About us

Amber has a history of fixing, building, and tenaciously seeking solutions to complex challenges. After meeting her husband Marcus at Southern Illinois University, she spent over a decade supporting his military career as a U.S. Navy SEAL.

As her own personal and professional life began to unravel upon Marcus’ separation from the military, Amber became determined not to become a victim, but rather to pursue victory for her own family, as well as countless others. Amber has successfully built and led the VETS organization from a grassroots movement into a nationally recognized nonprofit organization. Her strategic approach, keen intuition, and knack for team building have been key components in assisting 1000+ veterans, raising over $14MM, adding to the growing body of psychedelic research, and successfully advocating for policy change across the U.S.

Amber is a devoted wife and mother, admires strong leadership, and is fiercely principled and deeply passionate about issues facing veteran families. She possesses a heart for serving others and a steadfast determination to make a difference.

Alecia has spent the last twenty years crafting polished corporate campaigns, immersive event themes, and experiential activations. Her passion extends beyond creativity - she is committed to honoring and supporting our servicemen and women, recognizing their sacrifices as the foundation of our freedoms.

She is deeply honored to help amplify VETS’ mission - a mission with the power to change the world.

Outside of work, Alecia embraces adventure, traveling with her horses to compete and continuously push the limits of her craft. Whether through marketing or horsemanship, she finds joy in storytelling, craftsmanship, and the relentless pursuit of helping others.

Davi has worked extensively in the operational support and delivery of psychedelics in both clinical and retreat contexts. He has been with VETS since its founding, where he oversees project delivery and the development of back-end systems for the organization. Since 2015, Davi has helped psychedelic medicine centers with program development and project management. He assisted in the launch of the first veteran-focused psychedelic center in the field, The Mission Within. Previously, he worked with an addiction treatment center focused on the clinical application of ibogaine, and he has also served as operations manager for a retreat center focused on the ceremonial use of iboga.

Davi is honored to contribute to this profound mission of healing and self-actualization. He is based in San Diego, California and received a B.S. in Supply Chain Management and a B.A. in Sustainability from Arizona State University.

With more than 32 years as a visionary technology leader, Russ has focused the past 13 years architecting and building solutions on the Salesforce platform.  In his pursuit to use his years of experience to help an organization on a mission, he joined the VETS mission in 2024 and is honored to serve the veterans who served this great nation.  Russ lives in east Texas with his wife, daughter, and son.

Kristopher Ray Bolleter is a multifaceted creative with over a decades experience crafting brands and conversion-focused online experiences across a number of industries from small businesses to Fortune 500 organizations and political campaigns local to presidential. Kristopher’s custom-tailored approach to developing personalized, data-driven strategies allows every client to standout and materialize their brand’s vision and goals.

Brad Burge earned his B.A. in Communication and Psychology from Stanford University in 2005 and his M.A. in Communication from the University of California, San Diego in 2009. He was Director of Communications for the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) from 2011 to 2020, where he engaged daily with audiences around the world to enhance public knowledge about psychedelic research. He also directed the Psychedelic Science conferences in 2013 and 2017, which at the time were the largest psychedelic conferences in history. In 2020, Brad founded Integration Communications , a public relations firm dedicated to the psychedelic industry, which serves a wide range of clients in the growing field, and serves as Director of Public Relations for VETS.

Brad is passionate about finding better ways for humans to work with the pharmaceutical and digital communications technologies of the 21st century. When he’s not plugged in, you’ll find him in the mountains, carrying a backpack, somewhere down a long trail.

With over 12 years in online business management and administrative support, Brittany thrives as an Executive Assistant at VETS. She specializes in meticulous calendar management and operational efficiency, leveraging her expertise to support passion-driven businesses. Brittany’s commitment to VETS is deeply personal, stemming from her husband’s service as an Army veteran and former crew chief. Her certifications in Neurolinguistic Programming, Hypnotherapy, and Life Coaching allow her to provide holistic support, addressing both operational and personal growth aspects.

Based in Boise, Idaho with her son, husband, and two dogs, Brittany is committed to fostering an organized, nurturing environment that empowers veterans and their families, aligning operational excellence with whole-person wellness.

Lori has a doctorate in Counseling and Psychological Studies with a concentration in Trauma and Crisis Counseling, a Masters in Marriage and Family Counseling, and undergraduate degrees in Psychology, Animal Science, and Agricultural Business Management. She is a certified psychedelic integration coach and has advanced training in psychological first aid and recovery, disaster behavioral health, child sexual abuse risk reduction, and supporting military children with traumatic grief. As an educational advocate, Lori provided educational testing, tutoring, specialized therapies, and advocacy for hundreds of Naval Special Warfare families. Prior roles include co-owner and Chief Operating Officer of an established commercial real estate development company; Controller of an automotive upholstery manufacturer supplying General Motors; and Interior Decorator and founder of an art and antiques franchise.

Breanna Crenshaw is a military spouse and Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a background in crisis stabilization, trauma-informed care, grief and loss counseling, and treating root vulnerabilities. Breanna has been in the mental health field since 2014 and began focusing her career on Veteran suicide prevention and innovative programming in 2021.  Breanna has a passion for holistic healing and creating lasting change. Breanna is a 200hr Registered Yoga Teacher and enjoys involving somatic interventions in her clinical work.

