The system must protect them.

Walk the Talk Foundation was founded by those who served — and who saw what happens when the systems meant to protect service members, veterans, and federal civilians are turned against them.

vincit omnia veritas — truth conquers all

Mission
To ensure that those who serve the nation are not destroyed by the systems meant to protect it — and to reform those systems so future service members, veterans, and federal civilians are treated lawfully, humanely, and justly.
Our Vision
A military and federal accountability system where whistleblowers are protected, investigations are competent and impartial, and administrative power is exercised with transparency and restraint.
Core values
  • Truth & Accountability
  • Independence from government influence
  • Professional Excellence
  • Service Before Self advocacy

About the Organization

Walk the Talk Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization founded in January 2022 by Lt Col (Ret.) Ryan Sweazey — a decorated fighter pilot, accredited diplomat, and former Inspector General — who saw firsthand how administrative processes intended to protect service members were being weaponized against them.

Today, WtTF operates internationally, advising service members, veterans, and federal civilians navigating the military and federal administrative systems — from IG complaints and clearance actions to congressional engagement and records correction.

Founded
January 2022
Legal status
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
EIN
33-1659930
Headquarters
Washington, D.C.
Members advised
500+ (2026)
Satisfaction rate
99%
What we do
Advisement
Expert non-legal guidance for IG complaints, admin investigations, clearance actions, adverse evaluations, and records correction.
Advocacy & Reform
Direct congressional engagement to strengthen whistleblower protections and reform the Federal Government's IG system. 70+ engagements since 2025.
Policy & Research
Evidence-based policy work including a landmark independent DoD IG proposal supported by 3,400+ signatures nationwide.
Litigation Enablement
Identifying test cases and partnering with impact litigation law firms to drive structural reform of military administrative justice.

Our Leadership

Led by decorated retired officers and mission-driven professionals who have personally advised 500+ members combined.

Lt Col (Ret.) Ryan Sweazey
Lt Col (Ret.) Ryan Sweazey
President & Founder
U.S. Air Force · USAFA · Chicago, IL

Ryan founded Walk the Talk Foundation in January 2022 after a 20+ year Air Force career as an F-16 fighter pilot, accredited Air Attaché to Italy and Switzerland, Inspector General, and Deputy Chief of Air Combat Command Flight Operations. A USAFA graduate with an MBA from Troy University and FAA Airline Transport Pilot certification, he has personally advised 400+ service members and spearheaded legislation included in the FY23 NDAA.

F-16 Fighter Pilot FAA ATP Accredited Diplomat Former Inspector General USAFA Graduate NDAA Legislator MBA · Troy University
LTC (Ret.) Francesca Graham
LTC (Ret.) Francesca Graham
Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
U.S. Army · USMA · Arlington, VA

Francesca joined in June 2024 with 20+ years of Army service including Chief of Plans at the Pentagon’s Joint Staff J2, supporting the Afghanistan withdrawal, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Indo-Pacific contingency planning. A USMA graduate, she has personally advised 100+ members and leads all Foundation operations.

Strategic Intelligence Officer Senior Jumpmaster Former XVIII ABC G5 Chief of Plans NDAA Legislator USMA Graduate SAMS Graduate MS from NIU
Keegan Gregg
Keegan Gregg
Treasurer
U.S. Army Veteran · Former Infantryman

Mission-driven executive with 10+ years leading teams across the military, insurance, and financial sectors. Currently President of Orion180 Financial Services. Holds an MBA from the University of Florida and a B.A. in Intelligence and National Security Studies.

Army Veteran · Infantryman President · Orion180 Financial MBA · University of Florida BA · Intelligence & Nat'l Security
Col (Ret.) Anne-Marie Theriot
Col (Ret.) Anne-Marie Theriot
Chief of Staff
U.S. Marine Corps Reserve • Stafford, VA

Three decades of Marine Corps service as a Manpower Officer, retiring as Deputy Director/Chief of Staff, Marine and Family Programs Division at HQMC. Commissioned through Naval ROTC at Tulane University in 1994, Anne-Marie served three decades as a Manpower Officer at strategic, operational, and tactical levels. Graduate of Marine Corps Command and Staff College, U.S. Army War College, and Joint Combined Warfare School.

