 1989 and served as an Infantryman in the 82nd Airborne Division until he earned his commission in 1999 through U.S. Army Officer Candidate School. Upon completion of the Infantry Officer Basic Course, he served as an Infantry Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer in 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC. In 2000, he deployed with his unit to Kosovo as part of Operation Joint Guardian. Hodges is currently assigned to USSOCOM HQ as the Branch Lead for the USSOCOM Certification, Verification, and Validation (CV2) of deploying O6 Joint Special Operations Commands in the USSOCOM J3-Joint Collective Training Division. He is responsible for the training, verification, and validation process, program implementation, and compliance of joint commands in accordance with Joint Staff and USSOCOM policy and directives.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Hodges is committed to closing the civilian-military gap by bringing together servicemembers and civilians on and around the golf course and promoting meaningful engagement opportunities.

Marc Hoffmeister

National Adaptive Sports Director, Wounded Warrior Project Littleton, Colorado

Marc Hoffmeister is a veteran of the U.S. Army, a seasoned coach of tactical, endurance and adaptive athletes, and longtime multi-sport competitor. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with 30 years as a Combat Engineer Officer, Hoffmeister has commanded complex military units up through the brigade level, served in senior positions within the Department of Defense, and completed multiple combat and operational deployments around the world. During one of his combat deployments to Iraq in 2007, Marc was seriously wounded while serving as an embedded trainer with the Iraqi Army. Among other injuries, Hoffmeister lost partial use of his left arm and hand due to combat wounds. An avid climber prior to his injury, Hoffmeister turned to mountaineering for his physical and emotional rehabilitation. Forming Operation Denali, he recruited, funded, trained, and led a team of fellow wounded warriors to summit 20,320-foot Denali in 2009, an expedition that earned his recognition as the 2009 National Geographic Reader’s Choice Adventurer of the Year.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Marc hopes to apply his unique leadership experience, technical skills, talent, and passion in service of our adaptive athletes.

Kourtney Hollingsworth

National Youth Coordinator & STEM Lead, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Office of the Secretary Washington, D.C.

Kourtney Hollingsworth serves as the National Youth Coordinator and STEM Lead in the Office of the Secretary at the United States Department of Agriculture. She serves as the Co-Chair of the Interagency Workforce Subcommittee for the Subcommittee on Advanced Manufacturing (SAM) under the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the department’s representative for the White House Federal Commission in STEM, and the department’s representative for the White House HBCU Initiative. She also serves on the Vice President’s Initiative for SpaceSTEM Task Force Interagency working group. Hollingsworth works with departments on workforce development. Hollingsworth’s work was recently published by the White House in “Best Practices for Diversity and Inclusion in STEM Education and Research: A Guide by and for Federal Agencies.” Hollingsworth has also been selected as a member of the very first National Transformational Leadership Cohort. She was featured on the World Trade Organization’s international panel for the Importance of Youth Leadership.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Hollingsworth hopes to lower the number of vacant federal leadership positions by placing veterans with specialized leadership skills that were developed during their military career.

Chuck Kluball

Senior Manager, Military Relations, The Home Depot Woodstock, Georgia

Chuck Kluball joined The Home Depot (THD) in 2016 and is currently the leader of The Home Depot’s Military Relations team, which supports military programming and strategies for the company, from internal associate supporting policies and hiring, to external advocacy and partnerships. Prior to this role, Kluball held roles of increasing responsibility in supply chain and U.S. retail operations. He has been an active participant and leader in THD’s Military Associate Resource Group. Prior to THD, Kluball was a Captain in the U.S. Army and currently acts as a mentor for transitioning veterans through different nonprofit organizations.

Molly Langley

Transition Lead, Southeast Region, United Service Organizations

Belmont, North Carolina

Molly Giles Langley is the Transition Lead in the Southeast for the USO. Langley leads a team of transition managers and specialists covering 11 states that provide professional services to military members and their spouses, connecting them to recourses that will ensure their success. She is also a military spouse, and has been in the military transition space for the past seven years with the USO and Hire Heroes USA prior to that. Her biggest motivator is to see the military community grow professionally before their transition to be better educated, more financially stable, and well connected.

