Meet Our Team
We bring a diversity of experience, including defense, media, healthcare, philanthropy, business, and government.

Our Founders: Bob and Lee Woodruff
Bob Woodruff’s enduring gratitude for the sacrifices made by our nation’s service members will always be the spirit behind the Foundation. On Jan. 29, 2006, while reporting on U.S. and Iraqi security forces for ABC’s “World News Tonight,” he was seriously injured by a roadside bomb that struck his vehicle near Taji, Iraq.
In February 2007, just 13 months after being wounded, he returned to ABC News with “To Iraq and Back: Bob Woodruff Reports.” Since then, he has reported from around the globe for the network.
While not engaged in the daily operations of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, Bob—through his reporting and speaking engagements—pushes to bring the stories of those who serve to the forefront of public consciousness, encouraging us all to take a stand for heroes.
Lee Woodruff is a best-selling author, public speaker, and journalist. She became an advocate for injured veterans when her husband, Bob, was injured by a roadside bomb while covering the Iraq war for ABC News.
Inspired by their family’s experience of injury and recovery, they founded the Bob Woodruff Foundation to ensure our post-911 veterans have access to the highest levels of support and resources when they transition back to the homefront. To date, the Foundation has invested over $124 million to find, fund, and shape programs helping veterans, service members, and their families nationwide.
Lee has been a contributing reporter for “CBS This Morning” and “Good Morning America.” She’s written numerous magazine articles and several best-selling books. She currently runs a media training and speaking business, working with clients worldwide.

Executive Leadership

Anne Marie Dougherty
Chief Executive Officer
As Chief Executive Officer of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, Anne Marie Dougherty oversees and funds the nation’s largest nongovernmental network of veteran service providers, which, according to Forbes, helps veterans not only navigate the 40,000+ organizations that provide services to them, but also helps veterans heal from the physical and psychological wounds of war. With A-list celebrities and philanthropic institutions at our side – Bruce Springsteen, the NFL, Craig Newmark Philanthropies,
MacKenzie Scott, Jon Stewart, Lee Ann Womack, Mickey Guyton – and our country’s highest-ranked military and national security leaders, we have invested more than $100 million in best-in-class veterans programming across the country. Our product is peace of mind – for veterans, for veteran-serving organizations, and for philanthropists looking
to invest efficiently and effectively in veteran services.
As a military spouse, Anne Marie’s connection to the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s mission is personal. She has lived experience as a Marine spouse during war time combat deployments and through multiple duty station moves. When she tells veterans, their families, and their caregivers that the Bob Woodruff Foundation has “Got Your 6,” she means it. She regularly speaks to media outlets ranging from ESPN, to NPR, TIME,
CBS, and Fox to raise awareness for veteran needs.
Anne Marie is active with her two young boys in their local community, including through their sports teams and schools. She serves on the Board of Directors of the UN Women for Peace Association, as an Advisory Board Member for Game Changers Institute, and as a NationSwell Council Member. Anne Marie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Communications from Drexel University.























Dave Woodruff
Chief Development Officer
Dave Woodruff is Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, having joined the organization professionally in July of 2020.
Dave co-founded the BWF with his brother Bob and sister-in-law Lee Woodruff and served as Chairman of the Board until joining in his current capacity. Woodruff is committed to helping to grow the Bob Woodruff Foundation into an even more influential nationally recognized military charity.
Woodruff had a decades-long career in advertising and media before joining the Bob Woodruff Foundation. He started his career working for several Detroit and New York based advertising agencies, including W.B. Doner, Campbell-Ewald and Saatchi & Saatchi. Some of his key clients included Chevrolet, Little Caesars, and The Detroit Free Press.
He moved into media sales and marketing in the early 90’s and worked at a number of media companies, including Times Mirror (Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, SKI and Skiing), National Geographic as Detroit Director, Ziff-Davis and Gruner & Jahr as National Automotive Lead, Hearst Magazines and Bloomberg Media as Detroit Director, and most recently as Midwest Director for Entrepreneur Media.
During his career he also served in several industry positions, most notably as the 101st President of The Adcraft Club of Detroit, the oldest advertising club in the nation. He was also the first third-generation President of prestigious Orchard Lake Country Club in 2013 and is a Eucharistic Minister in the Episcopal Church.
In addition, Woodruff founded the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Jeep Claybird Classic charity sporting clays tournament which ran for over 10 years and raised nearly $1,000,000, establishing an endowed chair in Pediatric Rehabilitation at Wayne State University and Children’s Hospital of Michigan.
Dave and his wife Lee Ann live in Birmingham, Michigan, the Woodruff family’s hometown.























