University of Southern California: Master of Science in Education
Marine Corps Command and Staff College (honors list): Master of Science in Military Studies
Founder and CEO of 22 Saves Hockey Foundation. Deb founded 22 Saves Hockey Foundation in March 2020 after having served four years on the Board of Directors for a similar organization focused on the prevention of veteran suicides through participation in the sport of ice hockey.
Higher Education Administration in Research Compliance and Clinical Research. Upon retirement from the Marine Corps, Deb entered the field of higher education administration where she served in numerous research compliance and clinical research roles, managing up to 30 personnel and a 7M budget. As founding Director of the Center for Regional Research and Community Education at SUNY Potsdam she was instrumental in developing numerous community collaborations and partnerships.
Commissioner, Women’s Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League. Deb served as the first commissioner of the WACCHL and head coach of NC State Women’s Club Ice Hockey team. Deb brings close to 17 years of ice hockey experience to the Foundation having served previously as head coach of the Clarkson University club hockey team and as an assistant NCAA women’s ice hockey coach at Salem State University in Massachusetts.
Air Defense Control Officer and Personnel Officer United States Marine Corps. 1978 – 1999. Deb is a 21-year veteran of the US Marine Corps where she served as Test Director for a new air defense control software system. She implemented one of the first Marine Corps Semper Fit Health Promotion Programs and the only STARBASE program housed on a Marine Corps installation. She also served as an Executive Officer, Operations Officer, and as the Director of the Marine Corps Family Service Center at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC.
Secretary
(Vacant)
Treasurer
(Vacant)
Compliance Director
Adam Lapidas, JD
University of Massachusetts at Amherst: Bachelor of Business Administration
Wake Forest University School of Law: Juris Doctor
Non-Profit and Higher Education Administration. Adam has served in numerous administrative and compliance roles within the non-profit healthcare and higher education sectors, focusing mainly on research and community service activities. In his roles he has worked with federal agencies, non-profit institutions, and for-profit organizations to fund programs and research efforts that benefit the community.
Director of Outreach
Nicole Wallace, LCMHC, NCC
North Carolina Statue University: Degree in Education in Counseling
Nicole is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor with over 20 years of experience helping clients with overcoming trauma, managing life transitions, and developing coping skills. She specializes in helping women between the ages of 18 and 55 heal from anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions.
Nicole provides a caring, non-judgmental therapeutic environment within her practice with the intention to help women process any past trauma and begin to prioritize their own needs. It is in that spirit that she opened her mental health group private practice called Transformation Counseling and Consulting, PLLC.
She is a U.S. Army veteran. As a mother, a wife, and a business owner, Nicole juggles many roles and understands the stress and struggles other women frequently face. She performs public speaking and workshops on women’s issues, raising self awareness, and managing anxiety.
In her free time, Nicole enjoys spending time with her family, reading fiction novels and taking walks at the local parks in North Carolina.
Director of Communications
Jillian Hughes, BS, BA
Jillian is a law student at University of North Carolina School of Law, where she helps veterans through the Military and Veteran Law Clinic. Prior to law school, Jillian held roles that allowed her to develop marketing communication skills, including managing social media accounts with over 8,000 followers.
University of Delaware: Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience, Bachelor of Arts in English
University of North Carolina, School of Law: JD Candidate (expected graduation: May 2026)
Director of Health and Wellness
Brittany Birmingham, BS, BSN
Brittany is a Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit nurse. In this role, Brittany cares for post-surgical patients and educates them on lifestyle changes to improve their cardiovascular and overall health. As a nursing student, Brittany completed a research project that focused on helping underprivileged women learn about how their nutrition and lifestyle choices impacted their cardiovascular health and was able to help them decrease their risk for future cardiovascular disease.
Brittany is passionate about helping educate individuals on health and wellness and hopes to be able to make a direct impact on veterans’ lives by empowering them with information and resources.
Davidson College: Bachelor of Science in Biology
University of North Carolina at Greensboro: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Director of Regional Support Services – Charlotte
Seth Wright
Seth enlisted two weeks after his 17th birthday, and served 13 years in the United States Army. During his time in service, he was deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom and several other operations throughout the world.
In his post military career, while pursuing a career as an attorney, he has focused on helping other veterans and first responders in their battles fought on the home front.
Seth is a Peer Support Specialist for veteran crisis incidents and volunteers with multiple organizations that aid in veteran and first responder mental health.
