As we recognize World Mental Health Day on October 10, we are proud to spotlight one of Hilton's 2025 Thrive Sabbatical winners, Troy Koltermann, Cluster Revenue Manager, RMCC Europe. Troy is a military veteran who, following his deployment, like so many other veterans, struggled with PTSD and found a healing passion project to help him through a difficult time.
What does the Thrive Sabbatical mean to you personally, and how do you see it amplifying your mission to support fellow veterans?
“This Sabbatical means the world to me. It’s not just a project, it’s saving lives. After one of the photography workshops at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center, a veteran called me and said it was the first time in three weeks he had left his house. That moment stopped me in my tracks. It showed me that what we’re doing here is bigger than photography; it’s about giving people hope, purpose, and connection. The Thrive Sabbatical gives me the chance to take that impact further, to reach more veterans, and to honor those we’ve lost by creating spaces where healing and community can grow.”
What inspired you to choose photography as the focus of your Sabbatical, and how has it personally helped you in your healing journey?
“After returning from my deployment to Iraq, I was struggling with PTSD and working with a therapist who encouraged me to try some form of art therapy. I laughed and told him I couldn’t even draw a stick figure. That’s when he suggested photography. At first I wasn’t sure, but once I picked up a camera, something shifted. Photography gave me a way to slow down, process what I was feeling, and express myself without needing words. It allowed me to notice details, moments of light, and beauty I had overlooked. Over time, it became not just a creative outlet, but a form of healing that helped me reconnect with the world and with myself. That’s why I chose photography for my Sabbatical project, I know firsthand how powerful it can be, and I want to share that same tool with other veterans who may be walking a similar path.”
”My Sabbatical project shows that healing can take many forms, and for me and many others, photography has become a lifeline.”
What do you hope veterans will take away from the photography workshops?
“My hope is that veterans walk away from these workshops with more than just technical photography skills. I want them to feel a sense of purpose, connection, and pride in what they create. Photography gives us the chance to slow down, to see the world in a different light, and to tell our own stories. For veterans, that can mean finding beauty in everyday moments or discovering a healthy outlet for stress and difficult emotions. Just as important, I want them to feel a part of a community, knowing they’re not alone, and that they have a network of fellow veterans and photographers to lean on. If even one person leaves with a new passion, a renewed sense of purpose, or simply a spark of hope for the future, then the workshops will have been a success.”
On World Mental Health Day, what message do you hope your Sabbatical project sends about the importance of mental health support—and how can others get involved or help?
“I struggle with PTSD every day, and like most veterans, I do my best to keep it hidden. But World Mental Health Day is a reminder that we shouldn’t have to suffer in silence. My Sabbatical project shows that healing can take many forms, and for me and many others, photography has become a lifeline. I want veterans to know it’s okay to not be okay, and that there are tools, communities, and people who care. For those looking to help, the most important thing you can do is show up. Whether that’s volunteering, mentoring, donating resources, or simply checking in on a veteran you know. Together, we can break the stigma, take action, and bring hope to those who need it.”
