Killjan “Kill” Anderson is the Executive Director of the Pat Tillman Foundation and served 21+ years of distinguished active-duty service in the U.S. Air Force. Prior to joining the Foundation, Kill’ served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the 10th Air Base Wing at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. His military career has spanned stateside assignments in California, Colorado and Arizona and overseas tours in Korea, Japan and England. He has deployed in support of Operations Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom. Kill holds an MBA from Notre Dame and a B.S., Management/Government from the University of Maryland-University College. Kill’ and his wife Angela are the proud parents of two kids, Avery and Asia.

Sabrina joined the Pat Tillman Foundation team in November 2015 as the Operations Manager and assumed duties of Director of Operations in 2017. Sabrina oversees all office operations and monitors day-to-day internal functions.

A native of Colorado Springs, Sabrina enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in May 2008 as a member of Security Forces, working as a Dispatcher and Patrolman until deployment to Kuwait in 2010. Following her deployment, Sabrina worked as the lead of the Standardization and Evaluation section, where she evaluated troop and squadron readiness, ranging from day-to-day responsibilities to catastrophic events.

After medically retiring in 2012, Sabrina worked for her family business, Perales Consulting Group, where she developed educational instructional material, researched technical data, and acted as the Office Manager/Executive Assistant to the CEO, in support of defense contracts and subcontracts for the satellite communications industry. Sabrina resides in Chicago and is currently working towards her MBA from Notre Dame and holds a BA in Management and Leadership from American Military University.

Jonathan “Zeke” Warzeka joined the Pat Tillman Foundation as the Pat’s Run Event Manager in June 2017. Zeke oversees the planning of all key activities for Pat’s Run.

A native of Lake Elsinore, California, Zeke received a football scholarship to the United States Air Force Academy. After graduating with a BS in Social Sciences in 2012, Zeke commissioned as a Security Forces Officer and was stationed at Luke AFB, Arizona. As the Operations Officer, Zeke was responsible for all law enforcement and security operations which included protecting over $6.4 billion in aircraft and resources while safeguarding over 5,000 active duty, retired, and civilian members. Zeke is currently a Security Forces Officer in the US Air Force Reserve.

Zeke earned his Master’s in Sports Administration from Ohio University. Zeke is an avid sports fan who currently resides in Arizona and spends his free time with his friends, family and dog.

Jonathan Due joined the Pat Tillman Foundation as the Director of Programs and Scholarships in June 2018. In his role, “JD” oversees the selection, engagement and professional development for the Tillman Scholar community.

A native of Houston, Texas, JD graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1998 and served in the U.S. Army until 2018. During his military service, he served in Armor, Stryker and Cavalry units, and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn and Operation Atlantic Resolve. In addition to his operational assignments, JD also served as an Assistant Professor at the United States Military Academy, as the lead writer for a number of conceptual and doctrinal publications, and as the Chief of the Commander’s Initiatives Group for the Commanding General of the U.S. Army’s Maneuver Center of Excellence. He holds a B.S. in American History from the United States Military Academy and a M.A. in American History from the University of North Carolina, where he is also a Ph.D. candidate.

Passionate about the intersection of scholarship, service, and leadership, JD currently resides in Chicago with his wife and two extraordinary children.

Cara joined the Foundation in May 2011 to support scholar selection and community engagement for the Tillman Scholar program. Previously, she worked for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America as a liaison to veterans and their families, helping them resolve problems related to housing, legal issues, employment, physical and mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence and financial planning.

Cara enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in 1997, serving with the 348th Transportation Company based out of Phoenix, AZ, and the 310th TACCOM in Fort Belvoir, VA. In 2002, she joined the active-duty Army, serving with the First Infantry Division in Germany, before deploying to Iraq.

She is a proud graduate of Arizona State University, where she earned a BS in Family and Human Development. Cara resides in Arizona with her husband and two young daughters.

Tina Bruenning joined the Pat Tillman Foundation as Scholarships Manager in October 2015 after recently earning her degree from Roosevelt University. Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Tina’s parents both served in the Army National Guard, instilling in her a life of service to others.

Prior to joining the Pat Tillman Foundation staff, Tina spent time in the work force at St. Alexius Medical Center in the Emergency Room unit, served as a Teacher’s Aide, volunteer in the community and most importantly, dedicated her time as a mother to her two children. Tina has always put others before herself, including raising her family first before making the decision to pursue her degree full-time in 2013.

In December 2015, Tina will participate in Roosevelt University’s graduation ceremony with her son Nick after earning a degree in Hospitality and Tourism with a concentration in meetings and events. Married to her husband Matt for 22 years, Tina enjoys traveling and exploring new places and spending time with her adult children.

Ellen McElligott joined the Pat Tillman Foundation staff as Development Officer in January 2016 and is responsible for leading fundraising efforts for the Tillman Scholar program.