She lives at 8,000 feet in a small mountain neighborhood in Utah where she and her family enjoy solitude, nature, and outdoor activities.

Logan Davidson is a legislative and political staffer with bipartisan experience at the state and federal level. He served as Legislative Director and Chief of Staff for Representative Alex Dominguez, where he shepherded Texas’ historic psychedelic medicine law, HB 1802, to passage and implementation. He leads local education and advocacy efforts for psychedelic medicine in Texas as Executive Director of Texans for Greater Mental Health. 

Logan is a military family member with a dedicated passion for ending the Veteran suicide epidemic. He received a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Political Science from Texas Tech University and completed his MBA at the University of North Texas.

Stacy Fiske joined VETS in 2023 as the Chief Operating Officer.  Stacy is a dynamic executive with more than 25 years of experience in driving business transformation, improving operational performance, and leading organizations to embrace new ideas, processes, products, and strategies.  

Stacy graduated with a Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of San Diego in 1997 and became licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in 1999.  Prior roles include Manager of Assurance Services with one of the Big 4 accounting firms; Vice President and Director of Product Management and Marketing Strategy with a top 10 financial services company; Director of Sales Strategy – Business Services for a leading e-commerce company; and Owner/CEO of a health and wellness company.

Stacy also has 13 years of experience serving on the Board of Directors for two local non-profit organizations in the San Diego area. 

Stacy is married to a retired Navy SEAL Mustang who served for 23 years before retiring in 2017.  Together, they have 5 children and live in the San Diego, California area. Stacy is passionate about the VETS mission as she has seen first-hand how the organization has impacted Veterans and their families in the Special Operations community.

Kristen’s journey into philanthropy started early, driven by a genuine desire to make a difference. After earning her Bachelor’s Degree, she fell into international humanitarian work with Save the Children. This hands-on experience opened her eyes to the tough realities of poverty and conflict worldwide, reinforcing her commitment to a career in the nonprofit sector.

For the past 18 years, Kristen has been a dedicated force in the nonprofit world, bringing her expertise in administration, emergency response, leadership, and program management. After a period focusing on raising her children while her husband served, she pursued a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management from Northeastern University, staying connected to the field she loves.

Alongside her professional path, Kristen spent over 13 years deeply involved in the military community. She supported her husband through his service as a Marine and later as a Navy SEAL, managing the challenges of family life with their three young children during his military career.

Now living in Texas with her family, Kristen is deeply passionate about VETS’ mission. Having seen the significant impact the organization has had on veterans and her own life, she is fully committed to supporting and advancing its cause.

Joining VETS in 2024 as Director of Marketing and Communications, Victoria brings more than 12 years experience in digital marketing, graphic design, content strategy, brand management, and funnel optimization. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Westfield State University in Westfield, Massachusetts - her home state. Her professional background includes a diverse mix of in-house marketing roles in the non-profit sector, real estate industry, with service companies, and with local government. Nowadays, Victoria is passionate about helping organizations execute smart strategy, produce stellar content, and leverage their unique creative edge to achieve goals. As a proud partner to a military service member, and with friends + family in the veteran community, her connection to VETS’ mission goes beyond the marketing.

Khurshid has served as VETS’ External Legal Counsel since its founding. He has advised VETS on matters including: US controlled substances laws; First Amendment rights to advocate for access to psychedelics; the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and FDA regulations; VETS’ grant program; informed consent, professional licensing and the qualification of providers; general corporate and contract law; and drug policy reform—including laws and voter initiatives decriminalizing and expanding access to plant medicines. Khurshid is passionate about advancing VETS’ mission. As a dedicated father, he prays his service to VETS will help to relieve the suffering of other parents, children and families who have already sacrificed for the defense of our nation, and aid VETS in averting future tragedies from the veteran suicide epidemic. 

Khurshid is principal of Greenbridge Corporate Counsel, P.C., a law firm established in 2012 to advance the reform of drug laws, and currently serves as Chair Emeritus of the Board of Directors of the National Cannabis Industry Association. He holds a J.D. from the UC Berkeley School of Law, an M.A. in International Relations from The University of Chicago, and a B.A. in Political Science from DePaul University.

When first contacted by Amber and Marcus, Marty started with a question: “You want to do what!?” He then guided VETS through the IRS application process to secure its tax exempt status. He serves as VETS’ outside general counsel.

Marty’s practice focuses on providing legal and board training services for nonprofit and tax exempt organizations. He is a BoardSource Certified Governance Consultant and frequent speaker on nonprofit organizations. Marty combines his unique combination of a lawyer’s skills, a nonprofit practitioner’s experience, and advanced training in nonprofit organizations to help these groups achieve their mission. Prior to establishing his firm he served as a North Carolina assistant district attorney and clerked for a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

Marty served on the Internal Revenue Service’s Advisory Committee for Tax Exempt and Government Entities (ACT) where he advised the IRS Exempt Organization
Division’s senior leadership and co-authored several reports. He received the IRS Commissioner’s Commendation Award - the service’s highest civilian award.

Martin received a Master in Public Administration (MPA) degree with a concentration in managing nonprofit and public sector organization from the Harvard Kennedy School, his Juris Doctorate (JD) law degree from the Western New England University School of Law, and his Bachelor of Arts (BA) in History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Isabel McKenzie joined VETS in mid-2022 as the Director of Development. With more than 15 years of experience building philanthropic support for nonprofits, Isabel is excited to advance the work of VETS through the strategic engagement of individuals, foundations, and organizations. She became familiar with the power of VETS when a family member greatly benefitted as a participant. Prior to joining VETS, she spent nearly a decade as a fundraiser at the University of Denver managing their principal gifts program. She has also worked for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Denver Botanic Gardens. 

