Acting Executive Director

Elizabeth El-Nattar is a visionary leader with a rich background in the information technology (IT) sector, boasting expertise in Strategic Planning, Human Capital Development, and Information Technology Innovations. Throughout her career, Elizabeth has been instrumental in guiding organizations to realize their mission objectives by leveraging IT innovation, fostering cultural transformation, enhancing processes, cultivating leadership, optimizing performance, and strategically positioning marketing and branding.

Elizabeth now proudly holds the position of Interim Executive Director for the Code of Support Foundation. Prior to this role, she served as the CEO of TRI-COR Industries, Inc. (TCI), where she applied her two decades of multifaceted industry experience garnered from leadership stints in Telecommunications, Hosting, and IT consulting sectors. Elizabeth firmly believes that the success of companies like TCI isn’t solely determined by financial metrics but is deeply rooted in the collective efforts of its leaders and, most crucially, its workforce. She champions the idea that company leaders should be unwavering in their commitment to furnish resources and avenues for their employees to flourish and reach their pinnacle of potential.

In earlier phases of her career, Elizabeth undertook various technical roles in systems, network, and software engineering across both private and public domains.

Elizabeth holds a B.S. in Information Systems, MBA, and a Doctorate ABD in Leadership studies.

Director of Development and Operations

Christopher Burnette is an Advancement Officer for Code of Support Foundation. Bringing over seven years of experience in the financial/investment industry and the development sector. Chris most recently served as Regional Gift Planner for the ELCA Foundation and served as Financial Advisor/Broker at Thrivent Financial. Chris’s experience includes working with universities, institutions, nonprofits, and boards around financial and programmatic sustainability, securing gifts, and developing endowments. Chris’ passion for philanthropy and donors has led him to secure over $41 million in gifts for organizations to continue their mission and outreach. .

Chris received his MMBA, B.S. in Geology, and A.A. in Business from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He is also the author/co-author of three publications on recycled alkaline battery materials and one publication on Uranium, Thorium, and associated rare earth elements of industrial interest.

In addition to his professional achievements, Chris is an active member of the cycling community. He currently serves as the Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Bluegrass Cycling Club. Chris finds joy and fulfillment on the roads, exploring new routes and pushing himself to new limits. Cycling allows him to combine his love for physical activity, outdoor adventures, and a sense of camaraderie with fellow riders.

Off the saddle, Chris also cherishes his time with his two children, creating cherished memories and enjoying their shared interests. Whether he’s out cycling or spending quality time with his loved ones, Chris embodies a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle that fuels his passion for both philanthropy and personal pursuits.

Director of Programs

Allyson Bowers is the Director of Programs for the Code of Support Foundation. Allyson is the wife and caregiver to her combat veteran husband, Ben. Allyson and Ben reside in Kansas where she was born and raised. Allyson began her passion for caregivers and advocating for their needs in 2012 when she was selected by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to serve as a Fellow. She joined the Military and Veteran Caregiver Network in 2017 as a Volunteer Peer Mentor and Moderator where she has been able to encourage other caregivers on their journeys. Allyson likes to develop relationships with others to be able to be the best support she can be.

Allyson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Hawai’i Pacific University. After becoming a caregiver she decided to pursue a Master’s degree. Allyson has her Master’s in Human Services with a concentration in Military Resilience from Liberty University. Ben and Allyson enjoy spending time with their fur babies. Some of Allyson’s hobbies include embroidery and quilting, but she really enjoys crocheting blankets which she loves to give as gifts to family and friends and local charities.

Advancement Coordinator

Gretta is an Advancement Coordinator for Code of Support Foundation. She graduated from Liberty University with a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Strategic Marketing in 2022. With an interest in communications, Gretta has worked in both the higher education and non-profit sectors to engage the supporters of the organizations she is most passionate about. Gretta’s personal connection to our mission, as a military spouse, gives her great satisfaction in her work connecting military and veteran families to COSF through various communications strategies.

In her free time, Gretta enjoys traveling, baking, hiking, and reading. She is actively involved at her local church and enjoys working with the children’s program and alongside her husband, has a small group for college students. She and her husband reside in Virginia with their five year old cat, Leo.