Langley is eager to learn from her peers and world renown leaders in the Veteran Leadership Program. She looks forward to engaging with this program in order to better influence broader success for the military community.

Monteigne Long

Associate Director, Office of Veteran and Military Services, The Texas A&M University System College Station, Texas

Monteigne Long serves as the Associate Director of the Texas A&M University System Office of Veteran and Military Services. In this role, Long facilitates collaboration and communication among the 11 campuses of the Texas A&M University System that enroll over 4,500 student veterans and 7,000 military family members. Long has been working with student veterans in higher education since 2010, when colleges and universities saw an influx of Post-9/11 veterans. Prior to joining The Texas A&M University System, Long served as the Veterans Coordinator at Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, California, and opened the first Veterans Resource Center at California State University, Northridge.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Long hopes to engage with a diverse group of leaders from across the nation in a variety of sectors and learn from the expertise of her classmates.

Matt Miclette

Vice President, Clinical Operations, Neuroflow Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Matt Miclette serves as Vice President of Clinical Operations at NeuroFlow. In this role, Miclette leads the strategy and execution of digital health, clinical service delivery, and clinical research initiatives in support of population health and integrated care programs supporting 14 million covered lives. Miclette is also a founding member and Executive Director of Action Tank, a service nonprofit that brings veterans and community leaders together to address major social problems facing the Greater Philadelphia community.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Miclette hopes to bring together diverse stakeholders to discuss the best application and opportunities for digital mental health solutions in a veteran population. Additionally, Miclette is interested in strategies to engage veteran populations in community service in order to provide connection and a sense of purpose after the military.

Ben Miranda

Director, Business Operations, Endeavors

El Paso, Texas

Serving as the Director of Business Operations, Benjamin Miranda Jr. is responsible for ensuring the success of the development, implementation, operation, and expansion of Endeavors’ many lines of service. Miranda holds an exceptional record of success collaborating with state, local, and national partners. His role allows him to utilize his strengths in relationship building as he creates and maintains strategic partnerships with local, state, and federal government and stakeholders to promote Endeavors and seek support for the expansion of programs.

He is also the co-owner and Chief Operating Officer of Doctor Bins and owner of Cross-Cultural Leadership Development, both veteran-owned businesses.

A 24-year veteran of the United States Air Force, Miranda rose to the Air Force’s highest rank of Chief Master Sergeant. He deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, and Unified Response, as well as to multiple counter-drug operations in Latin America.

Miranda serves as a Commissioner for the Texas Military Preparedness Commission (appointed by the Texas Governor) and sits on the Board of Directors for the Chamber of El Paso and the El Paso Homeless Coalition-Continuum of Care. He is the Board Chair for the Chamber’s Military and Veteran Affairs Committee and is a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Air Force Sergeants Associations.

Betsy Montañez

U.S. University Partnerships Manager, FDM Group

Nutley, New Jersey

Betsy Montañez serves as the U.S. University Partnerships Manager for FDM Group. In this role, Montañez manages relationship building and campus recruitment throughout the United States, which includes the hiring of student veterans into tech and business roles. Before joining FDM Group, Montañez worked within higher education for 15 years and served as the Director of Veteran and Military Resources at NYU and Bronx Community College/CUNY. In addition to her professional work, Montañez volunteers her time as an advisory council member for both United War Veterans Council (UWVC) and Operation College Promise (OCP) as well as volunteers for Team Red, White, and Blue (RWB).

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Montañez hopes to gather additional partnerships and expertise in order to continue to serve the veteran community and assist veteran transition into academia and meaningful careers.

John Nipper

Grants Officer, U.S. Department of State Syracuse, New York

John Nipper currently serves as a grants officer at the U.S. State Department while earning his master’s degree in Public Administration at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School, specializing in National & International Security Policy. In this role, he works for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, which promotes U.S. interests by providing protection, easing suffering, and resolving the plight of persecuted and forcibly displaced people around the world by coordinating humanitarian policy and diplomacy, providing life-sustaining assistance, working with multilateral organizations to build global partnerships, and promoting best practices in humanitarian response. Before joining the State Department, Nipper worked in legislative policy for the United States Senate and has previously served in the United States Navy as a cryptologic signals intelligence analyst.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Nipper is determined to enhance his ability to successfully improve transitions and outcomes for veterans and their families, scaling his impact through leadership and relationship building with an assembled and diverse cohort of civically-minded leaders who are eager to take necessary action to improve society. He hopes to compound the effectual change that he is fostering so that it may be magnified and expanded to reach its maximum potential.

