Who We Are

Rae O'Donnell

President & Co-Founder

U.S. Army veteran — Military Police, then Special Operations.

Guided by the belief that “asking for help is a badge of honor” and “community, not competition.”

Rae O'Donnell comes from a family deeply rooted in military service, with a proud lineage that includes her grandfather, father, and brother. Continuing that legacy, Rae enlisted in the United States Army immediately after high school. She served honorably as a Military Police Officer before transitioning into Special Operations, carrying with her the values of service, resilience, and commitment to others.

Following her military service, Rae dedicated herself to supporting fellow veterans, including providing end-of-life companionship and care for veterans in hospice. Today, she continues serving the veteran community both professionally and as the President and Co-Founder of the Veterans Resource Alliance (VRA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to connecting veterans, military families, and the organizations that serve them. Guided by the belief that “asking for help is a badge of honor” and “community, not competition,” Rae has helped build a collaborative network that has assisted more than 100 veterans and their families through resource coordination, financial assistance, mental health support, and emergency aid.

Rae's dedication to veterans has earned recognition at both the local and national levels. She was selected to represent veterans during a Veterans Day ceremony at the White House alongside the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the President of the United States, and other distinguished leaders. She has also received the Outstanding Achievement Award for her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of veterans and their families.

Above all else, Rae believes her greatest accomplishments are the relationships she has built through her family, her community, and her service. She believes that real change happens when people come together, lift one another up, and lead with compassion. Her mission is simple: to change the narrative surrounding veterans, strengthen the organizations that serve them, and ensure that no one is ever left behind.

Donn Mann III

Director & Co-Founder

U.S. Army veteran — infantryman, then noncommissioned officer; two deployments to Iraq.

Veterans and their families should never have to wait for a tragedy before those doors open.

Donn Mann III is a co-founder and director of the Veterans Resource Alliance, where he helps lead the organization's work uniting veteran-serving nonprofits, service providers, and community partners into a single connected network across New Hampshire and New England.

Donn served six and a half years in the United States Army as an infantryman and later as a noncommissioned officer. He deployed twice to Iraq with the 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart, Georgia — first on a counter-surveillance mission, and again with 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry in a long-range reconnaissance company. He also served with 1-32 Infantry, 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York.

That habit of accounting for the man on your left and your right never left him. Donn currently serves as Commander of the Fifth District, Department of New Hampshire, The American Legion, overseeing thirteen posts and their Legion Families. He previously served two terms as Post Commander of Young-Richardson Post 59 in Hillsborough, and has held statewide and national roles including Department Education and Scholarship Chairman and a seat on the National Security Council.

The Alliance itself was born out of loss. After the community lost a veteran to suicide, a handful of organizations that had never worked together came together to carry that family — and it became clear that veterans and their families should never have to wait for a tragedy before those doors open. VRA exists so they don't. Donn helped found it on the conviction that collaboration beats competition among organizations serving the same veterans, and on the belief the Alliance carries into everything it does: asking for help is a badge of honor.

Outside the mission, Donn is a father of three, a small engine field service technician, and is usually on a motorcycle or a golf course when he isn't working.

Christy DeWitte

Treasurer

Four generations of her family have served — grandfather, father, brothers, husband, and now her sons.

She believes the most meaningful acts of service are often those done quietly, without seeking recognition or praise.

Christy DeWitte comes from a family where military service has been a proud tradition for generations. Her grandfather and all of his brothers served, as did her father and all of his brothers. That legacy continued with both of Christy's brothers, her husband and his brother, and now her sons proudly carry on the family's commitment to serving their country. Because of this deep military heritage, supporting veterans and military families is more than a cause — it's a lifelong passion.

Christy met her husband while they were both stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Married to her best friend for more than 20 years, they have built a life grounded in faith, family, service, and community. Together, they have raised children who share the values of hard work, integrity, and service, and Christy considers her family to be her greatest accomplishment.

