ALUM Ambassadors

The ALUM (Ambassadors Leading with Unity & Mission) program was created to strengthen the most powerful force in the veteran and military community: trusted voices speaking from lived experience.

ALUM Program builds on that truth.

Ambassadors

Eduardo “Eddie” Montalvo

US Army
San Germán, Puerto Rico

“As a veteran, I know the invisible wounds of war are real—and I also know they can be healed. The Road Home Program gave me the tools to find peace, and now it’s my passion to help fellow service members, veterans, and their families find their own path to healing, hope, and freedom.”

Born and raised in San Germán, Puerto Rico, Eduardo “Eddie” Montalvo dedicated his life to service, leadership, and purpose. Rising through the ranks to Chief Warrant Officer 3 in the United States Army, he spent most of his career under the United States Army Special Operations Command. His path took him across the world—from Fort Bragg to Germany, from Guantánamo Bay to Eglin Air force base to Fort Meade, and on deployments that spanned Europe, Asia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, South America, and the Caribbean. Wherever the mission called, Eddie answered.

Beyond the uniform, Eddie’s spirit is rooted in the island life. He finds peace in the water—fishing, boating, scuba diving—and strength in the mountains, hiking to waterfalls, and centering himself through meditation. His passions are not only his hobbies but also his mission: helping fellow veterans and their families navigate the challenges of military and post-military life, just as he continues to walk that journey himself.

What Eddie is most proud of, beyond his years of service and the freedoms he helped defend, is being a father. His three children are his greatest achievement, and he strives every day to be the example they can look up to, just as he has been for his brothers- and sisters-in-arms.

For Eddie, life is about service—whether on the battlefield, in the community, or with family. His story is one of resilience, purpose, and gratitude, grounded in the belief that freedom, family, and faith in oneself are worth fighting for.

Angela Monroe

US Army

Fitchburg, WI

“I followed my dad, SA1 Lorenzo Wilson, and joined the Women's Army Corps August 20, 1973 until February 1, 1974. In 1973, the Women's Army Corps (WACS) saw significant changes as the draft ended. An all-volunteer women’s army was established, and opportunities for myself expanded, including training that would benefit me for life. Basic Training was at Fort McClellan, AL and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon, GA. My duty MOS was Signal. The WACS had a memorable impact on my life as a female veteran. I’ve always chosen to work in an environment that would allow me to utilize the education and communication skills developed while serving in the WACS. Skills that would enhance the education, communication, and business acumen acquired, such as ongoing education in security and safety awareness, productivity in presenting strong organizational methods that allowed me to work independently but always as a team member for various employers.”

Utilizing my background in communications to continue to develop the interpersonal skills needed to work for an American multinational conglomerate holding company that specialized in transportation, e-commerce, and business services for 34 years. Through the years that followed I was able to branch out into the fields of real estate, insurance, Environmental Training (EPA) as a Lead Hazard Risk Assessor, and ongoing safety and compliance courses through OSHA. Always with the training and mentoring of our parents, all six of us were encouraged to follow the military lead. Four young girls joined the military – Army and Navy – making our parents so proud of the young girls who became women in the military. I am very proud of two younger sisters who both are now retired: First Sergeant Cheryl L. Woodhouse served for 26 years in the U.S. Army Adjutant General Corps; Sergeant Major Dr. Pamela Wilson who served 32 years in the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps.

Kayla M. Williams

US Army

Washington D.C.

“Kayla M. Williams is an author, veteran, and advocate; she is currently a Senior Policy Advisor at VoteVets. She was most recently a Senior Policy Researcher at RAND, where she focused on military personnel and veterans’ policy. Ms. Williams previously served as Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), where she was formerly Director of the Center for Women Veterans. Kayla was also a Senior Fellow and Director of the Military, Veterans, and Society Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). ”

Ms. Williams was enlisted for five years as an Arabic linguist, serving in a Military Intelligence company of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). She authored the memoirs Love My Rifle More Than You and Plenty of Time When We Get Home, published by W.W. Norton. Kayla graduated cum laude with a BA in English Literature from Bowling Green State University and earned an MA in International Affairs from American University. She is a former member of the Department of Labor Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment, Training, and Employer Outreach; the VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; and the Army Education Advisory Committee; a 2013 White House Woman Veteran Champion of Change; and recipient of the 2020 Student Veterans of America Distinguished Public Service award.

Michael Richardson

US Navy

Inverness, FL

“No one prepared me for assimilation to society as a veteran. My disabilities worsened over time, and I was lost. The Road Home Program provided me with a supportive community of veterans walking a similar path and the mental tools and resources needed to “ride the wave” of mental and physical obstacles. I have found a better version of myself for my community and most significantly my family.”

Michael Richardson was born in 1989 and was raised in Inverness Florida. As a junior in High School enlisted into the United States Navy Delayed Entry Program and trained for the service. After graduating from Lecanto High School Michael immediately left to attend Navy Boot Camp in 2008. Unfortunately suffered irreparable damage to left shoulder while training for Special Warfare. Went to A-School to become a Logistics Specialist and was then stationed aboard the USS Carl Vinson CVN 70. The ship had two deployments while Michael was aboard achieving the rank of Petty Officer.

The first was a South Seas deployment where we conducted Humanitarian relief operations to support Haiti in the Earthquake disaster. The second deployment was a WEST PAC tour where our planes supported troops on the ground and our ship received and buried the body of Osama Bin Laden. Once Honorably discharged Michael began a career as a student. Received an A.S. from College of Central Florida and a B.A. in History with a minor in Anthropology from UCF and a Graduate Certificate in Global Information Systems from the Anthropology Department. Currently Michael is working to complete his M.A. in History at UCF. He is also the Past President of the Student Veterans of America UCF Chapter, Leadership Institute (2024) Fellow, Student Veteran of the Year Finalist (2024), and Road Home Program Fellow (2025). His greatest accomplishment of all time however is his beautiful daughter Ilillyana Grayce.