Isabel has an undergraduate degree in history from Colorado College and a MS in organizational leadership from the University of Denver. She lives in Colorado with her husband and their one-year-old twins.

Lauren Myers is both a veteran and a military spouse. Retiring after 21 years, she spent half of her career as an Air Force pilot including flying the C-5 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. She is married to a former Navy SEAL who served on multiple deployments during OIF/OEF. Lauren has a passion for helping veterans and their families and is honored to be a part of the change VETS is making. She lives in California with her husband and 2 daughters.

With more than 15 years in project and account management within retail, commercial and residential sectors Ashley Joins VETS to share her organizational and project management skills. Growing up next to Pensacola’s NAS base, Ashley developed a deep respect and appreciation for our country’s service men and women at a young age and remains passionate about supporting the VETS mission.

Dylan Orion developed his research skills at the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research where he co-facilitated and managed psychedelic clinical trials. He designed and oversees the VETS Wellbeing Assessment program, a longitudinal evaluation of all grant recipients using cutting edge diagnostic tools. Additionally, Dylan spearheaded novel research into belief changes associated with psychedelics and special operators. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and leads the Integrative Arts Collective, which is dedicated to providing accessible wellness programming to the community. The collective integrates psychedelic theory with established wellness modalities to enhance community growth and expansion.

Halley Reitz is the Marketing Coordinator at VETS, Inc., where she supports the marketing department by executing marketing strategies, creating content, and managing social media accounts. With over five years of experience in the industry, Halley excels at helping brands find their unique voice and establish meaningful connections with their audience. She has worked with notable franchises of brands such as Ford and SERVPRO, driving successful campaigns and enhancing brand presence.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Halley enjoys reading, practicing watercolors, and participating in CrossFit. These hobbies reflect her creativity, dedication, and commitment to personal growth, which she brings to both her personal and professional life.

Eric Smith (Moose) is passionate about the benefits that psychedelic medicine provides to our world. Moose is a former Navy SEAL and is currently a Certified Psychedelic Integration Coach. He is a devoted coach and mentor for veterans seeking transformative healing. He lives in Southern California with his wife and three sons.

Aymie Spitzer is a visual designer working with purpose-driven organizations and brands to create, develop and grow their narratives, and make meaningful connections with their audience. With a passion for cultivating culture in rural communities, Aymie has helped create a community of creativity and collaboration for young entrepreneurs and startups.

Kelliis a seasoned marketer and entrepreneur with a passion for building brands that make an impact. With over 15 years of experience, she has led creative marketing strategies across industries, from fitness and wellness to SaaS. As the founder of LFT Wellness, she has spent more than a decade shaping a community-driven fitness brand focused on strength, longevity, and performance.

Beyond business, she is deeply connected to the veteran community as the wife of an active-duty Navy SEAL, an advocate for military families, and a dedicated mother. Her work blends marketing expertise with a personal mission to support those who serve.

At her core, she believes in the power of community, resilience, and bold ideas.

Chris Thompson served most of his time in the Army as a Green Beret in 3rd Special Forces Group. After his time in the military, Chris worked as a contractor, still deploying, in support of Special Operations for the next several years. Altogether, he conducted seven combat deployments and was decorated with the Bronze Star for Valor, two additional Bronze Stars, and has also been awarded the Congressional Veteran Commendation. Prior to coming to VETS, Chris has been heavily involved in the veteran non-profit space for more than eight years. There he has served in a variety of different roles, most of which have centered around engaging the veteran community. He is passionate about serving veterans, especially the Special Operations community, and is passionate about the healing benefits plant medicines can offer. Chris lives in central Texas with his wife and son.

DaisyMae is the Marketing Manager at VETS, where she leads the charge on email campaigns and digital strategy, helping bring the VETS mission to life online. In 2019, she founded DazeMarie Marketing, a boutique digital marketing firm focused on lifestyle, wellness, and psychedelic therapy. Her clients span an impressive range—from clinics and researchers to nonprofits, medspas, medical offices, therapists, and more worldwide. Driven by a deep passion for helping others, DaisyMae is proud to play a role in amplifying VETS’ message and impact. She holds a B.A. in Communications and Global Studies from Hofstra University and earned a certification in U.S. Government from Harvard.

Beyond her professional world, DaisyMae finds joy in fitness, cooking, literature, traveling, and creative projects of all kinds. When she’s not championing the future of psychedelic therapy, you’ll find her immersed in the bridal industry as a freelance makeup artist and dress consultant. She lives in New Jersey with her husband.

A passionate professional with a strong background in community building, project management, and creative strategy. With years of experience in social media, content creation, and digital marketing, she’s the face behind VETS’ social media engagement. Originally from Brazil, Daffny’s lived in California for many years, giving her a global perspective and the ability to adapt to diverse environments. She holds certifications from UC Berkeley and Stanford University, and is constantly seeking for more knowledge in her personal and professional life.

In addition to her career, she’s deeply involved in social and environmental causes, having worked on projects in regions such as the United States, Central America, and the Amazon. She’s passionate about literature, creative thinking, and the study of the human mind.

