Former Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass Elected to Bob Woodruff Foundation Board of Directors

NEW YORK, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bob Woodruff Foundation announced Monday that former Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF) #19 JoAnne "Jo" Bass has been elected to serve on the foundation's Board of Directors.

"We are honored to welcome Jo to our board," said Anne Marie Dougherty, CEO of the Bob Woodruff Foundation. "Her distinguished military career and trailblazing leadership bring unparalleled insight into the needs of service members and veterans. Jo's strategic vision, industry experience, and advocacy for the military community will help our foundation continue to grow and meet our mission at a crucial time for veterans and our military community."

Jo Bass served 31 years in the Air Force, before retiring in 2024 as the branch's 19^th Chief Master Sergeant. Bass was the first woman to hold the post and the first to serve as the highest enlisted leader in any branch of the Armed Forces.

A transformational leader, Bass helped shape the future force through a strategic focus on people, readiness, and culture. She has written and spoken extensively on leadership, national security, innovation, risk management, and international affairs. Bass is the founder and president of the Bass Group LLC, advising executives and organizations on leadership, innovation, and workforce strategy. Bass continues to champion those who serve through her work on multiple boards of directors, including the Robert Irvine Foundation, Military Women's Memorial, Mighty Hero Homes, and the Air & Space Forces Association. Growing up in an Army family, Bass lived overseas and near several bases across the United States. She now resides in Washington, DC.

"During my time in uniform, I witnessed—and at times personally experienced—the challenges our service members and veterans face," said Jo Bass. "This foundation is tackling those issues head-on. Joining the board gives me an opportunity to put my experience to work in support of those who have given so much. It's a true honor to continue serving our military community in this way—especially at such a pivotal time in our nation's history."

About the Bob Woodruff Foundation

The Bob Woodruff Foundation was founded in 2006 after reporter Bob Woodruff was wounded by a roadside bomb while covering the war in Iraq. Since then, the Bob Woodruff Foundation has raised awareness about the tough challenges veterans and military families are facing, and invested in solutions to help support them in the next chapter of their lives. The Bob Woodruff Foundation has invested more than $170 million to ensure that our nation's veterans, service members and their families — those who stood for us — have stable and successful futures.

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SOURCE Bob Woodruff Foundation