Meet the Team
Virginia Board of Directors
The board of directors is an essential part of business and is the organization’s governing body. The board of directors for The Ruyts Foundation is comprised of individuals that bring experience and passion to the table in the fight against veteran suicide. Please feel free to contact any of the members with questions or concerns.
Jessica Ruyts
PRESIDENT & FOUNDER
Jessica Ruyts is the President and Founder of The Ruyts Foundation of Veteran Suicide Prevention. I am no different than the rest, I too have suffered from thoughts of suicide and a attempt to take my own life. Jessica holds several college degrees in Accounting, Criminal Justice, Criminal Law and Allied health, including two Associate degrees, one Bachelors degree and one Juris Doctorate. She has a mission in life to end all veteran and soldier suicide. While on this mission I have a mission to also end the stigma that surrounds mental health. I have family who fight thoughts of suicide daily, and that is something I never want them to feel or act on. “Help our heroes fight the battles they can no longer fight alone.” -Jessica Ruyts
Ashley Call-Williams
VICE PRESIDENT
Lisa Snellings
TREASURER
Lisa has a degree in Corporate Accounting from Stark State College as well as a degree in Forensic Accounting from Franklin University. She works for a veteran owned company as their Director of Finance and has a passion for helping those in need. She has seen many of those around her battle with their mental health and the stigma that goes with getting the care needed. Lisa founded our Domestic Violence division called RAIN of Hope in 2022. This decision came from her own personal experiences and seeing the lack of resources available to those leaving a domestic violence situation. “I have great respect for those that have served our country and want all people that struggle to know they don’t have to do it alone .”
Marcus Toler
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & EVENTS
To learn more visit www.marcustoler.info
Thomas Holmes
Military Liaison/Case Worker
Tom Holmes is a 9-year Marine Corps Veteran. He deployed to Kosovo and Iraq in support of our country. He has faced loss while deployed and since leaving the Corps. Tom has obtained a MBA, MS Cybersecurity & MS Psychology: Child & Adolescent Development. He struggles with PTSD and depression from his time in the Marine Corps. Having this firsthand knowledge of the struggles our Veterans face Tom dedicates his time to support Veterans and Veteran Charities. Tom is a member of the WarFighters MC which s a Veteran MC that supports Veterans and Veteran Charities. He has five children, two of which are now serving in the Marine Corps and one is a Stafford County Fire Paramedic.
Katie Dorrell
Secretary/Public Relations Director
Katie Dorrell is the daughter of a retired naval officer. Originally from Greensboro, NC, she recently relocated to work for the Fredericksburg Nationals where she is the Director of Merchandise. Katie graduated from Coastal Carolina University in December of 2020 with a major in Marketing and minor in Hospitality, Resort and Tourism Management. She is currently pursing her masters online thru Western Carolina University in Sport Management. She wants every veteran to know they are not alone, everyones personal mental health matters and we are all here for you.
Pennsylvania Board of Directors
Zachary Ruyts
President
Vacant
Director of Marketing
Cindy Fisher
Vice President
Vacant
Treasure
Foundation Resource Members
Sean Welch
Lifestyle/Nutrition Coach
Sean is a Certified Health Coach with degrees from Arizona State University to include a bachelors in Lifestyle Management and a master’s in medical nutrition, and is currently finishing up a doctorate in Behavioral Health Management. As a United States Army Veteran he served as a combat medic with deployments in Kuwait and Europe. As a nutrition and lifestyle coach, he has helped men and women lose weight and improve metabolic conditions. Sadly, like many of us he has lost multiple friends to suicide and is very passionate about helping our brothers and sisters in need.
Jason Ramon
Veteran Service Officer
Jason served over 12 years honorably in The United States Marine Corps. He deployed to Iraq in 2007. He was a helicopter CrewChief/DoorGunner with over 250 combat flight hours. Shortly after returning from deployment he EAS’d in 2008. He then came back to active duty 7 months later in late 2008. He served the reset of my enlistment in non-deployable units, and at the end was then medically retired in 2015.
He has have married for 16 years, him and his wife has 5 beautiful children. They have lived in Virginia for over 10 years and are well versed in the state’s benefits system.
Since retiring from the marine Corps Jason has taken pride in his ability to help other service members obtain positive VA results as well as other benefits that the are entitled to. Now he has been afforded the opportunity to do such in an official capacity.