Margaret Harrell, Ph.D.
Chief Program Officer
Prior to BWF, Meg was the Executive Director, Force Resiliency, for the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). There, she was responsible for the OSD offices and policy pertaining to sexual assault prevention and response, suicide prevention, diversity management, equal opportunity, drug reduction, and personnel safety. She was also responsible for Department of Defense collaborative efforts with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Prior to her Pentagon appointment, Dr. Harrell was a senior social scientist and Deputy Director of the RAND Arroyo Center where she researched military manpower and personnel, military families and quality of life, and veterans’ issues.
She led or co-led projects addressing officer career management; the promotion and management of generals and admirals; assignment policies for military women; the health and wellness of veterans; resiliency of military families; and sexual assault prevention and response policy. Her research portfolio includes approximately 70 publications. Concurrent with her time at RAND, Dr. Harrell was a presidentially-appointed commissioner on the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force, 2013-2014. From July 2011 to August 2012, Dr. Harrell was Senior Fellow and Director of the Military, Veterans, and Society Program at the Center for a New American Security, where her research focused on military veteran suicide prevention and response, veteran wellness, and veteran employment.
She is a prior voting member of the Army Science Board, and has briefed international audiences, testified before Congress, spoken extensively at conferences, and guest lectured at the United States Military Academy. She holds a B.A. with Distinction from the University of Virginia, a M.S. in Systems Analysis and Management from the George Washington University, and a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Virginia, where her dissertation focused on military culture.
Harrell is married to a Navy veteran.























Todd Duso
Chief Operating Officer
Prior to BWF, Todd spent seven years working in the Middle East in various executive leadership positions in the United Arab Emirates, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait. Todd brings over 30 years of strategic operations and organizational experience to the BWF team from both the public and private sector. Prior to his move to the Middle East he worked in the Pentagon with senior Army leadership.
Todd served as the lead subject matter expert for the Director, US Army Office of Business Transformation. This high-profile work required expert technical knowledge and experience in the areas of best business practices, portfolio management, strategic communications, business transformation and change management. He also served as the Program Manager for the Chief of Staff of the Army’s Strategic Leadership Development Program for General Officers and Senior Executive Civilians. This project required day to day interaction with the Army Staff and Secretariat to develop educational objectives, course curriculum, and marketing strategies for all levels of executive education. Along with developing and executing courses Todd coordinated and collaborated with Fortune 500 CEOs, leading scholars, journalists, government officials, and guest speakers for participation in the program.
In addition to his private sector operations experience Todd is an Army veteran who served as a commissioned officer and enlisted soldier. With both combat and noncombat deployments, he has a special place in his heart for veterans, military members and their families.
Todd and his wife Kristin live and work in New York City.























Kelly Lugbill Clark
Chief of Staff
Our chief of staff, Kelly Lugbill Clark brings experience as a management consultant for public and social sector clients at McKinsey & Company. Prior to McKinsey, Kelly worked as a program associate and election observer at The Carter Center. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in history and French from the University of Virginia and a Master in Public Policy from Harvard University. Kelly lives in Richmond, VA with her husband Danny, a Lieutenant in the US Navy Reserve.























