Founder & President, Operation Recovery — Summit Open & Close

Jon Collette is the Founder and President of Operation Recovery, a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring the lives of veterans, first responders, and war-impacted communities through innovative, community-based approaches to wellness and recovery. Under his leadership, Operation Recovery has operated internationally in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, and Israel, and domestically through its flagship initiative—the Heroes Wellness Collective (HWC)—a digital peer-support network designed to combat isolation, promote mental wellness, and connect veterans to trusted resources and professional care.

A 2025 George W. Bush Institute Veteran Leadership Scholar, Jon has emerged as a national advocate for moral injury research and suicide prevention. He spearheaded the Next Mission Summit with Harvard University’s Human Flourishing Program and is expanding the series to UCLA and beyond, convening leaders across the VA, academia, and veteran service organizations to drive systemic change.

Jon’s work bridges technology, public health, and service. His leadership has guided international humanitarian operations in Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Israel, as well as disaster response missions across the United States.

A former Apple professional with a background in Information Security from the University of South Florida, Jon brings an engineer’s precision and a humanitarian’s heart to his work. His mission—through Operation Recovery and the Heroes Wellness Collective—is to ensure that no veteran or first responder faces their darkest moments alone.

Principal & CEO, The Eudaemonia Group — Psychiatrist & Neurobiologist

Dr. Jonathan Sherin, Principal and CEO of The Eudaemonia Group, is a psychiatrist and neurobiologist by trade. He is a tireless advocate who serves on multiple public and private boards to advance population health, wellbeing, and connectedness in the US and abroad.

Throughout his career, he has driven wholesale systems transformation and policy reform with a “heart forward” style and the courage to speak truth to power. Having worked as a psychiatrist in the streets of LA, he believes that top-level leaders must dive into the trenches of our communities to learn from the ground up so that the grass roots can drive the grass tops and empower change.

Most recently, Dr. Sherin directed the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, the largest mental health operation in the nation. Prior to this role, Dr. Sherin was Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of Military Communities for VOA, one of our nation’s oldest and largest direct service nonprofits with operations in almost every state across the country. He also worked in the Veterans Affairs (VA) system for over a decade where he held a variety of clinical, research, teaching, and administrative leadership positions throughout the years. In his last post at the VA, Dr. Sherin directed mental health for the Miami VA Healthcare System.

Dr. Sherin has functioned in many other capacities throughout his career and takes special pride in his work helping to design a reintegration community for veterans at the West Los Angeles VA campus. This work, prompted by an ACLU lawsuit, led to a master plan for the property that was authorized by the Obama administration and is under development. He has testified to Congress on veteran suicide and homelessness and developed veteran peer programs in multiple states.

In addition to his body of work in the healthcare sector, Dr. Sherin is an accomplished brain scientist who has published in the fields of neurobiology and psychiatry. He has received international recognition for his seminal research identifying a core hypothalamic sleep-circuit (the “sleep switch”, featured in Science magazine) and received a Kempf Award from the American Psychiatric Association for his pathophysiologic model of the psychotic process in humans.

Dr. Sherin completed his undergraduate studies in neuroscience at Brown University, his graduate work at the University of Chicago and Harvard, and his psychiatry residency at UCLA. He is currently a Professor at UCLA, USC, and Roseman University Medical School, and stays connected himself as a parent, surfer, sailor, cook, and writer.

Director, Military & Veterans Affairs | United States Army

James (Jim) Zenner most recently worked for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) as a Mental Health Program Manager III, responsible for the implementation and oversight of the Veteran Peer Access Network and collaboration with VA, CalVet, and other agencies. His prior experience includes roles with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Vets Advocacy, USC’s Cohen Military Family Clinic, Volunteers of America, and more. He served active duty from 2004–2008 (Iraq deployment 2006–2007) and in the Army Reserve through 2011. He holds an MSW from USC and a BA in Psychology from St. Martin’s University.

Executive Director, UCLA Health Operation Mend

Dr. Sornborger is Executive Director for UCLA Operation Mend and co-creator/Clinical Director of its PTSD & TBI Intensive Treatment Program (an inaugural member of WWP’s Warrior Care Network). She completed an APA-accredited internship at the Greater LA VA and a UCLA postdoc in Terrorism and Disaster at the National Center for Child Traumatic Stress. She brings deep expertise in trauma-focused curricula and family-centered care and serves on the Council on Criminal Justice Veterans Justice Commission.

Professor, UCSF Dept. of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences; Mental Health Director, Post-9/11 Integrated Care Clinic (SFVAHCS)

Dr. Maguen’s clinical and research work spans PTSD, moral injury, suicide risk and resilience, with over 200 peer-reviewed publications. She has served on the VA’s COVER Commission and leads the SFVAHCS PTSD MIRECC Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. Current projects include novel treatments for veterans who have killed in war and improved screening/treatment for eating disorders in military populations.

Sara Compton is an attorney, Veteran advocate, and Gold Star spouse who encourages open, honest conversation about mental health, working to end stigma around post-traumatic stress and suicide in honor of her late husband, 1stSgt Jonathan M. Compton, USMC. She holds a B.A. in Writing from UC San Diego and a J.D. from University of San Diego School of Law, and currently practices family law at Jimenez Floyd Law Firm.

Her volunteer service spans San Diego Volunteer Lawyer’s Program, Volunteer Small Claims Mediation Services, and pro-bono support to military nonprofits, service members, and Veterans.