Muria Nisbett

Readjustment Counselor, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Muria Nisbett serves as a readjustment counselor at the St. Thomas/St. Croix Vet Center. In this role, Nisbett provides counseling and support to combat veterans diagnosed with PTS, depression, anxiety, and other mental health related issues.

In addition to her role at the Vet Center, Nisbett also serves as Vice President of a local nonprofit where she provides personal and professional development to youth and young adults in her community.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Nisbett hopes to create a senior veteran network that will provide comfort calls to senior veterans who are isolated, have limited/no support system, and those with mobility issues to connect them with care as needed.

Dayne Peterson

Chief Master Sergeant, Retired Lugoff, South Carolina

Chief Master Sergeant Dayne Peterson recently retired as the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina. As Command Chief, he was the principal advisor to the wing commander on matters of health, welfare and morale, professional development, and the effective utilization of more than 1,100 enlisted personnel assigned to the South Carolina Air National Guard.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Peterson hopes to increase his network of diverse leaders to maximize his impact in the veteran community. Currently in transition, he continues to serve his state and nation through serving the veteran community at the Big Red Barn Retreat in Blythewood, South Carolina, and volunteering with the American Red Cross. He hopes to utilize what he learns through VLP to make a greater impact in the community.

Abby Peterson

Military and Veteran Recruiting Program Manager, Silicon Valley Bank

East Windsor, New Jersey

Abby Peterson is the Military and Veteran Recruiting Program Manager at Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), the financial partner to the innovation economy. Her role allows her passion for veteran advocacy to thrive and grow SVB’s culture of inclusivity. She started her professional life as a corporate recruiter in the financial services industry, but after five years decided to pursue her lifelong goal of becoming a Marine Officer. She served four years on active duty and two in an Individual Augment reserve billet in the Marine Corps as a Communication Strategy and Operations Officer. After transitioning out of service, Abby served as the Director of Corporate Programs at The COMMIT Foundation, a small nonprofit supporting veterans through mindful self-reflection, values alignment, and personalized programs as they enter post-service life. Her experience has shaped her passion for communication and helping inspire shared visions among diverse audiences. Her roles developing training programs, performing community outreach, and serving as Associate Investigator for major DoD policy reform have given her an appreciation for educating different publics by engaging in multifaceted dialogue around challenging and evolving issues.

She hopes to gain perspective from the incredible leaders in this class while continuing her mission in veteran advancement during the Veteran Leadership Program.

Elizabeth Pletcher

TBI Education Project Manager, General Dynamics Information Technology Arlington, Virginia

Elizabeth Pletcher serves as the TBI Education Project Manager at General Dynamics Information Technology. In this role, Pletcher is contract support to the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence under the Defense Health Agency. She provides leadership and project management for the creation of TBI educational materials geared towards service members, caregivers and providers.

Heather Prill

Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships and Programs, The Home Depot Foundation Atlanta, Georgia

As the Senior Philanthropist, Heather Prill serves as a member of The Home Depot Foundation’s executive team, leading the investment and partnership strategy. The Home Depot Foundation, in partnership with their network of strong nonprofit organizations, focuses on housing for veterans through ending veteran homelessness, affordable housing and home adaptability, skilled trades training, and disaster response.

Previously, Prill held leadership roles within United Way and Hands On Greenville. She also spent nine years with the Georgia Commission for Service and Volunteerism, leading AmeriCorps throughout the State of Georgia.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Prill hopes to work with and learn from her fellow Scholars to create opportunities to engage, train, certify, and place more veterans in a skilled trades career path.

Samira Searcy

Military Liaison & Outreach Specialist, Aston Carter Evans, Georgia

Samira Searcy launched the Military Outreach Program at Aston Carter and actively advocates for employment opportunities and advancement for our Nation’s military veterans. Searcy serves as a coach and mentor to transitioning servicemembers, veterans, and military spouses and provides resources and career opportunities to those in need. Searcy retired from the United States Army after more than 20 years of service and is passionate about improving outcomes for veterans. In her free time, Searcy serves as a board member for a local nonprofit for children in the Augusta, Georgia area, as well as a mentor for a nonprofit in South Carolina that serves high-risk individuals.