Jody Kovich
Executive Assistant
Jody Kovich is the Executive Assistant for the Bob Woodruff Foundation. She comes to our Foundation from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Fives Cinetic, Atlas Oil Company, and AAA Michigan. Jody also brings experience as as legal assistant and paralegal. Having spent the majority of her life in Michigan, Jody currently resides in Wyandotte, MI
Development




Alicia Blanco
As the Research and Development Associate at the Bob Woodruff Foundation, Alicia oversees online research to identify, cultivate, and solicit fundraising prospects. Her work supports our mission to provide stability and success to veterans, service members, their families, and caregivers.
With more than six years of military service, eight years of experience in the public sector, and four years in political fundraising, Alicia brings a diverse, and fundamental background to the Foundation.
Alicia received her Masters in Public Policy from Duke University and is a North Carolina State Bar Certified Paralegal. She received two bachelor’s degrees from North Carolina State University: in Political Science and Psychology and minored in Spanish. Alicia has spent most of her life living and working in North Carolina.























Austin Murray
As the Foundation’s development assistant, Austin is passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of veterans, service members and their families. Austin brings development experience from the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center, where he recruited undergraduate students for the O’Neill’s education programs. An artist, Austin holds a BFA in Acting from the Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama.























Emilee Gates
Emilee brings to the Foundation an extensive background in political fundraising and state government. While at the Indiana House of Representatives she helped the members pass legislation on issues including veteran affairs and healthcare. She held fundraisers for more than 70 campaign committees, including the Chairman of the Veteran Affairs, and worked closely with veterans and their families. An Arizona State University graduate, Emilee lives in rural Indiana with her two dogs and enjoys coaching a national volleyball team in her personal time.























Jon Comas
A fundraising specialist with over 15 years experience, Jon has managed complex national online fundraising campaigns at Mother Jones, and fundraised for service projects in Upper Manhattan as part of Columbia University’s Office of Government and Community Affairs.
A Miami native, Jon earned a B.A. in English from New York University and an M.S in Non profit Management from Columbia University. As part of the capstone project at Columbia University, he evaluated the operations of Tuesday’s Children, which provides support for communities dealing with the effects of mass violence. In his spare time, Jon is a competitive powerlifter, a proud uncle to six nieces and nephews, and a companion to his rescue dog.























Nikki Stork
As a Development Associate at the Bob Woodruff Foundation, Nikki builds corporate partnerships to support the transition from veteran to civilian, and helps ensure that veterans have meaningful career opportunities.
Nikki previously worked as a Consulting Assistant with the Institute for Nonprofit Administration and Research at Louisiana State University of Shreveport where she supported nonprofit clients, planned events, and oversaw outreach. Her past consulting projects included donor solicitation, event marketing, graphic design, and organizational strategy. Nikki also co-authored the e-booklet Journey to Nonprofit Success.
Nikki has an M.S. in Nonprofit Administration from Louisiana State University of Shreveport and is a Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP). As a military spouse who’s lived in different states, Nikki looks forward to settling down in Colorado with her husband and two fur babies.




Temple Seigler, CFRE
As the Senior Director of Development at the Bob Woodruff Foundation, Temple oversees the organization’s fundraising efforts. Her work underlies our ability to invest in programs that serve the needs of service members, veterans, families, and caregivers in the communities where they live.
With more than 30 years of leadership in non-profit and political fundraising, Temple brings extensive experience in the veterans’ space. Most recently for the Student Veterans of America, Temple cultivated a network of partners and supporters to empower student veterans and their families to foster success in the classroom, in their professional careers, and in their communities. Temple also supported the Office of the First Lady of the United States’ Joining Forces Initiative. There she identified, engaged, and received commitments from Fortune 500 corporations to hire, support, and retain more than 56,000 veterans. Through her work with the Institute for Veterans and Military Families and JPMorgan Chase’s 100,000 Jobs Mission, Temple built partnerships with government, private industry, and philanthropic organizations to support transitioning service members and veterans.
Temple received her B.A. in Economics from Hollins University and is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE). She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and Chicago Women in Philanthropy. A native of Kentucky, Temple lives in Chicago, where she raised her four children.
Operations























Caitlyn Silverstorf
Caitlyn oversees the Foundation’s branding and visual identity. Previously she worked as a graphic designer for Sports Backers, a non-profit organization in Richmond, VA.
She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design from Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts. Caitlyn lives in Goldsboro, NC with her husband Tristan, who is a Lieutenant in the Air Force.























