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
Three years before retirement, with 17 years of service behind him, Aric began planning for a future he could not yet imagine...
Three years before retirement, with 17 years of service behind him, Aric began planning for a future he could not yet imagine. After nearly two decades as a Navy SEAL in elite special operations, he knew how to lead under pressure—but he had no understanding of the civilian workforce, its cultures, or how his experience would translate beyond the military. That unfamiliarity slowly convinced him he would be unqualified for any civilian role he found meaningful, a fear compounded by the belief that hiring managers would see his background as irrelevant. As the sole provider for a young family, he pushed forward anyway—quietly spiraling through a severe mental health crisis, functioning like a machine at work, and carrying invisible burdens each day without letting anyone see the cost.
From 2018 through 2019, the weight only grew heavier. He completed an undergraduate degree while working full-time, studied for the GMAT, and tried—often unsuccessfully—to learn about civilian careers through scattered informational interviews he barely had time for. At the same time, family life brought its own challenges: a life-changing surgery and long recovery, the birth of another child, a home sale and local move, and the mounting administrative demands of military retirement. By the end of his final year in uniform, he was exhausted, emotionally depleted, and still unsure how to build a life of purpose beyond the only world he had ever known.
Retirement in 2020 did not bring clarity or closure. Although a cross-country move was part of a deliberate post-retirement plan, it meant leaving behind a 14-year support network and starting over with no family or friends nearby—and COVID restrictions erased the retirement ceremony that would have marked the end of his 20.5-year Navy career. With only days between retirement and the start of his MBA program, there was no space to process the loss of identity that came with no longer serving; instead, he felt abruptly released from a familiar, values-driven environment and dropped into the unknown of civilian life. As he navigated graduate school, three young children, and pandemic-era isolation, repeated job interview failures revealed a painful truth—his elite experience was largely misunderstood, and the only stability available to him required sacrificing a sense of purpose.
By 2024, after leaving a deeply misaligned corporate role and enduring months of an unsuccessful job search, he discovered The Mandatum Foundation and immediately recognized his own story in its mission: preparing retiring elite special operations members for fulfilling civilian careers with confidence and purpose. When he joined the organization in January 2025, it felt like coming home—to a culture grounded in shared values, trust, and understanding. Every Fellow he now serves reflects a version of himself at the beginning of this journey: capable, committed, and quietly struggling to find solid ground. As Executive Director, he leads not only with professional expertise, but with lived experience—driven by the belief that no one who has served at the highest level should have to navigate this transition alone.
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...
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 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 Special Operations members, ensuring they successfully transition from military service to the civilian workforce.
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