Angela Skudin
Founder / CEO
Jill Brodsky
Chief Operations Officer
Tina Braddock
Board Member
Benjamin Skudin
Board Member
Cathy Obrien
Board Member
Shawn P. Obrien
Board Member
Ethan Abend
Board Member
Joe Maritato
Board Member
Will Skudin
Board Member
Jason Belsky
Digital Strategist / Webmaster
Angela Skudin
Founder / CEO
Jill Brodsky
Chief Operations Officer
For the past decade Ms. Brodsky dedicated her life to serving the Army’s premier direct- action raid force, the elite Special Operations 75th Ranger Regiment while serving as the Chief Operations Officer of Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund, a 501c3 non-profit that supports Army Rangers and their families with financial assistance, where government funding falls short. Ms. Brodsky was responsible for overseeing all daily operations of the organization. In her role, she helped develop assistance programs to meet the evolving and ongoing needs of these Heroes and their families and produced all marketing collateral, website content, press content and speeches for the organization. She planned and executed all fundraising initiatives including galas, golf outings, lacrosse events, networking events and awareness dinners. Ms. Brodsky managed relationships with sponsors and partners like Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors, who assists the organization with building mortgage-free, handicap accessible homes for the most severely wounded Rangers. In what she saw as her most important role in the organization, Ms. Brodsky served as the primary liaison to the United States Special Operations Command Warrior Care Program (Care Coalition), the 75th Ranger Regiment Unit Command, and the Rangers and their families, working together to ensure their vital needs, whether they are active duty, injured, ill or Gold Star families, were being met. Prior to joining Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund, Ms. Brodsky served as the Director of Corporate Communications at Horizon Media, handling all media relations for the multi-billion-dollar media buying agency in New York City. Prior to joining Horizon Media, Ms. Brodsky was Corporate Communications Coordinator and an Associate in the Travel & Lifestyle practice at Weber Shandwick Public Relations. Ms. Brodsky graduated from Duke University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing Management. She also received a certification in meeting, conference and event planning from NYU. Ms. Brodsky was one of the founding members of the East End Civic Association, activated after Super Storm Sandy, to help foster more open communication between East End residents and the city’s leadership during its time of crisis. Ms. Brodsky served as President for two years. She also currently serves on the Executive Board of the Long Beach High School Girls Varsity Lacrosse Program and volunteers her time offering guidance to a variety of non-profit organizations. Ms. Brodsky resides in Long Beach, New York with her husband Christopher DePaola and is the incredibly proud mother of two teenage daughters, Emily and Alexandra Backlin
Tina Braddock, RN, BSN, CEN, CPTR, FNPc
Board Member
Tina Braddock, RN, BSN, CEN, CPTR, FNPc, born and raised in NYC and Long Beach, NY, is a certified emergency registered nurse with ample experience in trauma nursing and military leadership during her time on active duty in the US Army 2012-2019. Currently, she is completing graduate school for Nursing Practice and has successfully started her integrative medicine healing center on the North Shore of Oahu.
She mainly works with veterans, first responders, and athletes in pursuit of whole health and optimization of mind, body, and spirit using cutting-edge regenerative modalities and precision medicine. Tina is a passionate wellness and mental health advocate and considers herself a post traumatic growth subject matter expert.
In 2019, trauma hit home as her spouse sustained a severe Traumatic Brain Injury. As Jim continues to fight for recovery and both of them learn a lot along the way, they hope to share with the world all they have done to combat the invisible injuries of mental health. Tina completed her certification in psychedelic therapy and research and studies plant medicine for neuroplasticity benefits and Post Traumatic Stress.
Tina serves on the community advisory group for Mt Sinai Brain Research, is an ambassador for Heroic Hearts Project and Flow Dose Maui, and supports and advises multiple suicide prevention organizations. Her current projects include supporting Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Psychedelic Therapy access for Veterans in the state of Hawaii.
In her free time, you can find her hiking, beaching, traveling, cold plunging, or eating pizza. She is highly motivated to support the 343 Fund and hopes to support great change for her fellow first responders and their family members.
Ethan Abend
Board Member
Ethan Abend is a retired NYPD detective, having worked in the Nypd’s swat/ rescue unit. Ethan sustained a traumatic brain injury in the line of duty and found healing through plant medicine after trying many standard western healing routes. This has given him first hand knowledge of the healing potential of plant medicine for traumatic brain injuries and trauma.
Ethan is a public speaker and advocate of drug policy change and the legalization of plant medicine therapies. He currently consults with federal and state governments, lobbying and advocating for policy change and law.
Ethan is a proud husband and father, living with his family in NY.
Cathy Obrien
Board Member
Ms. Obrien is an accomplished professional with more than 30 years of executive management and organizational development experience. Ms. Obrien is currently a Senior Vice President for a 4 billion-dollar health care system consisting of six hospitals, three nursing homes, homecare, hospice, ambulatory sites and over 100 physician practices.
