About Team Rubicon
Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises.
Founded following the Haiti earthquake in 2010, the organization has grown to more than 200,000 volunteers across the United States and has launched over 1,200 operations domestically and internationally.
To drive equity across disaster and humanitarian services, Team Rubicon focuses on three areas of impact: disaster response, including mitigation, immediate response, and disaster recovery; workforce development and long-term recovery; and medical services, including providing emergent and surge health care, WASH, and disaster risk reduction.
The organization is featured in the Roku original series titled Team Rubicon, which highlights the work of Greyshirt volunteers assisting communities across the country.
Team Rubicon, A Roku Original.
Roku TV released an Emmy-nominated 13-episode up-close look at veteran-led disaster response, an inside view of how volunteer humanitarians assist communities recovering from disaster. Visit Roku.Channel to join Greyshirts on the small screen as they bring relief to impacted communities across the country.
Team Rubicon, A Roku Original.
Roku TV released an Emmy-nominated 13-episode up-close look at veteran-led disaster response, an inside view of how volunteer humanitarians assist communities recovering from disaster. Visit Roku.Channel to join Greyshirts on the small screen as they bring relief to impacted communities across the country.
FAQ
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A Greyshirt is a Team Rubicon volunteer, named after the grey T-shirt uniform worn by those in the field and in the office alike. Greyshirts make Team Rubicon’s mission possible.
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Nope! While roughly 65% of our volunteer base consists of veterans and active-duty military, anyone is welcome to join the team—as long as you’re willing to serve those in need. We train and upskill our volunteers so they’re ready for whatever disaster or crisis the world delivers.
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No, all Team Rubicon services are provided to homeowners and the community at no cost, supported by our generous donors, including corporations, foundations, and individuals across the country.
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Team Rubicon assists communities across the globe before, during, and after disasters and humanitarian crises. That includes everything from mitigation efforts that curb the impact of wildfires and flooding to long-term rebuild and recovery projects for communities that need it.rnrnBeyond disasters, Team Rubicon assists those impacted by humanitarian crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
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Yes, our International teams support in two distinct scenarios: in a planned and proactive capacity to actively mitigate a developing or future public health threat, or in a reactive setting to urgent and unmet needs, often in the wake of a disaster or crisis.
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Disasters are increasing in frequency, intensity, and cost—and vulnerable communities with less access to resources are paying the price.rnrnTo ensure our services are reaching the most at-risk and in-need communities, we use a mix of geotechnology platforms, historical data, and the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) to pinpoint where our capabilities will have the most impact.rnrnWe work with community leaders, including elected officials, emergency managers, and local organizations to determine how to best assist survivors with unmet needs.
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To join the Greyshirts at Team Rubicon, you can become a volunteer or fuel the mission—or both.
Press Resources and Inquiries
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Need a logo, photo, or B-roll footage? Head to our media portal for approved assets.
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Check out our Annual Reports and required filings.
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To request an interview with a team member, a speaker for an event, or a complete press kit, or make any other media inquiries, please contact us at press@teamrubiconusa.org.
Press Releases
- Team Rubicon and Home Builders Institute Launch Free Skilled Trades Training Pilot in Orlando — 9/18/25
- Team Rubicon Names Jim Brooks as Chief Executive Officer — 8/5/25
- Team Rubicon Launches Groundbreaking Asteroid Defense and Mitigation Operation — 4/1/25
- PXG Issues $1 Million Matching Challenge Benefitting Team Rubicon for California Wildfire Relief Efforts — 1/21/25
- The Home Depot Foundation Commits Up To $2 Million For Hurricane Helene Relief — 9/30/24
- Chevron Supports Team Rubicon TRades Academy with $100K Grant — 3/18/24
- Team Rubicon Signs Agreement with Guatemala Disaster Management Agency to Strengthen Partnership — 12/14/23
- NBPA Foundation Announces Official Partnership with Team Rubicon for Disaster Preparedness — 11/8/23
- FEMA, Team Rubicon Sign Agreement About Preparedness, Response and Recovery Efforts — 9/7/23
- Carhartt Continues Support of Skilled Trades with Labor Day Donation Benefitting Team Rubicon’s Veteran-Led Skilled Job Training Program — 8/23/23
- Team Rubicon Announces Key Appointments to Board of Advisors — 8/2/23
- Wells Fargo Increases Investment in Team Rubicon with $1 Million Grant — 7/6/23
- Ford Announces Team Rubicon Powered By Ford, A $5.8M Investment To Help Serve Communities Before, During And After Disasters In The United States — 6/20/23
- Team Rubicon Completes Hurricane Laura Rebuild Project After Two Million Dollar Challenge From PXG — 5/18/23
- Roku Announces All New Roku Original Series, “Team Rubicon” — The Story Behind the Veteran-Led Organization Aiding Disaster Survivors — to Air May 25 — 5/15/23
- Team Rubicon Selected to Participate in the Advancing Racial Equity Community of Practice Initiative — 2/28/23
Jim Brooks
Chief Executive Officer
Jim Brooks is the Chief Executive Officer of Team Rubicon, where he leads with a commitment to service and a global perspective shaped by decades of experience. He brings steady leadership and strategic focus to advancing the organization’s mission of helping communities before, during, and after disasters.