Kristin Watkins, CMP, has worked with VETS since their inaugural fundraising gala in 2021. With over 20 years of experience managing nonprofit events, she has successfully raised millions of dollars for nonprofit organizations nationwide. Known for her meticulous planning and infectious enthusiasm, she is dedicated to creating impactful events that not only achieve fundraising goals but also foster meaningful connections between organizations and their supporters. Kristin is the author of Fundraising Fuel: How to Plan, Execute and Maximize Impact on Your Next Nonprofit Event, a comprehensive guide for nonprofit professionals.

A proud member of a multi-generational military family, Kristin is deeply committed to the VETS mission. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she is an avid traveler, having explored 19 countries and all 50 U.S. States.

Erika Bennett, MA, LMFT, CFRC is a psychedelic integration coach, somatic psychotherapist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and a Certified First Responder Counselor with private practices in Los Angeles, CA and Nashville, TN.  She earned her masters degree in Somatic Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco and is certified from the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Sciences (MAPS) for MDMA-Assisted Therapy. 

In addition to being a life long athlete in both individual and team based sports, Erika has also been a yoga teacher, as well as a practitioner of Reiki, meditation, and breath work.  She has a decade of experience working with and studying psychedelics and entheogens.

Erika has always been passionate about working with veterans along the healing path.  While becoming a  therapist, she volunteered at the San Francisco VA hospital in the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center.  Now, again, she is honored to serve those who have served her, her family, and this country as a VETS Integration Coach.

Mia Black began working in the psychedelic healing field when, like so many others have experienced, these profoundly powerful medicines transformed her life through deep healing and spiritual awakening. With a background in clinical psychology, she pivoted away from offering talk therapy to dedicate herself entirely to the path of psychedelic healing. Since the early days of VETS she has had the honor of working with many retired service members and spouses. Mia is extremely grateful to be doing such rewarding and interesting work, helping already-incredible people to become the best possible versions of themselves.

Steph Bryce is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She is passionate about guiding people to finding their true selves and to meeting their goals, whatever they may be. Throughout her 13 years of practice, she has provided individual, group, and family counseling in various settings along with education for communities and various groups. Her areas of expertise lie in trauma and addiction.

Camille is a psychedelic integration coach and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been passionate about psychedelic medicine since 2014. She is trained in 5-MeO-DMT, LSD, psilocybin, and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. She has extensive experience in supporting folks going through psychedelic journeys, and is currently working on numerous psychedelic clinical research trials. Before this, she spent time working in England, Germany, and Tennessee as a therapist for the military. Camille feels very blessed and honored to be a part of the VETS organization in helping those who have served our country.

Andrew Linares is psychedelic coach and therapist in private practice in Boulder, CO. In addition to working as a sub-investigator for the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) researching MDMA-assisted therapy for the treatment of PTSD, he has also facilitated veterans retreats outside of the United States.

Andrew is honored and humbled to be serving the veteran community through psychedelic coaching. He has first-hand experience of the transformational potential of psychedelic medicines and believes in the critical importance of fostering healing for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Dr. Andrea Lucie has a Ph.D. in Mind Body Medicine. For the past 25 years she has worked for the Department of Defense including at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Bethesda, the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE), Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC), and The Marcus Institute for Brain Health at the University of Colorado. 

Andrea grew up in the south of Chile and at the hills of the Andes mountains. She learned from childhood the value of traditional medicine while observing her grandparents perform traditional healing rituals. Her knowledge is drawn from traditional educational institutions in the US as well as from mentors from the Lakota community and Mexican healers. 

Andrea has specialized in the holistic treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. An advocate for integrated medicine and a holistic approach to healing, she is also certified holistic yoga teacher, a recreational therapist, and a Reiki Master. Her experience includes trauma sensitive yoga, tai chi, meditation, mind body medicine, shamanic healing, and martial arts. She has been featured in several publications, including the National Journal, U.S. Medicine: The Voice of Federal Medicine, and FIGHT magazine for her work on post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. 

Following her desire to continue her service to the military community, Andrea moved to Mexico to facilitate sacred medicine retreats in Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica. Honoring the sacredness of the medicine, she has worked with traditional healers from Peru, Brazil and Mexico. Now she is a full-time retreat organizer, facilitator, and coach.

Jennifer Packett MOT OTR/L, MA is a psychedelic integration and life coach with over 25 years experience working with entheogenic medicines.  She is passionate about helping people awaken to their true self.  She has a Masters degree in Spiritual Psychology with specialization in Consciousness, Health and Healing.  She also has advanced coaching training in “The Three Principles” and Soul-centered Coaching; and holds certifications in Tantric sexual healing, Reiki, and Myofascial release.  She is a licensed Occupational Therapist with 23 years experience working in Acute Rehabilitation where she offers a unique holistic approach helping her patients heal on physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels.

She loves backcountry skiing, pickleball tennis, hiking, triathlons, and spending time with her husband, friends and her beloved dog.  Her greatest joy is helping people experience true happiness and deep life fulfillment.

