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= Brian E. Kinsella Biography =

Brian E. Kinsella (born November 11th, 1983 in New Jersey) is an American veteran advocate, entrepreneur, and former financial analyst. Notably, he served as an active-duty U.S. Army officer and is a prominent figure in military and veteran mental health and suicide prevention initiatives. Kinsella's commitment to this cause is embodied through the non-profit organization he founded, Stop Soldier Suicide. Currently, Kinsella holds the position of Executive Chairman at Stop Soldier Suicide. In 2021, during the fall of the Afghan government and the subsequent rise of the Taliban, he played a significant role in assisting the evacuation of high-risk Afghans to include American citizens trapped in the country.

Education
Kinsella completed his Bachelor of Arts degree from John Hopkins University in 2005 and was a Distinguished Military Graduate of the university’s ROTC program. Tragically, his sophomore year was marked by the murder of his housemate, Chris Elser, who managed to wake up Kinsella, and while holding him in his arms he said: "I tried, I fought", moments before being rushed to the hospital. This left a profound impact, and further motivated him towards service.

Military
Following the 9/11 attacks, Kinsella was deeply affected and decided to serve in the United States military. He commissioned in 2006 and saw deployment in multiple capacities:


 * Baghdad, Iraq: Served as Captain and Detachment Commander during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

·       Port-au-Prince, Haiti: Played a key role to the commanding general of the 3d Expeditionary Sustainment Command (XVIII Airborne Corps) and the Global Response Force (GRF), and US Southern Command during Operation Unified Response, post the 2010 earthquake. While in Port-au-Prince While in Port-au-Prince, Kinsella acted as the liaison between Staff Sgt. Theirry Alexandre and the State Department, and the Department of Defense, to expedite the departure of his daughter who was trapped in Haiti.


 * Other Assignments: Throughout his military tenure, he was also stationed in Germany, Italy, Fort Knox, and other locations around the world.

Financial Services
Post his military service in 2010, Kinsella transitioned into the finance sector. He initially worked at BNP Paribas as a financial analyst, followed by a position at Goldman Sachs in 2013, specifically focusing on the energy sector. His tenure at Goldman Sachs concluded in 2018. Kinsella currently holds a position on the advisory board of Roberts & Ryan.

Veteran Advocacy

 * In 2010, Kinsella co-founded Stop Soldier Suicide (SSS), a non-profit headquartered in Durham, North Carolina. Alongside co-founders Nick Black and Craig Gridelli, the organization seeks to provide veterans with resources to cope with PTSD, financial difficulties, and housing challenges, aiming to curb the rate of veteran suicides. The inception of SSS was fueled by the founders' personal experiences with soldiers grappling with mental health issues and suicidal tendencies.
 * Noteworthy initiatives of Stop Soldier Suicide include the Black Box Project, which employs forensic software to retrospectively study the digital activities of deceased service members, offering insights into potential preventive measures. Partnerships also extend to prominent organizations such as the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, offering specialized care to veterans.
 * Kinsella further amplified awareness for the cause through the "Ride for Life" campaign in 2012, motorcycling across U.S. military bases. In 2015, in collaboration with veterans, Wall Street firms, and Derek Wallis, he organized the Night for Life event, a fundraiser for veteran causes.

Awards and Recognition
·       In recognition of his relentless service and dedication, Kinsella was awarded the Meritorious Public Service Medal by the Chief of Staff of the US Army, Mark A. Milley, on April 25, 2019.