Special Operators Transition Foundation

The SOTF team is thrilled to announce Zach Venning as our newest Director of Alumni!

Please join us in giving Zach a warm welcome as he steps into this role with excitement, dedication, and a passion for strengthening connections within the SOTF alumni community. We’re excited for the impact he will make as we continue building meaningful relationships with our SOTF Alums.

Learn more about our new Director below.

Zach Venning is a U.S. Army Special Operations veteran who spent nearly a decade serving as a Psychological Operations specialist supporting counterterrorism efforts across Southeast Asia. As he transitioned from the military, Zach connected with the Special Operators Transition Foundation (SOTF), where mentorship and community helped him chart a clear path into the private sector—support he continues to value and pay forward.

Zach began his post-military career at Morgan Stanley as a Financial Advisor recruiter before joining Closed Loop Partners as a venture capital associate investor. There, he deployed capital into early-stage companies at the intersection of sustainability and innovation, strengthening his ability to evaluate opportunity, assess risk, and think like a business builder.

Drawn to working directly with families, Zach returned to Morgan Stanley to join a private wealth team as an Investment Consultant, advising high-net-worth families on wealth creation and preservation. His impact in that role led leadership to expand his mandate as a Business Development Manager across Greater New York City. Today, Zach partners with over 800 high-performing Financial Advisors across Manhattan to drive market growth and help deliver institutional-caliber solutions to clients.

Zach holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Post University, an MBA in Advanced Corporate Finance from NC State University, and a Master of Science in Sustainability Management from Columbia University. Based in Westchester, New York, he lives with his fiancée, Gabrielle, and his son, Valentino. He remains committed to supporting fellow veterans and mentoring those in transition, and outside of work, he enjoys the outdoors, motorcycling, sailing, and winter sports with his family.

Welcome to the team, Zach! We’re so excited to have you here and look forward to the many ways you’ll help support and grow the SOTF alumni community. We’re excited for all that’s ahead as we continue strengthening connections together.