contact@shieldsandstripes.org

  • march 2025 Program is OPEN for applicants

Our Team

Our Shields & Stripes team possesses over 150 years of collective military and first-responder experience, serving as a testament to our deep-rooted commitment to excellence.

Executive Leadership

Steven Nisbet, President, Co-founder of Shields & Stripes

Steven Nisbet

President and
Co-Founder

Jennifer Byrne, Vice President, Co-founder of Shields & Stripes

Dr. Jennifer Byrne

Vice President and
Co-Founder

Rory Berke, Chairman of the Board of Shields & Stripes

Rory Berke

Chairman of the Board

Geoff Tokajer, Board Vice Chair of Shields & Stripes

Geoff Tokajer

Board
Vice Chair

Cody Cerny, Board Secretary of Shields & Stripes

Cody Cerny

Board
Secretary

Barry Coulby, Treasurer for Shields & Stripes

Barry Coulby

Board
Treasurer

Ambassadors

Ryan Lavarnway

Ryan Lavarnway

Ambassador

General Austin "Scott" Miller

General Scott Miller

Ambassador

Riley Tejcek

Captain Riley Tejcek

Ambassador

Care Team

Dr. Heidi Anderson

Dr. Heidi Anderson

Clinical Development
Research Director

Andi Blair, Telehealth Registered Dietitian for Shields & Stripes

Andi Bair

Registered
Dietitian

Kelli Cabrera, Occupational Therapist for Shields & Stripes

Dr. Kelli Cabrera

Occupational
Therapist

Amy Ellis, Mental Health Clinician for Shields & Stripes

Amy Ellis

Mental Health
Clinician

Marla Harvey, Occupational Therapist for Shields & Stripes

Marla Harvey

Occupational
Therapist
Jeff Kennedy, Telehealth Physical Therapist for Shields & Stripes

Jeff Kennedy

Physical
Therapist

Mary-Catherine LaBossiere, Telehealth Registered Dietitian for Shields & Stripes

Mary-Catherine LaBossiere

Registered
Dietitian
Mary-Catherine LaBossiere, Telehealth Registered Dietitian for Shields & Stripes

Ariya McGrory

Mental Health Therapist 

Leanne McMillen, Telehealth Physical Therapist & Telehealth Team Leader for Shields & Stripes

Dr. Leanne McMillen

Physical
Therapist

Leanne McMillen, Telehealth Physical Therapist & Telehealth Team Leader for Shields & Stripes

Dr. Barbara Thompson

Operational
Psychologist

Laisa A. Worthington

Athlete Advocate
Alumni Coordinator

Operational Staff

Katie Balash, Event Coordinator for Shields & Stripes

Katie Balash

Event
Coordinator

Celia Cox, Financial Director Shields & Stripes

Celia Cox

Financial
Director

Rachel Dahle, Donor Relations Manager for Shields & Stripes

Rachel Dahle

Donor Relations
Manager
Katie Tischler, Marketing Specialist of Shields & Stripes

Katie Tischler

Communications
Director

Andrea Trimble, Program Director of Shields & Stripes

Andrea Trimble

Operations
Director

Business Development Staff

Andrea Trimble, Program Director of Shields & Stripes

Brian Dean

Donor Outreach
Director

Andrea Trimble, Program Director of Shields & Stripes

Joshua Longenecker

Strategic 
Partnerships

Board of Advisors

Terence Bennett, Advisory Board Member for Shields & Stripes

Terence Bennett

Advisor

Michael Bahar

Michael Bahar

Advisor

Rafael Hernandez

Advisor

Jacob Langenkamp

Advisor

Julie Rasmussen, Advisor for Shields & Stripes

Julie Rasmussen

Advisor
Lara Ryan, Advisory Board Member for Shields & Stripes

Lara Ryan

Advisor