Who We Are
Founder
Chris Warnes, MBA
Chris Warnes is a serial entrepreneur, speaker, online business coach, life mentor and author focused on self-awareness, purpose, spirituality, mindset, leadership, company culture, leadership and the true meaning of entrepreneurship. His work has been recognized locally, nationally, and internationally.
After two tours in the military, Chris lives and breathes the warrior mindset. His mindset is superlative. His companies operate from the culture and core values that he lives by and represents. His methodology, a tactical approach that produces results for both clients and students. His care for people, discipline and accountability sets him apart from all his competitors.
Chris is also known to many as CW, an 8-figure entrepreneur and highly successful figure in the fitness industry. In over 13 years, Chris has built six companies, ranging from online fitness coaching, a full-service gym, Real Estate, high-end timepiece trading and now Warrior Consulting.
Chris has a natural talent for transforming people and businesses with visions and goals into tangible revenue. However, there’s nothing that fulfills him more than growing his team and everyone around him both personally and professionally. He lives a purposefully driven life. Dedicating it to teaching and showing others what they can’t see to overcome obstacles, as well as, stepping aside from themselves to grow.
Now he has founded The Clark Initiative to help excel, educate, and empower veterans and veteran entrepreneurs to create a life for themselves after coming back home. With The Clark Initiative, many veterans will be able to live a life full of prosperity and a greater future.
Executive Director
Paola Santamaría
Paola was born in Barranquilla, Colombia and was always involved in art from a young age. She traveled to the USA at age 17 to study English for one year but ended up staying to study art, graphic design, photography and art history. When Paola finished school, she got married and started a family. While raising her family, Paola opened a store selling children’s décor while selling her art, creating murals, and personalizing products for gifts. After getting pregnant with 2nd child, Paola decided to focus solely on her family and decided to close her store, later to reopen virtually. While raising her family, Paola focused on refining her photography skills and as an artist overall. When her youngest went to preschool, Paola began teaching art to children in a local studio while visiting schools as part of her role. Paola went on to change her careers and align her focus and future within the world of business with a desire to grow. She took a role as personal assistant to Chris Warnes & Warrior Consulting as well as leveraging her photography skills. She began to grow within Warrior Consulting eventually assuming the role of Creative Director for the 4+ Warrior Brand businesses. She is directly responsible to facilitate the grow of the brand as well as bringing to life content within the client’s vision. Today, Paola operates her store TheMarketPointe on Etsy in addition to being a mom, professional photographer, artist, graphic designer and Creative Director. Paola’s determination and passion to help others grow and expand their lives and their minds directly translates to her passion to serve as Executive Director for The Clark Initiative.
President
Dr. Ryan Attar
Captain Ryan Attar is a veteran of the US Army. After serving overseas Dr. Attar developed Type 1 diabetes and was medically discharged from the Army after nearly 6 years of service. After the military, Dr. Attar was frustrated with the way diabetes is managed by the medical establishment. Dr. Attar decided to embark on a new career to help those with diabetes and other health issues. He graduated in 2017 from the University of Bridgeport with a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and a Masters in Human Nutrition. He currently is practicing and seeing patients in Fairfield, CT.
Dr. Attar has been an advocate for those with diabetes, and featured in numerous podcasts, written multiple articles, and featured in the 2021 documentary, “Diabetes Solution”.
Vice President
Patrick Robertson
Patrick Robertson is an ambitious individual who has set his purpose in life to create transformational living spaces, altering lives so they can reach their fullest potential, happiness, and peak health. Professionally, Patrick is an entrepreneur whose companies span across the building, development, and real estate sectors. Being born into the blue-collar industry of construction and working in it, he knows the importance of the people who are here to make and keep America great.
Patrick’s passion for giving back to Veterans stems from his family. His brother was one of the greatest inspirations growing up. At 15, his brother signed an oath with the US Marine Corps. He watched his brother transform his life and become a man, and Patrick learned by example what it means to hold oneself to a higher standard. Coupled with a childhood of various close family members preaching war stories of sacrifice in the name of duty, Patrick was grateful to those who have served our country.
Addicted to personal excellence, fitness, and business, Patrick has a calling to give back to Veterans by helping them become the heroes back home that they were overseas.
Treasurer
Zach Guy
Zach Guy is an accounting professional with 7 years of experience in industry. He started off bookkeeping and then advanced to auditing companies, where he now works as a financial accounting consultant for various companies. Originally from Rochester, NY, Zach ended up in CT by chasing his dream to play college football. He played football at the collegiate level all 4 years of his undergraduate, and was named captain of the University of New Haven Football Team his senior year. After completing his undergraduate degree in accounting, Zach went on to pursue his MBA at the University of New Haven. Zach’s passionate about anything fitness related, real estate, traveling, reading, and community involvement. Having always high regard for his hardworking grandfather Ralph E. Guy who was an US Army Veteran, Zach is energized by being part of the higher purpose of The Clark Initiative.
Director of Communications
Jake Barratt
Jake Barratt was raised in East Granby, Connecticut. After high school Jake worked in the logistics field before becoming an entrepreneur.
Seeing a need for customer service in the tree and landscape industry, Jake formed Barratt Enterprises in 2018. Barratt Enterprises is a full service tree and landscape company that aims to always exceed the customer’s expectations.
Jake also enjoys shooting trap, skeet, and sporting clays any chance he gets.