Meet Our Team

Passionate skydivers, dedicated mentors, and unwavering supporters—our team is committed to empowering lives through the gift of flight.

Ross Mitchell

Founder | President | Director | Treasurer

Ross Mitchell, founder of Leaps of Hope, is a Pittsburgh native who turned personal struggle into purpose through skydiving. The son of two addicts, Ross graduated from Central Catholic High School in 2014, served as a Marine Corps infantryman with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines from 2015 to 2019, and later earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Emergency Medicine while working as a paramedic in Pittsburgh. In 2022, Ross seemed to hit a breaking point—that morning, in the hopes of feeling something positive again, Ross did his first skydive at Skydive PA. The experience was so impactful it prompted him to quit his job, move to Utah, and become a USPA Licensed Skydiver. He is now USPA AFFI and Tandem Instructor, he still thinks about the thrill of skydiving everyday. Through Leaps of Hope, he now helps veterans, first responders, child abuse survivors, and children of fallen heroes experience the same transformation by offering skydiving opportunities and licensing support, building a community of resilience one jump at a time.

Matt Leonard

vice president | Director | Technical Advisor

Matt Leonard is the founder and Chief Instructor of Momentum Flight, a leading training organization dedicated to advanced canopy piloting and flight instruction for both civilian and government airborne programs. Originally from Massachusetts and now based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Matt combines a background in engineering with a lifelong passion for aviation, human performance, and mentorship. With over a decade in the sport and thousands of skydives to his name, his experience spans competitive canopy piloting, mountain flying, and tactical high-altitude operations.

Beyond his technical expertise, Matt is driven by a belief that skydiving is more than a sport—it’s a medium for growth, confidence, and connection. He has seen firsthand how flight can help people rebuild trust in themselves and others, especially those who have faced trauma or loss. At Leaps of Hope, Matt brings leadership, vision, and a commitment to expanding access to transformational flight experiences for veterans, first responders, and survivors of child abuse. He is passionate about helping the organization grow into a model for how adventure and mentorship can turn challenge into healing and purpose.

Daniel Lynn

director

Daniel “Spanky” Lynn grew up in the small town of Bailey, North Carolina, where his commitment to service began with a seven-year career as a full-time firefighter. In 2017, he transitioned into aviation—a move that combined his love for challenge and precision. Starting as a flight instructor in single-engine aircraft, Daniel steadily advanced to his current role as a Boeing 787 instructor with United Airlines.

Since his first tandem jump in 2013, skydiving has become a central part of Daniel’s life. With over 2,600 jumps and experience across multiple disciplines, he is especially passionate about canopy flight and mentoring others in the sport. Daniel is driven by a desire to give back to the skydiving community that has given him so much. Joining Leaps of Hope allows him to share the transformative power of flight with those who can benefit most—veterans, first responders, and survivors of child abuse seeking renewal and connection. He brings to the organization not only his aviation expertise but also a strong network of supporters and donors who share his belief in helping meaningful causes truly take flight.

Matt draheim

Director

Matt Draheim is a cornerstone of the Leaps of Hope team, bringing his extensive expertise as a skydiving instructor, videographer, and coach since 2010. A former infantry officer in the US Army, he served with distinction in the 101st Airborne Division and 75th Ranger Regiment, experiences that shaped his understanding of resilience and camaraderie. Matt’s passion for skydiving goes beyond the thrill—he sees it as a powerful tool to inspire and heal, particularly for veterans, first responders, and trauma survivors. His selfless leadership and mentorship create a lasting impact, fostering a sense of community and empowerment through every jump. Matt is driven by a vision to provide world-class experiences that bring joy and growth to those he serves, making him an invaluable asset to the Leaps of Hope mission.

chris warman

director | secretary

Chris Warman brings a unique blend of business acumen and heartfelt compassion to the Leaps of Hope team, focusing on marketing, fundraising, and strategic advising. A former professional volleyball player, entrepreneur, and Vice President at a leading cybersecurity company, Chris has spent much of his career building successful ventures from the ground up. Beyond his professional achievements, he is deeply driven by a desire to help others succeed, a value that aligns perfectly with the mission of Leaps of Hope. Inspired by his brother’s involvement in launching the nonprofit and his own experiences witnessing the transformative power of skydiving, Chris joined the team to support veterans, first responders, and trauma survivors in finding joy and healing. His firsthand understanding of the challenges these communities face fuels his commitment to creating meaningful opportunities through the organization. With his charismatic leadership and empathetic approach, Chris is dedicated to amplifying the impact of Leaps of Hope and ensuring its mission reaches those who need it most.

ADVISING COMMITTEe

Mark lucia

strategic advisor

Mark Lucia is a strategic advisor for Leaps of Hope and Director of Programming at Kindbridge  Research Institute. His work focuses on building scalable, experience-based models that support veteran reintegration through structured training, community integration, and data-informed evaluation.

Prior to his current roles, Mark managed multi-million dollar initiatives at Amazon and led logistics and security operations in support of NATO missions. He holds dual Masters Degrees in Business Administration and Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.

MEDIA TEAM

adam michel

chief media officer

Adam Michel, Chief Media Officer of Leaps of Hope, brings a wealth of expertise in content marketing, relationship building, and storytelling to the board, honed through collaborations with industry giants, as a producer for Red Bull, and partnerships with artists and athletes in the action sports realm. An avid skydiver, he sees the sport as a powerful tool to break barriers and foster resilience, a belief shaped by his upbringing as the son of a law enforcement officer and reinforced by the organization’s mission to empower veterans, first responders, and survivors of child abuse through transformative experiences. With a career dedicated to crafting authentic narratives and a personal passion for skateboarding, snowboarding, and photography, Adam is driven by the conviction that growth thrives outside one’s comfort zone—making him a dynamic advocate for Leaps of Hope’s vision of healing and freedom through every leap.

MaGuire schippmann

Media producer

Media Producer for Leaps of Hope and Marine Corps veteran, is a Tennessee based skydiver and content creator with a background in action sports, visual storytelling, and service driven work. His passion for skydiving shapes his creative approach, using the sport as a lens to capture discipline, growth, and transformation in real time.

He helps lead media production and storytelling for Leaps of Hope, documenting the journeys of veterans, first responders, and survivors of childhood trauma as they progress through skydiving training and personal breakthroughs. His work focuses on creating authentic content that expands the organization’s reach while honoring the people it serves.

Looking ahead, he aims to become a skydiving coach, AFF instructor, and video flyer while continuing to grow Leaps of Hope into a nationally recognized platform that uses skydiving and storytelling to inspire healing, connection, and purpose.