Jay Kopelman

From his early days, Jay Kopelman has been dedicated to defending and supporting those in need. His professional journey spans over two decades in the Marine Corps, a tenure at a non-profit organization, and a shift towards healthcare innovation focused on enhancing patient outcomes. As a retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel, Kopelman has been intimately involved in combat and training roles, including significant deployments to Iraq where he trained Iraqi Special Forces.

Currently, Jay Kopelman works as a client success executive at AirStrip, where he continues to employ innovative technologies to improve healthcare delivery. This role is a continuation of his previous work with Janssen Healthcare Innovation, where he led initiatives in cardiac rehabilitation using novel technological solutions to reduce hospital readmission rates at institutions like the VA Medical Center in San Francisco and the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine in La Jolla, CA.

Kopelman's military career began in the US Navy in 1985 as a Naval Aviator trainee before transferring to the Marine Corps in 1992. His service included roles as a forward air controller and earning his gold naval parachutist wings. His notable assignments include Special Operations Forces Liaison Officer for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force in Iraq, where he played a pivotal role during the intense conflicts in Fallujah. He ended his military tenure as the Deputy Director for advisor training at Camp Pendleton.

Kopelman has made significant contributions to public discourse through frequent appearances on television networks to discuss military and veterans' issues and through his writing. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller "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". His advocacy extends to his involvement on the Advisory Board of the Virtual Reality Medical Center, leveraging simulation technology to treat veterans with PTSD. He is also active in supporting veterans through programs like the Challenged Athletes Foundation's Operation Rebound.

As a speaker, Kopelman addresses critical topics such as leadership in challenging situations, the impacts of PTSD, and the broader challenges that veterans face upon returning from combat. His insights not only draw from his battlefield experiences but also from his roles in non-profits and healthcare innovation, aiming to provide comprehensive strategies to support and improve the lives of veterans.