About Us

Who We Are

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit built by veterans and first responder advocates to strengthen the systems that support those who serve.

The National Association for Veteran and First Responder Wellness was founded on a simple conviction: the people who protect and serve our communities deserve wellness systems that actually work. Too often, critical resources are fragmented across agencies, organizations, and sectors that rarely talk to one another. NAVFRW exists to close that gap. We bring together healthcare providers, public safety leaders, government agencies, and private-sector innovators around a shared mission: building coordinated, evidence-based, and accessible wellness systems for veterans and first responders nationwide.

Mission

NAVFRW equips and connects the leaders responsible for veteran and first responder wellness through cross-sector education, applied innovation, and national and regional convenings. We turn knowledge into practice and scale what works.

Vision

A connected national network where every veteran and first responder has access to the support they have earned.

What We Do

Our work centers on three pillars designed to move wellness from conversation to coordinated action.

  • We host one-day convenings that bring senior leaders from across public safety, healthcare, government, and the private sector into the same room. Our summits are not conferences in the traditional sense. They are working sessions focused on aligning systems, sharing strategies, and building partnerships that lead to better outcomes.

  • We deliver CEU-accredited education designed for the clinicians, wellness directors, chaplains, and system leaders who support veterans and first responders every day. Our training programs are grounded in evidence and built for immediate application.

  • We maintain a curated national resource that connects veterans, first responders, and their families with vetted organizations and proven programs. By surfacing what works and making it accessible, we help communities build stronger care systems.

Meet the Team

  • Eric Golnick

    Founder and Chairman

    A U.S. Navy veteran and advocate for veteran and first responder wellness, Eric founded NAVFRW to build the cross-sector collaboration that saves lives.

  • Aimee Johnson

    Co-Founder and Treasurer

    Aimee co-founded NAVFRW and leads the organization's financial stewardship, ensuring every dollar advances the mission.


  • Sheena Bice

    Director for Education

    Sheena leads NAVFRW's training and education programs, developing CEU-accredited content for clinicians and wellness professionals.

  • Jayden Hodgson

    Operations Officer

    Jayden manages NAVFRW's day-to-day operations, logistics, and event execution.

Board of Advisors

NAVFRW is guided by an advisory board of senior leaders from across healthcare, public safety, government, and the private sector. Their expertise shapes our strategic direction and ensures our programs deliver real impact.