About The Nighthawk Foundation
Building a Legacy of Resilience, Service, and Opportunity
The Nighthawk Foundation exists to inspire people to Finish the Race by building resilience, empowering future generations, and creating meaningful opportunities through recreation, education, mentorship, community, and the spirit of motorsports.
Our Story
Every Great Mission Begins With A Story
The Nighthawk Foundation was established on a simple belief: adversity doesn’t have to define our future, it can shape our purpose.
Inspired by a lifetime of perseverance, service, and leadership, our foundation was created to help veterans, young people, and communities discover strength through meaningful experiences, education, mentorship, and connection.
While motorsports played a significant role in our beginning, our mission reaches far beyond the racecourse. Every program, partnership, and initiative is designed to encourage resilience, create opportunity, and remind people that their greatest chapter may still be ahead.
Today, The Nighthawk Foundation continues to grow through the support of individuals, organizations, and partners who believe in investing in people and building a legacy that lasts for generations.
Meet Our Team
Behind every mission is a team committed to serving others. Our leadership brings together decades of experience in military service, engineering, nonprofit leadership, business, community outreach, and motorsports to guide The Nighthawk Foundation with integrity and purpose.
Felix Giles
Founder
Felix “Nighthawk” Giles is a motorsports pioneer, U.S. Navy veteran, aerospace engineer, educator, humanitarian, and motivational speaker whose life has been defined by resilience, service, and breaking barriers.
Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, during a time when segregation shaped many opportunities, Felix refused to let his circumstances define his future. Instead, he built a life marked by perseverance, courage, and an unwavering commitment to helping others realize their own potential.
His journey of service began with 13 years in the United States Navy, where he served as a sonar technician aboard submarines and as a member of both the Nuclear Reliability Weapons Team and the Foreign Military Sales Team. The discipline, leadership, and technical expertise he developed during his military career became the foundation for an accomplished career in engineering, where he contributed to groundbreaking defense and aerospace programs, including the B-2 Stealth Bomber, advanced submarine systems, and the Top Gun and Red Flag training programs.
Felix later became a trailblazer in professional motorsports, earning the nickname “Nighthawk” through his determination both on and off the racecourse. As the first Black driver to compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the first Black competitor in the Baja 1000, he helped break racial barriers in a sport where few looked like him. His pioneering contributions to motorsports were recognized on the floor of the United States Congress by Congressman Louis Stokes and permanently entered into the Congressional Record.
Yet, for Felix, the greatest measure of success has never been found in trophies or recognition. It has always been found in serving others.
Throughout his life, he has dedicated himself to encouraging veterans, mentoring young people, supporting children with special needs, and quietly investing in individuals who simply needed someone to believe in them. Whether speaking to a crowd, helping a veteran, or mentoring the next generation, Felix leads with humility, compassion, and the belief that every person deserves the opportunity to discover purpose beyond their circumstances.
As Founder of The Nighthawk Foundation, Felix continues that mission by inspiring resilience, creating opportunities, and building a legacy that empowers veterans, young people, and communities to overcome adversity and pursue lives of purpose.
Cathy Carpenter
President
Cathy Carpenter brings more than 30 years of nonprofit leadership, community engagement, and organizational development experience to The Nighthawk Foundation. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to building meaningful relationships, strengthening communities, and creating programs that improve the lives of individuals and families.
With a Bachelor of Science in Business Management emphasizing Organizational Behavior, Cathy has led initiatives across the nonprofit, healthcare, and education sectors. Her expertise includes program development, grant writing, coalition building, fundraising, volunteer engagement, and strategic community partnerships—all driven by a passion for serving others with excellence and compassion.
Beyond her leadership with The Nighthawk Foundation, Cathy actively serves organizations that support veterans, individuals with disabilities, older adults, and families in need. Her work includes serving on the Vendor Advisory Council for the North Los Angeles Regional Center, supporting MAPS Charities, assisting veterans and their families as a Case Manager in securing healthcare and earned benefits, and contributing to ONEgeneration’s Fund Development Committee. In recognition of her commitment to community service, she was honored as one of the recipients of the 45 Friends of ONEgeneration Award in 2023.
As President of The Nighthawk Foundation, Cathy leads with integrity, vision, and a servant’s heart, helping transform the Foundation’s mission into meaningful action. Her commitment to collaboration, compassion, and lasting impact continues to strengthen the Foundation’s work with veterans, young people, and communities.
Steven Buckley
Vice President
Steven Buckley brings decades of executive leadership, strategic consulting, and world-class motorsports experience to The Nighthawk Foundation. Throughout his career, he has combined a passion for innovation, leadership, and service with a lifelong commitment to helping people and organizations reach their full potential.
During more than 35 years with Gartner, Inc., Steve served as a Managing Vice President in the Consulting Division, leading global consulting initiatives and advising public and private organizations on business strategy, technology, and organizational leadership. His extensive experience working with executive teams around the world provides valuable insight as the Foundation continues to grow its impact and partnerships.
Beyond the boardroom, Steve is a respected off-road racing veteran with more than four decades of competitive experience. A 16-time Baja 1000 competitor and multiple class champion, he has also competed in some of North America’s most demanding endurance races, including the Baja 500, Mint 400, NORRA Mexican 1000, and Vegas to Reno. His passion for motorsports reflects the perseverance, teamwork, and determination that are central to the Foundation’s mission.
As Vice President of The Nighthawk Foundation, Steve is dedicated to helping advance initiatives that support veterans, inspire young people, and build lasting opportunities through education, mentorship, and community partnerships. His leadership helps ensure the Foundation remains focused on creating meaningful impact while honoring the values of resilience, service, and legacy.
Join The Mission
Every story of resilience begins with someone willing to take the first step.
Whether you choose to volunteer, partner with us, support our programs, or simply share our mission, you become part of a growing community committed to creating hope, opportunity, and lasting impact.
At The Nighthawk Foundation, we believe everyone has a race to finish. Our mission is to inspire resilience, empower future generations, and create meaningful opportunities through recreational activities, education, mentorship, community, and the spirit of motorsports. Equipping people with the encouragement, support, and opportunities they need to Finish the Race.