Ms. Obrien has applied her vast industry knowledge, principled with unparalleled negotiation skills and organizational aptitude to develop one of the most progressive, diverse, and modern Supply Chains in the industry. She is responsible for over $1.5 billion dollars in spend a year and has successfully negotiated over one million square feet of architectural, engineering and construction services.
As a Supply Chain leader, Ms. Obrien continuously evaluates strategic and tactical positions to address critical supply needs. During the Covid-19 Pandemic the efforts of the Supply Chain under the direction and strategic efforts of Ms. Obrien was instrumental in contributing daily to support the provision of patient care. Continued challenges with multiple Global Supply Chain crises also demonstrates her leadership skills and vast experience in the areas of strategic sourcing, procurement, and supply chain management that includes the overall goal of optimizing the total delivered cost of clinical and non-clinical supplies and services while maintaining high quality, safety, and service to those served.
Ms. Obrien is widely respected in the industry for her knowledge, honesty, and her transparent approach to all she does.
Will Skudin
Board Member
Will is an internationally recognized big wave surfer. He has grown from “hometown hero” to global surfing ambassador.
Will is also co-founder and vice president of Skudin Surf and a Co-Founder of Surf For All, a non-profit organization which helps individuals with special needs access the joys of the ocean. In addition to his career as a professional athlete, Will also excels in production and production management. Founding NYSEA in 2010, he has worked with several big-name companies to promote various products and events through videos, commercials, and other media platforms. Will’s creative approach to advertising, marketing, social media and campaign strategy is a vital resource for his companies and a big part of his success.
Shawn P. Obrien
Board Member
Shawn P. Obrien is an accomplished medical sales professional with a solid foundation in communications. He spent his first 7+ years as a Jones Beach Lifeguard in Long Island, where he worked with his team and gained tremendous life skills.
He graduated from the University of South Florida in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, and spent over 25 years in the healthcare industry. At Biotronik, a privately-held German-owned medical company, Shawn served as Diagnostic Sales Manager, overseeing up to 150 sales representatives for specialized products across the East Coast.
During his 20+ year tenure at Medline Industries, one of the largest distributors and manufacturers of medical supplies in the US, Shawn held diverse roles such as Customer Service Representative, Regional Account Manager, and VP Sales Caribbean Islands. His exceptional consultative approach fostered strong relationships with hospital management and contributed to the growth of multiple product lines.
Most recently, Shawn has gained certifications from the NFPT (National Federation of Professional Trainers) in Certified Master Personal Trainer as well as Fitness Nutrition, Endurance training, Resistance Training, and Running Mechanics. He has a 200 hour Yoga Instructor License from Sampoorna Yoga and is a Yoga Alliance Member. Shawn has taken and passed the ICA Fitness and Conditioning Licenses for Soccer as well as the USA Soccer Coaching D and C Licenses.
Shawn’s dedication to excellence extends beyond his professional achievements and fitness acumen. He actively engages in community service, serving as mentor for Cornerstone Kids (a NFP Inner City Mentor Program for at risk kids), a former Cub Scout Pack Leader for Boy Scouts of America and is contributing to his local church, St. John’s Episcopal as Youth Lead.
Joe Maritato
Board Member
Joe Maritato is currently the VP of Asset Management at a large health system, negotiating millions annually in construction, medical equipment and related service contracts. Joe has been in the healthcare purchasing, and biomedical engineering fields for 30 over years. Joe holds degrees in Electrical Engineering and Business Administration.
Benjamin Skudin
Board Member
Benjamin Skudin is currently a senior at Cornell University, where he is working towards a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, concentrating in Neurobiology & Behavior. His academic focus has granted him an in-depth understanding of human neurobiology and an appreciation for the burgeoning field of alternative medicines.
In addition to his major, Benjamin is pursuing a minor in Business for the Life Sciences. He applied this business acumen during his <me as a Summer Analyst at Paine Schwartz Partners, a private equity firm that focuses on sustainable food chain investments. Upon graduating 2024, Benjamin aims to build a career in finance.
Passionate about mental health advocacy, Benjamin is committed to shifting America’s focus towards preventative care and open dialogues surrounding mental health challenges. He has a particular interest in exploring innovative treatment methods for neurological disorders affecting first responders.
Outside of academics, Benjamin enjoys spending time on the Long Beach coast, where he grew up and learned to surf under the guidance of his father, Casey Skudin. While by no means a competitive surfer, he served as the Administrative Manager at Skudin Surf from 2018 to 2022, contributing to employee management, customer relations, and strategic growth.
Benjamin also volunteers at Cornell, notably as a member of Mediocre Melodies, an acapella group with a unique mission: “Bad singers for a good cause.” The group donates all proceeds from their performances to the local Ithaca community.