About Us

At Mindful Mitigation Services, the Way is the Goal and we Do Hard Things. For real.

Our mission is to provide mindful, actionable guidance that transforms obstacles into opportunities, empowering small startups, entrepreneurs, and growing businesses to thrive.

We’re led by Matt Szundy, a dynamic entrepreneur with over 28 years of leadership experience in adventure eco-tourism, film production, and high-stakes consulting. Matt’s journey began with the founding of Ascending Path LLC (www.ascendingpath.com) in 1995, an Alaskan adventure-tourism company that he and his wife Heather grew to over $3 million in annual revenue, managing a team of 17-20 employees and 34 vendors before successfully exiting to a venture capital firm in 2022. 

His passion for showcasing Alaska’s wilderness also fueled the creation of Glacier Film Productions LLC (www.glacierfilmproductions.com) in 2010, where, as the State of Alaska Film Representative, he secured contracts generating over $2 million in revenue, supporting high-profile projects like Universal Pictures’ Everybody Loves Whales, StarTrek and BBC Natural History documentaries.

Matt’s expertise extends beyond entrepreneurship. As a Prime Contractor and Subject Matter Expert for Mitigation Services LLC, he has secured and executed two consecutive 5-year contracts (2015-2025) with the U.S. Navy SEALs, providing specialized climbing training in the austere environment of Kodiak Island, Alaska. His work in risk management and operational excellence earned him the Antarctic Service Medal for leading 14 science and safety projects with Raytheon and the National Science Foundation in Antarctica from 2003 to 2006. With a BA in Philosophy from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, complemented by studies in Cognitive Sciences at the University of Queensland and the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program at Babson College, Matt brings a unique blend of strategic thinking and practical know-how to every business endeavor.

Today, Matt channels his extensive experience into Mindful Mitigation Services, offering tactical solutions for small startups and entrepreneurs, primarily in bend, Oregon. Matt’s hands-on approach—gathering info, analyzing, prioritizing, developing solutions, and executing—ensures clients build strong, efficient foundations and the self-confidence to thrive.

As a bootstrapped startup entrepreneur who first hand coded a website in 1995, Matt leverages his technological experience in web development, sales channels, marketing, federal contracting, and AI tools like ChatGPT and Grok to solve complex challenges. His global perspective, shaped by travel to over 30 countries, earning Eagle Scout Rank and volunteer work with organizations like Challenge Alaska, Scouting America and the Himalayan Light Foundation, underscores his commitment to adaptability, teamwork, leadership and impactful mentorship. 

Presently Matt is working as a paid dedicated mentor for a small business startup incubator Bend Outdoor Worx (www.bendoutdoorworx.com), supporting outdoor-focused entrepreneurs in Central Oregon.

Contact us to see how Matt and Mindful Mitigation Services can help you thrive!