GOLD STAR SPOUSES OF AMERICA INC. |
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NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL:
Justin Brown
JUSTIN BROWN
Founder and CEO, The Nimitz Group
With nearly two decades of dedicated advocacy, Justin has led initiatives to expand educational and employment opportunities, improve access to benefits and healthcare, and work toward eradicating veteran homelessness.
Justin’s extensive experience includes serving in leadership roles at the VA, the VFW, and the American Legion, as well as holding the position of Staff Director for multiple Congressional Subcommittees under the House Veterans Affairs Committee. His expertise and influence have established him as one of the foremost and most experienced veteran advocates in the nation.
His commitment to public service began at 17, when he enlisted in the United States Navy. During his military career, he completed one deployment in support of Operation Southern Watch and two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following his military service, he earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Utah and a graduate degree from the U.S. Naval War College.
A Utah native, Justin is passionate about outdoor activities, including climbing, golfing, snowboarding, and skiing. He is also an avid reader and finds deep fulfillment in mentoring students, veterans, and aspiring entrepreneurs who share his drive to make a positive impact on the world.
ASHLEY BERNARDI
Founder and CEO, Nardi Media LLC
Ashley Bernardi is an award-winning podcaster and author, media relations expert and trainer, and Founder and CEO of Nardi Media LLC, a full-service media relations firm specializing in media placements and training for authors, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, companies, and more. A Gold Star Daughter, Ashley brings deep empathy and purpose to her work, using storytelling as a force for connection, healing, and impact.
Under her leadership, Nardi Media has been named a finalist for the 2025 Healthcare PR Campaign of the Year by the PR Daily Awards, and Ashley herself has been recognized as a 2025 finalist for PR Professional of the Year, honoring her exceptional contributions to the communications industry.
Prior to founding Nardi Media, Ashley served as a network television news producer for nearly a decade, with credits including CBS News, energy NOW! —a nationally syndicated energy and environmental show on Bloomberg TV—and Washington Post Live.
She has a passion for helping authors grow from zero exposure to household names on the New York Times Best Sellers List. Her clients have been featured in top-tier outlets including The Washington Post, The New York Times, TODAY, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, NPR, Fortune, Business Insider, USA TODAY, PEOPLE, TIME, CNBC, Bloomberg, Real Simple, and hundreds more.
Ashley is also a regularly featured media expert herself, appearing in Forbes, The Washington Times, Bloom TV, Tiny Beans, and on the Emmy Award-winning series “The Mother Side” airing on ABC in Washington, D.C. She is the author of the award-winning book Authentic Power: Give Yourself Permission to Feel.
ANN DUFF, REAR ADMIRAL (RET.)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Ann served as the Director, Office of Survivors Assistance for six years. OSA was established by the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2008, P.L. 110- 389, Title II, Section 222. OSA serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary on all policies, programs, legislative issues and other initiatives affecting surviving family members of deceased Service members and Veterans. OSA serves as a resource regarding all benefits and services furnished by the Department to survivors of deceased Veterans. Additionally, the office builds and maintains collaborative partnerships with local, state, tribal and federal agencies, as well as Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), faith-based and community organizations and other stakeholder groups to increase awareness of benefits and services available to surviving family members; advocates for the needs of survivors in VA’s policy and programmatic decisions; and makes appropriate referrals to VA administrations and staff offices to ensure survivors receive eligible benefits and services.
Ms. Duff is a graduate of the University of Maine and Western Governors University where she earned degrees in Political Science (BA) and Instructional Systems Design (M, Ed). A recently retired Rear Admiral, she is a certified Strategic Human Resources Professional and has completed certificate programs in Business, Planning, Strategic HR Management, Strategic Communications and National and International Security from Naval War College, Cornell University, Harvard University and the University of Virginia. A self-proclaimed Army brat, Ann served for over 35 years in both the US Air Force and the US Navy. She is currently married to a retired Coast Guardsman, and has three children.
TED SCALLET, ESQ.
EascoLaw, PLLC
Ted Scallet has been providing legal advice to clients for almost fifty years. His Washington, DC practice has included advocating for clients before Congress and the Executive branch. He has represented numerous tax-exempt organizations on governance and tax qualification issues. He is also an expert in the legal standards governing decision making by fiduciaries and Board members that are appointed or elected to represent the interests of others.
Ted worked for eight years at the Securities and Exchange Commission and the U. S. Department of Labor before going into private practice. He has been a member of the bar of the Supreme Court, nine United States Courts of Appeal, and many United States District Courts. Ted has been named as a top lawyer in Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Chambers USA, Who’s Who Lawyers, and many other publications. In 2016, Ted resigned from his law firm and became a sole practitioner advising clients on a pro bono basis.
Ted is a graduate of Harvard College and Washington University School of Law. He is married to his college sweetheart and is the proud father of two sons and grandfather of three beautiful grandchildren.