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Purpose 360 • episode 139

Once a Warrior, Now a Social Entrepreneur

“You have to have a bias for action in the world if you want to do your part to make it a better place.”

    —Jake Wood

Jake Wood’s “bias for action” is indisputable: after graduating from college, he joined the Marine Corps and served two years overseas. His return to civilian life wasn’t easy. Like many veterans, Jake was faced with a loss in structure, purpose, and sense of impact. After a close friend and fellow veteran committed suicide, Jake founded non-profit Team Rubicon with a dual purpose: (1) to serve global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises, and (2) to reintegrate veterans into civilian life through opportunities to utilize military training for communities in need.

Ten years later, Jake welcomed his second daughter, who required surgery shortly after she was born, into the world. The experience sparked a new idea to empower more people to have a greater impact and sense of purpose. In 2021, Jake co-founded Groundswell, a corporate philanthropy platform that allows you to “give like Gates, be taxed like Warren Buffet, and be recognized like Rockefeller.”

We invited Jake to lead us through his purpose journey, from creating social entrepreneurship ventures to the impact your company can make through them.

Listen for insights on:

  • What to expect from venture investors
  • How companies can support and enable employees in their philanthropic giving
  • How employee-driven corporate donations drive better business outcomes
  • Advice for pursuing greater impact through social entrepreneurism

Resources + Links:

Business is an unlikely hero: a force for good working to solve society’s most pressing challenges, while boosting bottom line. This is social purpose at work. And it’s a dynamic journey.

Purpose 360 is a masterclass in unlocking the potential of social purpose to ignite business and social impact. We illuminate the growing impacts of purpose, from engaging employees and fostering deeper consumer loyalty to inspiring product innovation and increasing market share.

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