Drexel Hamilton was founded in 2007 by Lawrence Doll with the aim of giving employment opportunities to military veterans who had difficulties finding them in civilian life.

[2][3][4][5][6][7] Doll was a disabled veteran who served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and is a two-time Purple Heart recipient.

[4] The start was initially difficult, but Doll met James Cahill for lunch in New York and hired him on the spot which eventually helped improve business.

[2] Doll is also a co-founder of the Wall Street Warfighters Foundation, a nonprofit group that finds candidates for banking careers and subsidizes a portion of their training at Drexel Hamilton.

[2] Eligible candidates are veterans that have passed background checks, completed their military obligations, received an honorable discharge and have demonstrated an interest in finance.