Lauren Trecosta is a Psychotherapist and Integration Coach specializing in work with veterans and their partners to maximize the healing potential of psychedelic-assisted therapy. She has been a therapist for 20+ years and has completed training from the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) for psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Lauren works with clients before, during, and after their healing journeys. Before a journey, Lauren helps clients know what to expect and to develop a clear mindset and intentions. When she is present during a healing journey, she provides a calming, safe presence and guides clients toward inner healing intelligence. After the healing journey, Lauren helps clients integrate their psychedelic experiences into insight and the practical aspects of everyday life.

Lauren has in-depth experience with a broad range of life situations and presenting issues, including trauma / PTSD, adult survivors of child abuse, anxiety disorders, depression, addiction, personality disorders including bi-polar disorder, and couples issues. Lauren believes that each person has the power and wisdom to transform their life and that psychedelic-assisted therapy is a powerful resource to do so.

Lindsey is a well trained and seasoned preparation and integration coach, kambö practitioner, and certified kundalini yoga teacher. She retired her psychotherapy license in 2022 (after 18 years) to focus on coaching and exploring new endeavors.

In Lindsey’s years as a therapist, she worked extensively with individuals, couples, and families utilizing internal family systems theory, Jungian theory, and EMDR. She earned a certificate in psychedelic assisted therapy and research through the California Institute of Integral Studies in 2018, which included training in MAPS MDMA-Assisted Therapy protocol. She also earned a certificate in ketamine assisted psychotherapy from Phil Wolfson, MD (editor of the Ketamine Papers). She subsequently practiced ketamine therapy for three years and also conducted a pilot research study with Dr. Brent Turnipseed on the combined effects of ketamine and EMDR, which they presented at the 2019 Kriya conference in San Francisco. 

Lindsey also founded the first therapeutic ibogaine integration center (Root Recovery, PLLC) in the US, which she ran from 2012-2022. In her coaching practice, she guides individuals in identifying practices that help them align mind and body (head and heart). In this way, the plant medicine journey becomes a truly healing experience that leads one back to their innate wholeness. 

Lindsey practices within legal and ethical guidelines of the coaching discipline, which is differs from psychotherapy in that it focuses on generative change rather than reparative and/or diagnostically guided change.

Marcus Capone is the Co-Founder and CEO of TARA Mind, a public benefit corporation whose mission is to expand safe and equitable access to psychedelic assisted therapy for anyone struggling with a mental health condition. Since its founding in 2022, TARA Mind has built a premier network of licensed therapists and integrative clinics working with psychedelic medicine and is actively recruiting employers to add the TARA Mind Provider Network as a supplemental benefit to employees’ health plans. 

Marcus is also the Chairman and Co-Founder of VETS: Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions, a pioneering 501(c)(3) organization that provides resources, research, and advocacy for U.S. Special Operations veterans seeking alternative mental health treatments. As a global leader in the psychedelic space, VETS has raised over $14MM to provide therapeutic access abroad to hundreds of veterans, while also spearheading research and policy change at the state and federal levels in the U.S. Marcus is a frequent guest speaker and advocate of psychedelic therapies for veterans and non-veterans alike, and believes they are the future of mental healthcare. 

Marcus started his career in finance at Merrill Lynch, later becoming a Vice President at Fortress Investment Group focused on Healthcare Innovation. He went on to co-found a boutique risk management consulting firm that eventually merged with a large government contractor. His clients included leading U.S. and international businesses and high-profile executives.

A Veteran Navy SEAL, Marcus retired from active duty in 2013, after several tours at SEAL Teams 10 and 6, and as an Advanced SEAL Instructor. 

Marcus attended Southern Illinois University on scholarship, playing quarterback for the SIU Salukis. He received his MBA from The University of Southern California Marshall Business School, in addition to a graduate degree in Global Leadership from The University of San Diego Knauss School of Business.

Marcus splits time between Dallas and Southern California with his wife Amber, and their two children.

Dylan Hallerberg is a private equity and investment executive with extensive experience operating and improving businesses at the board and operating levels. He started his career in investment banking at Moelis & Company, after which he worked at The Carlyle Group from 2010 to 2017. Following Carlyle, Mr. Hallerberg continued his investment career as an Analyst/PM at GoldenTree Asset Management before transitioning to leadership roles at Arcturus UAV (SOCOM’s leading mid-endurance ISR provider) and Fortress Marine Anchors (an American made, Marine combat veteran-run business). He has extensive board experience, having served on seven boards as a member, observer, or an executive. Dylan Hallerberg is Chairman of public healthcare company Photocure and currently serves as the President and Owner of Fortress Marine Anchors and is an active real estate and private equity investor and family office advisor.

The grandson of a WWII POW WIA MIA veteran, Dylan feels very passionately about veterans, hosting brotherhood events for the SOF community. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with Highest Honors from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in Business Economics in three years while working full-time and being an active member of his fraternity.

Michael Neumann has more than 25 years of experience in investment banking and private equity spanning multiple industries and sectors. Currently, Mr. Neumann is President and Co- Founder of Stone Canyon Industries (“SCI”) which is focused on a long term, value driven approach to investing across industry sectors. SCI partners with management teams of market- leading companies to drive growth and unlock substantial equity value through a patient capital approach. Mr. Neumann currently sits on the Board of Directors of Morton Salt, Reddy Ice and Mauser Packaging Solutions where he Chairs the Audit Committee. Morton Salt is the largest salt company in the world founded more than 150 years ago with one of the most recognizable and trusted brand names. Reddy Ice is the largest manufacturer and distributor of packaged ice in the U.S. and Mexico founded almost 100 years ago and Mauser is one of the world’s largest rigid packaging companies with approximately 200 facilities serving more than 20 countries. Mr. Neumann is currently Chairman of the Board of the Los Angeles Swim Club, an Advisory Board Member of the non-profit organization, Present Now and on the Board of the Mendoza School of Business at University of Notre Dame.

