About US
HERoes in Deed is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization inspired by the memory of our HERo, Army Lieutenant Colonel Jaimie E. Leonard, who was killed in Afghanistan on June 8, 2013. Jaimie's drive to make the world a better place is the force behind our mission. We are committed to honoring active military and veterans through community-driven outreach and engagement at the local level. OUR VISION: We enable communities to expand their duties as citizens by strengthening local citizen and veteran bonds, creating sustainable initiatives to educate and involve community members, and developing a framework for the continuation of Jaimie's vision through community service and action.
Honoring Jaimie...
In an article she wrote for her home town paper in Warwick, New York on Memorial Day 2010, Jaimie wrote …“…Remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country in war, but also honor those others who sacrifice in other ways to make this country great – law enforcement, firefighters, teachers, volunteers, etc. Please honor them in deed and not just giving thanks, parades, or planting flowers or flags on graves. Take measure of what have you done for your country and ask yourself if you could do more.”
Support HERoes in Deed with a donation today! Your generous donation will enable us to make a difference as we build bonds between local military HERoes and the communities where they live and work, starting in Jaimie's hometown of Warwick, NY, and expanding to other communities in the future.
Our Projects
Communities Serving Those Who Serve
COMMUNITY GRANT
HERoes in Deed awards grants in the amount of $500-$5,000 for new and innovative small programs or projects that engage citizens and Veterans while improving Warwick or surrounding communities. Click the link to see past winners.
HERo Run
Every year, with the help of our sponsors, we host a 5k and 10k race, as well as a kids fun run, in Warwick, NY, in memory of Jaimie. This is an opportunity for us to honor our local veterans as well as promote fitness for everyone.
Scholarships
Jaimie valued education and never stopped learning. HERoes in Deed provides scholarships each year to deserving Warwick High School students in Jaimie’s memory. Clicking on Jaimie’s photo above will take you to our Scholarships page where you can learn more.
Meet our Board
HERoes In Deed is managed by an all-volunteer team of professionals who have been inspired by Jaimie to serve those who serve our nation.
Elizabeth Harman
Executive Director, Treasurer
Elizabeth Harman is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of HERoes In Deed Inc. (HID). On June 8, 2013 Liz’s sister, LTC Jaimie E. Leonard was killed in action by an insider attack in Afghanistan. Honoring Jaimie’s love for her peers and country Liz formed HID as a way to honor Jaimie and continue Jaimie’s passion to serve veterans, active duty members and our country. When Liz is not planning programs and events for HID she works as a Secondary Montessori Mathematics teacher in Yonkers, NY. Liz has taught at Yonkers Montessori Academy, a public school, in Yonkers for 18 years and is currently working on her National Board Certification in teaching. She is also involved in and supports many other nonprofit veteran organizations including TAPS, Battle Dawgs, Team Red White Blue, wear blue: run to remember, Hudson Valley Honor Flight, United for the Troops, Wreaths Across America as well as local VFW and American Legions. Liz is passionate in connecting communities and Veterans through community service projects and events. Liz lives in Putnam Valley, NY with her husband and two daughters.
Rob Bowen
Board Co-President
Rob is a Navy Veteran who served from 1987 to 1995. He works with many veteran organizations in the Hudson Valley. He is honored to be a new board member of this great organization and looks forward to assisting in expanding the reach and scope. He lived in Goshen, NY, for 20 years and recently moved to Milford, PA. He is married to Nancy and has four kids.
KRISTEN COURAGE
Board Co-President
Kristen Courage joined the HID Board in 2020. She has held a variety of roles within the realm of food systems, specifically in the areas of plant-based nutrition and education, food recovery and community advocacy for inclusion and access. She specializes in public-private partnerships, utilizing her knowledge of sustainable practices to create meaningful change. Kristen was Jaimie’s cousin and goddaughter.
Laurie Courage
Board Vice-President
Laurie has led several business development, marketing and technical teams in IBM, and worked in small business and non-profit roles supporting environmental initiatives. She has served on non-profit boards for over 25 years, been an active community volunteer, and currently owns a plant-based nutrition education and health coaching business. Laurie was Jaimie’s aunt and Godmother.
Kendall Kless
Board Secretary
Kendall Kless has lived in Warwick,NY, for over 30 years. Although Kendall never met Jaimie Leonard, Kendall knew and worked with Jaimie’s mother at one time. Kendall is the mom of three sons and G-ma to two grandsons. She’s the daughter of a WWII veteran and mother of a son currently serving. An act of kindness to Kendall’s family by a Soldier serving in Afghanistan led her to start an annual care package drive now known as Boxes For Soldiers. Kendall encourages everyone to find a way to make the world a better place.
Pamela Dziedzic
Director
Pam served with Jaimie at Ft Huachuca, Arizona, in the US Army Military Intelligence Corps and was her 1997 classmate at West Point. Pam has over 24 years’ experience in the US Army and deployed to Kuwait and Afghanistan. She recently retired from active duty and works for Booz Allen Hamilton as a defense contractor supporting the U.S. Army Pacific located in Honolulu, Hawaii. As a new board member, Pam is looking forward to helping the organization expand its reach to inspire passionate service in more communities.
Robert “Bo” Kennedy
Director
Robert Kennedy owns a Commercial Real Estate business and manages properties located in New York, New Jersey and South Carolina. He currently sits on the Town of Warwick planning board and has served on several committees for various organizations including St. Anthony’s Hospital in Warwick. Robert has been a friend of the Leonard family since childhood.
Patty McPhillips
Director
Patty served with Jaimie in the 10th Mountain Division. She has 26 years’ experience in the US Army and has deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. She is currently serving as an Army Inspector General at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Patty is responsible for maintaining the HERoes In Deed web page and social media sites.
Kevan Ottochian
Director
Kevan is the grandson of a WWII and Korean War veteran and son of two public school educators. He has been disciplined from a young age that community service is a necessity for the growth and sustainability of our neighbors and everyone alike. His passion and love to help others have been the focus of professional obligations while being a social studies teacher at Warwick Valley High School. Additionally, he has worked with his alma mater, St. Thomas Aquinas College, to establish and help manage the Cpl. Justin R. Garcia Scholarship Fund in honor of his friend, Justin, who was killed in November 2006 while serving in Baghdad, Iraq. The skills and experiences gained from being a teacher and community leader will build on the organization’s successes to ensure Jaime’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations.