MISSION
Provide happier, healthier lives
for veterans living with trauma.
HISTORY
Ten years after serving in combat our founder returned to hope and happiness. Seeing many of his Marine Corps brothers continue that struggle, he vowed to grow an organization that could give them a chance to earn their happiness.
Personal trainers, positive psychologists, and military personnel collectively created the 23V Recon Playbook. A unique 14-week full-exposure and holistic approach to removing the negative effects of trauma. Based on self-reported data, this is one of the most effective programs developed for military and veterans who’ve experienced trauma.
100% of graduates have reported living a happier and higher quality of life. Many graduates have returned to the workforce, healthier family lives, and stronger contributors to their community.
VISION
Give U.S. veterans a future of hope,
opportunity, community, and inner peace.
VALUES
Gratitude
Often voice something you are grateful for. Studies have proven that a focus on what we are grateful for leads to optimism and happiness. Talking about what we are grateful for is a simple lifestyle practice that allows us to enjoy all the moments in life. When exercising gratitude on a daily basis, those brain connections grow stronger allowing us to unwillingly find the positives in situations that used to draw only negatives.
Compassion
Show others you care, especially those who need it most. Struggling veterans can be difficult work with. They are often frustrated with life and direct that anger to those trying to help. We remain compassionate to everyone, even in the face of cruelty. It’s only through your leadership by example that a frustrated veteran will learn 23rd Veteran is a place they are accepted, and place we welcome negative thoughts by truly listening to and understanding concerns with composure and compassion. Allowing that veteran to accept us is our only hope at giving them a life they want to live.
Authenticity
Be honest, even when it’s scary. Most military and veterans don’t trust people they didn’t serve with. Being less than authentic can permanently damage a veterans trust with our organization, preventing them from receiving the help we work so hard to provide. Here we welcome fears and failures and encourage you to share yours right along with sharing your successes.
MEET THE TEAM
Mike Waldron, Executive Director
Mike served in the Marine Corps infantry during the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003. He spent the years following combat obtaining a business degree before managing US Courthouses and Federal Buildings in the Midwest. However, these years were plagued by a loss of emotions, nightmares, severe anxiety, and frequent panic attacks. Once he discovered his path to hope and happiness, Mike embarked on a transformative journey for himself and others.
With this new mental clarity, Mike turned his focus to understanding how combat had changed his brain, and why he was able to change it again in a positive direction. Leaving his federal career behind, he orchestrated collaborations among disciplines of mental and physical wellness. His goal was to intentionally and holistically reassociate negative memories and fear from traumatic situations with new positive memories.
Since 2015, Mike has led a team dedicated to piloting, studying, and improving this multidisciplinary approach from a not-for-profit perspective. Together, they strive to make a difference in helping others find their hope and happiness through positive trigger reassociation and training in a lifestyle that maintains a healthy level of baseline brain chemicals attributed to happiness.
Beyond impacting the lives of veterans and their families, one of Mike's proudest moments was being recognized by the Institute for Veteran and Military Families as the nation's "Best Venture Impacting Veterans."
Matthew D. Rosky, Program Manager
Matt comes to 23rd Veteran after 18 years with the North Carolina Outward Bound School. In his time at NCOBS Matt was a student, Logistics Coordinator, Warehouse Manager, Student Services Representative and Veterans Program Manager. During his 10 years managing this program he helped over 1500 veterans prepare for and complete veteran tailored outdoor expeditions in North Carolina and Florida.
Matt met Mike Waldron when Mike attended an NCOBS veterans course in 2015. He partnered with Mike utilizing NCOBS to provide outdoor wellness adventures that have been the first phase of the 23V RECON Program.
Matt’s passion for working with the veterans community is rooted in the experience of losing his brother Mike, a Marine, to suicide in 1998. He is committed to working to ensure that every veteran has a smooth transition and lives a happy and healthy life.
Matt attended the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University. He holds degrees in Political Science (BA) and Multimedia Technology (MS). He lives in Hendersonville, NC with his wife Kelly, Great Pyrenees Pup Chief and Ninja Cat Tucker.
Sarah Herrick-Smisek, Communications & Synergy Manager
Sarah has always had a deep love for community and a natural talent for connecting people and resources. With a decade of experience owning her own small business, she decided to channel her lifelong passion for non-profits into a new direction. After years of volunteering and serving on various boards, she began pursuing work in the non-profit sector in 2023, driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact.
Sarah’s connection to 23rd Veteran is deeply personal. Her late grandfather, a decorated Korean War veteran who loved to share his war stories, would have been thrilled to see her join an organization that supports veterans. Her role at 23rd Veteran allows her to blend her business acumen and passion for service into a career that she finds both fulfilling and purpose-driven.
Sarah is a Duluth native and is happy to still call it home with her husband and two children. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring outdoors, curling up with a good book and a cup of tea, and catching live music whenever possible.
