Jay Kopelman [Lieutenant Colonel, USMC (Retired)] is the executive director of Mission Within Foundation. He has dedicated his adult life to helping others: first, as an officer of Marines for 21 years; then as the executive director of a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting wounded service members and their families; as a health care innovation leader seeking improved patient outcomes; and as a business advisor to veteran entrepreneurs. As a combat veteran, Jay understands the importance of, and continually strives to demonstrate, compassion for those who have suffered misfortune, trauma, or loss. The recipient of a scholarship for psychedelic therapy to treat his PTSD and TBI, he is now an evangelist for this therapy and is helping to lead the effort to bring psychedelic therapy and research to other veterans who have experienced severe traumas as a result of their combat or personal experiences.

Jay has authored two books, The New York Times and international bestselling memoir, “From Baghdad, With Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava” and “From Baghdad to America: Life After War for a Marine and His Rescued Dog.”

An avid outdoorsman, jiu jitsu competitor, surfer, and skier, Jay is the father to a son and lives in Swan Valley, ID, and San Diego, CA. He has a Master of Arts degree in healthcare leadership from the University of California, San Diego.