HERO INVEST is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to funding free
fitness bootcamps led by military veterans in communities across America.
Leadership
Board of Directors
Benjamin Harrow
Founder & Executive Director
Marine veteran and community builder. Founded HRO in 2025 after identifying the intersection of veteran employment and community health needs.
Appointed January 2025
Sarah Mitchell
Chair, Board of Directors
Former CFO of a regional nonprofit network with 20+ years of financial oversight experience. CPA and certified governance professional.
Appointed March 2025
James Caldwell
Vice-Chair & Treasurer
U.S. Army veteran and certified public accountant. Oversees financial controls, audit liaison, and regulatory compliance for the Foundation.
Appointed March 2025
Dr. Priya Sharma
Secretary
Healthcare policy expert and former state health department director. Brings expertise in community health programming and regulatory affairs.
Appointed April 2025
Marcus T. Reynolds
Independent Director
Corporate attorney specialising in nonprofit law, governance, and tax-exempt organisations. Partner at Reynolds & Associates LLP.
Appointed April 2025
Lt. Col. (Ret.) Dana Brooks
Advisory Board Chair
Retired U.S. Air Force officer with extensive experience in large-scale logistics, personnel management, and community outreach programs.
Appointed June 2025Oversight
Board Committees
Audit & Risk Committee
Oversees the integrity of financial reporting, internal controls, and enterprise risk management.
- ▸Review annual audited financial statements
- ▸Oversee relationship with independent auditor
- ▸Monitor internal controls and compliance
- ▸Review risk register quarterly
Members
Sarah Mitchell (Chair)
Marcus T. Reynolds
Dr. Priya Sharma
Governance Committee
Ensures the Board operates to the highest standards of nonprofit governance and recruits qualified directors.
- ▸Develop and review governance policies
- ▸Lead board recruitment and onboarding
- ▸Conduct annual board self-assessment
- ▸Review conflicts of interest disclosures
Members
Dr. Priya Sharma (Chair)
Sarah Mitchell
Marcus T. Reynolds
Fundraising Committee
Guides the fundraising strategy, donor relations, and compliance with charitable solicitation regulations.
- ▸Approve annual fundraising plan
- ▸Oversee donor stewardship policies
- ▸Monitor fundraising compliance by state
- ▸Review major gift acceptance policies
Members
James Caldwell (Chair)
Benjamin Harrow
Lt. Col. Dana Brooks
Repository
Governance Documents
Defines the roles, responsibilities, and operating principles of the Board of Directors, including committee structures, decision-making authority, and accountability frameworks.
Establishes guidelines for identifying, disclosing, and managing conflicts of interest among board members, executives, and key personnel to ensure decisions are made in the foundation's best interest.
Provides a safe and confidential mechanism for reporting suspected misconduct, fraud, or violations of law or policy, with protections against retaliation for good-faith reporters.
Sets out the ethical standards and professional behaviour expected of all board members, staff, and representatives of the foundation in their dealings with stakeholders and the public.
Outlines the approval process and disclosure requirements for transactions between the foundation and related parties, ensuring transparency and the prevention of self-dealing.
Foundation
Governance Principles
Accountability
Every dollar entrusted to HRO Foundation is tracked, reported and subject to independent audit. We hold ourselves to the same standards we expect of the communities we serve.
Transparency
We proactively publish our financial statements, board decisions, governance documents and operational metrics — providing stakeholders with a complete view of our stewardship.
Independence
A majority-independent board, independent audit function and arms-length vendor relationships ensure decisions are made in the best interests of our mission, not individuals.
Stewardship
We apply rigorous cost discipline, direct at least 85% of total expenditure to programs and continuously measure outcomes to demonstrate the impact of every contribution.