Jim began his career as a U.S. Navy SEAL and has spent the past two decades guiding teams through complex challenges—both in public service and across the private sector. His leadership in global operations has centered on resilience, preparedness, and navigating uncertainty with clarity and purpose.
Prior to joining Team Rubicon, Jim served as Chief Operating Officer at Control Risks and later as CEO of Seerist, a risk intelligence and analytics firm. In both roles, he championed people-centered approaches to crisis response, helping to navigate disruption with clarity and resilience. His passion for service extends to veteran transition, having supported thousands of former service members in finding meaningful new missions in civilian life through organizations like The Honor Foundation.
As CEO, Jim is focused on deepening Team Rubicon’s ability to deliver fast, effective aid when communities need it most—while growing the capacity of its volunteer Greyshirts to serve with impact and integrity around the world.
Dane Barata
Chief Financial Officer
Dane Barata serves as Team Rubicon’s Chief Financial Officer. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and the business world, he oversees our organization’s fiscal planning, reporting, analysis, and strategy with a determined, nothing-gets-past-me eye.
Throughout a 25-year career that includes everything from scrappy startups to multinational corporations, Dane has seen success at every stage. His drive to see Team Rubicon reach that upper echelon—along with a knack for numbers—has powered our astronomical growth over the past few years.
It’s fitting that Dane identifies best with the Team Rubicon principle of “Get Shit Done.” Since day one, his focus on acting quickly, effectively, and intelligently has allowed us to maximize the power of every dollar and, as a result, the impact we’ve made on communities around the world.
Larissa Rydin
Chief Advancement Officer
Larissa Rydin is the Chief Advancement Officer at Team Rubicon, where she oversees the organization’s development, brand, and communications functions. She is responsible for leading initiatives that support Team Rubicon’s mission to assist communities before, during, and after disasters.
With over 20 years of experience in marketing, fundraising, and leadership, Larissa has worked across nonprofit and corporate sectors, securing major partnerships and leading teams responsible for large-scale fundraising, marketing, and brand initiatives.
Larissa’s expertise spans disaster relief, health, and social impact, with a track record of building high-impact campaigns and strengthening brand positioning. Prior to joining Team Rubicon, she served as Vice President of Corporate Alliances at the USO, leading corporate engagement and revenue strategies. She also held executive roles at United Way Worldwide, Tiltify, Autism Speaks, and ALSAC/St. Jude.
Over the course of her career, Larissa has successfully navigated complex organizational structures, led multi-million-dollar fundraising and marketing initiatives, and cultivated partnerships with Fortune 500 companies to enhance brand visibility and revenue growth.
She most closely aligns with Team Rubicon’s core value to Get Shit Done: “I lead with strategy, empathy, and a bias for action, bringing people and ideas together to drive meaningful impact.”
Sheng-te Yang
Chief Information Officer
Sheng-te Yang serves as our Chief Information Officer, responsible for steering Team Rubicon’s strategic vision for tech, and then deploying the appropriate tools and people to make it happen.
His knack for revolutionizing workflows runs deep, and spans from eCommerce to DreamWorks Animation at the highest level. Now, Sheng-te channels his 30 years of tech experience and constant drive for improvement into magnifying Team Rubicon’s capabilities through quantifiable metrics, streamlined processes, and operational efficiency.
For Sheng-te, “Mission First, Greyshirts Always” rings especially true. It serves as a reminder that even though we are a technology-driven nonprofit, our primary focus is always our mission, and we are all Greyshirts—on the ground or from behind the screen.