Orange County October 2026 Chapter Meeting

Join BP Orange County Chapter for their Chapter Meeting!

We are kicking off the season of giving a month early and honoring National Gratitude Month with speakers from 2 local nonprofits. Courtney Culhane of Veterans Legal Institute and Ali Woodard from Fristers. 

Ms. Courtney May Culhane was born in Newton, Massachusetts. She attended Cornell University through a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Scholarship. She was commissioned as an active duty officer in the United States Marine Corps the day prior to graduating Cornell with a B.A. in History in 2014. Courtney served on active duty in the Marine Corps from 2015-2019 as the Battalion Adjutant for 3d Intelligence Battalion, Group Adjutant for Marine Air Control Group 28, and deployed as the Adjutant for Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa 19.1. She completed her active duty service as a Captain. Following her time in the Marine Corps, Courtney returned to Massachusetts and completed a Master of Professional Studies in Sports Industry Management through Georgetown’s School of Continuing Studies in 2022. That same year, she began her studies at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. While in law school, Courtney interned with the Washington State Attorney General’s Office of Military and Veteran Legal Assistance, Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s Veterans Advocacy Project, the Veterans Practice of New York Legal Assistance Group’s Public Benefits Unit, and Cornell University’s Veterans Law Practicum. Courtney graduated from law school in 2025, passed the July 2025 Massachusetts bar, and has now been sworn in as a licensed attorney in the state of Massachusetts. Courtney currently serves as an Equal Justice Works Fellow, sponsored by Greenberg Traurig, hosted by Veterans Legal Institute.

Ali Woodard is the Founder, President and CEO of Fristers, an Orange County nonprofit dedicated to empowering young parents to build healthy, stable families where both parents and children thrive.

With a background in business and finance, Ali founded Fristers in 2008 with a vision to change the trajectory of young families facing significant challenges. Under her leadership, Fristers has grown into a respected community organization, providing education, mentorship, case management, child development services, and essential resources that equip young parents with the skills, confidence, and support needed to build brighter futures.

For 18 years, Ali has led Fristers with a commitment to excellence, meaningful community partnerships, and measurable results, helping thousands of young parents and children throughout Orange County. Ali holds a degree in Business Finance from California State University, Long Beach, and brings both entrepreneurial leadership and a passion for strengthening families to her work.

Location: Murtaugh Treglia Stern & Deily LLP

2603 Main St, Irvine, CA 92614

Cost: $15