Director, Moral Injury Network at the Moral Compass Federation

Sean is a recently retired U.S. Army officer with multiple combat deployments and diplomatic assignments. As Director of the Moral Injury Network, he leads education, advocacy, and healing efforts, partnering with veteran organizations, universities, and community leaders to expand evidence-based therapies and peer support for those affected by moral injury.

Director of Training & Education and Clinical Advisor, Heroic Hearts

Ken is a licensed psychologist who spent nearly 20 years in the VA developing online programs for Veterans and training mental-health providers, and has held academic roles at Stanford and Northwestern. He is IPI-certified in psychedelic-assisted therapy and focuses on clinician education and access to transformative healing modalities for Veterans.

Director, Veterans and Military Families, George W. Bush Institute

Jason’s career spans combat command, teaching economics at West Point, advising the 18th CJCS, and service in the Obama and Trump White Houses (NSC). He holds an M.S. in Economics (UT Austin) and a B.S. from West Point.

Founder & President, Moral Compass Federation

Retired MSgt with 21 years of service spanning nuclear weapons, combat search & rescue aviation, and Special Operations Combat Aviation Advisor roles. Post-service he founded the Moral Compass Federation and serves on boards including Healing Hoof Steps and We Fight Monsters.

Founder & President, Gulf Coast Valor

Former Army Ranger and career Army officer (Iraq, Afghanistan) who founded Gulf Coast Valor to provide active-duty SOF with restorative, fellowship-based decompression retreats on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Executive Director & Founder, Warriors 2 Wilderness

Retired Navy Seabee and combat veteran who founded Warriors to Wilderness, a nonprofit providing therapeutic hunting and outdoor experiences that foster connection, purpose, and healing for Veterans.

Professor & Director, Military & Veteran Programs, USC

Retired U.S. Army colonel with 30+ years of service. Research focuses on military culture, trauma, transition, suicide/violence prevention, and family impacts. Fellow of APA and the National Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare; chairs/serves across NATO, NAS, and other national bodies.

CEO, Secure Measures

Former Regional Chief of Police, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (Long Beach), where he partnered across MET/MEU units to strengthen crisis intervention and suicide prevention. Founded Secure Measures, a veteran-owned global risk & security consultancy. Frequent speaker on veteran cultural competencies, suicide prevention, and threat assessment.

CEO, RN-Mentor Consulting — Consultant, LACDMVA

U.S. Navy Veteran (FMF Corpsman) and nurse leader with experience across combat trauma, emergency medicine, simulation, professional development, and policy. Chairs the LA County Veterans Suicide Review Team and leads the Veterans Suicide Prevention Community Collaborative; Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.

Founder, Agile Wellness Group — Co-Founder & Exec. Dir., The Wounded Healer Project — Senior Advisor, SONT

Combat veteran, clinician, and nonprofit leader focusing on trauma, addiction, and moral injury in military and frontline communities. A 2022 Pat Tillman Scholar, Tim’s work spans special operations, conservation anti-poaching initiatives, and research/teaching on TBI, substance use, moral injury, and Indigenous healing traditions.

National Director, Project: REBIRTH (WARRCO)

Army Veteran, former DoD contractor, survivor of homelessness and a suicide attempt, and a leader in peer-led recovery. He directs Project Rebirth, the first Warrior Recovery Community Organization, and is advancing Psychedelic-Assisted Recovery through peer support and coaching integrated with clinical practice.

Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, UCLA/Geffen; Medical Director, UCLA Operation Mend PTSD IOP

Yale and Albert Einstein alumnus; psychiatrist and neuroscientist with 90+ publications (Science, Nature, PNAS). Co-founded LA VA PTSD inpatient (1990) and outpatient (2000) programs; early work identified elevated cholesterol in veterans with PTSD. Research funded by NIH, DoD, VA, WWP, and others.

Law-enforcement leader turned nonprofit executive at On Mission Motorsports, blending off-road racing with a mission to support first responders and Veterans through healing, camaraderie, and recognition.

Director, UCLA/VA Veteran Family Wellbeing Center

Tom Babayan, MS, LMFT, directs the UCLA/VA Veteran Family Wellbeing Center, with a focus on skills-based resilience for Veteran couples and families. He pioneered tele-delivery of FOCUS and has trained hundreds of clinicians nationally and internationally.

Asst. Professor of Neurology, UCLA Operation Mend & BrainSPORT

Sports and behavioral neurologist mapping and modulating brain circuits to personalize recovery from chronic neurological symptoms. Double board-certified in Brain Injury Medicine and BNNP; co-host of “The Better Brain Podcast.”

Asst. Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, UCLA; Section Chief, Mood Disorders, GLA VA

Leads Interventional Psychiatry Service at the LA VA, advancing TMS and ketamine. Researches neuromodulation and psychedelic compounds (psilocybin, LSD, MDMA) for mood, anxiety, and PTSD; prior USMC Reserve service.

Clinical psychologist and program leader at UCLA focused on family systems and resilience in military and Veteran populations.

Veterans Yoga Project — Ohuru Yoga & Wellness

Yoga, meditation, and breathwork instructor blending Western and Eastern modalities with trauma-informed somatic practices. Facilitates science-grounded sound experiences and integrative wellness.

Executive Director, Warrior Heritage Foundation

Former U.S. Navy SEAL and Special Operations Combat Medic; leads LA County’s official nonprofit partner to the Dept. of Military & Veteran Affairs at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall, advancing transition, wellness, and civic engagement.

Principal Educator, Collective Approaches to Moral Injury Recovery (CAMIR)

Award-winning author and educator; co-author of Soul Repair and long-time leader in moral injury scholarship and recovery programming across communities.