Our founder in Yosemite National Park
Our Story
Launching Life’s Leaders was founded in 2022 with the simple goal of making a difference in kids' lives.
Believing in both the life and leadership skills learned through Scouting and the limitless value of education, the founders created an independent philanthropic organization working with both Scouts BSA and the Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield. The concept is two-fold: provide a full scholarship for participation in Scouts BSA and a partial scholarship for post-secondary education to each participant who attains the rank of Eagle Scout.
Providing scholarship can help level the playing field and open the door to greater opportunities
We believe that leadership skills and a quality education are essential to success in this world. Unfortunately, economic hardship can limit access for even the most promising youth. Providing scholarship can help level the playing field and open the door to greater opportunities. With this aspiration in mind, Launching Life’s Leaders hopes to foster some of tomorrow’s best and brightest leaders and contributors to society.
Launching Life’s Leaders began in September 2022 with a single participant in Ridgefield CT. Through its partnership with two esteemed national organizations, this program has the potential to expand to more chapters across the country. Public awareness and fundraising success will be key catalysts for this growth.
“Wow!”
Connor, our inaugural participant, upon reaching Phelps peak in the Adirondacks on his first mountain hike with Troop 116.
Our Board
The following independent volunteer Board of Governors oversees our operations.
Tizzie Mantione
President & Treasurer
Tizzie Mantione founded Launching Life’s Leaders after raising her two children, who both reached the rank of Eagle in Scouting. An ardent believer in the leadership lessons and life skills learned through Scouting and the critical role of education in every life, she and her husband Tom began LLL in June, 2022. Tizzie has lived in Ridgefield, CT for 23 years serving multiple volunteer organizations including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Ridgefield Prevention Council and the Ridgefield Public School PTA’s. She was Treasurer of the Ridgefield Library for three years and served on the Library Board six years. In addition, she served on the Board of Liberty United, the Advisory Board of Texas Children’s Hospital, the Board of Waccabuc Country Club and was an Alumni Ambassador for Vanderbilt University. Professionally, Tizzie’s career spanned multiple industries including sports marketing, event management, finance, executive search and software services. She has completed two Ironman triathlons and is a 28-year rider in the Pan Massachusetts Challenge, a cycling event dedicated to curing cancer.
Chris Desmarais
Secretary
Chris Desmarais is a Managing Director of GAMCO Asset Management Inc.  His responsibilities involve business development and relationship management of the firm’s long–only and alternative investment capabilities for institutional, endowment and high net worth clients across the country.  He has served as a past member of the Charles F. Dolan School of Business Advisory Board at Fairfield University from 2005-2013 as well as its Chairman.  Mr. Desmarais is currently a member of the Board of Trustees at Fairfield University as well as a member of the Board of Directors of both GAMCO Asset Management Inc. as well as the GAMCO International SICAV.  Mr. Desmarais is a graduate of Fairfield University with a B.A. in Economics.  He has lived in Ridgefield, CT for 20 years, is married to a fellow Fairfield University alum and is the father of 3 children, including 2 Eagle Scouts. Chris joined the Board of Launching Life’s Leaders in July, 2022.
Vincent Giordano
Member
Vincent Giordano is a retired attorney. He began his legal career working for the US Environmental Protection Agency as a rule writer and enforcement counsel. He joined the General Electric company in 1991 and held global compliance roles with GE corporate, GE plastics, and GE Healthcare companies. Mr. Giordano is currently a Board Member for the Whitney Lake Association, a member of the Ridgefield Energy Task Force, and volunteers with the Ridgefield Action Committee for the Environment. Mr. Giordano is an Eagle Scout, a graduate of the University of Connecticut and has earned a Juris Doctorate from the George Washington University National Law Center. He has lived in Ridgefield, CT since 1991, was an Assistant Scout Master for Troop 76 and is the father of an Eagle Scout. Vincent joined the Board of Launching Life’s Leaders in June 2024.
Phil Kearns
Member
Phil Kearns retired after a 40-year career in marketing research as CEO and Owner of deKadt Marketing and Research Inc. and prior to that a marketing research professional with Proctor and Gamble and Richardson Vicks. Phil currently serves in a number of volunteer positions including Chairman of the Ridgefield Connecticut Parks and Recreation Commission where he has served for 18 years; Assistant Scoutmaster and Eagle Advisor for Troop 116 in Ridgefield Connecticut where he is in his 23rd year and as Lay Minister at Jesse Lee Methodist Church, also in Ridgefield. Previously he served on the boards of the Council of American Research Organizations, the Scudder Association and the Soccer Club of Ridgefield. Phil is an avid backpacker and hiker, enjoys gardening and is passionate in mentoring young men on their road to Eagle Scout. Phil joined the Board of Launching Life’s Leaders in July, 2022.
Jax Mantione
Member
Jax Mantione grew up in Ridgefield, CT and was involved in both Girl Scouts and Scouts BSA. She earned her Gold Award and was in the First Class of Female Eagle Scouts as a founding member of Troop 19. Jax rowed competitively throughout high school winning the 2021 Head of the Charles and placing 2nd at the 2022 Youth Nationals in the Women’s Double. She has worked as a caddy at Silver Spring Country Club for three years. During Summer 2023 she completed an accounting internship with the Diamond Hospitality Group of Diamond Properties in Mt. Kisco, NY. Jax is currently studying Economics at Northwestern University and planning to complete the Financial Economics Kellogg Certificate. She will be working in NYC Summer 2024 as a Summer Analyst in Private Wealth Management at UBS.
Tom Mantione
Member
Tom Mantione is a wealth management advisor at UBS where he and his team serve the complex needs of ultra-high net worth families. They provide comprehensive planning and integrated investment solutions focused on enhancing, protecting and transferring wealth to family and philanthropy. Tom and his wife Tizzie live in Ridgefield, CT where they raised their two college aged children, both Eagle Scouts. Tom is dedicated to many local causes including ACT of CT, Americares, the Mill River Collaborative, CARE (Cancer Awareness through Research and Education). And for nearly three decades, Tom and his wife have ridden in the PMC (Pan Mass Challenge) a 192-mile cycling event that raises money for cancer research at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. In his spare time, Tom can be found traveling, fishing, playing golf or shredding a guitar.