Brian E. Kinsella

Brian E. Kinsella is an American veteran, and veteran advocate, entrepreneur, and former financial analyst, known for his contributions to the realm of military and veteran mental health, as well as suicide prevention initiatives.
He served as an active-duty U.S. Army Officer, attaining the rank of Captain, and emerged as a figure in diverse initiatives dedicated to the well-being of military personnel and veterans.
He specifically focuses on military and veteran mental health and suicide prevention initiatives. His commitment to this cause is embodied through the nonprofit organization he co-founded, Stop Soldier Suicide. 
==Evacuation of civilians in Afghanistan (August, 2021)==
A notable event happened in August 2021, amid the tumultuous fall of the Afghan government and the subsequent withdrawal of U.S. troops, followed by the resurgence of the Taliban, where Kinsella played a pivotal role in aiding the evacuation of high-risk Afghans, including American citizens stranded in the country. This crucial initiative was instigated by Zach Van Meter, a private-equity investor, who advocated for hosting Afghan refugees in Berbera, Somaliland, on the Gulf of Aden. The pressing need to evacuate approximately 3,500 Afghan children from Kabul propelled this movement.
The unfolding crisis in Afghanistan, characterized by the rapid takeover of the Taliban, left numerous Afghan citizens in dire need of assistance. Leveraging his background as a former Army Captain acknowledged for relief work following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Kinsella promptly volunteered, undertaking the monumental task of managing lists of hundreds of individuals. His primary focus was on prioritizing U.S. citizens, green cardholders, and high-risk Afghans. This coordinated effort involved collaborating with various groups of volunteers, encompassing war veterans, Afghan diplomats, generous donors, defense contractors, nonprofit workers, and off-duty U.S. officials, collectively known as the "Commercial Task Force."
The collective mission of this group was to provide aid and support to Afghan citizens grappling with increasingly perilous circumstances due to the Taliban's control. Operating within stringent timelines and constraints of limited resources, they executed a global, military-style rescue operation from the Peacock Lounge at the Willard InterContinental hotel in Washington, D.C. The operation aimed to extract Afghans utilizing diverse means such as land routes, helicopters, and airlifts, with the objective of offering temporary shelter in Abu Dhabi and exploring resettlement opportunities in various countries.
This grassroots initiative was spearheaded by Zach Van Meter and Jim Linder, with facilitation by Kinsella. Their efforts and dedication culminated in the successful evacuation of as many as 5,000 evacuees from Kabul, underscoring one of many larger initiatives Kinsella is actively engaged in.
==Early life and education==
Brian E. Kinsella completed his Bachelor of Arts degree from Johns Hopkins University in 2005, where he was recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate of the university’s ROTC program. During his sophomore year at Johns Hopkins University, Kinsella encountered a tragic event. His housemate, Chris Elser, fell victim to a brutal attack, succumbing to fatal injuries inflicted by a stranger while sleeping. He managed to wake up Kinsella, who held Eisner in his arms, while he said: “I tried, I fought” , before he was brought to the hospital, where he later died. This tragic incident profoundly impacted Kinsella, serving as a catalyst for his unwavering dedication to a life of service.
==Career==
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. He served in Baghdad, Iraq as U.S. Army Captain and Detachment Commander during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He also served in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where he played a key role to the Commanding General of the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command (XVIII Airborne Corps) and the Global Response Force (GRF), and US Southern Command during Operation Unified Response, after the 2010 earthquake. While in Port-au-Prince, Kinsella acted as the liaison between Staff Sergeant Theirry Alexandre and the State Department, and the Department of Defense, to expedite the departure of his daughter who was trapped in Haiti.
Kinsella was also stationed in Germany, Italy, and Fort Knox
During his service, Kinsella was deeply impacted by another near-tragedy, when a fellow soldier attempted to commit suicide. After his service ended, Kinsella co-founded the non-profit organization Stop Soldier Suicide.
===His career in Financial Services===
In 2010, subsequent to his military service, Kinsella additionally, transitioned into the finance sector, initially serving as a financial analyst at BNP Paribas. He later joined Goldman Sachs in 2013, focusing on the energy sector. Upon concluding his tenure at Goldman Sachs in 2018, Kinsella heightened his involvement in aiding veterans grappling with post-service challenges, particularly focusing on mental health issues observed through the years of non-profit work for veterans. He especially began focusing on solutions to solve for the growing mental health problems.
===Non-profit, mental healthcare and veteran advocacy===
Kinsella currently holds the position of Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Rappore, a therapy services and medication management tele-health company based in New York. He also serves as an advisory board member at Roberts & Ryan Investments, while actively engaging in ongoing or immediate humanitarian initiatives. 
When, Kinsella co-founded Stop Soldier Suicide (SSS), headquartered in Durham, North Carolina in 2010, he did it alongside co-founders Nick Black and Craig Gridelli. This organization is dedicated to providing veterans with resources to cope with PTSD, financial difficulties, and housing challenges, ultimately striving to reduce the rate of veteran suicides. The inception of "SSS" was fueled by the founders' personal experiences with soldiers struggling with mental health issues and suicidal tendencies.
Among noteworthy initiatives they have taken on, is the Black Box Project, employing forensic software to retrospectively study the digital activities of deceased service members, providing valuable insights for potential preventive measures. The organization collaborates with notable institutions like the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to offer specialized care to veterans.
Kinsella himself, volunteered to serve as Chief Executive Officer from 2010 to 2017 and continues to serve as Chairman of the board as a volunteer. He also holds positions on several boards across healthcare, financial services, and technology organizations, underscoring his dedication to various spheres and causes. 
Kinsella actively raises awareness for the cause, demonstrated through initiatives like the "Ride for Life" campaign in 2012, where he motorcycle-toured to U.S. military bases across the country. Additionally, in 2013, he organized the "Night for Life" event on The Intrepid , a fundraiser for veteran causes, in collaboration with veterans, Wall Street firms, and Derek Wallis. The "Night for Life" event was held again in 2015 and 2016.
==Honors and awards==
In recognition of his relentless service and dedication, Kinsella was awarded the Meritorious Public Service medal by the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, Mark A. Milley, on April 25, 2019.
Category:1983 births
Category:People from New Jersey
Category:American people
Category:Johns Hopkins University alumni
Category:American veterans activists
Category:Entrepreneurs