About Us

Board of Directors

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Ryan Brazel
President

Ryan@warriorswalk-il.org

Ryan Brazel is a proud 22-year veteran of the United States Navy, serving with distinction in both active duty and reserve capacities.

Throughout his military career, Ryan completed five deployments to the Middle East, including missions involving small boat operations in the Northern Arabian Gulf, Iraq, and Oman.
After his military service, Ryan pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from North Central College in Naperville, IL.

His commitment to serving his community continued as he became a Law Enforcement Officer with a South Chicago suburban police department, a role he has held for over eight years.

Ryan is also deeply involved in veteran advocacy and support. As an active member of the New Lenox VFW Post #9545, he served as a House Committee Member for three years, contributing his leadership and dedication to fellow veterans.

Ryan’s passion for service and community continues to drive his efforts in making a difference for veterans and their families.

Laura Duncan
Secretary/Volunteer Coordinator

Laura@warriorswalk-il.org

Laura is a member of the New Lenox American Legion Auxillary Post #1977 and longtime resident of New Lenox who is deeply committed to supporting her community and honoring those who serve. With a strong family connection to the military—including her eldest son serving in the Army—Laura is passionate about Veteran advocacy. She has proudly participated in two 10-mile Ruck Marches for The Warriors Walk in 2021 and 2023.

For over 20 years, Laura has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to volunteerism. Her contributions include:
Coaching T-Ball and Soccer
Serving as a Girl Scout Leader for eight years
Acting as Room Mom and Team Mom for classrooms, sports teams, and Orchestra activities for her three children

Professionally, Laura has worked as a Medical Biller for two decades. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kendall College in Chicago, IL.
Laura’s commitment to service, both professionally and personally, exemplifies the values of leadership, compassion, and community.

Luis Serna
Treasurer

Lserna@warriorswalk-il.org

Luis is a proud Veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a dedicated professional with a wealth of experience in both accounting and law enforcement.

Luis earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Governors State University (GSU) and is currently pursuing his Master’s degree at GSU. As part of his academic journey, he is preparing to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam to further his expertise in the field.

In addition to his academic achievements, Luis has extensive experience in law enforcement, serving in diverse roles such as:

Weapons Instructor
SWAT Officer
Detective

Luis brings a unique combination of military discipline, advanced education, and hands-on professional experience to all that he does. His dedication to excellence is evident in every aspect of his career and community involvement.

Larry Paveza
Trustee
VFW Post #9545 Representative

Larry@vfwpost9545.org

Larry is a proud Vietnam War veteran who served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CVA-19), completing three deployments to the Tonkin Gulf from 1968 to 1971.

After his service, he built a successful career in Facilities Maintenance, utilizing his Navy engineering skills and advanced HVAC training to work as an HVAC Mechanic and Maintenance Manager for a major manufacturing company with operations across the U.S. and abroad.

A dedicated member of VFW Post 9545 for 24 years, Larry has held numerous leadership roles, including Jr. Vice Commander, Senior Vice Commander, Quartermaster (six years), and Bar Manager (three years). Currently, he oversees Advertising and Marketing for the post.

As a key member of The Warriors Walk since its inception, Larry brings over 30 years of managerial experience to the organization, helping to support and advocate for Veterans’ mental health and well-being.

Scott Meder
Trustee
American Legion #1977 Representative

scott@warriorswalk-il.org

Scott is a proud US Navy Veteran, an active member of the New Lenox American Legion, and the New Lenox Sons of the American Legion. Scott is the grandson of two grandfathers who served during World War II .

During his military service, Scott served under the Marine Corps Security Forces as a Navy Master-At-Arms.

With 19 years of diverse law enforcement experience, Scott has worked in military, federal, and local capacities. He currently serves as a Detective in the south suburbs of Chicago and is a member of a major crimes homicide task force, bringing his expertise to some of the most critical investigations.

Scott’s dedication to service, both in the military and in law enforcement, reflects his unwavering commitment to protecting and supporting his community.

