Staff

Executive Director

Todd DePastino

Todd DePastino is founding director of the Veterans Breakfast Club. Todd’s interest in veterans’ stories first grew out of his work as a historian. Todd is author and editor of seven books, including the award-winning Bill Mauldin: A Life Up Front (W.W. Norton), a biography of the famed WWII cartoonist. He has a Ph.D. in American History from Yale University and has taught at Penn State Beaver and Waynesburg University, where he received the Lucas-Hathaway Award for Teaching Excellence.

Associate Director

Lauren DelRicci

lauren@veteransbreakfastclub.com

Lauren joined the VBC in 2017 and has served in many roles, from developing programs to emceeing events. This year she heads our development efforts while continuing to work our lives events and craft panel discussions and special events. Lauren is a Navy veteran who joined at age 17 and had tours on the USS Blue Ridge LCC-19 in Yokosuka, Japan, and onboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz CVN-68 in San Diego. Her post-service work as a Community Outreach professional, together with her passion for serving veterans, is what led her to the VBC.

Director of Programming

Shaun Hall

shaun@veteransbreakfastclub.com

Shaun is not a veteran but his passion for veteran stories is what made him return to VBC again and again. Shaun has spent the last 10 years in the non-profit sector and we are excited to have him host our new program, The Scuttlebutt, where we will be attempting to understand the American military from a civilian perspective.

Media & Communications

Ellie DePastino

ellie@veteransbreakfastclub.com

Ellie, Todd’s daughter, has been attending events since the VBC was just a small group of WWII vets who gathered for breakfast. She graduated from the College of Wooster in 2018 with a Bachelor’s Degree in History and is now living in Chicago. She does print & digital media production for the VBC, handles desk duties, and manages the VBC’s social media & website.