Previously, Mr. Neumann was a Partner in the Milken Family Office, d.b.a. Knowledge Universe (“KU”), where he was responsible for managing the firm’s control investments across various industries from inception through exit. Prior to SCI and KU, Mr. Neumann worked in the investment banking division of Bankers Trust (a.k.a. BT Alex Brown and later Deutsche Bank) and Crescent Capital both focused on financing leveraged buyouts in various industries. Mr. Neumann has previously served on the Board of Directors of A. Stucki Company, Fleischmann’s Vinegar, BWAY, Kissner, GlobalScholar, and Embanet/Compass. Mr. Neumann holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame. Mr. Neumann and his wife Melanie reside in Pacific Palisades, California and have 3 children (Lily, Bella and Wesley).

Kevin Weiss currently serves as the Chief of Staff for Reforge, a digital upskilling platform. Before Reforge, Kevin was an investor within a Texas-based Multi-Family Office, where he worked alongside the managing partner to source and execute investment opportunities and help launch new business ventures. Kevin was a founding team member of M13 and prior to M13, Kevin held operating roles within venture-backed companies in South Africa and Latin America.

Kevin is an advisory board member of The Change Reaction and coach for Foster Nation, two organizations that in addition to VETS, serve as platforms to unlock human capital and human connection.

Kevin studied Business, Economics and Public Policy at George Washington University where he graduated Summa Cum Laude and also studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at St Catherine’s College, Oxford.

Mark Bates, PhD, is a psychologist participating in the Center for Psychedelic Therapy and Research certificate program at the California Institute of Integral Studies. He is a retired Air Force pilot and psychologist. His military psychology background includes being a training director for an APA accredited clinical psychology internship program, chief of a multi-disciplinary outpatient mental health clinic, and branch chief for psychological health promotion in the military’s Psychological Health Center of Excellence.

Dr. Bates has a long-standing passion for understanding and supporting human potential in body, mind, spirit, and relationships (holistic) throughout his career and is now focused on the unique abilities of psychedelics in these areas. With a strong grounding in evidence-based science and practice, he is an advocate of careful research exploring and confirming how psychedelic-assisted therapies broaden and strengthen psychotherapy treatment options for alleviating suffering and supporting well-being. He is also particularly interested in the ability of these psychotherapies to support greater consciousness, meaning, caring, and connection as core parts of healing and living fully.

David Bronner is the Cosmic Engagement Officer (CEO) of Dr. Bronner’s, the family-owned top-selling natural brand of soap in North America. The company caps Executive salaries at 5 times the lowest paid fully vested position and donates all profits not needed for business development to causes and charities they believe in. David graduated with a degree in Biology from Harvard in 1995, and by the end of that year had his heart and mind blown wide open by psychedelic medicine while living in Amsterdam. Ever since he’s been dedicated to the responsible integration of cannabis and entheogens into American and global culture and joined the board of MAPS in 2015. He also serves on the board of the Regenerative Organic Alliance, which promotes regenerative organic agriculture and ethical dietary choice, to support a more humane, sustainable, and fair farming system worldwide.

Robin became the Ralph Metzner Distinguished Professorship in Neurology and Psychiatry at University of California, San Francisco in 2021 and founded the Carhart-Harris Lab in 2023. He moved to Imperial College London in 2008 after obtaining a PhD in Psychopharmacology from the University of Bristol. Robin and his colleagues have completed multimodal human functional neuroimaging studies with LSD, psilocybin, MDMA and DMT, and clinical trials of psilocybin therapy for various disorders, including three trials in depression, - plus trials in anorexia and fibromyalgia syndrome. Robin is currently ranked #2 in the world in ‘Psychopharmacology’ for his publications and citations in the past 5 years and #4 in ‘Brain and Cognitive Sciences’ (ScholarGPS ). He has published in The New England Journal of Medicine (x4), Nature, Nature Medicine, Nature Neuroscience, Cell, Lancet Psychiatry, Science Advances, JAMA Psychiatry, American Journal of Psychiatry, and more. He founded the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London in April 2019, the first such ‘Centre’ in the world. Robin spoke at the World Economic Forum in 2019, was named among the top 31 medical scientists by The Times newspaper in 2020, was listed in TIME magazine’s ‘100 Next’ in 2021, was voted psychedelic researcher of the year in 2021, and was listed in Vox Magazine’s ‘Future 50’ in 2023 - a list of positive change makers. Robin signed a book deal with Ebury Publishing and Scribner Books in 2023. The book will be published in 2025. His current research at UCSF focuses on the mechanisms of action of psilocybin and psilocybin-therapy.

