Board of Directors

Ray joined the Healing Warriors Program Board in March of 2023. Ray is a retired Fort Collins police sergeant and a former three-term mayor of Fort Collins. He most recently served as City Councilmember for District 2 in Fort Collins from 2015 to 2019. He is a U.S. Army veteran, having received the Army Commendation Medal. Ray has dedicated significant time working closely with Hispanic community leaders, youth and athletes to improve the relationship between the community and law enforcement. He co-founded an organization that works directly with at-risk youth to provide them with positive educational and recreational experiences while keeping them active within their neighborhoods and communities. He was a member of the National League of Cities Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee until 2019 and has been a member of several boards and organizations over the years, including the chair of Colorado’s Minority Business Advisory Council under governors Bill Owens and Bill Ritter, a member of the Colorado Mesa University board of trustees, and a White House appointee on the Defense Advisory Board for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Ray is an Elevations CU Board Member and serves as the board chair. Ray lives in Fort Collins, enjoys writing and has published several books.

Murphy is a graduate of the University of Colorado Denver with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Systems. His coursework and studies included; Enterprise Data and Content Management, Building Business Applications, Business Data Communications and Networking, Systems Strategy Architecture and Design, and Financial Modeling and Business Intelligence. Prior to pursuing his degree, Murphy served a combination of 11 years, active duty and as a reservist, in the United States Navy. During his time in the military he was entrusted with a broad array of leadership responsibilities, molding him into a driven and dynamic individual with extensive experience in working under pressure and diverse working environments while maintaining a positive, achievement-oriented attitude. Murphy exemplifies his commitment to service in the community through his extensive participation in both local and national nonprofit efforts, particularly in the veteran sector. Murphy volunteers for VFW Post 1 and other Veteran nonprofits,  as well as serving as a Director on the Healing Warriors Program Executive Board.

Joel served in the Colorado Army National Guard from 2010 to 2016, deploying to Kuwait, Canada and supporting numerous domestic operations. This experience impressed the importance of developing alternative therapies to help veterans and their families. Joel has over 10 years of experience in the airline industry and currently works at American Airlines. Joel graduated from Colorado State University in 2007 with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration: Investment Securities Analysis. He completed his Masters of Business Administration with finance certificate from CSU in 2015. Joel has worked with numerous small Colorado businesses on financial matters. As lifelong Colorado resident, Joel enjoys hiking, biking, fishing, and running around the Front Range.

Shelley Poland is a 30+ year veteran of the Semiconductor Industry. Through her experience and education Shelley has developed a keen sense of marketing and sales expertise. She has had the opportunity to participate in a variety of sales training courses, workshops and seminars that has allowed her to draw from a broad resource base on which she has successfully built her career. She is known for her ability to build and maintain relationships with her customers and manufacturers.

Passionate about supporting our Service Members, and hailing from a military family herself, Shelley is co-Founder of Healing Warriors Program submitting the original nonprofit filing and providing leadership and organization development through launch. Interested in the effectiveness she has observed with Integrative Care methods of healing, Shelley has pursued education and training as part of her personal mission towards more holistic approaches to health, acquiring a Certificate in Holistic Health from Red Rocks Community College. She continued her education and is now a Certified Healing Touch Practitioner and Reiki Master Teacher. In addition to her corporate role, Shelley volunteers regularly, helping provide comfort and support to those in pain. She does this by using her training to promote relaxation, and encouraging the body’s ability to self-heal by using specific techniques that restore the body’s inner harmony.

Chase Zajc has worked in the behavioral health and nonprofit industry since 2009. Chase has a deep passion and understanding for serving others. Through progressive leadership positions in both Illinois and Colorado, Chase has learned the importance of giving back to others. Chase lives in Fort Collins with his wife and two sons. Chase graduated with his Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling in 2013 and is currently pursuing a degree in Organizational Leadership.

Born and raised in Greeley, Colorado.  Maria believes in people before self.  Serving the community makes your community stronger.

Maria Secrest serves as the Veteran Supervisor, Veterans Service Officer Lead, for region 2 for the Colorado Department of Military & Veterans Affairs.  She is responsible for twenty eastern counties in Colorado, for the professional development of County Veterans Service officers, covering training, certification and compliance with federal/state policies and regulations.

Served in the United States Army as a Military Police Officer for seven years.  Military assignments included stateside and Europe tours.  She comes from a military service family; her father served in World War II in the United States Army/Air Corps.  Her husband served in the United States Army for twenty-four years and her son served in the United States Marine Corps for eight years, continuing his service in the Colorado Army National Guard.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication, from the University of Northen Colorado. Public service has been her focus in life.  She has served on several non-profit boards, committees, commissions and an elected position for the City of Greeley, CO as an At-Large council member.  She served as a government staffer for the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives for a span of fourteen years.  Her primary duties were inquiries from constituents about obtaining benefits, services from federal agencies.  She strived to assist the veterans in her district and state for benefits for medical services, disability benefits, compensation ratings, medals and awards, and burial memorials.  Her greatest accomplishments in assisting veterans. Veterans who had struggled in obtaining their medals after their many attempts meeting with negative results.  She was able to overcome the obstacles and find ways to succeed in obtaining the awards the veterans so desperately deserved, due to their immense sacrifices made in service to their country.

Russ is a U.S. Army combat veteran who served as a Counterintelligence Special Agent. His military service instilled a lifelong commitment to integrity, leadership, and service to others. Following his military career, Russ transitioned to executive-level leadership roles within federal and civilian pre-employment background investigation organizations, where he directed complex operations supporting both government and commercial clients. He is also a Certified Professional Coach through the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching and serves as an instructor and mentor at Colorado Youth Outdoors, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening family relationships through outdoor recreation and education.

In 2024, Russ became a living kidney donor, an experience that deepened his appreciation for community connection and personal resilience—values central to Healing Warriors Program’s mission. Russ has extensive experience in business administration, strategy, and leadership development and is completing his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. His passion for veteran wellness, ethical leadership, and organizational development drives his work with HWP as he helps advance its strategic and operational goals.