In his free time, he is a father and husband. He enjoys playing sports and competing in Jiu Jitsu and CrossFit competitions.
Purdue University: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Forensic Psychology
Board of Directors
President
Vice President
Deb Elek, LtCol, USMC (Ret)
New York University: Bachelor of Arts in Biology
University of Southern California: Master of Science in Education
Marine Corps Command and Staff College (honors list): Master of Science in Military Studies
Founder and CEO of 22 Saves Hockey Foundation. Deb founded 22 Saves Hockey Foundation in March 2020 after having served four years on the Board of Directors for a similar organization focused on the prevention of veteran suicides through participation in the sport of ice hockey.
Higher Education Administration in Research Compliance and Clinical Research. Upon retirement from the Marine Corps, Deb entered the field of higher education administration where she served in numerous research compliance and clinical research roles, managing up to 30 personnel and a 7M budget. As founding Director of the Center for Regional Research and Community Education at SUNY Potsdam she was instrumental in developing numerous community collaborations and partnerships.
Commissioner, Women’s Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League. Deb served as the first commissioner of the WACCHL and head coach of NC State Women’s Club Ice Hockey team. Deb brings close to 17 years of ice hockey experience to the Foundation having served previously as head coach of the Clarkson University club hockey team and as an assistant NCAA women’s ice hockey coach at Salem State University in Massachusetts.
Air Defense Control Officer and Personnel Officer United States Marine Corps. 1978 – 1999. Deb is a 21-year veteran of the US Marine Corps where she served as Test Director for a new air defense control software system. She implemented one of the first Marine Corps Semper Fit Health Promotion Programs and the only STARBASE program housed on a Marine Corps installation. She also served as an Executive Officer, Operations Officer, and as the Director of the Marine Corps Family Service Center at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC.
Secretary
(Vacant)
Treasurer
(Vacant)
Compliance Director
Adam Lapidas, JD
University of Massachusetts at Amherst: Bachelor of Business Administration
Wake Forest University School of Law: Juris Doctor
Non-Profit and Higher Education Administration. Adam has served in numerous administrative and compliance roles within the non-profit healthcare and higher education sectors, focusing mainly on research and community service activities. In his roles he has worked with federal agencies, non-profit institutions, and for-profit organizations to fund programs and research efforts that benefit the community.
Director of Outreach
Nicole Wallace, LCMHC, NCC
North Carolina Statue University: Degree in Education in Counseling
Nicole is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor with over 20 years of experience helping clients with overcoming trauma, managing life transitions, and developing coping skills. She specializes in helping women between the ages of 18 and 55 heal from anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions.
Nicole provides a caring, non-judgmental therapeutic environment within her practice with the intention to help women process any past trauma and begin to prioritize their own needs. It is in that spirit that she opened her mental health group private practice called Transformation Counseling and Consulting, PLLC.
She is a U.S. Army veteran. As a mother, a wife, and a business owner, Nicole juggles many roles and understands the stress and struggles other women frequently face. She performs public speaking and workshops on women’s issues, raising self awareness, and managing anxiety.
In her free time, Nicole enjoys spending time with her family, reading fiction novels and taking walks at the local parks in North Carolina.
Director of Communications
Director of Health and Wellness
Brittany Birmingham, BS, BSN
Brittany is a Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit nurse. In this role, Brittany cares for post-surgical patients and educates them on lifestyle changes to improve their cardiovascular and overall health. As a nursing student, Brittany completed a research project that focused on helping underprivileged women learn about how their nutrition and lifestyle choices impacted their cardiovascular health and was able to help them decrease their risk for future cardiovascular disease.
Brittany is passionate about helping educate individuals on health and wellness and hopes to be able to make a direct impact on veterans’ lives by empowering them with information and resources.
Davidson College: Bachelor of Science in Biology
University of North Carolina at Greensboro: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Director of Regional Support Services – Charlotte
Seth Wright
Seth enlisted two weeks after his 17th birthday, and served 13 years in the United States Army. During his time in service, he was deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom and several other operations throughout the world.
In his post military career, while pursuing a career as an attorney, he has focused on helping other veterans and first responders in their battles fought on the home front.
Seth is a Peer Support Specialist for veteran crisis incidents and volunteers with multiple organizations that aid in veteran and first responder mental health.
In his free time, he is a father and husband. He enjoys playing sports and competing in Jiu Jitsu and CrossFit competitions.
Purdue University: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Forensic Psychology