Because of the Brave Board of Directors

In November 2019 Because of the Brave was founded by 16-year-old Hayley Falk as a blog hoping to educate those around her, especially the youth. In April 2021 Because of the Brave became an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Meet our Board of Directors

Hayley Falk

CEO and FOUNDER
In November 2019 at 16-years-old Hayley officially founded Because of the Brave as a blog. In October 2020 Because of the Brave became Because of the Brave inc. a 501(c)3 non-profit. Hayley was born and raised in Cheshire, CT graduating from Cheshire High School in 2020, and just finished her first semester of college.
Jeffrey Falk

PRESIDENT
Born and raised in Cheshire, CT Jeffrey graduated from Cheshire High School in 1995. Following this, he enlisted in the United States Navy and volunteered for the Submarine Service from 1995-2003. Jeff served as Chairman of the Cheshire Housing Authority from 2015-2017 and as a member of the Cheshire Town Council from 2017-2019. Jeff has worked for the Cheshire Police Department since 2005 and is currently a Sergeant in the Patrol Division.
Bryan Donahue

VICE-PRESIDENT
A 3rd generation Marine from North Haven, CT, Motivational Speaker, and author of On Borrowed Time: How I Built A Life While Beating Death. When Bryan was a 22-year-old U.S. Marine in perfect health, he was dealt a blow most would not recover from. His shocking diagnosis of a rare chronic liver disease that has no cure made him reevaluate everything he held sacred. With the prognosis of only a few months to live, he came to the realization that he wasn’t afraid his life would end, but more afraid it never began. He changed his way of thinking and started to live a life of NO REGRETS.
Donald Falk

TREASURER
Don moved to Cheshire at 10-years-old and graduated from Cheshire High School in 1965. After graduating from Boston College Don was drafted into the United States Army and served as a Hospital Liason of AG Casualty Unit of the 15th Admin Company 1st Cavalry Division in Bien Hoa, Vietnam from March 1970-April 1971.
Tracy Gonzalez-Gade

SECRETARY
Philip Giampietro Sr.

Director
Born and raised in Cheshire, CT Phil graduated from Cheshire High School and went on to complete a 25-year career with the Cheshire Police Department retiring as a Sergeant.
Phil is one of the top Coldwell Banker Realtors in CT having been named the International Presidents Elite since 2016 and the recipient of Connecticut Magazine’s Five Star Real Estate Agent Award since 2014. Phil is also the local representative of Homes For Heroes, a program that gives back to the Military, Veterans, First Responders, Teachers, and Healthcare workers who purchase homes. Phil has given back over $200,000 to the Heroes.