In battle, warriors wielded it with a dedication to putting the mission first and protecting others above their own safety. Now, as Mandatum Fellows reach the end of their military careers, they prepare to lay down the trident for the first time and embark on a new chapter.
For the first time, these warriors are asked to shift their focus from the mission to themselves, trading selflessness in battle for the courage to invest in their well-being and future. Putting down the trident represents a momentous shift—a chance to prioritize their growth and a renewed sense of self after years of dedicated service to our nation.
The Mandatum Foundation honors this transition with a downward-facing trident as its logo, symbolizing a commitment to supporting each Fellow’s personal journey. Through mentorship, resources, and industry partnerships, Mandatum ensures that each Fellow’s transition from military to civilian life is purposeful and supported. This commitment allows them to meet new challenges with the same resilience and strength they carried into service. Mandatum is there every step of the way, helping Fellows build a fulfilling life beyond the battlefield.
Executive Director
Aric serves as Executive Director, driving strategic partnerships, overseeing program development, enhancing organizational visibility, and optimizing...
Aric serves as Executive Director, driving strategic partnerships, overseeing program development, enhancing organizational visibility, and optimizing operations to ensure the highest level of support for our Fellows. With a strong background in operations and general management, he brings exceptional leadership, analytical expertise, and a deep commitment to service. His strategic planning skills and ability to foster high-performing teams ensure that the organization consistently exceeds stakeholder expectations.
Having personally navigated many of the challenges that transitioning Naval Special Warfare members face before and after military retirement, Aric is deeply passionate about helping others successfully transition into civilian careers. His goal is to ease the stress of career change, provide guidance, and help our Fellows discover a renewed sense of purpose in their next chapter.
Before joining The Mandatum Foundation, Aric served for over 20 years in the Navy, spending most of his career in Naval Special Warfare, where he honed his leadership and operational skills. Following his military retirement, he transitioned into the corporate sector, joining Republic Services as an operations leader.
Aric holds an MBA from the University of Notre Dame and a BBA from American Public University System. He currently resides in Charlotte, NC with his wife of 15 years and their three children. Outside of work, he enjoys spending quality time with his family, cheering on his kids at their sporting events, and embracing the many unforgettable moments that come with raising a young family.
Complementing their leadership, our Advisory Board consists of distinguished private-sector professionals, carefully selected for their proven dedication to supporting our cause.
Co-Chair of Advisory Board
Kimberly Byers serves as a Sales Professional at Salesforce, where she helps enterprise businesses...
Kimberly Byers serves as a Sales Professional at Salesforce, where she helps enterprise businesses achieve their digital transformation goals. With a background in technology sales spanning 16 years, Kimberly brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to her role. She is passionate about leveraging technology to drive innovation and efficiency.
Before joining Salesforce, Kimberly gained valuable experience in higher education, working for 5 years in various roles. She holds a Master's degree in Education and is a certified Executive Coach.
Passionate about supporting combat veterans, Kimberly is the Co-Chair and Executive Coach at the Mandatum Foundation. For the past 5 years, she has worked alongside the Naval Special Warfare community, assisting Navy SEALs and EOD technicians in their transition to civilian careers.
Outside of work, Kimberly enjoys traveling, attending concerts, and fishing. You might find her exploring a new city, rocking out at a live show, or casting a line in her favourite fishing spot.
Co-Chair of Advisory Board
Tony is a seasoned technology executive with over 25 years of leadership experience...
Tony is a seasoned technology executive with over 25 years of leadership experience. He previously served as President at Salesforce and as Group Vice President at Oracle. Today, he sits on the Board of Directors and advises multiple technology companies, including SnapLogic, Echo.ai, Awardco, and Skyflow.
Throughout his career, Tony has led world-class go-to-market and operations teams while actively supporting initiatives such as VetForce – veteran transitions, Salesforce's women’s network, and Boldforce – a diversity and inclusion initiative.
Currently, he and his family are dedicated sponsors of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Autism Speaks, and the Navy Seal Foundation, reinforcing their commitment to community impact.
Tony attended Brigham Young University and resides in the Bay Area with his wife of 25 years and their four children.
Member
Lisa is a seasoned technology executive with over 30 years of experience driving innovation in high-tech...
Lisa is a seasoned technology executive with over 30 years of experience driving innovation in high-tech industries, with a focus on artificial intelligence and quantum security with national security and space applications. She is the Chairwoman of Intelsat, an operator of MEO and GEO satellites, and serves on the boards of Clear Channel Outdoor (NYSE: COO), QuSecure (quantum security; California) and Auterion (autonomous drone operating systems; Switzerland). Additionally, she advises Archetype.ai Holdings (large language models; California) and Asignio (Biometric authentication; Seattle).
Previously, Lisa was Global Vice President for Artificial Intelligence at Visa and held senior leadership roles at IBM/Watson, Salesforce, and HP. She holds degrees from UC Berkeley, has completed graduate-level AI coursework at Stanford, and received executive education from Stanford Law School and Harvard.
Lisa is the inventor or co-inventor of eight issued or pending patents spanning ontology-driven information systems, content management, complex data graphs, blockchain security, quantum networks, and AI-enabled privacy. She maintains a top-secret security clearance and is fluent in four languages.
Member
Thomas is the Managing Partner of Decisive Point Group, an investment firm dedicated to advancing...
Thomas is the Managing Partner of Decisive Point Group, an investment firm dedicated to advancing technology innovation in defense, energy, and infrastructure. Before founding Decisive Point Group, he began his private-sector career at Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset management firm.
A former U.S. Army Green Beret, Thomas served nearly 10 years, including multiple combat deployments in support of the Global War on Terror as an Infantry and Special Forces Officer.
