Board of Governors

Dr. Raquel “Rocky” Cruz Bono is a board-certified trauma surgeon and retired Vice Admiral who served for nearly 30 years in the U.S. Navy, becoming the first woman surgeon in the military to attain the rank of Vice Admiral. She is currently the Chief Health Officer for Viking Cruises, leading public health strategy across the organization. Previously, she served as Director of Washington State’s COVID-19 Health System Response and held leadership roles as CEO of the Defense Health Agency and Command Surgeon for U.S. Pacific Command. Dr. Bono is a Senior Fellow with the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and a Visiting Scholar at the University of Texas Value Institute.

Holly Petraeus is a longtime advocate for military families, with decades of experience in public service and consumer protection. She served as Assistant Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, leading the Office of Servicemember Affairs and working to strengthen financial education and protections for service members, veterans, and their families. Prior to CFPB, she directed BBB Military Line, a national program supporting outreach from local Better Business Bureaus to military communities. An active-duty Army spouse for over 37 years and a former Department of the Army civilian, Holly has been a tireless leader in military family programs. Holly has received numerous honors, including the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service.

Jack White is an accomplished trial lawyer and legal strategist with deep expertise in civil litigation, regulatory enforcement, and congressional investigations. He advises clients across sectors, including defense, technology, education, and federal contracting, focusing on businesses operating in the federal space. A former U.S. Army Officer and West Point graduate, Jack served on the independent review panel investigating command climate and culture at Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), later testifying before Congress. He also counsels clients on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and supports growing companies navigating legal and regulatory compliance.

Dr. Allen M. Edwards serves as Principal Advisor for Government Programs at Delta Dental, where he leads strategic initiatives to improve oral health outcomes across federal and Medicaid programs. He brings extensive experience in federal healthcare policy, having previously served over a decade on the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services, where he authored major reforms to the military health system and TRICARE Dental Program. A Doctor of Dental Medicine and retired United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. Edwards combines clinical expertise with deep policy knowledge to advance innovative, data-driven healthcare solutions with military families top of mind.

General Herbert J. “Hawk” Carlisle (Ret.) served 39 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a four-star General. A command pilot with more than 3,600 flying hours, General Carlisle is a lifelong aviator and steadfast advocate for military families. Following his military service, he served as president and chief executive officer of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA). His final active-duty assignment was as commander of Air Combat Command, after previously serving as commander of Pacific Air Forces and air component commander for U.S. Pacific Command. Throughout his career, he held key operational, strategic, and legislative roles, including director of operational planning and director of legislative liaison in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force.

April Edrington is the founder and President of Edrington Consulting. She previously held senior leadership roles at Harvard University, including Senior Director for Strategic Priorities, Managing Director of Institutional Partnerships at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations. Earlier in her career, she worked with several nonprofit organizations, including the National Women’s Political Caucus and NARAL. April is a graduate of Harvard College and the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Leslie Fautsch is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Leidos, bringing over two decades of experience as a senior HR executive and licensed employment attorney. She leads enterprise-wide human capital strategies that drive business growth, optimize workforce performance, and enhance the employee experience. Her recent work includes a comprehensive review of over $1 billion in total rewards offerings, resulting in enhancements designed to attract, retain, and engage top talent. Leslie is an accomplished human resources leader with deep expertise in HR operation and strategic planning, built on a foundation of senior roles in the defense industry and an early career as a labor and employment attorney.