Jake Wood lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two daughters. When he's not chasing the loves of his life through the sand he is the founder and CEO of Groundswell, a new stealth startup launching in Q4 2021. Additionally, he remains the Executive Chairman of Team Rubicon, a global nonprofit he co-founded in 2010.
Additionally, Wood writes and speaks frequently on topics of leadership, organizational culture, and social issues. He is a sought after media voice and has appeared on every major network and cable news program.
He and his wife love to travel, and have stamped their passports in over sixty countries. You can follow their adventures on Instagram.
Get Jake's Memoir -
On Sale Now
Jake Wood, Team Rubicon receive Pat Tillman award for service | 2018 ESPYS | ESPN
Wood's work with Team Rubicon
In 2010, following four years in the Marine Corps, Wood organized a team of veterans and doctors to head to Haiti following the devastating earthquake.
After several weeks running medical triage clinics in Port-au-Prince, Wood and his cofounder, William McNulty, returned to the States and incorporated the effort as a nonprofit - Team Rubicon.
Under Wood's leadership, Team Rubicon has become one of America's most celebrated nonprofit organizations. A decade into its work, Team Rubicon has over 125,000 volunteers, responded to disasters in over 700 communities, and raised nearly $250 million for its work.
In addition to its impact on the ground, Team Rubicon is widely known for its innovation and unique culture. The organization was named the "Top Nonprofit to Work For in America" by Nonprofit Times, and has twice been an Inc. Best Places to Work honoree.
Read more about Team Rubicon on its website.
Wood's time in
the Marine Corps
Jake Wood joined the Marine Corps in 2005 after graduating from the University of Wisconsin. Despite having his degree, Jake opted to enlist into the infantry as a private. Jake graduated at the top of his class at Boot Camp, the School of Infantry, and Marine Scout-Sniper School. His unit, the 2nd Battalion - 7th Marine Regiment, deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan, suffering some of the highest casualties of any unit during both time periods. Following his tour in Iraq, Wood was awarded the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal with valor for actions taken against the enemy in combat. He received a combat meritorious promotion to the rank of corporal before leaving the Marine Corps as a sergeant.
But before
all that...
Jake grew up in Bettendorf, Iowa in a loving family with two amazing parents and three sisters. While he always had a desire to join the military, Jake instead accepted an athletic scholarship to play football at the University of Wisconsin. On the team for four years, Jake earned two varsity letters as an offensive tackle and was twice named to the BigTen's Academic All-Conference team. He graduated in 2005 with a double major in business and political science. Inspired by the actions of former NFL star Pat Tillman, Wood enlisted in the Marine Corps shortly after graduation.
In 2011 Wood was invited back to campus to give the university's commencement speech. You can watch it here.
Awards & Recognition
Jake is most proud of the awards and recognition bestowed upon Team Rubicon since 2010. The organization has been recognized as a top nonprofit to work for four times by the Nonprofit Times, coming in #1 in the county in 2016. Inc. Magazine has twice name TR a "Best Places" to work. Additionally, Team Rubicon has been recognized by its industry peers - being named "Volunteer Organization of the Year" by both the NVOAD and International Association of Emergency Managers.
In 2018, Jake received the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the ESPYs and his acceptance speech was widely shared across the internet. Jake has also received the Heinz Award, the Grinnell Prize, and the Great American Patriot Award, among others. He has been named to lists such as Goldman Sachs' "100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs" and Town & Country Magazine's "Fifty People" disrupting philanthropy.
Most importantly, he was named 2019's "World's Okayest Dad," a title he hopes to retain.
Jake Wood accepts Pat Tillman Award for Service | 2018 ESPYS | ESPN