Committee Heads

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Aniesa Salazar
Ruck March Coordinator

Aniesa@warriorswalk-il.org

Aniesa has proudly served in the United States Navy Reserves since 2016. She comes from a family with a strong military background—her father has been serving since 1992, first in the Marine Corps and later in the Army Reserves, while her late uncle served in the Navy for ten years.

In addition to her military service, Aniesa is a Military Administrator School Certifying Officer at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, where she helps Veterans and their families access the educational benefits they’ve earned through their service. She is passionate about supporting Veterans as they pursue their culinary dreams and achieve success in the industry.

Since 2021, Aniesa has been an active participant in both the ten and twenty-mile rucks for the Warriors Walk, demonstrating her continued commitment to the Veteran community and the mission of raising awareness for mental health and Veteran suicide prevention.

Heather Lafond L.P.C.
Community Outreach Specialist

Heather@warriorswalk-il.org

Heather LaFond is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler University, specializing in trauma work. Heather is also a Certified First Responder Therapist.

Heather has completed extensive training and gained hands-on experience working with police officers, firefighters, military personnel (both current and former), hospital staff, and many others who serve on the front lines.

With a diverse career spanning inpatient, intensive outpatient, and partial hospitalization programs, as well as private practice, Heather brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her work.

Her unique expertise in trauma-informed care has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals in high-stress professions and those who have experienced significant life events.

In her current role, Heather will be leveraging her skills and experience to enhance the Warriors Walk ability to support Veterans. By introducing fresh perspectives and insights into mental health, she aims to help Veterans connect with the right resources and organizations to address their individual needs and ensure they receive the support they deserve.

Paula Martinez-Graser
Patriot Party Coordinator

Paula@warriorswalk-il.org

Paula is a proud Veteran of the United States Army and the granddaughter of a World War II Army Veteran. She served on active duty from 1993 to 1996 and as a reservist from 1996 to 2005. During her service, Paula was assigned to a Patriot Missile Crew Battalion in Germany, marking a milestone as the first combat Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) open to females. In 1995, she completed a six-month rotation to Saudi Arabia.

While in the Army Reserves, Paula served as a Military Police Officer and was promoted to Sergeant during her time in Guatemala. Her unit also participated in the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003, while Paula served as a paramedic back home.

Today, Paula is a Registered Nurse serving in the south suburbs, as well as a Mary Kay Consultant. She is also deeply involved in her local community as the Quartermaster for the Mokena VFW Post 725, where she holds the distinction of being the first female Veteran to serve as an Officer. Paula continues to be an advocate for Veterans and is committed to making a positive impact in the lives of those who have served.

Why We Do it

Our Vision

At The Warriors Walk, our vision is to create a community where Veteran’s mental health is a top priority and individuals can access the resources they need to achieve optimal well-being that supplements services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. By supporting organizations such as the Headstrong Project, which helps directly offset the cost of mental health services for Veterans, we hope that the stigma of “22 Too Many” will no longer exist.

Our Approach

We take a holistic approach to gathering a coalition of youth, businesses, Veteran organizations, and local communities to raise awareness and monetary funds to financially support organizations that directly support Veterans’ mental well-being. We essentially are the “boots on the ground,” so organizations like the HeadStrong Project can focus on their missions.

How it Works

Over the years, we have gone from a one-man operation to a collective group of Veterans and supporters who work tirelessly to make The Warriors Walk a permanent staple. The Warriors Walk is directly supported by the New Lenox Harry E. Anderson VFW Post #9545. All monies raised go through VFW’s Post #9545 Treasurer and operates under their 501(c)(19) tax status. The New Lenox Thomas E. Hartung American Legion Post #1977 has partnered with the VFW to manage the Warriors Walk.

The Warriors Walk is a Not-For-Profit Corporation in Illinois and is working towards our own 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. In the meantime, every last donor and sponsor can rest assured that every dollar is being overseen by already well-established organizations.