Natalie Popp serves as President & Executive Director of Operation Not Alone, where she combines her passion for veteran advocacy, community service, leadership, and storytelling to help strengthen the organization’s mission of honoring and supporting veterans and active-duty service members.

Natalie’s commitment to serving the military community began through her community service initiative, Never Forgotten: Remembering Our Heroes, which is dedicated to ensuring that veterans know their service and sacrifices will never be forgotten. Through the initiative, she has organized letter-writing campaigns, donation drives, veteran recognition projects, community presentations, and other outreach efforts that have engaged people of all ages in showing gratitude to those who have served.

Her advocacy also inspired her to write Lew for the Red, White, and Blue (Learn more at neverforgottenbooks.com), a children’s book sharing the remarkable life and service of WWII veteran Dr. Lew Harned. Through the book, speaking engagements, and continued work with veterans, Natalie has used storytelling as a way to preserve veterans’ legacies and inspire younger generations to understand the importance of service, patriotism, and gratitude.

Natalie first joined Operation Not Alone’s Board of Directors in April 2025 as its youngest board member before being appointed Executive Director. In her leadership role, she brings experience in veteran advocacy, community engagement, fundraising initiatives, volunteer outreach, and youth leadership as she works to expand Operation Not Alone’s impact and reach.

Her service extends beyond Operation Not Alone. Natalie is involved with Fisher House Wisconsin and serves on the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation’s General Lew Harned Patriotic Legacy Committee, continuing to build relationships with organizations committed to supporting veterans and preserving their stories.

Natalie served as Miss Wisconsin’s Teen 2025, using her year of service to expand her veteran advocacy across Wisconsin. Her leadership experiences also include Student Council, National Honor Society, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, and representing Wisconsin at the FBI National Academy Associates Youth Leadership Program.

Natalie is pursuing a degree in Business Management and Leadership at Carroll University. Outside of her nonprofit and advocacy work, she is an accomplished singer and dancer who has performed throughout Wisconsin. Whether leading an organization, sharing a veteran’s story, or encouraging others to serve, Natalie believes that meaningful leadership begins with gratitude, compassion, and a willingness to take action.