Name:  Matt Stevens

Where were you born and raised? 
Born in Binghamton, NY.  Moved to Charlotte, NC when I was 10 and remained there through high school.

What’s a short story around the biggest transition you’ve faced in life?  
In the summer of 2017 I transitioned out of the SEAL Teams after 26 years on active duty.  I was lucky throughout my career to have been trained, mentored and led by some of the finest leaders on in the world.  I was fortunate to have been part of many high-performing teams with strong values and I loved my time in The Teams.  With deep introspection (assisted by THF), I was very selective in seeking the right fit, culture and position in my first private sector job since high school and feel like I landed in a great spot with a great company.  The leadership, teamwork, initiative and work ethic that SOF operators learn in the military directly translate to the private sector.  Although not perfect and not always smooth, it has been a great experience.  I can tell you from first-hand experience that THF’s process works!

What’s the one piece of advice you’d give a younger you? 
Seek out mentors earlier and maintain contact with them throughout your life.  Relationships matter more than anything.

Your Personal Why:
To be a catalyst for transformation who turns thought into action to inspire others to knock down obstacles so that they can reach their own potential.

How does your Why drive you to be a part of the THF Ecosystem? 
Most members of the Special Operations community will eventually transition out of the military and into the private/public sector.  The Honor Foundation is a phenomenal organization that helps transform this raw SOF talent into leaders in their next chapters.  THF helped me personally and I believe in its entire enterprise/process so deeply that I wanted to be a part of it and continue to serve those who will make the transition in the future.  The end of one’s military career is just the beginning of many new opportunities!

Military Connection or Why do you respect Special Operators?
I served as a Navy SEAL for 26 years.

Favorite THF Value, and why? 
Prepare for Adventure.  Life is a journey that should be lived to the fullest every day!  Simply saving for retirement or putting off “bucket list” items for one’s golden years may cause one to miss the adventures along the way.  Enjoy the journey and make every day an adventure!

Area/Industry of expertise:  Leadership, problem-solving, Technology startup companies.