Frances Wittenberg, Events Manager
As the 23rd Veteran Events Manager, Frances is honored to extend her service to the military community by focusing on the well-being of veterans and those within her local community. Her role involves organizing and managing events that honor and support those who have served, reflecting her deep commitment to making a positive impact on their lives. Frances feels fortunate to have found her true purpose in life after her military retirement.
Frances’s 21-year career in the Air Force stands as a testament to her dedication and expertise. Throughout her service, she held a variety of significant roles, including Aviation Resource Management Superintendent, Professional Military Education Instructor, program inspector, and training manager. These positions highlighted her leadership, educational skills, and innovative approach, all of which contributed to the effectiveness and success of her teams and missions.
In 2020, Frances and her family relocated to the Northland after spending over a decade in the South. She and her husband, Jonathan, along with their children—Jocelyn, Donovin, and Alexis—live with their two cats, Toothless and Nala, and their puppy, Oslo. They love to travel, go camping, and enjoy exploring places together as a family.
Daniel Crawford, Lead Recon Coordinator
Daniel Crawford was introduced to 23V as a participant of 23V Recon. After facing his own personal challenges following his time in the Marines, he found that service was his calling. He is committed to supporting veterans and their families. With a deep passion for service and community, Daniel has played a vital role in advocating for the needs of veterans, focusing on issues such as mental health, reintegration, and access to resources.
His solo 1,000 mile walk symbolizes his commitment to helping fellow veterans find new beginnings. Daniel decided to walk to Texas, aiming to raise awareness about the struggles many veterans face. This trek served not only as a physical challenge, but also as a means to connect with others and foster a sense of camaraderie among veterans.
Daniel’s efforts with the 23rd Veteran have made a significant impact on countless lives, providing support, mentorship, and a sense of belonging to those who have served. His story is a testament to resilience and the importance of community, inspiring others to advocate for veterans and work towards a brighter future for all who have served in the armed forces.
Dajon Ferrell, Marketing Manager
Dajon served in the Army from 2002 to 2016. After leaving the military, she faced the challenges of PTSD, struggling with anxiety, emotional numbness, and the weight of past experiences. Seeking an alternative path to healing, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery, exploring mindfulness, holistic healing modalities, and somatic practices to reclaim her sense of peace and purpose.
As she deepened her understanding of trauma and resilience, Dajon realized the power of integrating mind-body healing techniques into daily life. Determined to support fellow veterans on their own journeys, she began hosting retreats, guiding others through mindfulness practices, breathwork, and mindset shifts that foster lasting transformation.
Recognizing the importance of storytelling and branding in amplifying the impact of veteran service organizations, Dajon earned a Bachelor's degree in Visual Communications. She now uses her expertise to help veteran-focused nonprofits and initiatives expand their mission, ensuring their message reaches those who need it most.
Through her work, Dajon has helped veterans reconnect with themselves, release emotional burdens, and develop tools for inner peace and empowerment. Her mission is to create spaces where those who have served can find healing, community, and a renewed sense of purpose beyond their military experience.
Calla Gilbertson, Volunteer Coordinator
Calla learned of 23rd Veteran through the Duluth Ruck Life (RL) in 2019 and has participated in every Duluth RL since. She has also rucked the Twin Cities RL, captained the Immortals team for 23rd Veteran’s #RunTheVirus, and graduated as a civilian with Group VIII of 23rd Veteran’s 23V RECON Program.
Calla attended the College of Saint Scholastica and University of Minnesota, Duluth. She holds a degree in Biology (BA) and Accounting (BAcc), and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). Aside from working as Volunteer Coordinator, she is also a full time Financial Analyst at ALLETE, Inc.
In 2019 Calla married her husband, Kenny. They reside in Duluth, MN with their dogs, Arlo and Benny, and cats, Miller, Marshall and Tres.
Calla finds so much joy in helping others. For her, volunteering is about giving a part of yourself to make other people happy, while also taking that happiness of others to simply be happier. There truly isn’t a better feeling than that and she looks forward to sharing this passion and joy with you in her role as Volunteer Coordinator.
Kris Salem, Admin Support Specialist
Meet Kris Salem, a dedicated admin support specialist at 23rd Veteran. Kris officially joined the organization in April of 2023, bringing with her eleven years of valuable experience in administrative and customer support. Her journey with 23rd Veteran began during the #runthevirus event in 2020, and she quickly became an integral part of the team, ensuring smooth day-to-day backend operations.
Kris's passion for supporting and serving veterans runs deep. She feels that her path intersecting with Mike's during the challenging days of the pandemic was more than a coincidence. Now, she considers it a privilege to contribute to enhancing the lives of veterans in every way possible.
Beyond her professional achievements, Kris holds a B.S. in Management Accounting from Saint Louis University and pursued a Master's Degree in Business Administration. Her expertise in customer service and admin support has been honed over the years, making her an invaluable asset to the team.
Aside from her professional pursuits, Kris is a lover of rhythm games like Dance Dance Revolution and Pump It Up. It was through these shared interests that she connected with her husband, Armand. Living overseas, they make the most of their time by either jamming to dance rhythm games or exploring the mountains together whenever they get the chance.
