Meet the Founders
Chris firmly believes his role for the rest of his life is to help others in their relational, professional and spiritual lives with gratitude and grace toward themselves and others.
“My dad became a veteran suicide statistic when I was in the middle of learning how to be a caring husband, son, brother, father, and professional. I struggled with all of these but found a way through. Now I want to help others do the same.”
Raised in Montana, Chris began his law enforcement career in 1993 as a deputy with the Flathead County Sheriff’s Department. He served over 20 years with the Spokane Police Department, retiring as a sergeant in 2017. His decades of service reflect his unwavering dedication to protecting and supporting his community.
Chris’s call to helping others find their true north is matched by his passion for faith, growth, mental wellness and transformation. With a heart for service and the expertise to help, he empowers individuals to overcome challenges and embrace meaningful change. Chris leaves a lasting impact, inspiring others to navigate life with strength, purpose, and authenticity.
“Coins of excellence are given for recognition of strong leadership, duty above and beyond the call, caring for others and selfless service. You embody those ethos and it was my honor presenting you with my coin. Thank you for your leadership.”
“We don’t simply recover from adversity—we learn to rise because of it.”
Corinna Crane is passionate about helping individuals move beyond surviving and discover the strength, purpose, and growth that can emerge through life’s greatest challenges. As co-founder of Return to Base, she combines practical experience, evidence-based principles, and the unique partnership between horse and human to create transformative learning experiences for first responders, veterans and others navigating adversity.
A U.S. Air Force veteran, aeronautics engineer, and aviation safety investigator, Corinna has spent her career studying human performance, leadership, safety, and the decisions people make under pressure. Her work investigating complex aviation events has reinforced a simple truth: while we cannot always control what happens to us, we can influence how we respond, recover, and grow.
Corinna is also trained in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), having completed certifications in both Assisting Individuals in Crisis and Group Crisis Intervention. Her approach blends crisis intervention principles, post-traumatic growth research, and experiential learning to help participants build resilience, deepen self-awareness, and strengthen meaningful relationships.
Alongside her trusted equine partner, Mr. Bojangles, Corinna facilitates experiences that cannot be taught from a classroom alone. Horses respond honestly, without judgment or agenda, creating opportunities for participants to recognize patterns, practice new ways of leading and relating, and experience personal breakthroughs that often extend far beyond the arena.
At Return to Base, Corinna believes growth is not about erasing the past—it’s about discovering that adversity can become the foundation for greater strength, deeper purpose, and renewed hope.