Juanita Sepulveda

Chief Operations Officer & Partner, Vanyel Investments, LLC

Atascosa, Texas

Juanita Sepulveda serves as Chief Operations Officer and Partner of Vanyel Investments, LLC. In this role, Sepulveda manages all the day-to-day operations of business development. She works to develop and scale the business to provide more employment opportunities for the betterment of those who need an opportunity. Before joining Vanyel Investments, Sepulveda provided digital support to the VISA corporation as they are dedicated to the excellence of Client Care globally.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Sepulveda hopes to bring together a diverse group of Scholars who are leaders in their communities and passionate about advancing positive outcomes for veterans and their families.

Lindsey Streeter

Director of Military Affairs, Bank of America Richmond Hills, Georgia

Lindsey Streeter serves as Director of Military Affairs at Bank of America.

In this role, Streeter manages the bank’s global military relationship. He concentrates his efforts and strategy on jobs, education, veteran wellness, and housing. Before joining Bank of America, Streeter served as a solider in the United States Army in various leadership positions. In a career which spanned over 31 years, he obtained the rank of Command Sergeant Major.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Streeter hopes to leverage the intellectual synergy of his cohort for solutions aimed at the betterment of our society.

Andrea Tice

Tech Program Manager, Deloitte Consulting, LLP

Rockledge, Florida

Andrea Tice is a Tech Program Manager with Deloitte Consulting, LLP. In this role, she manages the process of bringing new products to market. In addition, she is actively engaged in supporting transitioning military veterans. Tice serves as a coach with Deloitte’s Career Opportunity Redefinition Exploration (CORE) Leadership Program, a program for veterans. She also serves as a mentor to veterans through American Corporate Partners (ACP) and Veterati.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Tice hopes to improve the health and well-being of transitioning military veterans by developing a program focused on the discipline of creative writing.

Angel Torres

Senior Consultant, Ernst and Young Global Consulting Services, LLP

Woodridge, Illinois

Angel Torres is a Senior Consultant in Ernst and Young (EY) People Advisory Services practice based in Chicago, Illinois. A trusted human resources business partner and solution-driven strategist, Torres is committed to creating a culture of acceptance and inclusion by creating organization cultures where “belonging” is truly valued.

His specialties include change management and organizational alignment of global corporations. Additionally, he supports the EY veteran hiring initiatives by participating in the screening process and skills/business alignment for military veteran and spouse applicants. Prior to joining EY, Torres served 27 years in the U.S. Navy as both an enlisted and an officer.

As an outspoken veteran and military spouse advocate, Torres is excited for the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with Scholars in the Veteran Leadership Program who are just as passionate about supporting our Nation’s guardians as he is.

Blas Villalobos

Chief Executive Officer, Centerstone Military Services

Lakewood, California

Blas Villalobos is the Chief Executive Officer of Centerstone’s Military Services. As the Chief Executive Officer, Villalobos leads the organization’s delivery of mental health and substance use disorder services to veterans, active-duty military personnel, and military families. He also leads the organization’s partnerships with other military-friendly organizations, including partnerships with Wounded Warrior Project, Cohen Veterans Network, and the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program.

Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Villalobos is working to increase access to free, high-quality mental health services for active-duty service members, National Guard, reserves, veterans, and military family members. He aims to increase the number of independently licensed mental health providers contracted with his organization to provide evidencebased services proven to be effective in the treatment of post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.

Kathryn Warren

Program Manager, Onward to Opportunity Southern California, Syracuse University, D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families

Oceanside, California

Kathryn Warren serves as the Program Manager for Onward to Opportunity in Southern California. As part of Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Warren’s responsibilities include creating and delivering comprehensive, in-depth seminars for transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses. Warren is also responsible for developing and building relationships with local military services installation transition staff, the San Diego Community, and local and national employers ensuring those in transition are able to discover meaningful employment post service.

Through her participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Warren is working to increase female veterans’ participation in STEM related industries through programs and education that offer opportunity to upskill in these areas as well advancing outcomes for women veteran unemployment.