About Us
Why Be A Part Of Heroes Rise Up
About Heroes Rise Up
Heroes Rise Up is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering wounded, disabled veterans and first responders to reclaim their Strength, Purpose, and Connection through adaptive adventure and community. Rooted in service and built on the belief that no hero should face life’s challenges alone, Heroes Rise Up provides opportunities to push beyond perceived limits, rediscover confidence, and build meaningful relationships. Through events, training, and shared experiences, we foster resilience, restore identity, and create a powerful sense of belonging for those who have served.
Michelle Sanders - Founder
Michelle Sanders is a proud Eastern North Carolina native and the daughter of a former United States Marine, a background that shaped her deep-rooted respect and passion for serving the military community. Growing up surrounded by service members, she developed a lifelong commitment to supporting those who sacrifice for our country.
She is the Founder of Heroes Rise Up Foundation, an organization dedicated to empowering wounded and disabled veterans and first responders through Strength, Purpose, and Connection.
For the past two years, Michelle has served as Chairwoman of the Havelock Chamber of Commerce, where she has worked to strengthen connections between local businesses and the military population while fostering growth and community engagement.
Michelle also brings eight years of experience working directly with veterans through Spartan obstacle course events, where she has helped empower hundreds of wounded and disabled veterans to rediscover strength, resilience, and purpose. Her work is driven by a belief in service, connection, and creating meaningful opportunities for others to thrive.
Christopher Boney - Chairman
Chris Boney is a committed public service professional in North Carolina, where he supports the administration of local tax operations with a focus on accuracy, transparency, and service to the community. His work plays a key role in ensuring fair and effective tax processes that directly benefit residents and local government functions.
In addition to his role in government, Chris has demonstrated a strong commitment to nonprofit service through his past work as a Co-Team Leader with Team Oscar Mike. In this capacity, he helped lead initiatives dedicated to empowering veterans and individuals through community engagement, adaptive activities, and supportive programming. His leadership contributed to building meaningful connections and expanding opportunities for those served by the organization.
Chris’s career reflects a consistent dedication to serving others—both within government and through nonprofit efforts. He is recognized for his integrity, reliability, and ability to contribute to mission-driven work that strengthens communities and supports those in need.
Jeff Verry - Vice Chairman
Jeff Verry is a growth coach, speaker, author, and mortgage banking professional with more than two decades of experience helping individuals and organizations navigate important life and financial decisions. Throughout his career, Jeff has worked alongside thousands of families, real estate professionals, financial planners, and business leaders, building a reputation for thoughtful guidance, clear communication, and a deep commitment to helping others grow and succeed. He is the author of The Path To Real Change: An Invitation To Consider What Might Be Possible, a book focused on personal leadership, intentional growth, and the pursuit of excellence.
Jeff is passionate about service and the impact strong communities can have on people’s lives. He believes deeply in supporting organizations that help individuals and families build stability, opportunity, and hope. Jeff lives in Virginia with his wife, Shelley, their young adult children, and their very energetic dog, Kaia, and is honored to serve as Vice Chairman of the board.
Marisol Donovan – Treasurer
Marisol Donovan holds a B.A. in Spanish Literature from the University of Connecticut and has completed graduate-level coursework in Accounting, Economics, and Finance. She began her career in retail management before transitioning into the nonprofit sector, where she served as the first Latina department head at the renowned Mystic Seaport Museum and helped establish the Visitor Services department at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum.
She later spent nearly 15 years with an employee benefits consulting firm in Boston, rising to Vice President of Administration and Finance, where she oversaw financial operations and administration.
Now based in North Carolina, Marisol manages investment properties, operates an Airbnb, and overseas bookkeeping for several local small businesses. She is proud to support Heroes Rise Up’s mission to empower veterans and first responders.
Terri Tulley - Secretary
Terri is a veteran, wife, mother, adaptive athlete, crime intelligence analyst and good idea fairy. She medically retired from the Marine Corps after sustaining an open compound fracture and infection to her tibia during a platoon soccer game.
With her military service cut short, she used the GIBill to complete her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminology and worked as a crime intelligence analyst for two city police departments. Many years after her original injury, her trajectory was again disrupted, this time by further deterioration and bone infection in the old injury resulting in amputation below the knee.
In the years following her amputation, Terri began competing in adaptive sports and prioritizing recreation with her husband and daughter. She has experienced first hand the therapy in sports and recreation, in finding restorative connections, and healing the body for longevity as she tries to keep up with her daughter.
Terri’s overall goal is to frame her experiences in ways that are helpful, through research, volunteering, being a mentor, and connecting with people. Our paths are intimately our own but pain, tragedy, grief, rehabilitation and resilience are universal. That’s where we meet to help each other out.
Heroes Rise Up exists to change that story.
Our mission is to empower wounded and disabled veterans and first responders through adaptive adventure, shared experiences, and community connection. Instead of focusing on limitations, we focus on what is still possible.
Through adaptive outdoor programs and group challenges, participants rediscover strength, confidence, and purpose. Whether someone uses a wheelchair, lives with an amputation, or is working through the mental challenges that follow service, our programs are designed to meet them where they are and help them rise beyond what they thought was possible.
Just A Little Help Can Make Their Hearts Happier.
How do you want to be part of the story?
A Small Step of Support Can Help Them Rise Again
One moment of support can be enough to help them find their way back up.
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