Program Support Specialist

Case Manager

Silvia is a Case Manager at Code of Support Foundation and the wife and caregiver to her husband Alexis, an Army veteran. Alexis served as a Sergeant in the Army for 15 years and 5 months as a Mortuary Affair Specialist before becoming a victim of a blast during his last deployment to Iraq in 2007. As a caregiver, Silvia quickly found that there is a gap in information available and support for minority veterans. In her work, Silvia made it a priority to help bridge that gap by being an advocate and mentor for others in her situation. Being fluent in Spanish, she has been able to provide vast support to caregivers and veterans throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

Silvia studied Military Resilience and became a volunteer as a peer support facilitator of a group for caregivers for Puerto Rico with the American Red Cross’s Military and Veteran Caregiver Network (MVCN). In 2020, Silvia became a Elizabeth Dole Foundation Caregiver Fellow, and remains involved with several other minority-focused veteran non-profits.

Silvia lives in Delaware with her husband and five children. She is an active member in her community and serves on her children’s school board.

Case Manager

Diana Valenzuela is a Case Manager for the Code of Support Foundation. Diana is also an Army combat veteran and dual military. Both Diana and her husband served overseas together. Diana’s duty stations were Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and one deployment to Iraq. Diana and her husband currently reside in Fayetteville, North Carolina, with their two children. Diana’s passion for veterans began after witnessing and experiencing firsthand the different faces of war and its effects on soldiers and their families.

Diana’s love for people has also extended to her church community, where she gives her hobbies, gifts, and talents to the service of others. Diana volunteers in different ministries such as social media, stage manager, pastoral care, missions, and children’s Sunday school.

Diana has an associate’s Degree in Health Care Management from Fayetteville Technical Community College. She enjoys photography, gardening, baking, and helping others.

Case Manager

Kelsey is a Case Manager for the Code of Support Foundation. Kelsey is the wife and caregiver to her Air Force combat veteran husband, Michael. After Michael’s medical retirement in 2016, Kelsey began to see and feel the effects of war unravel in their home – both physically and emotionally. She turned to Operation Mend in Los Angeles for an intensive treatment program through UCLA in 2019 and came out of the program with a passion and fire for professional advocacy work. Kelsey works diligently to help other veterans and their families process their grief and understand the complex situations that veterans and their families face. Her love for the veteran community is deep, and she strives to help others avoid feeling isolated and alone.

Kelsey and Michael live in Oregon with their eight-year-old son, service dog, and two cats. Kelsey holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology through Liberty University and is pursuing her master’s degree in counseling, emphasizing Crisis Response and Trauma.

Kelsey has a passion for horses and equine therapy. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family, riding horses, photography, and writing.

Case Manager

Jenna is the wife and caregiver to her husband, a Navy veteran, who served for 8 years 11 months, medically retiring in 2016 due to his combat injuries. Jenna’s passion to serve the military and their families comes from personally understanding the struggles of active duty military life and advocating for the needs and quality of life of her veteran husband. She wants to pay it forward and help other military families as they navigate the inherent challenges of military life.

Since 2020, Jenna has been a volunteer speaker for Wounded Warrior Project’s National Campaign Team, sharing her family’s healing journey at Warrior Care Networks Operation Mend program. Her and her husband attended treatments at UCLA in 2019, and the program changed their lives. It introduced them to the healing power of equine therapy, and helped them both to move forward in their new healing journey as a warrior and caregiver. This inspired them to want to own a farm and have horses of their own. In 2022, that dream became a reality. With the help of their 3 children, they enjoy the homesteading life and spending time with their horses, goats, and chickens.

Jenna studied Sports Medicine at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. She worked in the fitness industry for over 15 years, as a personal trainer, Pilates instructor, and fitness manager. In 2021, she decided to go back to school and pursue a a career that would enable her to work from home and be more flexible with her caregiving duties. She is completing her BS in Human Services at Southeastern University and will graduate May 2024. After graduating, she will be pursuing her Master’s degree in Social Work at Liberty University and obtaining certification as an equine therapist.