Meet the Leadership Team
Brendan Duebner
Founder, Executive Director
Brendan started Life Skills for Soldiers in 2019 while on Active Duty as a Field Artillery Officer. He is a graduate of the Wharton School, a member of the Army's 75th Innovation Command, and a serial founder.
Brian Bell
Vice President of Marketing
Brian is a former active duty officer in the US Army who gives his free time to help Life Skills for Soldiers grow. He joined Life Skills for Soldiers as a marketing volunteer in 2021 and is a 2022 Leadership Cohort Fellow. Brian enjoys investing and learning about smart financial options. He joined LSFS to help his soldiers do the same.
Cullen McGahan
Vice President of Community
Cullen is currently serving as an active duty officer in the US Army. He joined Life Skills for Soldiers as a Leadership Cohort Fellow in 2023. Cullen plans on pursuing an MBA after his military service.
Tucker Suggs
Vice President of Operations
Tucker is currently serving as an active duty officer in the US Air Force. He joined Life Skills for Soldiers in 2022. Tucker plans on becoming an Air Force pilot before one day pursuing an MBA.
Peter Paychev
Vice President of Technology
A technology driven organization needs technology first leadership. Peter brings his years of growth company technology leadership to Life Skills for Soldiers and leverages his experience to ensure LSFS is consistently ready to keep scaling.
Curren Kulkarni
Head of Strategic Finance
Curren leads LSFS Strategic Finance initiatives, leveraging his vast experience as the Head of Strategic Finance for Apex AI, and Investment Banking experience with Goldman Sachs and Citi Group. Curren is an Alumni of the University of Pennsylvania.
Alumni Advisors
Pete Shares
Alumni Advisor - 2023 Leadership Cohort Fellow
Pete served in the Army as an active duty Artillery Officer in the 101st and Ranger Regiment. He joined the team in 2023, was a 2023 Leadership Cohort Fellow, and served as the Vice President of Growth. Pete is currently pursuing his MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business on a five figure scholarship.
Blake Henrie
Alumni Advisor - 2023 Leadership Cohort Fellow
Nick served in the Marine Corps as a Naval Aviator. He joined the team in 20213, was a 2023 Leadership Cohort Fellow, and served as the Vice President of Learning. Blake is currently pursuing his MBA at the Darden School of Business on a five figure scholarship.
Grayson Sullivan
Alumni Advisor - 2023 Leadership Cohort Fellow
Grayson served in the Army as a Logistics Officer. He joined the team in 2020, was a 2023 Leadership Cohort Fellow, and served as the Vice President of Operations. Grayson is currently pursuing his MBA at the Carlson School of Business on a full ride scholarship.
Christian Ochoa
Alumni Advisor - 2023 Leadership Cohort Fellow
Christian served in the Army as an active duty Artillery Officer. He joined the team in 2023, was a 2023 Leadership Cohort Fellow, and served as the Vice President of Community. Christian is currently pursuing his MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business on a six figure scholarship.
Nick Marfongelli
Alumni Advisor - 2022 Leadership Cohort Fellow
Nick served in the Army as an active duty Infantry Officer and Special Forces Officer. He joined the team in 2021, was a 2022 Leadership Cohort Fellow, and served as the Vice President of Community. Nick is currently pursuing his MBA at the Wharton School as a LunaCap Scholar and Rosefsky Fellow while continuing his service in the Army National Guard.
Jack Pinnell
Alumni Advisor - 2022 Leadership Cohort Fellow
Jack served in the Army as an active duty Aviation Officer. He is a graduate of West Point with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and has passed the CFA level 1 exam. Jack was a 2022 Leadership Cohort Fellow and served as an Operations lead. Jack is currently pursuing a dual MS/MBA degree at Harvard.
Isaiah Suggs
Alumni Advisor - 2022 Leadership Cohort Fellow
Isaiah served the Army as an active duty Field Artillery Officer. He joined Life Skills for Soldiers as an operations team volunteer in 2020, was a 2022 Leadership Cohort Fellow, and served as the Vice President of Operations. Isaiah is currently pursuing his MBA at the Kellogg School of Management on a six figure scholarship.
Pablo
Alumni Advisor
Pablo is an active duty Officer in the US Army. He joined Life Skills for Soldiers as the Chief Marketing Officer in 2019. During his time as Chief Marketing Officer he successfully made the jump from an Adjutant General to Special Operations.
Bill McNamara
Alumni Advisor
Bill is a former Active Duty Army Officer. He joined Life Skills for Soldiers team in 2020 as the Chief Operations Officer. During his time as COO bill completed his MBA at UNC's Kenan-Flagler School of Business, did an internship in investment banking, and began his career in equity research.
Kyle McCormick
Alumni Advisor
Kyle is a former Active Duty Army Artillery Officer who has been working with Life Skills for Soldiers since the beginning. During his time as Chief Community Officer he completed his MBA at Fordham's Gabelli School of Business and began his career in consulting.
