Campus Tours

Meet the people that run our organization

Next Step Inbound’s volunteers are a team of individuals dedicated to providing the best educational resources for service members hoping to take that next step in higher education. Through their own experience and utter passion of assisting military members, they hope to break down any wall a service member may experience during their academic pursuits.

Brandon Lambert

Co-Founder | Chief Executive Officer

Brandon is a Co-Founder and the current CEO of Next Step Inbound.

Currently, Brandon is a student veteran at Columbia University in the city of New York, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts. In addition, professionally, Brandon is pursuing a career in Private Equity and currently works part-time for KSL Capital Partners.

Prior to his academic pursuits, Brandon served in the United States Marine Corps as an enlisted infantryman from 2016 to 2020, fulfilling roles within a Maritime Raid Force and a Regimental Sniper Company. Concurrent to his military career, Brandon attended three different community colleges prior to gaining admittance and matriculating to Columbia University.

As a Co-Founder of Next Step Inbound, and through enduring his own hardships while transitioning from military service to higher education, Brandon believes it is essential to provide an easily digestible, centralized source of information for service members interested in taking that next step after the armed forces and pursuing higher education.

Todd Serulneck

Chief Financial Officer

Todd joined Next Step Inbound in 2023 as our CFO and Treasurer.

Professionally, Todd is a Managing Director at Lancaster & Hall – a contract and fractional CFO services and consulting firm. Prior to his role at Lancaster & Hall, Todd’s finance career spanned from being a divisional CFO for Walmart to holding various finance roles at Office Depot.

Outside of Next Step Inbound, Todd volunteers at additional non-profits within the veteran space, such as Service First Foundation, where he provides support and guidance for service-driven entrepreneurs.

Todd has a Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University in Neuroscience and an MBA focusing on Finance and Entrepreneurship from Columbia Business School.

Nestor Walters

Head of Writing Development

Nestor joined Next Step Inbound in 2020, fulfilling the role of Head of Writing Development.

Nestor holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Stanford University.

Prior to his academic career, Nestor served ten years in the United States Navy as a Combat Medic and a SEAL.

Outside of Next Step Inbound, Nestor volunteers at additional non-profit organizations, such as Khan Academy, Service to School, and Assistant Dog Trainer.

Adam Hamid

VP of Growth

Adam joined Next Step Inbound in 2022 as VP of Growth.

Currently, Adam is a student veteran pursuing a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University in the city of New York.

Prior to his academic pursuits, Adam served in the United States Marine Corps as a Joint Fires Observer from 2015 to 2019. In addition, professionally, Adam worked for The Funded Trader in the position of Head of Growth.

Outside of Next Step Inbound, Adam volunteers at additional non-profits, such as Service to School and Warrior Scholar Project.

Michael Nicholson

Human Resources Director

Michael joined Next Step Inbound in 2023, fulfilling the role of Human Resources Director.

Professionally, Michael has served in Human Resources roles in companies such as Frito-Lay and Pop-A-Lock and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration.

Prior to his professional career, Michael served in the United States Coast Guard as a Yeoman within a Human Resources capacity – providing HR services to over 8,000 service members.

Outside of Next Step Inbound, Michael serves and or served in various other non-profit organizations – such as Big Brother and the CDCE Student Leadership Council.

Brandon Christie

Director of Education

Brandon Christie joined Next Step Inbound in 2022, fulfilling the role of Director of Education.

Currently, Brandon is a student veteran pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science at Columbia University in the city of New York.

Prior to his academic pursuits, Brandon served in the United States Marine Corps as a Infantry Machine Gunner from 2014 to 2019.

Outside of Next Step Inbound, Brandon also volunteers at additional non-profits – such as Mentor Ukraine and Warrior Scholar Project.

Keanu Spindola

Campus Representative Director

Keanu Spindola joined Next Step Inbound in 2021 as a Campus Representative for Santa Clara University and now serves within the role of Campus Representative Director.

Currently, Keanu is a student veteran pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a minor in Real Estate and Construction Management.

Prior to his academic career, Keanu served in the United States Marine Corps from 2015-2019 as a Truck Mechanic.

Outside of Next Step Inbound, Keanu volunteers at additional non-profits, such as Big Brother, Warrior Scholar Project, and Student Veterans of America.

Conor Abbamonte

Spokesperson

Conor joined Next Step Inbound in 2022, fulfilling the role of Spokesperson for NSI’s Campus Tour Series.

Currently, Conor is pursuing Law School and just recently graduated from Columbia University in the city of New York with a Bachelor of Arts.

Prior to his academic career, Conor served in the United States Navy from 2012 to 2016 as a Petty Officer Second Class.

Outside of Next Step Inbound, Conor volunteers at additional non-profits, such as Warrior Scholar Project, Student Veterans of America, and Kennel Assistant.

Sam Nahins

Writer

Sam joined Next Step Inbound in 2022, fulfilling the role of a Writer.

Currently, Sam is a student veteran pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing at Columbia University in the city of New York.

Prior to academics, Sam served in the United States Air Force as an Unmanned Sensor Operator from 2011 to 2017.

Outside of academics, Sam enjoys publishing his own pieces and hanging out with his dog Ghost. Check out one of Sam’s writings here.

Donations

Help us do more

We’re a nonprofit that relies on support from people like you. Please help us continue to better our educational resources available for free to all service members, forever.