By: Cadie Hopkins
WASHINGTON DC – July 14, 2025: The Command Purpose Foundation (CP), a community of women and veteran leaders focused on rediscovering purpose during life transitions, is proud to formally introduce its incredible Board members, legacy and new, to their trusted community. This series introduces the powerhouse Board of Directors guiding CP’s continued growth, strategy, and impact.
Command Purpose was born from the lived experiences of co-founders Erringer Helbling and Cadie Hopkins, who realized that external success in life transitions, whether personal or professional, often masks an internal sense of groundlessness. They founded CP to provide a trusted space for veteran women and their allies to reconnect with their purpose through introspection, dialogue, and values-based community.
What began as a grassroots effort has since grown into a thriving community of hundreds of veteran women who have benefitted from CP’s flagship three-month hybrid program, retreats, and intimate trusted circles. CP is now run by another veteran-ally combo: Executive Director, Army Veteran Leigh DeBord, and Chief Operating Officer, Ryann DeChirico. Alongside this growth, CP has also expanded its governance structure to include a dynamic Board of Directors, each member bringing unique expertise and lived experience in service, leadership, and transformation.
The Board currently includes six legacy members and welcomes two new additions:
- Megan Jaffer, Co-Founder, Iron Butterfly Media
- Nancy Berardinelli-Krantz, SVP & Chief Legal Officer, Grainger
- Karen Gibson, Former Army Lieutenant General, Keynote Speaker & Advisor
- Monica Pal, Co-Founder, BlueOakNx
- Heather Wells, Founder & CEO, WEN2K and Associate Director, TF-7294 Foundation
- Letitia (Tish) A Long, Chairwoman, Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) and 5th Director, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
- Bo Mahaney, Major General (Ret.), USAF – New Board Member!
- Rupal Patel, Founder & CEO, The Global Leadership Lab – New Board Member!
Throughout the series, readers will get to know each board member through candid reflections on what Command Purpose means to them, their favorite CP moments, and the historical women veterans who inspire them most.
“This series is a celebration of women and allyship,” said CP Executive Director, Leigh Debord. “Each board member embodies the values of Command Purpose: service, authenticity, courage, and growth. We’re thrilled to introduce them to our broader community.”
Stay tuned over the coming weeks to meet the individuals shaping the next chapter of Command Purpose Foundation, and discover why this community continues to be a transformative force in the lives of women navigating transition and rediscovery.
About The Command Purpose Foundation
The Command Purpose Foundation helps bridge the gap between military and civilian life through structured introspection, meaningful engagement, and a values-based community. CP’s flagship program is a three-month hybrid experience designed for women and veteran leaders seeking to rediscover their purpose during moments of transition.
Learn more at: commandpurpose.org.