Rick Doblin, Ph.D., is the founder and former executive director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). He received his doctorate in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, where he wrote his dissertation on the regulation of the medical uses of psychedelics and marijuana and his Master’s thesis on a survey of oncologists about smoked marijuana vs. the oral THC pill in nausea control for cancer patients. His undergraduate thesis at New College of Florida was a 25-year follow-up to the classic Good Friday Experiment, which evaluated the potential of psychedelic drugs to catalyze religious experiences. He also conducted a thirty-four year follow-up study to Timothy Leary’s Concord Prison Experiment. Rick studied with Dr. Stanislav Grof and was among the first to be certified as a Holotropic Breathwork practitioner. His professional goal is to help develop legal contexts for the beneficial uses of psychedelics and marijuana, primarily as prescription medicines but also for personal growth for otherwise healthy people, and eventually to become a legally licensed psychedelic therapist. He founded MAPS in 1986, and currently resides in Boston with his wife, dog, and empty rooms from three children, one of whom is in college and two have graduated.

Amanda Feilding is the Founder and Executive Director of the Beckley Foundation, and is widely recognized as a leading force behind the current Psychedelic Renaissance. By establishing key research programs at some of the world’s most prestigious institutions (including Imperial College London, Maastricht University, Sant Pau in Barcelona, IDOR and UFRN in Brazil), she has propelled the field forward over the last 20+ years, conducting landmark studies, such as the world’s first psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression study (on which Compass Pathways based their business), the world’s first LSD, MDMA and DMT brain imaging studies, plus the initiation and collaboration with Johns Hopkins on the first study using psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy to overcome nicotine addiction. She has also co-authored over 80 research papers.

Since its inception in 1998, the Beckley Foundation has been at the forefront of exploratory research into psychedelics and cannabis, and evidence-based global drug policies. Through a series of pivotal international seminars at the House of Lords (starting in 2000) with leading figures from around the world in different fields, from science to politics, plus over 60 much-cited books, reports and papers, and numerous meetings with thought-leaders, academics, and policy-makers at the UN and governments around the world, Amanda has ensured that the Beckley Foundation has been at the forefront of global drug policy reform, particularly in the field of cannabis and the psychedelics.

Through her work with the Beckley Foundation, Amanda is bridging the gap between science and policy, creating a positive feedback loop, with the aim of building and harnessing our knowledge of the benefits of currently prohibited compounds to optimize human health, wellbeing, and potential.

B. Christopher Frueh, Ph.D is a clinical psychologist, Professor of Psychology at the University of Hawaii; Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX; and Adjunct Professor, Psychiatry in Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Academic Institute.

He has thirty years of professional experience working with military veterans and active-duty personnel, and has conducted clinical trials, epidemiology, historical epidemiology, and neuroscience research, primarily with psychiatric patients, prisoners, and combat veterans.  He has co-authored over 300 scientific publications (h-Index = 86; total scientific citations > 22,000), including a current graduate textbook on adult psychopathology. Professionally, he has worked with combat veterans and servicemembers since 1991.  He also devotes time to the SEAL Future Foundation (chair, medical advisory board), Boulder Crest Foundation (scientific advisory panel), Military Special Operations Family Collaborative (advisory board), Special Operations Association of America, and to the military special operations community in general. 

He has testified before US Congress, and served as a paid contractor for Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, US State Department, and the National Board of Medical Examiners.  He has also published commentaries in the National Review, Huffington Post, New York Times, Time, and Special Operation Association of America; and has been quoted or cited in the Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Washington Post, Scientific American, Stars and Stripes, USA Today, Men’s Health, Los Angeles Times, Reuter, Associated Press, and NBC News, among others.

Francis P. Kavanaugh, is the co-founder of Fort Ashford Funds, LLC, a privately held investment firm, and has served as its Managing Director since its inception in 2004. He received his B.S. in Information and Computer Science from the University of California Irvine in 1985 and his MBA from Pepperdine University in 2003. Mr. Kavanaugh has more than 30 years of diverse experience in real estate investment, business restructuring and operational leadership. He previously founded several Inc 500 companies, notable scaling Force Protection Inc. from under $1M to $1B in six years. He has been actively involved with the restructuring of over 20 businesses in the public and private sectors and is adept at navigating complexity and implementing strategic changes.

Hannes Kettner (He/Him) is a Ph.D. student at the Imperial College Centre for Psychedelic Research, where he has designed and coordinated several large-scale observational survey studies over the past five years investigating psychedelic use in naturalistic settings.

Under the supervision of Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris, he launched the Psychedelic Ceremony Study, which has yielded the largest dataset to date prospectively following participants in guided psychedelic sessions. Working closely with psychedelic practitioners during this project, Hannes became interested in the question of how real-world psychedelic use can be systematically assessed in order to inform harm-reduction and benefit-maximization strategies for clinical and non-clinical settings. His work includes over 40 co-authored publications in peer-reviewed journals, many of which have been featured in major media outlets.

Hannes holds an MSc in Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience from Maastricht University and is currently living and working in the San Francisco Bay Area as a Visiting Research Scholar at the UCSF Neuroscape Psychedelics Division.

Robert Koffman, MD, MPH, is a retired Navy Captain, currently serving as the Senior Medical Advisor for Warrior Canine Connection. He concluded his 32-year career as a psychiatrist and preventive medicine physician at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) as the Chief of Clinical Operations. Dr. Koffman is currently enrolled in the Center for Psychedelic Treatment and Research at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) and will be finishing summer of ‘21. Eager to enroll veterans into a MAPS-supported study, he is on track to begin MDMA-Assisted Therapy under Expanded Access at the Bill Richards’ Center for Healing at the Aquilino Cancer Center, Rockville, MD.

