In the wake of profound personal tragedy, Willow Clerici has found purpose, power, and a path forward through Travis Manion Foundation (TMF).

Willow’s story begins with her brother, Albert “Albie” Mallen, an Atlantic City (NJ) firefighter who served courageously in the aftermath of September 11, 2001 and tragically died by suicide in 2017. In the years that followed, Willow carried the weight of that loss, searching for a way to honor his memory while navigating her own complex journey of healing—including surviving breast cancer, parenting two special needs children, and supporting her husband, an Air Force veteran.

It was at a 9/11 Heroes Run that Willow first encountered TMF. What started as a simple act of service—offering pre-run stretches for veterans and first responders—became a moment that changed everything. “I was beyond touched by the intentionality, the atmosphere, and the community,” Willow recalls. “The honor being given to the fallen—it stirred something deep in me.”

Determined to carry her brother’s spirit forward, Willow became a Mentor to youth for TMF's hallmark program, Character Does Matter (CDM) powered by Under Armour, in 2019. Though the pandemic delayed her plans to put her training into practice, she found new opportunity when her family moved to Kingsport, Tennessee. Without a support system in place, Willow turned to TMF’s Southeast Region team and reignited her involvement. Starting in 2021, she introduced CDM programming to her son’s school and hasn’t looked back since.

Now, Willow is a force for good in her community, reaching hundreds of youth from elementary through high school—with a focus on those with special needs. “If Not Me, Then Who…” has become a guiding principle in her life and a way for her to spread messages of courage, integrity and leadership to younger generations. 

“‘If Not Me, Then Who…’ means I need to lead myself, I am the one to do the work, and stepping into that powerfully in my life has been so impactful,” Willow says. Last year, she led a year-long CDM course for diversely-abled students, sharing lessons in resilience, hope, and perseverance—traits she and her students both embody. 

“Getting to be a Mentor for special needs youth, having two special needs children of my own, is like I get to actively watch the leadership skills happen in my home,” says Willow. “It’s not that I just talk about it—I am about it. I know from my own experience that these children are so often not included in our society. Not in a hurtful way, but in an unknown way, and me being a CDM Mentor allows us both the space to feel the connection and togetherness that so many other students across the nation get to experience.” For Willow, each connection with a student is a sacred moment of shared understanding. “They know I’m really there for them and I see them. It’s a beautiful community that I get to be a part of and I’m so beyond grateful for that.”

This month, thanks to the support of Bob Woodruff Foundation, Willow is stepping into a new chapter as a hand-selected member of Cohort 7 in TMF’s proprietary Spartan Leadership Program (SLP)—a life-changing, 7-month journey designed to cultivate leaders of character. 

For Willow, SLP isn’t just an opportunity—it’s a continuation of her mission to honor Albie, to elevate her community, and to lead by example in every role she holds: mentor, survivor, veteran spouse, and mother.

“The TMF community is rare,” she says. “We’ve all been through something. We all have a story. Everyone within this community is thoughtful and intentional. When I’m with (TMF), there’s a beautiful sort of awakening and awareness that happens.” Willow Clerici’s story is one of transformation. Through loss, she discovered purpose. Through adversity, she found strength. And through TMF and Bob Woodruff Foundation, she will continue to light the way for herself and others.

Click here to learn more about Character Does Matter and how to become a Mentor in your community.