JoAnne “Jo” Bass is a trailblazing leader, trusted advisor, and nationally recognized voice in purpose-driven leadership. As the 19th chief master sergeant of the Air Force — the first woman to hold the highest enlisted position in any U.S. military branch — she shaped strategy, culture, and the future of the force. Today, she leads The Bass Group, serves on multiple nonprofit boards, and advises executives and organizations on leadership, national security, and workforce transformation. A champion for veterans, military families, and the next generation of leaders, Bass brings clarity, courage, and connection to every stage and mission.

Trying to marry his passion for cars and cameras, AJ Bleyer began shooting automotive videos with his high school friends. His work caught the attention of local dealerships, and at 22 he left Apple to pursue filmmaking full time. He founded Advent Films and became a trusted shooter for the likes of Ferrari, McLaren F1, Aston Martin, Red Bull, Riot Games, Amazon, and more. Despite rejection from every film school, AJ was accepted into the Directors Guild of America as one of its youngest directors at 27. Known for dynamic angles and unforgiving attention to detail, he specializes in action-packed commercials with vehicle stunts, pyrotechnics, skydiving, and low-flying helicopters — pretty much anything that freaks out his parents.

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Gabrielle Bosché is the CEO of The Purpose Company, which offers consultancy and goal-setting services for individual leaders and teams. Bosché has provided advising services across the Department of War, Fortune 500 companies, presidential campaigns, professional athletes, and celebrities. She is also the author of seven books. Bosché has been called the “next generation of motivators” by the Zig Ziglar Foundation and John Maxwell, and she has keynoted alongside Malcolm Gladwell.

Nate Boyer, a Bronze Star recipient, served in Iraq and Afghanistan with the U.S. Army Special Forces. While in combat zones, he trained himself to become a walk-on with an NCAA Division 1 football team. He started in 38 of 39 games and was the No. 1 long snapper for the last three seasons of his five-year career with the Texas Longhorns. In 2015, Boyer joined the Seattle Seahawks as the oldest rookie in NFL history at age 34. As a veteran and professional athlete, Boyer saw an opportunity to team up both populations to tackle shared transition struggles through Merging Vets & Players (MVP), an organization he co-founded with NFL insider Jay Glazer. In 2020, he co-wrote, produced, directed, and starred in the film “MVP,” which premiered on Veterans Day 2022.

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technology, and engagement across the department to accountably improve the lives of veterans and their families, caregivers, and survivors while earning their trust. Davis previously served as the chief veteran experience officer within the administration of President Donald Trump. During her prior tenure, that team led the VA’s hardwiring of the customer experience framework.

Rear Adm. Amanda Goeller serves as deputy director of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps and deputy director for operations at the NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations. With over 20 years of service, she has led multiple commands, including NOAA’s Marine Operations Center — Atlantic, where she oversaw nine research vessels and key facilities along the East and Gulf coasts. A former commanding officer of NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada, Goeller brings deep expertise in marine operations, personnel management, and fisheries science.

SEAC David Isom serves as the sixth senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, representing the voice of the enlisted force to senior military leadership. A Navy SEAL since 1987, he has led at every level of special operations, including as senior enlisted leader for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Special Operations Command North, and U.S. Special Operations Pacific. His combat and operational deployments span Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom, with extensive experience across the Pacific and Horn of Africa.

Louisa Nicola is a neurophysiologist, educator, and the founder of Neuro Athletics — a digital platform and podcast dedicated to leveraging neuroscience to help others achieve peak performance. Nicola specializes in the neurophysiology of brain tumors, neuroplastic surgical techniques, Alzheimer's disease prevention, and brain optimization. Her ultimate mission is to create a world free from Alzheimer's disease. She graduated from the University of Sydney, where her doctoral focus in neurophysiology spotlighted lifestyle interventions and neurodegeneration. She advanced her research career by working alongside world-class neurosurgeons, contributing to clinical investigation in cranioplasty.

Lt. Col. Rob Riggle, USMC (Ret), is an actor, comedian, writer, producer, and director with more than 15 years in comedy. Known for roles in “The Hangover” and “Step Brothers,” he also starred on “Saturday Night Live” and “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” He recently hosted the hit ABC series “Holey Moley.” Film credits include “The Other Guys,” “21 Jump Street,” “22 Jump Street,” “Dumb and Dumber To,” and “Night School.” Rob earned acclaim for his dramatic roles in “12 Strong” and “Midnight Sun.” He served 23 years in the Marine Corps, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in theater and film from the University of Kansas as well as a Master of Public Administration from Webster University.

Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Carlos Ruiz was born in Sonora, Mexico, and enlisted in the service in 1993 out of Buckeye, Ariz. In his 32 years of service he has been assigned to Okinawa, Japan; California’s Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Twentynine Palms, Sacramento, and Los Angeles; and New Orleans, La. He has served as a recruiter and a drill instructor. He has deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, the Indo-Pacific region, and as the battalion landing team sergeant major for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. Ruiz assumed his current position in August 2023.

Stephen Simmons is the deputy assistant secretary of war for military community and family policy, leading efforts to strengthen military families and enhance their quality of life. A former Marine Corps major with 17 years of service, he held roles in manpower policy and operational leadership. After his military career, he led logistics programs at Amazon and advised the Walk the Talk Foundation. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal and four Navy Commendation Medals.

B. Taylor is a decorated Navy veteran and an internationally acclaimed artist, producer, and songwriter who has won multiple awards, with six No. 1 songs featured on the Billboard and iTunes charts. He is also the first-ever artist and producer to have bridged the gap between hip-hop/urban music and the genre of Motown legends such as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. He has worked with “NCIS” actress Pauley Perrette as well as music artists Chris Brown, Snoop Dogg, Ray J, Flo Rida, and more. He is a best-selling author, speaker, and philanthropist, and holds the title of “A Goodwill Global Ambassador and Advocate of Entertainment for the U.S. Military, Veterans, First Responders, and Their Families.”