Frank Larkin is the Vice President for Corporate Development at a software development company and national advocate for veteran suicide prevention and traumatic brain research. Frank was the 40th United States Senate Sergeant at Arms. As chief law enforcement and executive officer of the Senate, the Sergeant at Arms enforces rules of the Senate; provides a range of technical and administrative services to Senators in their Washington D.C., and state offices; and maintains security in the Capitol and Senate office buildings. He had direct oversight of the US Capitol Police Department, a 2200-member agency, and led numerous national security events.

Frank has been a member of the federal Senior Executive Service for more than 10 years, serving as both the Acting Director and the Vice Director of the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization and Director of the Counter IED Operations-Intelligence Integration Center within the Department of Defense. He led the integration of technical capabilities, analysis and human resources against the global IED threat and terror networks.

Frank served for more than two decades as a special agent and senior leader in the United States Secret Service (USSS). He conducted complex criminal investigations and protected four US presidents, until his retirement as the Deputy Assistant Director for Protective Research and the agency’s Chief Technology Officer.

In the private sector, Frank was Director, Program Management & Leadership, for the Raytheon Company, and more recently, worked at Lockheed Martin’s Defense & Intelligence Solutions responsible as a senior program manager for intelligence community support.

A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Frank served as a special warfare operator in the Navy SEALs. After his military service, he was a uniformed patrol officer with the Norristown (PA) Police Department, a homicide detective with the Montgomery County (PA) District Attorney’s Office, and a Maryland State Trooper-Flight Paramedic. He has been a nationally licensed paramedic for 40 years and still serves Maryland as a volunteer medical provider.

Frank holds a BA degree in criminal justice and a MS degree in public administration from Villanova University. He is the recipient of numerous awards, to include the USSS Valor award, the Department of the Army’s Exceptional Civilian Service award and the Superior Civilian Service award.

Lynn Marie Morski, MD, JD, is the president of the Psychedelic Medicine Association, host of the Plant Medicine Podcast, the founder of Plant Medicine.org, and the medical director for WayofLeaf.com. She is a Mayo Clinic-trained physician in family medicine and sports medicine, as well as an attorney and former adjunct law professor. Dr. Morski worked at the Veterans Administration for nine years, and after leaving clinical medicine, she made it her mission to help fill the gap in the medical community’s knowledge of psychedelics by educating her fellow physicians on the plant medicines and entheogens that could bring life-changing relief to their patients. In furtherance of this mission, she started the Plant Medicine Podcast to bring scientific researchers, practitioners, and those who have been personally affected by the healing powers of these plants together to help educate the public on what is possible and help further research and decriminalization of these substances. She later founded the Psychedelic Medicine Association whose mission is to educate healthcare providers on the latest in psychedelic therapies so they can present the full range of therapeutic options to their patients, and to bring together key stakeholders in the psychedelic medicine community to work toward equitable access to these medicines for all.

Kirk Parsley, MD, served as an Undersea Medical Officer at Naval Special Warfare Group One from June 2009 to January 2013. While there, he led the development and supervised the group’s first Sports Medicine Rehabilitation center. He is a former SEAL, and received his Medical Degree from Bethesda, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS) in 2004. He interned in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Balboa Naval Hospital San Diego in 2005 and subsequently completed a Navy residency in Hyperbarics and Diving Medicine in 2006. Dr. Parsley has been a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine since 2006 and served as Naval Special Warfare’s expert on Sleep Medicine. In addition he is certified in hormonal modulation (Age-Management Medicine). After leaving the Navy he went into concierge medicine and consulting. He continues to consult for multiple corporations, and professional athletes/teams. Doctor Parsley lectures worldwide on sleep, wellness, and hormonal optimization and is currently completing a book on sleep and his philosophy for wellness is simple; in order to optimize our health and get the most out of our bodies and minds, we must live more closely to the way we evolved as a species. He believes that many diseases and disorders that we accept as “inevitable” in modern society are unnecessary complications of poor sleeping habits, living in a toxic environment, eating foods we were not designed to digest, and allowing stress to overwhelm us. His passion is to help his patients and clients achieve the highest quality of life possible, and realize their health, performance, and longevity goals. Dr. Parsley spends as much of his spare time as possible with his three beautiful children (Hayden, Cole, and Harper). He has been a competitive athlete his entire life, and enjoys nearly all outdoor activities and sports.

Dick Simon is an entrepreneur, social enterprise philanthropist and catalyst for change. He works with organizations pursuing FDA and European Medical Association clinical trials for mental health (PTSD, depression) treatments using psychedelic medicines. He aims to shift public perspective and reduce stigmatization related to the use of these medicines and is also supporting researchers studying psychedelic treatments for a wide range of indications. Dick serves as Chairman of the Advisory Council for the Center for the Neuroscience of Psychedelics at Massachusetts General Hospital . He is a founder of the Boston Psychedelic Research Group and the YPO Psychedelic Medicines for Mental Health Group, and he works closely with organizations including MAPS, the California Institute for Integral Studies, and the Psychedelic Science Funders Collaborative.

Before this work, he co-founded the Peace Action Network (PAN) of YPO, a network of over 29,000 international CEOs. PAN addresses conflict resolution on local and global levels. He launched the kNOw THEM Initiative to raise awareness about the most dangerous four-letter word in the English language, THEM.