Board Of Directors

Michael P. Callahan

Director & Chief Financial Officer, Counsel Financial Services – Retired

Michael Callahan, a certified public accountant licensed in New York State, was Counsel Financial’s Chief Financial Officer. He has over 25 years of diversified experience assisting companies in the development, growth and structuring of business and financial operations. He has served as CEO, President and CFO of numerous public and privately held companies.

Mr. Callahan received a Masters in Business Administration from Monmouth University in 1980 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Fordham University in 1971.

Ryan Kagels

Chief Financial Officer, Counsel Financial Services

As Counsel Financial’s Chief Financial Officer, Ryan oversees all financial management and reporting for the company including investor relations, financial planning and analysis, budgeting, cash flow management and oversight of the accounting and risk management functions. Ryan has also been involved in deal structuring, diligence and negotiation with many of the company’s attorney clients.

With over 10 years of experience in specialty finance, he has been involved in the growth of the company since shortly after inception, previously working in various capacities, including as Vice President of Finance and Controller.

Ryan holds a dual-concentration MBA in Finance and Innovation Entrepreneurship from Northeastern University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Niagara University. He also has knowledge and experience in the quick-serve restaurant business, successfully franchising several restaurants in the Western New York region. In addition, Ryan serves as an advisor to many local start-up companies in the area.

Ryan lives in Clarence, NY with his wife and three daughters. He is very active in the community and is a recipient of the David Dichiara award for outstanding leadership and community involvement.

Brian L. Friedman, Esq.

Counsel, Mergers and Acquisitions, Davis Polk & Wardwell, LLP

Brian L. Friedman, Mikey’s oldest brother, has served on the Mikey’s Way Board of Directors since the Foundation’s inception in 2005. Brian is Vice President and Associate General Counsel of Pegasus Capital Advisors, a private alternative asset management firm with $1.7 in assets under management that provides strategic growth capital to middle-market companies focused on global resources scarcity, including energy, food, water and wellness.  Prior to that, he was a senior associate in the Mergers & Acquisitions group at the law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell. He graduated Cornell University with a degree in Chemistry in 2006 and Harvard Law School in 2009.

Peter A. Friedman

Teacher, Ridgefield High School

Peter has been a Math teacher at Ridgefield High School in Connecticut for 4 years.  He is the brother of Michael “Mikey” Friedman.  Peter received his undergraduate degree from Bucknell University and his Masters Degree from Sacred Heart University.