Jake Wood: From Marine Sniper to Building a $250 Million Nonprofit | E20

Jake Wood went from playing college football to serving as a Marine sniper, then built a disaster response organization that raised nearly $250 million. After 11 years, he walked away from the very organization he'd created. What makes a founder leave at the height of their success?

In this episode, Jake joins Sammy to share how a spontaneous trip to earthquake-stricken Haiti became Team Rubicon, one of America's largest veteran-led nonprofits. He opens up about the fundraising struggles that nearly bankrupted the organization, the role of ego in leadership, and his decision to start over with Groundswell, a venture-backed company that faced its own unexpected challenges.

In this episode, Sammy and Jake discuss: 

(04:07) The Accidental Birth of Team Rubicon

(10:16) The Long Road to $250 Million

(15:34) When Founders Become Their Own Biggest Obstacle

(18:16) The Leadership Lessons He Hadn't Learned Yet

(20:06) A $15 Million Bet That Nearly Backfired

(25:37) Why Investors Were Willing to Bet Millions

(28:42) Losing His NFL Dream to a Future Hall of Famer

(32:33) The Pat Tillman Story That Changed His Life

(36:19) The Danger of Waiting Until You're Ready

(40:46) The Business Case for Doing Good

(44:15) The Responsibility Every Great Leader Has

Jake Wood is a former Wisconsin Badgers football player, Marine Corps veteran, and co-founder of Team Rubicon, a disaster response nonprofit that has mobilized hundreds of thousands of volunteers. After serving as CEO for 11 years, he stepped down to launch Groundswell, a venture-backed corporate philanthropy platform. Jake is also the author of Take Command and Once a Warrior, and a recipient of the Pat Tillman Award for Service.

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