About

We envision a grateful nation made stronger by working together to honor the sacrifices of military and veteran families through education, opportunity, and the promise of a brighter future.

Uniting in gratitude to provide hope and opportunity to all who serve.

Represented in the Valor Partners logo by three stars, our core values are:

Honor

We uphold integrity, trust, loyalty, gratitude, respect, and faithfulness in all our actions to honor the service and sacrifices of military and veteran families.

Educate

We foster partnerships that lead to collaboration, accountability, and empowerment, providing transformative educational opportunities. Through remembrance, we inspire our community to carry on a legacy of service and sacrifice.

Innovate

We strive for excellence in achievement, quality, growth, and efficiency as we continuously improve and advance our innovative program.

Leadership

Headshot of Kelli Campbell-Goodnow, Executive Director of Valor Partners
Executive Director
Kelli Campbell-Goodnow
Gold Star Spouse
  • Kelli grew up in Bryan/College Station, Texas, where she met Shawn Campbell when they were both students at Texas A&M University. They married in 2000, and Shawn entered the Marine Corps. They lived in Texas, Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, and Hawaii over the next fifteen years, adding four children to their family. 

    On January 14, 2016, Major Campbell and eleven fellow Marines lost their lives when their helicopters collided over the North Shore of Oahu. Kelli, Tristan, Kenna, Kate, and Donovan faced the daunting task of starting a whole new life. Educational scholarships allowed Kelli to enroll her previously homeschooled children at a small school in Kansas City. It was a source of help and hope as they navigated loss and change. 

    Kelli’s journey through military service and grief is one she will tell you she has never walked alone. She shares her story because “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5) In 2020, Kelli married Michael Goodnow and gained a bonus daughter, Avery. She completed her Executive MBA at Rockhurst University in 2024. The Campbell-Goodnow household is full of kids, dogs, and laughter, and they love calling Kansas City home.

Headshot of Alan Robert Gorthy, Jr.
Board President
Alan Robert Gorthy, Jr.
Captain, USN Retired
  • He retired from active duty as the Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station, Lemoore, CA. He served in the Federal Aviation Administration in the Office of Safety following his retirement from active duty. Al holds a MS in Human Resources and a BS in Biology and serves as the Foundation's President.

Headshot of Austin Braithwait
Board Vice President & Advisory Board Chair
Austin Braithwait
Executive Director Institutional Banking, UMB
  • Austin is actively involved in the community and volunteers at the Knights of Columbus of Holy Trinity. He graduated from Benedictine College with a B.A. in economics and is a member of the 50 States Marathon Club. 

Headshot of David Walter Cornell, Ph.D.
Board Treasurer
David Walter Cornell, Ph.D.
UMKC Bloch School of Business, Ret.
Headshot of Jessica Ramirez
Board Secretary
Jessica Ramirez
Chair of the Children’s Services Fund of Jackson County
  • She was honored as ‘Kansas City’s Up and Coming 25 Hispanics’ by Dos Mundos Bilingual Newspaper and Sprint in 2005. Ms. Ramirez comes from a family with a long tradition of military service. Her father was in the USMC RECON forces during the Korean Conflict, while an uncle fought in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. Additionally, her brother served 16 years with the US Navy. She holds a Masters of Art Degree in Management and Leadership. 

Headshot of Gregory Bryan Gardner
Board Member
Gregory Bryan Gardner
Major General, USAF Retired
  • For 13 years after that, Greg served in Infrastructure Protection regional leadership positions in the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security.  Greg holds a MS in Human Resources and a BA in Business.

Board Member
Chris Raider
Operations Director, Burns & McDonnell, US Navy Veteran
Headshot of Katye Riselli
Board Member
Katye Riselli
Strategic Communications Consultant and Air Force Spouse
  • As a writer for executives, Katye’s work has appeared nationally including in The Washington Post, The New York Times, and USA Today. She provides content for print and digital media and is featured as a speaker in military communities.  Katye is a third-generation military spouse, married to Colonel Mark A. Riselli, USAF Retired, and they have two daughters.

Board Member
Eric Barnhart
Partner, Self-Employed, US Army Father
Administrative & Event Planning Assistant
Alison Miller
  • She has worked in corporate consulting and secondary and higher education. Alison has chaired and volunteered for numerous school, charity, and fundraising events in St. Louis and Kansas City. She is the proud and grateful daughter of a Vietnam Veteran.