About Eric Donoho
Eric Donoho is a shining example of resilience, leadership, and purpose-driven living. His multifaceted journey—from combat veteran to mental health advocate, award-winning photographer, and international volunteer—embodies his lifelong mission to turn adversity into impact.
As a retired Sergeant in the U.S. Army, Eric's military career was defined by courage and perseverance. He was awarded the Purple Heart, two Army Commendation Medals, the Operation Iraqi Freedom Campaign Medal with Star, and the Combat Infantry Badge. Despite sustaining serious injuries in combat, Eric’s unwavering spirit carried him through the physical and emotional challenges of war.
After leaving the military, Eric founded Hand Up LLC, and formerly operated Hand Up Realty, brokered by eXp Realty. In his real estate career, he focused on serving veterans, providing VA loan guidance, and helping families achieve their housing goals through community-focused service. While his professional focus has since shifted, that chapter reflects Eric’s ongoing commitment to building lives of purpose, resilience, and integrity.
Eric is also a powerful voice in the veteran community, having played a pivotal role in the passage of five landmark pieces of legislation—including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and the PACT Act. His advocacy earned him the honor of being invited to the East Room of the White House to witness the PACT Act's signing, recognizing his tireless work to improve the lives of veterans and their families.
A survivor of veteran suicide himself, Eric shares his journey through raw and inspiring speaking engagements, moral injury workshops, and his memoir, Canyon of Hope – From Darkness to Dawn: Embracing the Light Within. His work empowers others to confront trauma, reclaim identity, and live with purpose.
Eric’s global efforts include humanitarian missions like delivering wheelchairs to children with disabilities in Nepal through the Center for Disabled Children Assistance. These initiatives reflect his belief that service doesn’t end with a uniform—it evolves.
As an award-winning landscape photographer, Eric’s art has been featured in the National Exhibit of Veteran Art during Art Week in Aspen and has caught the attention of Fortune 500 companies. Each image reflects his journey—capturing stillness, strength, and the quiet beauty that often follows chaos.
Today, Eric Donoho continues to lead with vulnerability, faith, and an unshakable belief in the human spirit. Through Canyon of Hope, powerful storytelling, and his unwavering dedication to moral injury recovery, he offers others a Hand Up—reminding them that healing is possible, and that every story matters.