30-Year USMC Veteran HQMC Deputy Director & Chief of Staff Strategic Manpower Officer Career Counselor Expertise U.S. Army War College Graduate Marine Corps Command & Staff College Graduate Tulane University Graduate
Col (Ret.) Tre Del Pizzo
Col (Ret.) Tre Del Pizzo
Director of Congressional Affairs
U.S. Marine Corps • Arlington, VA

Enlisted in the USMC Reserve in 1993, commissioned in 1997, ultimately commanding VMX-1 — the Marine Corps’ operational test and evaluation squadron — after six combat deployments flying the F-35B and AV-8B Harrier. Staff assignments spanned HQMC, the Navy Staff, and the Joint Staff. Graduate of Auburn University, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the National War College.

F-35B & AV-8B Harrier Pilot 6 Combat Deployments Commander VMX-1 Legion of Merit National War College HQMC & Joint Staff Veteran Commercial Airline Pilot
Michella McFarland
Michella McFarland
Coast Guard Legislative Advisor
Former U.S. Coast Guard Officer

Former Coast Guard Officer with early leadership training in the USMC and experience coordinating over 70 interagency partners. Currently Chief Growth Officer of The Mikey Foundation, leading suicide prevention and peer support programs for service members and veterans.

Former USCG Officer USMC Leadership Training 70+ Interagency Partners CGO · The Mikey Foundation
Jasmine Hockaday
Jasmine Hockaday
Director of Marketing and Communication

Jasmine leads Walk the Talk Foundation’s marketing and communications strategy, bringing 5+ years of experience building employer brands and veteran-focused talent communities at organizations including FedEx and Aventiv Technologies. She specializes in translating complex military and workforce initiatives into clear, compelling storytelling that drives engagement, and leads WtTF’s content strategy and external communications.

Strategic Communications Leader Military & Veteran Talent Branding Employer Brand Strategy Social & Digital Marketing FedEx Skill Bridge Program Executive & Stakeholder Engagement M.S. Digital Marketing Communications
Andy Schouten
Andy Schouten
Bookkeeper / Accountant
MAJ (Ret.) USANG

Andy is a retired U.S. Army Major and decorated combat veteran with 27 years in Field Artillery, including an Afghanistan deployment where he helped enable the first indirect-fire combat operations in modern Afghan history. He later served as Deputy Inspector General before transitioning into nonprofit financial management, where he currently serves in finance leadership roles across multiple veterans-focused organizations. He holds an MBA from Touro University California and is the author of First to Fire.

27 Years • Field Artillery Afghanistan Combat Veteran Former Deputy Inspector General QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor Fund Accounting & Form 990 MBA • Touro University California Author- "First to Fire"

Our Advisors

9 advisors actively serving clients, each completing mandatory syllabus-based onboarding — including a one-on-one case review with our Vice President — before advising any client. We also have a Clinical Advisor and Legal Reform Advisor on the team.

Benjamin Milarch
Benjamin Milarch
Lt Col (Ret.), USAF

25 years of USAF service including UH-1N pilot and Inspector General who led one of the most active complaint resolution offices in the Air Force.

A 2001 USAFA graduate, Benjamin flew UH-1N rescue missions and later led one of the most active Air Force IG complaint resolution offices. After retiring in 2022, he co-founded a government consulting firm focused on acquisition reform at the VA.
Twygena “Gena” Cotton
Twygena “Gena” Cotton
LTC (Ret.), USA

24-year Army career spanning logistics, DEI leadership, strategic communications at the Pentagon, and Inspector General in the National Capital Region.

Gena's 24-year Army career included two Iraq deployments, service as DEI Officer and Strategic Communications Director at the Pentagon, and a final assignment as an IG in the NCR. She serves as a Human Rights Commissioner in Arlington County, Virginia.
Jeremiah “Jay” Bybee
Jeremiah “Jay” Bybee
SMSgt (Ret.), USAF

Nearly 24 years of Air Force service; former First Sergeant Academy instructor with deep expertise in military justice and whistleblower systems.

Jay retired as a First Sergeant after nearly 24 years in the Air Force, including postings in South Korea, the Netherlands, England, and Italy. His final position was Instructor at the USAF First Sergeant Academy. Currently pursuing his MPA from Auburn University.
Jeremiah Heath
Jeremiah Heath
MAJ (Ret.), USA

28+ year veteran and three-time combat deployer who transformed personal experience with a corrupt system into lifelong advocacy for service members.

As an Independent Advisor, Jeremiah designs strategic campaign plans for the wrongfully accused. A 28+ year veteran with service as company commander, battalion XO, acting battalion commander, and G1 branch chief for the state of Florida. Three-time combat veteran of OEF and OFS.
José David Rivera
José David Rivera
BG (Ret.) USA

30+ years of Army service at U.S. Army Central, CENTCOM, NORAD, and the Texas Army National Guard — culminating as Brigadier General.