Cheyanne Gordon
Cheyanne coordinates communications for the Foundation. Previously, she worked as the Marketing and Website Coordinator for Freedom Mobility Solutions and as a reporter for the Baltimore Times.
She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Strategic Communications from Morgan State University. Born in Queens, New York, Cheyanne grew up in New Jersey before relocating to Rockville, Maryland.























Corissa Sellers
Operation Associate
As the Foundation’s Operations Associate, Corissa Sellers positively impacts veterans and their families. She brings to the organization experience in many fields, including retail program management, early education, and music.
Corissa graduated magna cum laude from Portland State University with a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies where she focused on writing and communications.























Dina Shapiro
Dina began her career over 25 years ago working on New York Fashion Week. Following that and several years in fashion public relations, Dina worked under Tina Brown as entertainment editor at TALK Magazine. In 2002, Dina headed to Miramax to oversee events for Miramax and Dimension Films.
In 2005, Dina founded her entertainment and media events company, Wise & Company. There, in 2012, she began working with the Bob Woodruff Foundation on Stand Up for Heroes.























Keith Whitcomb
As Senior Director, Operations, Keith positively impacts veterans, service members and their families through increased nationwide collaboration every single day.
A retired Command Sergeant Major, Keith served over 32 years as a Combat Engineer in the U.S. Army. A Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom veteran, Keith served nearly five years in combat and in several other overseas assignments and operational deployments. Previously Keith served as a Combat Engineer Battalion CSM in Germany, the Garrison CSM for Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, and Senior Engineer Advisor to the I Corps Engineer at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
Keith is a certified Project Management Professional, has an MBA in Human Resources Management/Operations, and a Master’s degree in Adult, Occupational, and Continuing Education from Kansas State University. Recent assignments include his work as an Assistant Professor (Title-5) with the Command and General Staff College involving executive leadership facilitation and Program Management of the U.S. Army’s senior spouse leadership education program at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.























As the Communications Manager at the Bob Woodruff Foundation, Suzanne is pivotal in coordinating and executing strategic communication initiatives supporting the organization’s mission. With a passion for storytelling, Suzanne brings a wealth of experience in journalism and digital media content creation to her role.
Working as a freelance journalist, Suzanne reported on health trends, culture, and policy. She received a grant from the New America Foundation to report on cancer trends in Eastern Kentucky, and her work has been featured on NPR, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, and a forthcoming documentary about healthcare influencers. In her time as creative director with Collective Impact, Suzanne led a multi-million-dollar social media campaign during the 2020 Election Cycle, which registered more than 36,000 poll workers, 10,000 volunteers, and 24,000 new voters and raised nearly $10M for state and local elections over six months.
Suzanne received both an MPA in Health Policy and Non-Profit Management and a BA in Political Communications and Philosophy from New York University. Her dedication to making a positive impact extends to her involvement as co-chair of the Young Leadership Council at the Basser Center for BRCA. A native-New Yorker, Suzanne is a devoted New York Yankees fan who spends the other four months of the year reading, trying new restaurants, and traveling.
Programs and Partnerships























Ann Philopena
As the Foundation’s VIVA program administrator, Ann helps wounded veterans struggling with infertility achieve their dream of growing their families. She walks families through the program’s grant process and connects our veterans to resources outside of the Foundation as well.
A medically retired officer, she completed tours of duty at Letterman Army Medical Center as a clinical dietitian; as Bremerhaven Germany as the Chief, Nutrition Care Division, 44th Medical Brigade; and at Fort Bragg as the Brigade dietitian, Office of the Army Surgeon General as nutrition staff officer. After the Army, she was a nutritionist for the Carl Vogel Center. There she provided services to underserved populations living with HIV. She also worked as the nutrition curriculum developer for the Women Infant Children program in Oakland, CA.























