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 the Director of the Marine Corps Family Service Center at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC.
Secretary
Tammy Drapeaux
James Madison University: Bachelor of Arts in English
Tammy has a background in technical writing, editing, and instructional design. In addition to working for federal government contractors and corporate retail, she was self-employed as an instructional designer for seven years before taking on the role of a stay-at-home mom.
While raising her children, Tammy volunteered her time in the community becoming active in education and politics. She participated in public, private, and religious education activities. She also served for seven years as the secretary of a town political committee.
Tammy is the spouse of a former USN active duty service member and mother of a Virginia National Guardsman.
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.
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 the Director of the Marine Corps Family Service Center at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC.
Secretary
Tammy Drapeaux
James Madison University: Bachelor of Arts in English
Tammy has a background in technical writing, editing, and instructional design. In addition to working for federal government contractors and corporate retail, she was self-employed as an instructional designer for seven years before taking on the role of a stay-at-home mom.
While raising her children, Tammy volunteered her time in the community becoming active in education and politics. She participated in public, private, and religious education activities. She also served for seven years as the secretary of a town political committee.
Tammy is the spouse of a former USN active duty service member and mother of a Virginia National Guardsman.
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.