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. **Connect with Jake:**  LinkedIn Facebook  X **Connect with Sammy:**  Instagram  LinkedIn YouTube **Become a Business MVP:** Ready to level up the way you lead, build, and grow? The Entrepreneur’s Boardroom is where ambitious business owners come together to sharpen their next move, unlock bigger opportunities, and become the MVP of their business. Join Sammy Peterson today at www.theentrepreneursboardroom.com/