Krista Simpson Anderson is a Gold Star spouse, policy advisor, and founder of Brave Group LLC and The Unquiet Professional. After losing her husband, Green Beret Staff Sgt. Michael H. Simpson, in 2013, she turned that experience into a mission: helping military families prepare for the unexpected and advocating for survivors, caregivers, and veterans at every level. She serves on the boards of advisors for Newrez, The Grateful Nation Project, Force Blue Team, and the Global War on Terror Memorial Foundation, and is a recipient of the Army's Superior Public Service Medal.

As the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Richard L. Anderson leads the Department of the Air Force organization that develops policy and provides oversight for all matters related to manpower, military and civilian personnel, the Air National Guard, the Air Force Reserve, Civil Air Patrol, and readiness support for 680,000 Airmen and Guardians and their families. Prior to his current position, Anderson represented the 51st House District in the Virginia General Assembly. He received his Air Force commission in 1979 and retired in 2009 after 30 years of military service in the missile and space career field and in Air Force international affairs.

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.

Cory Brown is a U.S. Army veteran who served 16 1/2 years, half on active duty and half in the National Guard. He joined before 9/11, deployed to Iraq, and left the Army in 2015 with a neck injury, a master's degree, and a long list of things he was still working through. In 2025, he and co-host Sam Nathews launched the online cooking show Eat Your Feelings, using food, cooking, and serving others as the entry point for real conversations about life, stress, grief, and connection.

After Beth Conlin was forced her to leave her job during her husband’s PCS to Germany in 2013 due to the vague wording concerning spouse employment within the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), she started out on a decades-long journey to remove barriers caused by misinformation. Today she is an expert on SOFA and has contributed to panel discussions, written op-eds, and supported lawmakers who champion military spouse initiatives. Now a technical business manager at Amazon and Presidential Fellow in the Obama Leaders program, Conlin continues to advocate for military spouses, serving as board chair for the Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce, board member for Secure Families Initiative, and as a member of several Pentagon and White House working groups aimed at reducing employment challenges. 

A director of Advancement for the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF), Heather Kelly builds relationships with the Spartan community and partners as well as assists in growing TMF’s presence nationwide. Prior to her current role, she also led programming for TMF’s west and pacific northwest regions, working closely with veterans returning to civilian life, the surviving family members of those who make the ultimate sacrifice, and fostering America’s next generation of leaders. Kelly is co-author of The Knock at the Door: Three Gold Star Families Bonded by Grief and Purpose with Ryan Manion and Amy Looney Heffernan, which tells of their inspiring and unlikely journey that began on the worst day of their lives.

Sam Nathews co-hosts the online cooking show Eat Your Feelings with Army veteran and fellow Alabama native Cory Brown. The show, launched in 2025, uses food, cooking, and serving others as the entry point for real conversations about life, stress, grief, and connection.

Lt. Gen. Jefferson J. O’Donnell is the deputy chief of staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. He serves as the senior Air Force officer responsible for comprehensive plans and policies covering all life cycles of military and civilian personnel management, which includes military and civilian end strength management, education and training, compensation, resource allocation, and the worldwide U.S. Air Force services program. Prior to his current position, he served as the commander of the Air Force Personnel Center at Joint Base San Antonio.

Patricia “Patty” Sandoval is a proud military spouse and public health professional. She built HomeFront Haven after experiencing mental health struggles during her husband’s deployment in 2023. HomeFront Haven’s model prioritizes community-based support as a critical strategy to reduce reliance on crisis care systems. Instead of asking spouses and partners, “Didn’t you know what you signed up for?” this program asks, “How can we support you, so you don’t have to carry the home front alone?”

Amber Sax is the surviving spouse of Marine Capt. John Sax and mother of their two daughters, Eleanor and Emma. She founded the Capt Sax Foundation after John’s passing, driven by a commitment to honor his legacy and support others who share his passion for aviation. She serves in an executive capacity outside the board, overseeing the foundation’s operations, outreach, and strategic direction. She is an analytics leader with experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

As the volunteer director of Military Family Relations for Change the Air Foundation, Erica Thompson advocates for safe and healthy military housing. A military spouse of more than 22 years and mother of five, Thompson became a national advocate after her own family experienced severe health impacts from environmental hazards in privatized military housing. She now works with military families, nonprofit partners, Pentagon leaders, and Congress to advance housing reforms that strengthen military family readiness, health, and quality of life.