“Professionally, I’ve always felt that veterans bring a distinctive work ethic and drive that stands out,” says Keith Reynolds, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Synapse. “I value working with veterans because they are hardworking, reliable, and trustworthy. I also deeply respect their willingness to serve—a path I never truly considered growing up.”
Synapse is a unique networking platform and community designed to spark meaningful Connections and Collaboration between the nonprofit and small business communities. During his career in banking, Keith had to learn how to network—an intimidating task for an introvert living with social anxiety disorder.
“Traditional networking terrified me. Synapse became my way of making networking work—by building a comfortable, casual culture centered on cultivating ethical, community-minded relationships and raising awareness for local nonprofit organizations.”
Though Keith did not serve in the military, his appreciation for service runs deep. His grandfather, a Mississippi native, served in the Army during WWII and was wounded in the South Pacific. Keith’s father was drafted for Vietnam but was ultimately deferred due to medical reasons while studying to become a doctor.
“I’ve always been grateful to those who served—people whose sacrifice allowed my father to pursue his dream of serving his community in another way,” states Keith.
Because of this personal connection, Keith is intentional about supporting the military and veteran communities through Synapse. One example is Synapse Hub 101 @ Living Free Together in Charlottesville, which creates opportunities for veterans to connect, collaborate, and grow. Veteran business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals are also empowered through Synapse’s network of Hubs, where they can share their passions and make meaningful, supportive connections—both personally and professionally.
“Many of our veterans have given so much of themselves to this country so that the rest of us can live privileged lives in pursuit of happiness,” says Keith. “Some have endured experiences most of us could never imagine. Anyone who values freedom should be grateful to those who’ve sacrificed so much. Their courage and bravery must never be forgotten.”
When he’s not leading Synapse, Keith enjoys spending time in the mountains with family and friends. A lifelong fan of Wintergreen, he jokes that hot summer days always make him wish he lived there year-round. Each year, his family makes it a priority to come together—this year heading to his brother’s home in Vancouver before exploring Whistler. Keith is an avid fisherman, a loyal Ravens and Orioles fan, and has a soft spot for craft beer and picking crabs. And if you ask him, one of his proudest pastimes is winning fantasy football championships—especially against Lauren’s husband.
