Biography

Christian L. Duffus (“Chris”) is serial entrepreneur and innovator. Chris is currently a co-founder of LEAF College Savings, LLC (“LEAF”). LEAF is the leading employee benefit marketplace for 529 college savings. This platform is utilized by companies and benefits exchange platforms to allow employees to contribute to 529 college savings plans as a direct deposit employee benefit, making saving for college through an employer like a 401k or HSA. 

Previously, Chris was Vice President of Finance and Corporate Development for Spectrum Bridge, Inc. ("SBI"); the leading wireless networking company in the emerging TV White Space market, where he was responsible for all financial and strategic matters.

Prior to his position at SBI, Chris was the deputy CEO of Finance and Administration for the 2008 Democratic National Convention Committee (“DNCC”) in Denver Colorado, where he was responsible for a budget of more than $100 million.  

Before joining the DNCC, Chris was Vice President of Finance and Corporate Development for M2Z Networks, a development stage entity formed to acquire AWS-3 spectrum (2155-2180 MHz) for use in a nationwide wireless broadband network.

Formerly, he served as the CFO and a managing principal for Govolution, Inc. (“Govolution”) the leading provider of electronic payment software and services to the public sector and the banking industries.  At Govolution, Chris led the company in various roles from start-up, growth, profitability and successful trade-sale to First American Payments (a Lindsay Goldberg portfolio company).

Earlier, he worked in the family investment office for John Kluge at Metromedia Company where he focused on Internet and telecommunications investments.

Chris began his career with Goldman Sachs in the North American Mergers and Acquisitions Group.

Chris is a Graduate of Florida A&M University and the University of Virginia's Darden Graduate School of Business Administration where he currently serves as a member of the Alumni Board of Trustees.

Finally, Chris is the founder of the Scholar's Club, an extracurricular academic organization focused on developing a peer culture of accomplishment and academic excellence among disadvantaged and underserved students. It has become one of Southwest Florida's premier academic organization having served nearly 100,000 students since it's founding in 1989 as a high school student.