Deirdre Armstrong
Director, Partner Engagement
Leveraging a decade of public service experience, Deirdre is driven to find innovative and collaborative methods to support veterans. Before BWF, Deirdre served in the White House as National Security Director for the Office of Presidential Personnel. In this role, she managed the team and selection process for appointees in foreign policy and national security positions. Prior to the White House, Deirdre served in the US Senate, as a staff member on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee where she managed the portfolio of nominations, including the Secretary of Homeland Security and all Inspectors General. Deirdre grew up in Bear, Delaware, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University.























Emily Bader
Senior Director of Investments
Emily Bader is actively involved in finding, funding, and shaping grants made to nonprofits that address the needs of post-9/11 veterans, service members, military families, and caregivers. Emily received her master’s degree in Near Eastern Studies at New York University. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from St. John’s University with a B.S. in Criminal Justice, a concentration in Forensic Psychology, and minors in International Studies and Philosophy.























Emily Krause
Program Officer
Emily Krause is a Senior Program Officer at the Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF) and is responsible for finding, funding, and shaping grants made to nonprofits addressing the needs of post-9/11 veterans, service members, military families, and caregivers. She first came to BWF in September 2018 as a Development Associate before joining the grants team in 2020. Emily graduated summa cum laude from Whitman College, where she worked as a Student Academic Advisor, helping first-year students transition to college academics, and earned a B.A. in Theatre with honors.




Hunter Russ
Program Officer
Hunter Russ has built her career in the nonprofit sector and has worked for organizations including Veterans Services of the Carolinas, YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, and Doug Herbert’s Put on the B.R.A.K.E.S. A military spouse, Hunter uses this experience to connect with veterans, service members, and their families. She received a bachelor’s in human services, with a minor in management, from Wingate University and her Masters of Nonprofit Administration from Louisiana State University, Shreveport.























Maicie Calvert
Program Officer
As Maicie’s husband began his journey with the Marine Corps in 2022, she wanted to dive into service to our military community by supporting the more than 100 organizations in the BWF local partner network. An Iowa native and South Florida local, Maicie is energized by connecting with diverse communities across the nation to address the needs of service members and veterans. Her Master of Social Work and career in nonprofit administration and development includes suicide prevention, intellectual and developmental disabilities, at-risk youth, and foster care.























Mary Carstensen
President Emeritus, National Veterans Intermediary
Colonel Mary Carstensen U.S. Army (Retired) is a 26-year veteran of the U.S. Army, a former senior executive and advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and thoughtful investor for the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s Charitable Investment program.
She has spent her career building organizations and systems to solve complex problems within and across the public and private sectors.
Her vision, leadership, and proficiency at building coalitions led to the successful integration of civilian healthcare services for the Department of Defense, the implementation of a world-wide electronic medical record, the creation of an exemplary transition program for severely wounded warriors for the US Army, and implementation of the first ever interagency care coordination policy and integration of care, services and benefits for military and veterans.
After two years as NVI’s inaugural Director, today COL Carstensen serves as President Emeritus, providing executive counsel as NVI grows its efforts to engage stakeholders across the country in easing veterans’ access to services and decreasing variability in well-being outcomes.
Our Board of Directors
18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Partner
Our Leadership Council
Director of Neuroendovascular Surgery
Former Global Chairwoman and CEO
36th Chief of Staff of the Army
32nd Vice Chief of Staff of the Army
Director
21st Chief of Staff of the Air Force
President and CEO
Founding Partner
USAA
Senior Business Analyst
President
Honorary Council
President