THF WELCOMES MATT STEVENS AS CEO

The Honor Foundation, a unique transition institute created originally for Navy SEALs and the wider U.S. Special Operations Forces community, has just announced that a new CEO will be leading the organization effective immediately. Founded in 2014, the non-profit welcomes Matt Stevens as its Chief Executive Officer.

This change will usher in a new era at The Honor Foundation—a time for its own transition and continued growth. In the past five years, The Honor Foundation has successfully developed a nationally-known transition program for Special Operations Forces, helping them to navigate the pivot from military to civilian life. It accomplishes this via an executive-education style transition curriculum that combines one-on-one executive coaching and industry mentoring, three months of class instruction, and access to an elite nationwide professional network. This program has over 400 graduates thus far. Since its founding, The Honor Foundation has grown to achieve:

Four campuses: Three physical campuses in San Diego, CA; Virginia Beach, VA; and Camp Lejeune, NC, and a virtual campus, THFv

429 Program graduates and 20 groups through the Program

98% Fulfillment rate of Alumni

Expansive network (Tribes of Support) and employee partners, with over 90 executive coaches, over 90 industry mentors, 33 faculty, which include leaders from companies such as Airbnb, Katerra, W-D 40, Anki, and Amazon

Rang the closing bell at NASDAQ in Times Square in 2017

Now, The Honor Foundation is poised to exponentially grow its impact, with the goal of reaching the members of the Special Operations Forces Enterprise that haven’t yet been touched by The Honor Foundation’s mission. In the near future, it has the goal of opening more campuses; increasing the number of mentors, coaches, and staff; and reaching another 1000 members of the Special Operations Forces community. Stevens will helm the effort and is uniquely qualified for the task. Stevens served as a US Navy SEAL for 26 years. He graduated from U.S. Naval Academy in 1991, from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in 1992 and was subsequently assigned to the East Coast where he served in various SEAL Teams, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams and Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG). Stevens commanded at every level in the Naval Special Warfare Community to include a Squadron at NSWDG, SEAL Team TWO, Naval Special Warfare Unit THREE, and Naval Special Warfare Group FOUR. He served staff tours at the Joint Special Operations Command in Fort Bragg, NC; as the Operations Officer at Naval Special Warfare Group TWO in Virginia Beach, VA; and in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (ASD SO/LIC) in the Pentagon. In addition to his decorated military career, Stevens attended THF’s inaugural East Coast class in the Spring of 2016, joined the THF SOF Advisory Board in the Spring of 2017, and joined THF’s Board of Directors in February 2018. Following his transition from his military career, he served on the leadership team of an emerging technology company from 2017-2019.

Stevens’ deep ties to the Special Operations Forces community and his experience as a THF Fellow and advisor allow him rare insight not only into THF’s mission, but also into the realization of it. “I feel incredibly honored and humbled to serve as the next CEO of The Honor Foundation,” says Stevens. “Through my personal experience, I am a believer in THF and its unique process. Now, I have the opportunity to fully pursue the mission, share my experience in both the military and private sector communities and serve these talented men and women in whatever capacity I can.”

Founder and former CEO Joe Musselman has now departed his executive role at The Honor Foundation but will remain an active voice on the Board of Directors and will be spearheading The Honor Foundation’s endowment effort at HonorForLIfe.org. Having worked among some of the brightest business minds available through The Honor Foundation, Musselman recognizes that a change of guard is sometimes necessary to catalyze growth and is confident that Stevens’ leadership will carry The Honor Foundation to its next evolution and its next mission. “Matt Stevens is the leader this organization has earned,” says Musselman. “He is the living, breathing embodiment of THF’s vision. It is only appropriate that THF have a leader who has come full circle, through a history of exceptional service in the Special Operations Forces community to our transition program, and now to an executive career serving a community he knows, loves, and understands. His leadership will allow The Honor Foundation to support the lives of thousands of families around the world in a more connected, compassionate, and significant way than we have been able to before.”

The Honor Foundation will enter 2019 fortified not only by strong leadership but also with a host of powerful partners that support its efforts, including the Navy SEAL Foundation. “I can think of few people more qualified to take the helm at THF than Matt Stevens, ” said Robin King, CEO of the Navy SEAL Foundation, Founding Partner of THF. “Because of his rich experience within the NSW community and the fact that Matt was a graduate of the very first East Coast cohort, I feel confident that he will lead with care, compassion and a commitment to every transitioning warrior who walks through the doors. NSF’s board and staff wish him the best as he enters this new phase of his career of service.

Said Andy Christian, Executive Director of The Marine Raider Foundation, “Matt Stevens’ appointment as CEO of The Honor Foundation is a clear reflection of THF’s commitment to our transitioning Marine Raiders. We are excited to see this highly qualified and dynamic executive leading THF into the future.”

These partners, along with an elite group of business leaders that serve as mentors, staff, faculty, and employee partners will work closely with The Honor Foundation’s leadership team and Stevens to continue to impact the lives of Special Operations Forces and their families nationally and internationally, and to serve them with honor for life, so that their next mission is clear and continues to impact the world.