Meet The Team

Leslie Mayne, the Founding Director and non-voting member of the Board, organized the first Race For A Soldier in 2011 to honor her son’s memory and raise awareness to the invisible wounds of war that he experienced. That was the beginning of the Permission to Start Dreaming Foundation, which was officially incorporated in 2013. 

Tom is a mission-driven leader dedicated to service and community impact. As the Executive Director of the Permission To Start Dreaming Foundation, he champions innovative programs that empower veterans and first responders to transform post-traumatic stress into post-traumatic growth.

Tom’s leadership experience spans two decades of military service, corporate leadership, and nonprofit advocacy. He holds a Master’s degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle University. During active-duty service in the U.S. Navy as a Non-Commissioned Officer, he deployed twice in support of combat operations for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan gaining firsthand insight into the challenges of trauma and resilience. Following his military career, he built and led high-performing global teams in both large technology companies and startups, leveraging his strategic acumen to drive impact at scale.

Beyond his nonprofit work, Tom remains committed to frontline service as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician with the Poulsbo Fire Department, ensuring his local community receives critical care in moments of need. At the heart of Tom’s work is a relentless commitment to empowering veterans and first responders—helping them reclaim purpose, hope for the future, and strength for the journey through effective, life-changing training. Whether on the battlefield, in the boardroom, or in his community, Tom is a steadfast advocate for all those who serve.