He holds an MBA from Columbia Business School, an MSL in Government Procurement Law from George Washington University Law School, and a B.S. in American Legal Systems from the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Member
Justin is a 25-year veteran of the technology industry, with deep expertise in infrastructure, Software...
Justin is a 25-year veteran of the technology industry, with deep expertise in infrastructure, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), cloud computing, and open-source technologies. As a Field Operations leader at Elastic (ESTC), VMware (VMW) and Inktomi (INKT), he played a pivotal role in scaling these organizations from pre-revenue to billion-dollar enterprises. Known for his keen eye for talent, Justin has dedicated much of his career to developing high-performing teams and cultivating future leaders in their respective fields. Today, he focuses on mentoring founders and early-stage companies as they navigate complex challenges in pursuit of their vision.
Most recently, Justin served as Senior Vice President of Sales at Elastic (ESTC), where he was instrumental in surpassing the company’s go-to-market objectives. Joining as employee #10, he played a key leadership role in guiding Elastic through a successful IPO in 2018. During his tenure, he scaled the business to support the demands of public markets and a global customer base of over 12,000 before retiring from his operating role in 2021.
Justin and his wife, Kristen, have been married for 24 years and love traveling across the country to support their children, Tyler and Morgan, in their collegiate football and water polo careers. He holds a B.A. in Communication from Saint Mary’s College of California.
Our Board of Directors is composed of dedicated, retired Naval Special Warfare SEAL and EOD veterans who bring firsthand experience and unwavering commitment to our mission.
Chairman of the Board
Damon George serves as the Chairman of the Board, driving initiatives that advance the organization's mission and foster impactful partnerships to improve...
Damon George serves as the Chairman of the Board, driving initiatives that advance the organization's mission and foster impactful partnerships to improve transition outcomes for elite military personnel. Drawing on his experience leading high-performing teams and working in defense technology, Damon offers strategic insight, operational acumen, and a broad network within the defense sector to support the foundation’s mission of helping retiring Naval Special Operations members successfully transition to fulfilling civilian careers.
Damon currently serves as a Business Development Manager for Vatn Systems. Vatn designs, develops, and manufactures affordable, modular, and attritable autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) that operate in cooperative swarms to provide the mass, stealth, and range needed to address maritime challenges across the conflict spectrum.
Before joining The Mandatum Foundation, Damon dedicated 21 years to serving as a SEAL in Naval Special Warfare. Over the course of his extensive military career, he led teams through high-pressure missions, where failure was not an option. Damon not only excelled in these demanding environments, but he also made it a priority to mentor his subordinates, encouraging them to embrace opportunities for personal and professional development.
Damon holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Johns Hopkins University, where he deepened his understanding of leadership principles and organizational dynamics. As Co-Founder of The Mandatun Foundation, Damon helps veterans navigate the transition to civilian life, guiding them to explore fulfilling career paths that not only offer personal satisfaction but also contribute to the growth and success of the industries they join. His commitment to supporting service members extends beyond simply finding jobs; it’s about helping them build meaningful careers that benefit both their families and the broader community.
Outside of work, Damon enjoys playing sports with his two boys, sitting by the fire, or starting a new home renovation project.
Board Secretary
Clayton serves as Chairman of the Board, where he spearheads strategic initiatives and fosters strong stakeholder relationships to enhance the retirement...
Clayton serves as Chairman of the Board, where he spearheads strategic initiatives and fosters strong stakeholder relationships to enhance the retirement transition and post-military careers of our nation’s elite. With a background in operations, acquisitions integrations, nonprofit leadership, and veteran support, Clayton brings a wealth of expertise in strategic planning, program development, and team management to drive meaningful and lasting change.
Currently, Clayton is the President of CNC Federal Supplies, an e-commerce business providing office and facility supplies, as well as recreational and athletic equipment, to commercial and government clients. Previously, he worked as a software integrations consultant for a private equity-backed home and commercial services roll-up.
Prior to joining The Mandatum Foundation, Clayton served 20 years in the U.S. Navy, with the majority of his tenure in spent in Naval Special Warfare. His leadership in high-risk environments has shaped his ability to build resilient teams and deliver results under pressure.
Clayton holds an MBA from the Raymond A. Mason School of Business at The College of William & Mary and has earned certifications in Financial Modeling and Valuation Analysis from the Corporate Finance Institute, as well as Post-Merger Integrations from the Institute for Mergers, Acquisitions, and Alliances (IMAA). He is deeply committed to empowering service members and their families by streamlining the transition process, fostering trust, and driving continuous improvement in nonprofit operations.
Board Director
Sean serves on the Board of Directors, providing objective oversight and strategic guidance alongside fellow board members. After 23 years of service in...
Sean serves on the Board of Directors, providing objective oversight and strategic guidance alongside fellow board members. After 23 years of service in Naval Special Warfare (NSW), he transitioned to the private sector, where he now works as an Elite Performance Coach for professional athletes and executives.
Based in Virginia Beach, VA, Sean is the Director of Performance Training at Stonewall Solutions, working primarily with PGA Tour players, MLB athletes, and corporate clients worldwide. He holds a B.S. in Organizational Leadership from the University of Charleston.
Passionate about The Mandatum Foundation’s mission, Sean is dedicated to ensuring a smooth and successful transition for NSW members, equipping them for growth and success in their next chapter.
Sean lives in Virginia Beach, VA with his wife of 13 years and their three children. In his free time, he enjoys vacationing, spending time with his family, and golfing with his children.
Our Fellows have dedicated their lives to protecting our freedom—now it’s our turn to support them. Your donation helps fill the gap in services tailored to retiring Naval Special Operations SEAL and EOD members, ensuring they successfully transition from military service to the civilian workforce.
Our team is here to help—reach out to us today!
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