McElligott is a 2004 graduate of The College of the Holy Cross and upon graduation, served in the United States Navy from 2004-2010 as a Surface Warfare Officer. Her service included two overseas deployments onboard USS TARAWA and USS OSCAR AUSTIN, and in 2008, returned to her hometown Chicago to work at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes.

After separating from the military , she completed her MPA from DePaul University with a focus in non-profit management, and her career since has been focused on serving the military community in a variety of roles both in Washington D.C. and Chicago. Most recently, she worked at the Road Home Program at Rush as member of both the community engagement and development team.

Ellen is a die-hard Chicago sports fan who currently resides in the city and spends much of her free time with her dog, friends or at FlyWheel.

Christopher feels privileged to have been a Manager of Development for the foundation since August of 2016. He manages fundraising programs with corporations and individuals in Arizona and western states, including our largest event, Pat’s Run.

Cordes was born and raised a Sun Devil! Ask his father, he was inconsolable after witnessing the 1997 Rose Bowl loss to Ohio State. He is a 2004 graduate of Arizona State University where he earned a degree in Business and Communications. Most recently, he drove development at both the Banner Health Foundation and Valley of the Sun United Way.

Cordes enjoys spending time with his wife Colleen, their twin boys, and their daughter. A native and fifth generation Arizonan, he also enjoys tennis, golf, fly-fishing, and exploring the outdoors. Go Devils!

Ethan joined the Pat Tillman Foundation in November 2016 as a Development Manager, a role in which he manages all aspects of the Foundation’s stewardship program and is responsible for managing the Team Tillman fundraising program, grants, third party events as well as foundation events.

A native of Wheaton, Minnesota, Armstrong earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Communication Studies from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2009 and a Master of Arts degree in Sport Management from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2012. Upon graduation from Gustavus, he began a graduate assistantship as the Assistant Athletics Communications Director under Tim Kennedy at his alma mater. In the fall of 2011, Ethan was promoted  to Athletics Communications Director where here served as the marketing, media, and public relations director in charge of day-to-day communications for Gustavus’s 23 intercollegiate sports.

In the summer of 2015, Armstrong resigned from Gustavus and moved to Chicago where served in several contract roles with organizations such as Careers In Nonprofits, Chicago Public Schools, the University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences Development, and the American Dental Hygienists’ Association. Most recently, Ethan worked as a Project Manager/Event Planner for startup social media photo marketing company called Tagkast.

Residing with his wife Anna in Chicago, Ethan is an avid volunteer committed to service and community. He is deeply involved with organizations such as the Special Olympics, Back On My Feet and Live To Support, and serves on the planning board for the Strides For Peace Run/Walk To End Gun Violence held annually in Chicago.  Passionate about all things pop culture, working out and spending time with his friends, Armstrong stays true to his Minnesota sports roots yet lives and breathes University of North Dakota hockey.

Michelle joined the Pat Tillman Foundation as Director of Brand & Communications in April 2013. In her role, she leads communications and marketing strategy to raise awareness and support for the Tillman Scholars program, the Pat Tillman Leadership Summit, Pat’s Run and other foundation events and initiatives. Previously, she served as the Director of Communications for the advocacy organization Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) based in New York City. Prior to working in the military community, she covered Wall Street as a financial reporter and researcher. She earned her B.A. in Political Science and Journalism from the University of Notre Dame and M.A. in Media Studies from The New School.

In January 2017, John joined the Pat Tillman Foundation in the role of Art Director. As the creative firepower for the foundation, he is in charge of the visual elements used to communicate PTF’s mission. 

John has a passion to create, which was explored at an early age through drawing, photography, and skateboarding. With a BFA in Illustration from Columbia College Chicago, John has worked as a visual artist in Chicago for the past decade. In his role at PTF, he is lucky enough to work with design, photography, video, and a lot of other visual tools.

John spends his free time drawing, exploring Chicago, or at the pub watching Liverpool FC.

Shannon joined the Pat Tillman Foundation team as the Communications Manager in November 2017. In this role, Shannon focuses on building and strengthening PTF’s brand and communications by sharing the incredible impact made by Tillman Scholars in their communities through digital media and public relations.

A native Arizonan, Shannon comes from a long line of military service people. She is a lifetime Arizona sports fan, and grew up watching Pat play during his days as a Sun Devil and later with the Arizona Cardinals.

She received her Bachelor’s degree in English from Arizona State University and started her career at Donor Network of Arizona. After moving to Chicago and earning her Master’s in English from Northwestern University, Shannon continued her work in nonprofit marketing and communications at Stand for Children before jumping at the opportunity to join the PTF crew.

Shannon resides in Chicago and enjoys hiking, volunteering, exploring the city’s excellent variety of independent bookstores, and is currently working on her Master’s in Library and Information Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign.