An IGR team member working inside a marked clearance area

About IGR

About Invictus Global Response

IGR is a veteran-founded and led U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit working with communities and public institutions to reduce explosive threats, strengthen emergency response, restore safe access, and support recovery in conflict-affected environments.

The experience behind IGR

Military service established the foundation. The years of global work that followed prepared the team to build IGR and carry its mission forward.

Invictus Global Response was founded by people whose careers had already been shaped by explosive hazards, emergency response, and work alongside institutions operating in conflict-affected environments.

Michael “Monty” Montoya and Stu Miller are military veterans from the explosive ordnance disposal and combat engineer communities, with multiple combat deployments between them. Across their military and post-service careers, they have built decades of combined experience supporting U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of State, United Nations, and other international partner programs focused on EOD, counter-IED, security assistance, and specialist training across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Laura Montoya brings a complementary emergency-response perspective through her background as an emergency medical technician. Together, the founders combine operational, medical, and international program experience with a shared commitment to protecting people and supporting those responsible for public safety.

Our Beginnings

Following Ukraine’s 2022 counteroffensive, Monty and Stu worked as volunteers for the Ministry for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine in Kharkiv Oblast. They assessed landmine contamination in liberated communities and supported local administrations confronting the hazards left by the fighting.

Working alongside Ukrainian military units, police EOD teams, and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the small volunteer team ultimately cleared thousands of landmines and explosive remnants of war.

Stu Miller clearing a landmine in Kharkiv Oblast — Stu Miller during landmine clearance operations in Kharkiv Oblast, 2023.

Michael Monty Montoya wearing protective equipment on farmland in Kharkiv Oblast — Michael “Monty” Montoya clearing landmines from farmland in Kharkiv Oblast, 2023.

In June 2023, Monty was moving to assist a member of another organization along a path that the individual had assessed as clear. Monty stepped on an anti-personnel landmine. The blast caused the traumatic loss of much of his right foot and began a difficult journey through evacuation, surgery, and rehabilitation.

The injury could have ended the work. Instead, it clarified the need for a lasting organization capable of supporting communities and local institutions facing these threats.

In Monty’s hospital room, he, Laura Montoya, and Stu began shaping the idea that would become Invictus Global Response. IGR was founded later that year. It was not defined by one injury, but informed by experience gained on the ground.

2023 to 2026

Building a permanent presence

IGR grew from a small volunteer effort into permanent operations in Ukraine and East Africa.

2023

IGR is founded

The volunteer work in Kharkiv Oblast, together with the decision made during Monty’s recovery, became Invictus Global Response. The organization was created to turn field experience into sustained operational support.

Monty’s EOD helmet, body armor, and damaged footwear following the landmine incident — Monty’s EOD equipment and damaged footwear following the June 2023 landmine incident.

Monty attending the Congressional Unexploded Ordnance and Demining Caucus — Monty attending the Congressional Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)/Demining Caucus, 2023.

2024

Permanent operations take shape

IGR received recognition as a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and established a permanent presence in Kharkiv. The team continued clearance work and expanded its operations to include emergency response, helping assess and clear explosive hazards along humanitarian access routes.

IGR also established its East Africa Coordination Office in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to coordinate locally led initiatives and partnerships across the region.

IGR staff with members of the Tanzania Police Force holding the Tanzanian flag — IGR staff with members of the Tanzania Police Force in Dar es Salaam after establishing IGR’s mission in Tanzania, 2024.

IGR personnel and Ukrainian Police EOD specialists moving through a marked area in Chuhuiv District — IGR personnel and Ukrainian Police EOD specialists moving through a marked area during follow-on clearance at “Monty’s Field” in Chuhuiv District, Kharkiv Oblast, 2024.

2025

IGR Ukraine is established

As IGR’s footprint in Ukraine grew, the organization formally established IGR Ukraine as a Ukrainian charitable foundation. Registered on March 25, 2025, its legal name is Charitable Organization “Charitable Fund ‘Invictus Global Response UA.’”

The Ukrainian entity created a formal structure through which a locally led team could access partnerships, funding, equipment, and other resources directly.

An IGR mentor conducting practical training with Ukrainian deminers in Lviv, 2025.

An IGR team member pointing across a field during an operation — An IGR team member during field operations in Ukraine, 2025.

2026

New locally led pathways into demining

IGR focused on developing programs that create pathways for Ukrainian veterans and women to enter humanitarian demining. Through internationally recognized training, technical mentorship, and practical field experience, these programs are designed to expand Ukraine’s national demining workforce with people prepared to carry the work forward.

Alongside continued growth in Ukraine and East Africa, IGR also began engaging partners in Southeast Asia and the Middle East to understand locally identified needs and develop responsible partnerships in response to ongoing conflicts in those regions.