Matt Kress joined Headstrong in 2022, bringing a long history of service and commitment to the military community to his role as Chief of Staff. Prior to joining Headstrong, Matt led the military and first responder strategies at Starbucks Coffee Company for 6 years, building their commitment and brand into one of the leading corporate supporters for those who serve our country and communities. In his last 3 years at Starbucks, Matt pivoted their strategy to focus on supporting organizations that provide access to quality mental health care, as well as advocating for other companies and foundations to support the military and first responder mental health space.
His passion for serving these communities comes from decades spent wearing a uniform. Matt served in the Marine Corps for 22 years as an enlisted Marine and commissioned officer, in both active duty and reserve assignments, including a deployment to Iraq with MARSOC Det 1. Following a decade of active duty, Matt transitioned to public service as a Firefighter/EMT in Southern California. During this time, Matt earned a Masters in Strategic Planning for Critical Infrastructures from the University of Washington and an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Matt and his family live in the Pacific Northwest, enjoying the bounty of mountains to climb, ski and ride.
