The Chamberlain Network · 2026 Cohort
Veterans Strengthening Democracy. Introducing TCN’s Inaugural Civic Engagement Fellowship.
Five veterans. Five communities. Nine months of civic action.
Why We Built This
A different kind of civic leadership.
Trust in democratic institutions is at a generational low. Polarization is accelerating. The civic infrastructure that holds communities together is under sustained pressure.
In a moment marked by fracture and distrust, The Chamberlain Network is building from a premise that is core to our mission: veterans are one of democracy’s most valuable assets. Their credibility is earned through service, sacrifice, and an oath to the Constitution. When that credibility is paired with civic skills and community roots, it becomes something democracy urgently needs: trusted people willing to do the work where they live.
“Veterans have seen what it costs when order breaks down. That experience gives them credibility that crosses lines most institutions can’t cross anymore. This fellowship is about channeling that credibility into sustained, community-level civic action — and we’re proud to introduce the five people leading that work this year.”Chris Purdy, CEO, The Chamberlain Network
The Civic Engagement Fellowship
The 2026 Cohort
Five veterans. Five communities. Nine months of civic action.
Cynthia S. Kao
USAF Reserve · Public Affairs Specialist
Washington, D.C.
MilVet Tech Ethics & Democracy Coalition
An encrypted reporting platform and policy advocacy network for veterans in tech who witness ethical violations — addressing AI governance and digital democracy at the policy level.
Read Cynthia’s Story →
Brandon Waithe
USAF Retired · Global War on Terror
Akron, Ohio
Buckeye Veterans Coalition
A statewide Ohio coalition mobilizing veterans as trusted civic voices for candidates, policies, and constitutional values that serve all Ohioans.
Read Brandon’s Story →
Eric Gage
SD Air National Guard · Security Forces Staff Sergeant
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Civic Leadership Development Program
Equipping South Dakota’s grassroots community builders with the storytelling, advocacy, and digital organizing skills to make their work visible and scalable.
Read Eric’s Story →
Mike Tilden
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran · IBEW Local 1245
Northern California & Northern Nevada
Veterans to Workforce & Civic Leadership Pipeline
Connecting transitioning service members to union apprenticeships and civic engagement through targeted outreach, hands-on workshops, and a practical resource toolkit.
Read Mike’s Story →
Rabbi Dr. Jon Cutler
U.S. Navy Reserve Chaplain Corps · Captain (Ret.)
Chester County, Pennsylvania
Constitutional Sentinel Movement
Mobilizing veterans as visible defenders of democratic institutions through strategic public presence, including an annual Oath Renewal ceremony at Independence Hall.
Read Rabbi Cutler’s Story →How the Fellowship Works
Real work in real places.
Each fellow designs and leads a civic initiative in their own community — a project connected to at least one of TCN’s three focus areas and grounded in the specific challenges of where they live and who they know.
Over nine months, fellows build their projects through three structured program elements: monthly cohort learning labs covering advocacy, storytelling, coalition building, and civic leadership skills; small peer circles for accountability and feedback; and regular one-on-one support from TCN staff.
The Fellowship Arc
Launch & Design
May–June
Plan & Prepare
July–August
Implement & Engage
September–October
Deepen & Document
November–January
Close & Celebrate
February 2027
“This fellowship is about turning trust into sustained, community-level civic action.”
Chris Purdy · CEO, The Chamberlain Network
Our Three Focus Areas
The work democracy requires.
01
Free & Fair Elections
Ensuring electoral integrity and expanding access to the ballot — because elections should be transparent, representative, and worthy of public trust.
02
Healthy Democratic Institutions
Strengthening the systems and structures that make self-governance possible — because when our institutions function well, democracy endures.
03
Healthy Civic Culture
Rebuilding trust, fostering constructive dialogue, and reinforcing the norms that hold communities together — because a healthy democracy requires an engaged and united people.
Future Cohorts
Interested in a Future Cohort?
The 2026 Civic Engagement Fellowship is underway, but the work does not stop here. TCN plans to continue building this program and will announce future cohort opportunities through our newsletter and social channels.
If you are a veteran interested in civic leadership — or if you know someone who should be doing this work — we would like to hear from you.
About TCN
About The Chamberlain Network
The Chamberlain Network is a veteran-led civic organization that mobilizes veterans to protect democracy through organizing, civic education, and community engagement. We believe veterans — as trusted, nonpartisan voices with firsthand experience of constitutional service — are uniquely positioned to strengthen democratic institutions, rebuild civic trust, and defend the principles of representative democracy.