Trustees
BRETT D'ALESSANDRO
Founder & President
After serving six years with the United States Marine Corps., Brett has found himself giving back to his brothers and sisters by serving the homeless and at-risk veteran community. Brett was deployed to Afghanistan in 2014 and came home to discover a large void in the care being provided to veterans returning from war. From this realization, Backpacks For Life was born.
ALEXA D’Alessandro
Founder & Executive Director
Upon Brett’s return home from Afghanistan, Alexa witnessed firsthand just how challenging it was for Brett to reintegrate into civilian life. Alexa works closely alongside Brett to ensure that our veterans and their spouses are taken care of. Alexa oversees the general operations and communications of Backpacks For Life.
JAMES DIPIAZZA
Treasurer
James M. Di Piazza is the CEO of Bond Street Mortgage and has been in the financial services industry for over 20 years. James has a passion for helping people realize the American Dream of homeownership. James and his team assist Backpacks For Life with veteran housing initiatives and the VA home loan process.
sgtmaj. jamie depaola
program manager
Jamie is a retired Sergeant Major and served 24 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, both active and reserve. After retirement, she worked as the Director of Admissions for St. Bernard School. Her volunteer career includes the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, Marine Corps League, Vietnam Veterans of America, American Legion, and the Women Marines Association. Jamie and her husband Peter are the founders and organizers for the Connecticut Veterans Day Patriot Race.
Board of directors
Terrell Washington
Terrell is a Veteran of the United States Army, 82nd Airborne. He joined the Army after graduating high school and completed a tour in Baghdad, Iraq during his three-year enlistment. Terrell now trains soldiers looking to go join the military and also works on the Veteran Task Force team, which is part of the Jersey City Department of Veterans Affairs.
Jeffrey Mauro
Jeffrey is the Chief Investment Officer at FortitudeRe, responsible for the development and implementation of asset allocation and asset/ liability management strategies. Jeff previously served Head of the Cross Asset Initiatives team in the Asset Management Group at AIG, where he developed and implemented processes to facilitate asset allocation decisions for AIG's investment portfolio. In 2013, Jeff began his tenure at AIG in the Investments Business Strategy team where he worked to execute the divestiture of certain holdings that were deemed no longer core to AIG's overall business. Prior to that, Jeff worked in Investment Banking, helping financial institutions to execute capital raising and M&A transactions at Macquarie Capital (USA) Inc. and FBR & Co. Jeff earned his Bachelor Of Science in Finance and Accounting from Georgetown University. Jeff is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charter holder.
Colleen Daly-Schuh
Colleen is a former international model who landed a career in public relations for fashion, beauty, and accessories brands. She worked with Elite Celebrity Fashion Designers and Stylists to the Stars before settling down in Wyckoff, NJ to have her children Bella,Pete, and Teddy. Colleen is currently working as a public relations, marketing, social media, and brand consultant. She is also the editorial lifestyle, beauty, and style contributor to USA Today/ North Jersey Media/(201)Magazine. She freelances as a fashion and production stylist on photo shoots for local celebrities and brands. In her spare time, she works with various charities and cheers on her son who plays for the Oklahoma Sooners football team.
Matthew McTaggart
Matt McTaggart is the founder and owner of The Graphix Spot, located in Budd Lake NJ. The Graphix Spot is a leading large-format graphics and signage company with a focus on the modern workplace and commercial interiors. He stays involved by donating time and resources within his community. Working closely with the municipality in Budd Lake NJ, The Mount Olive Food Pantry, and other charities. As a board member of BFL he assists with the visual identity of the brand and makes sure the signage helps deliver the message of the mission. Matt is also a former competitive snowboarder and enjoys working with younger athletes trying to start a career in the sport.
Darren Magarro
Darren founded DSM in 2007 and has led the company for the last 17+ years through many ups, downs, and everything in between. He focuses most of his time on being a brand ambassador for both clients and the agency in addition to leading all new business efforts. His passion and determination are unmatched…all while ensuring that DSM is community-centered and giving back. He brings an energy every day that ensures the people around him are on a path for success…and feels that this is the most important part of his job! He has won many awards over the years, including being a finalist for EY Entrepreneur of the Year (2017 & 2018), NJBiz 40 Under 40 (2013), Jersey’s Best Marketing and Communications Professionals Under 40 and has led DSM to (4) Inc. 5000 Awards (2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022). He’s a founding member of Behind The Seams, a fashion show that has raised over $2MM for Eva’s Village in Paterson over the last 14 years. Finally, he's helped raise more than $40,000 over the last 4 years to help The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund through running events with the help of friends and family.
Steve Neale
Steve is a lifelong resident of Verona, NJ where he lives with his wife and two kids. He is the Borough Administrator for the Borough of Waldwick and has dedicated his professional and personal life to public service. Steve is a dedicated volunteer who has been a member of the Verona Fire Department for 14 years, worked with various organizations including Sustainable Verona, the Verona Chamber of Commerce, the Verona Community Garden and is also the President of the newly created nonprofit organization, Friends of Verona Parks.
Steve Baureis
Steve Baureis, founder & CEO of Hotseat Warmers, graduated from Moravian College in 2000. He earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, and has spent his career in the private sector, specifically in sales and business management. Hotseat Warmers has been a proud supporter of Backpacks For Life, providing seat warmers for each backpack we distribute to our veterans. Steve and his wife are the proud parents of a daughter and son, and currently reside in Essex County, NJ.
Christine Puglisi
Christine is CMO & Owner of ePromos Promotional Products powered by GSD Designs, LLC., and a marketing powerhouse building brands for over 20 years while navigating the ins and outs of partnering with procurement, agencies, and internal stakeholders to realize enterprise goals. She is a collaborative and hands-on leader with a true entrepreneurial spirit, who in tandem with her husband Marc, has for many years been actively involved with Backpacks For Life and is honored to support this incredible organization through marketing efforts and product donations.
Outreach Team
Greg d’alessandro
legal & financial advisor
As an attorney-turned-businessman, Greg has advised Backpacks For Life in all legal and financial matters since its inception. Greg is the brother of our founder, Brett and has been a true supporter of Brett’s missions to serve our country and now our veterans. When Greg isn’t supporting Backpacks For Life at events or in weekly meetings, he is either snowboarding or golfing.
timothy johnson
backpack design engineer
As our design engineer, Tim is responsible for developing the various features and accessories that make up The Bowery Pack. Tim graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in mechanical engineering. He moved on to work in machine design and maintenance, specializing in automation and robotic systems. On the side, Tim helps people with prototyping ideas for inventions.
Holly Stoll
veteran outreach specialist
Holly is an eight year Navy Veteran and a mother of three. After finding out her own father, a Vietnam Veteran, was hiding from her that he was homeless, Holly realized veterans like him needed our help. Holly works as an advocate for all veterans, with a primary focus on females. In 2013, Holly was one of six female Veterans who helped to have two bills passed in New Jersey that support the way in which Veterans receive care.