The DeWitte family enjoys life on their small hobby farm, where they have created lasting memories while raising animals together. As their children grew, Christy became heavily involved in 4-H, supporting them through years of projects, livestock shows, and leadership opportunities. She values the life skills, responsibility, and sense of community that 4-H instills in young people.

Committed to serving others, Christy serves as Treasurer for Veterans Resource Alliance. She believes the most meaningful acts of service are often those done quietly, without seeking recognition or praise. Whether working behind the scenes to support veterans, organizing community initiatives, or lending a helping hand wherever it is needed, she is driven by a genuine desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Christy believes that a strong community is built through compassion, service, and a willingness to help without expecting anything in return. She is honored to continue her family's tradition of service by supporting those who have sacrificed for their country and by giving back to the community she proudly calls home.

Aaron Robinson

Vice Treasurer

Son of an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War; volunteer and grant writer for veteran nonprofits.

He has worked with multiple veteran nonprofit organizations as a volunteer and grant writer, as his way to give back to those who have served.

Aaron Robinson is a graduate of UMass Lowell with degrees in creative writing, journalism, digital media, and mechanical engineering. A son of an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War, he has worked with multiple veteran nonprofit organizations as a volunteer and grant writer, as his way to give back to those who have served.

Aaron's creative writing, which includes poetry, nonfiction essays, and short stories, has been published in Lowell's local magazines The Bean, The Offering, and Mill Pages Magazine.

As a feature writer, columnist, and a journalist covering everything from local news to crime to sports, Aaron has been published in the Boston Globe, the Washington Post, the New York Times, Lowell's The Sun, the Eagle Tribune, and Merrimack Valley Magazine, a locally owned community and culture-based magazine that covered the Merrimack Valley area. He has also taught classes on creative writing at the University of Southern Maine.

When he's not writing or volunteering, Aaron fills the rest of his time with hiking, reading, attending any concert he can get into, playing disc golf, or hanging with his yellow lab/retriever, Sasha.

Michael Tello

Founder of One Source Mechanical; supporting veterans is a cause close to his heart.

From a young age, Michael Tello knew he wanted to be part of something greater than himself.

From a young age, Michael Tello knew he wanted to be part of something greater than himself. This aspiration has driven him to excel in his profession, be a devoted father, and a reliable friend. Embracing hard work as a challenge, Michael has consistently sought to improve himself in every aspect of life.

The pandemic led to the closure of the business where he was employed, presenting him with the opportunity to start his own plumbing and HVAC company, One Source Mechanical, which he has successfully managed since 2020. Michael is a married father of three wonderful children, who inspire him daily to strive for excellence both personally and professionally. He cherishes every moment with his family, even through the challenges, appreciating the joy they bring to his life.

In his leisure time, Michael enjoys camping, fishing, and boating with his family. He also has a passion for building and repairing cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

Supporting veterans is a cause close to his heart, as many people he admires have risked their lives to defend our nation.

Jen Matson

Intake & Outreach Coordinator

Background in social work, mental health, and crisis response.

Jen Matson is the newly appointed intake and outreach coordinator for Veterans Resource Alliance. She is tasked with outreach to other veteran-serving nonprofits and outside organizations throughout the community who would greatly increase the network of resources and support for veterans and their loved ones.

Jen comes from a strong background in social work, mental health and crisis, where she worked to support civilians, veterans, and youth and families experiencing mental health crisis related to substance use disorders and homelessness.

Jen earned her degree from SNHU in Psychology with a background in Human Services and Criminal Justice. Jen also speaks on and utilizes her own lived experiences, starting from childhood, in order to relate to, support, and meet others wherever they are in a time of need. She shares deep compassion towards helping and supporting others in any capacity deemed fit.

Jen has been married for 21 years to her husband Travis. They have two sons, Dylan and Trevor, plus two dogs, two cats and three bearded dragons, and they reside in southern New Hampshire.