About Us
Our team
Collin J. McCormick is the Founder and President of Warrior Wish List, a liver transplant survivor, and a lifelong advocate for veterans, service members, and those too often left behind. With more than a decade of experience in public policy, legislative affairs, and nonprofit leadership, his work is grounded in service, purpose, and the belief that no one should be forgotten.
A proud Irish American, New Jersey native, and member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Collin was educated in Connecticut and studied abroad in Ireland before moving to Washington, D.C. to turn passion into public service. His professional path has taken him from the Superior Court of New Jersey to a boutique real estate firm, to Capitol Hill, national industry associations, and leading veterans’ organizations — where he’s worked to shape legislation, build coalitions, and drive change.
He’s also never shied away from hard work. Early in his journey, Collin worked in a neighborhood pizzeria — answering phones, serving tables, and cooking — learning firsthand the value of hustle, humility, and human connection.
In founding Warrior Wish List, Collin launched a national initiative to send thoughtful, high-quality care packages to deployed U.S. troops — not just as a gesture of gratitude, but as a mission of meaning. For him, it’s personal.
When he’s not advancing mission-driven programs or fighting for better policy, you’ll find him outside with his fiercely loyal service dog Rosie, deep into a blues playlist or building community around Friendsgiving, his annual tradition for those without nearby family. As he lovingly says, “We’re the broken toys — and I live in the box proudly.”
Collin believes the path to purpose isn’t always straight — but if you lead with heart, stand up for others, and never stop dreaming, you’ll find your way.
Why should I “jump on in?”
When I first started building Warrior Wish List, I kept running into the same wall: there are so many amazing resources out there — but finding them all felt like a full-time job.
So I started collecting them.
Not for a project. Not for a pitch.
Just to make life easier — for me, and eventually, for you.
This site is a hand-picked collection of organizations, foundations, tools, and info that I’ve either used myself, worked with directly, or seen make a real difference.
I’m not a partner (yet), and nobody’s paying me to share these — I just know how hard it can be to find your way. So why not make it easier?
If you’re feeling stuck, curious, hungry, or just tired of not knowing where to start — welcome.
The prize is out there.
It’s waiting on you.
And what do you have to lose?
Take a look around. See what speaks to you. You might find exactly what you didn’t even know you needed.
…so what is it?
At 22, I moved to a new city with no friends, no roadmap, and no clue what was considered the “right” or “wrong” side of the street. I didn’t know where to begin — just that I had to begin.
It was overwhelming. It was isolating. But little by little, I started finding resources — tools, people, and places that helped me carve out a way forward. Many of those are open to anyone. And now, I’m sharing them here — so you don’t have to start from scratch.
Ours is a long tradition:
The wanderer.
The lone wolf.
The new guy in town.
Who is he? What does he do? Where does he go? What’s his job?
More importantly — what’s his purpose?
I can’t answer that for you.
But I can help you get closer to answering it for yourself — and maybe, join the few who’ve found their own path, rhythm, and way of life.
So take a look. Something here might be the start of something bigger.