Leading to Win Texas Foundation Bridges Military-Civilian Divide Through Successful Leadership Event

The Leading to Win Texas Foundation successfully hosted Leading2Win 2025: Bridging the Gap, a four-day leadership event that demonstrated the powerful impact of bringing military and civilian communities together. Held September 11–14 across venues in Austin and Round Rock, Texas, the gathering facilitated meaningful connections between service members, veterans, spouses, employers, military supporters and community leaders while strengthening resilience across generations and sectors.

Joseph Kopser, L2W Planning Chair and Leading to Win Texas Foundation Board Chair and Co-Founder, emphasized the event's critical purpose. Leading to Win is about bridging the gap between military and civilian life, across generations and sectors, so that we can strengthen our communities together, Kopser stated. This mission proved particularly relevant as the event coincided with the September 11 anniversary, creating opportunities for reflection and shared purpose.

The event series attracted substantial participation across multiple activities, beginning with nearly 60 attendees at the 9/11 Memorial Reception at American Legion Post 76, featuring musical guest Monte Warden. The Friday Conference & Resource Fair at Dell Diamond drew over 250 participants, including 51 Subject Matter Experts powered by Red Thread X and 25 organizations. The conference featured a fireside chat with Navy Seal and former NFL Player Clint Bruce, providing unique insights into leadership transitions from military to civilian life.

Military representation was substantial throughout the events, with co-located representatives from the Meet Your Army event from Fort Hood, Texas, Army Futures Command, Army Recruiting Command and US Army ROTC. Over 75 participants attended the Texas Army ROTC Tailgate at the University of Texas at Austin against UTEP football game, coinciding with US News and World Report naming UT-Austin as the number one university in Texas for veterans.

The Travis Manion Foundation's 9/11 Heroes Run at Camp Mabry attracted more than 600 runners, demonstrating strong community engagement and the enduring legacy of service. These participation numbers reflect the growing momentum of the foundation's mission according to event organizers and highlight the increasing recognition of the importance of supporting military transitions.

Leading2Win 2025 proved that when we bring people together across generations and communities, powerful connections are made, said Kopser. From the 9/11 Memorial Reception to the Travis Manion Foundation's 9/11 Heroes Run, every moment reinforced our mission of bridging the gap and building a stronger, more resilient future. The event's success underscores the critical need for continued collaboration between military and civilian sectors.

With 20 sponsors and donors and hundreds of attendees across multiple events, Leading2Win 2025 demonstrated the significant impact possible through strategic partnerships. The foundation continues its work through hands-on workshops, shared experiences and leadership opportunities to bridge the gap, empower veterans, and strengthen Texas communities. Sponsors and partner organizations included IBM, Patriots Hall Dripping Springs, Army Futures Command, JP Morgan Chase, American Legion Post 76, and Combined Arms. For more information about the foundation and future events, visit https://Leading2Win.org.