Zachary Iscol
About Zachary Iscol
A combat decorated former Marine officer and entrepreneur, Zach served two tours in Iraq, on other assignments throughout Africa and the Middle East, and fought in the Second Battle of Fallujah. He most recently served as the Deputy Director of Javits Medical Center in response to the COVID-19 epidemic in New York City. Zach has built and lead organizations ranging from the first successful Iraqi military unit in Iraq’s Al Anbar Province, components of the first Marine Corps special operations command; Hirepurpose, a staffing company that has helped tens of thousands of veterans transition into new careers; Task & Purpose, a media company that has provided a voice to the men and women fighting today’s wars;, and The Headstrong Project, a non-profit healthcare company that provides world-class, cost and bureaucracy free mental healthcare to veterans outside the VA in 27 cities around the country. A 2001 graduate of Cornell University, he was the youngest recipient of Phillips Exeter Academy’s John Phillips Award, a member of the 2013 Team USA for USA Triathlon, and a grand marshal of the 2019 New York City Veterans Day Parade. In 2007, while still on active duty, he testified before the United States Senate about the need to protect Iraqi refugees, especially translators and others who put their lives in danger to help US forces. His testimony helped establish the Special Immigrant Visa program that helped thousands of translators immigrate to the United States. He lives in New York City with his wife, Meredith Melling, their four children, and three rescue dogs.