Jay Drayer

Mission-driven entrepreneur making the world a better place with community, empathy, nostalgia & supportive engagement. Background photo: The Desk at Hancock Hill compliments of the wonderful Maverick Inn, Alpine, TX.

Jay Drayer is the Founder and CEO of PrizedPals, a community-focused organization aimed at supporting pet owners during challenging times, particularly when dealing with pet health issues and grief. He also founded CareFlash, which provides a platform for caregivers to coordinate support and communication among family and friends during critical health situations.

Background and Experience

Career Transition: Jay transitioned from a successful career in finance, where he served as CFO for various companies, to focus on community support initiatives. His experiences as a caregiver for a loved one with a chronic illness inspired him to create CareFlash in 2005, addressing the need for better coordination and emotional support for families during health crises.1 2
PrizedPals: Launched in 2018, PrizedPals was developed from Jay's recognition of the similar need for community support surrounding pets. The platform offers a private, invitation-only space for pet owners to connect and share experiences, fostering empathy and support.2 3

Educational Background

Jay holds an MBA from the University of Houston's C.T. Bauer College of Business and a BBA in Accounting from The University of Texas at Austin. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in Texas and New Mexico.2 4

Personal Philosophy

Jay describes himself as a "recovering CFO," reflecting on how his corporate finance background has shaped his approach to building supportive communities. He emphasizes the importance of empathy and connectedness in both human and pet care contexts, aiming to enhance the experiences of families dealing with illness or loss.1 2 3

For more detailed insights into his work and philosophy, you can view his LinkedIn profile here .2