Katherine Mueller, Grant Writer
Katherine started working with 23rd Veteran in 2023 after nearly two decades of nonprofit grant writing and resource development experience. She brings a variety of experience to the organization, having worked with nonprofits that provide children's and youth services, employment training, housing, education, basic needs, environmental programs, alternative dispute resolution, and more.
Katherine was drawn to 23rd Veteran because she has seen the toll of trauma and untreated mental health issues on people and communities, and she wanted to work with an organization that was providing upstream solutions to these problems. She believes in 23rd Veteran’s mission and model, and believes that whole communities can flourish when they have a highly functioning and interconnected system of nonprofits, government, businesses, foundations, and community members.
Katherine attended Albion College in Michigan, and holds a BA in English and Philosophy.
Nathan Helder, Chair, Board of Directors
Nathan Helder is the Manager of Operational Technology at ALLETE, where he is responsible for leading the teams that support the various operational and control networks across ALLETE's subsidiaries, including ALLETE Clean Energies, Minnesota Power, and Superior Water, Light & Power. Nathan joined ALLETE as an intern in 2001 and has a background in application programming, enterprise integration, systems administration, and compliance. He grew up in the small country town of Mantorville, MN and moved to Duluth in 1998 to attend the University of Minnesota, Duluth, where he received Bachelor's degrees in Computer Science and Psychology in 2003. Nathan later attended the College of St. Scholastica where he earned Master's degrees in Management and Business Administration in 2016. He has a wife, Joanna, and two children, Xaria and Torin.
Nathan was introduced to 23rd Veteran while participating in the Leadership Duluth class of 2016-2017, where Mike Waldron was also a participant and gave a presentation on the 23V Recon program. Compelled by the notion of helping veterans to lead more successful lives, Nathan participated on the planning committee for the 2nd annual Ruck Life and later joined 23rd Veteran's board of directors. Nathan believes strongly in the vision for 23rd Veteran and is honored to help contribute towards its continued success.
Bryan Maslowski, Board Member
Bryan Maslowski is a Project Development Leader with Minnesota Power’s Strategy & Planning group. He joined Minnesota Power in 2006 as an accounting intern and has spent most of his career with the company in project management.
Bryan also serves in the Minnesota Air National Guard with the 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth, Minnesota. He joined the Guard in 2003 and has held various roles in the Civil Engineering Squadron. Since enlisting, he has been deployed multiple times to the Middle East as well as with numerous other humanitarian missions around the globe.
He grew up in Cloquet, Minnesota, and lives in South Range, Wisconsin, with his sons Kade and Finn. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin Superior and completed a master’s degree in project management from DeVry University while deployed to Afghanistan.
Bryan first became involved with 23rd Veteran in 2017 and has been active in Ruck Life and with other volunteer opportunities since then. He joined the board of directors in 2022.
Calling 23rd Veteran a real-world example of how we are stronger together, Bryan fully supports its mission and, after completing the 23V RECON program in 2021, knows from personal experience how positive and life-altering the program is for veterans.
Amber Brostrom, Board Member
Amber Brostrom is a community-driven entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in hospitality, event planning, and business development. She’s the founder of Glitterati Events, the former owner of Cake Occasions, and co-owner of Etched, a creative engraving and gift company she runs with her husband. She also owns Wild Rose Company at Norway Hall, an event planning and venue management company, and leads the beloved Spirit Valley Days celebration in West Duluth — all while continuing to find new ways to bring people together through purpose-driven events.
With a degree in Business and Financial Services, Amber blends creativity with strategy and has helped revitalize multiple venues and grow countless events throughout the region. Married to a sergeant with the University of Minnesota Duluth Police Department, she has a personal connection to service that drives her passion for supporting the veteran community.
Amber is thrilled to join the 23rd Veteran board and looks forward to using her energy, expertise, and fundraising skills to help elevate the organization’s mission and impact.
Because if it needs organizing, energizing, or monetizing — Amber’s your girl.
Shawn Krizaj, Board Member
Shawn is currently the City of Duluth Fire Chief and has been with the Duluth Fire Department for over 27 years. He has worked up the ranks at the DFD serving as a Firefighter, Fire Equipment Operator, Captain, Technical Services Coordinator, Deputy Chief and now Fire Chief. Over his career he has worked with veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and many other public safety partners who suffer from repeated exposure to trauma that takes a toll on both their mental and physical health.
Recently, Chief Krizaj learned that one of his fire department personnel, who is also a marine corps veteran, recently completed the 23V Recon program. After listening to his life-changing story and hearing that 23rd Veteran is expanding a pilot program to include first responders, Chief Krizaj was inspired to not only bring this program to the DFD but also become involved in helping to lead the transition beyond veteran only services.
As public safety leaders we need to do a better job of taking care of our people. A career of responding to other people’s emergencies takes a toll on our personnel that we haven’t always recognized, and didn’t know how to support. After seeing the success that 23rd Veteran has had supporting our veteran community, Shawn is proud to be a part of 23rd Veteran and believes that this support is exactly what some of our firefighters, police officers and other public safety professionals need.