Jake Wood

Jake Wood is the president of Team Rubicon, the organization he co-founded following the massive earthquake in Haiti. Less than 96 hours after the disaster, Wood and four fellow marines were in Port-au-Prince, helping conduct medical triage clinics. Over the next two weeks, the group of volunteers grew to more than 60 people and included both marines and medical professionals. Team Rubicon was created, and it unites the unique skills of America’s returning veterans with the expertise of medical professionals. Repeatedly told that working in Haiti was too dangerous, Wood ignored the critics and realized that the brave and decisive soldiers the military creates could fill an existing hole in disaster relief management. Now, Team Rubicon helps rebuild all over the world, including in Haiti, Alabama, Pakistan, and the Sudan.

Wood’s story embodies the American spirit of service and ingenuity. Energetic and with a solid sense of humor, he addresses social entrepreneurship, leadership, strategy, the power of military service, the issues that face our returning heroes, disaster relief, and volunteerism in a powerful yet light-hearted way. He is exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau.

Social Entrepreneurship and Veteran Advocacy. Through his combat experiences as a marine, Wood discovered that he and other vets have developed the perfect skills for service in crisis situations outside of war. Through Team Rubicon, he provides a role for our 1.8 million veterans to respond to natural disasters throughout the world, engaging a great untapped national resource and offering meaning and a purpose to our nation’s returning heroes. Of the more than 1,200 nonprofits that focus on veterans’ issues, Team Rubicon is one of the few that focuses on providing more than charity. Wood is also a member of veteran-focused committees and has published articles related to veteran advocacy and disaster response in outlets such as The Huffington Post and Foreign Policy.

Military Background. Prior to Team Rubicon, Wood served four years in the United States Marine Corps. He was the honor graduate of his platoon in boot camp and graduated at the top of his class at the Camp Pendleton School of Infantry. In 2007, he deployed to Iraq’s Anbar Province as a fire team leader. Following an IED blast in which his squad leader was severely wounded, Wood was combat meritoriously promoted to corporal and made squad leader. Following his tour, Wood was awarded the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal with “V” for valor in the face of the enemy.

Upon returning from Iraq, Wood was offered a spot in the prestigious Scout-Sniper Platoon. He attended the training and graduated at the top of his class as the Jim Gulardi Award recipient. In 2008, he deployed to Afghanistan’s Helmand Valley. There, he earned multiple commendations for his actions. Wood finished his career as an instructor at the Pre Scout Sniper Course in Camp Pendleton and retired from the Marine Corps as a sergeant.

Education, Athletics, and Awards. On a full athletic scholarship, he played football for the University of Wisconsin Badgers was twice selected to the Academic All-Big Ten football team. In 2010, his alma matter awarded him with its “Forward Under Forty” Award. Wood was also the winner of GQ’s “Better Men Better World” search.