José holds a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College and a Master of Public Administration from UT Arlington. His decorations include the Army Superior Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Ranger Tab, and Master Combat Infantryman Badge.
Sarah “Sal” Tygret
Sarah “Sal” Tygret
MSG (Ret.), USA

Medically retired Master Sergeant with nearly 15 years of active service as a Military Equal Opportunity professional and whistleblower systems expert.

Sal medically retired at MSG/E-8 after nearly 15 years of active service. A three-time combat deployer, she spent much of her career as a Military Equal Opportunity professional. She continued her advocacy post-service as an EEO Counselor and Veterans Health and Wellness Advocate.
Tara Kaiser
Tara Kaiser
LTC (Ret.), USA

20-year Military Police officer who commanded the U.S. Army CID battalion, overseeing 600+ federal agents across six states.

Tara's 20-year MP career culminated in CID battalion command with 600+ federal agents across six states. She deployed three times to Afghanistan, training Afghan police and leading joint security operations. A West Point graduate currently pursuing an Executive MBA at Georgetown's McDonough School of Business.
Corie Weathers
Corie Weathers
LPC, NCC, BCC · Clinical Advisor

Licensed professional counselor, author of Military Culture Shift, and Mighty25 Influencer of 2024 with two decades supporting military families.

Corie's book Military Culture Shift is shaping dialogue at the highest levels of military leadership and policy. She has traveled internationally to visit troops, testified before the Texas House of Representatives on mental health and readiness, and contributed to the passage of a Congressional Bill for licensure portability.
Haley Fuller, JD
Haley Fuller, JD
Legal Reform Advisor · Former USMC Captain

Tulane Law 2025, former Marine Corps Captain who witnessed systemic military justice injustices firsthand — now dedicated to legal reform.

Haley graduated from Tulane Law in 2025 with a Certificate in International and Comparative Law, serving as President of the Federalist Society and Honor Board Justice. Before law school she was a USMC Captain overseeing the aviation training pipeline. She resigned in 2021 after witnessing systemic injustices. She also holds an MS in Psychology from Purdue Global.

Financials & Transparency

We operate with fiscal discipline and full donor accountability. No government funding is accepted — by policy.

Organization & Legal
Legal status
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
EIN
33-1659930
Founded
January 2022 · Washington, D.C.
Government funding
None accepted — by policy
Ethics standard
AFP Code of Ethics & Donor Bill of Rights
Board oversight
Quarterly financial reviews · Active Board
Service & Revenue Model

WtTF combines client advisement fees with charitable support to sustain our work. Advisement fees cover clients who can pay; your gift funds pro bono and reduced-fee casework for those who can't. Validated by 500+ members at 99% satisfaction.

Advisement rate
$125/hour
Tiered by rank:
$250–$1,250 (non-refundable)
Pro bono advisement
150+ hours since 2025
Advisor Revenue Split

Advisors operate as trained independent contractors (1099-NEC).

72% → Advisor
28% → Foundation
2025 Annual Report available on request. Contact info@walkthetalkfoundation.org

Client Testimonials

500+ members advised since 2022 · 99% satisfaction rate. Names and identifying details are protected to the fullest extent permitted by law.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“I had nowhere to turn. My chain of command had turned against me and the IG process felt designed to protect the institution, not me. Walk the Talk Foundation helped me understand exactly what was happening, what my rights were, and how to respond. My clearance was retained and the investigation was closed.”

E7
Senior NCO, U.S. Army
IG complaint + clearance action · 2025
✓ Clearance retained · Investigation closed
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“As a federal civilian, I felt completely alone navigating a derogatory SF-50 after reporting misconduct. WtTF’s advisors understood the system in a way no one else I’d spoken to did. They gave me a clear plan and walked me through every step.”

GS
GS-13, Department of Defense
Adverse SF-50 / personnel action · 2025
✓ Derogatory action removed from record
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“The initial consultation alone changed everything. I’d been told by three different people that there was nothing I could do. WtTF told me exactly what my options were and helped me file a congressional inquiry that got the command’s attention. For the first time, I felt like someone was actually in my corner.”

O4
Field-grade Officer, U.S. Air Force
Retaliation + BOI proceedings · 2024
✓ Congressional inquiry filed · BOI outcome favorable

Are you a former client willing to share your story?

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