Robert Solano

About Robert Solano

Hi, my name is Robert Solano. I\'m a psychedelic chaplain and founder of Heartspace Church, an interfaith spiritual community that practices entheogenic sacraments.Before stepping fully into ministry, I served 21 years in the U.S. Army as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot, deploying multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan before transitioning into acquisitions and program management. Throughout my military career, I served in prestigious assignments with the U.S. Special Operations Command, Palantir Technologies, and the Army\'s Artificial Intelligence Center. Before retiring in 2025, I served as the director of the Defense Contract Management Agency in Mesa, AZ, overseeing more than $6 billion in Boeing programs.Behind the outward success, I faced profound struggles—the loss of fellow soldiers in combat, divorce, alcohol dependency, and serious health challenges. The pain of these experiences, combined with witnessing too many peers lose their lives to suicide and despair, catalyzed my search for deeper healing. That search led me to mindfulness practices and, ultimately, to the transformative power of plant medicines.I have a PhD in Technology, a M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. I\'m an Associate Certified Coach, Project Management Professional, and have completed specialized training in psychedelic facilitation and integration. I recently served with the Heroic Hearts Project, helping design a psychedelic facilitator certification program to support veterans on their healing journeys.While Jesus is my teacher and Ram Dass is my guru, I do not identify with any single tradition. I simply serve God as the divine presence manifests here and now.I live in Scottsdale with my wife Zaira and our three children. I\'m of Afro-Latino and Arawak Taíno heritage and honor my ancestral indigenous traditions.

Experience

1. Intern

   Heroic Hearts Project

   Sep 2025 — Present

   Helping veterans overcome their suffering from PTSD by providing them access to psychedelic programs, professional coaching, peer support, and other resources to empower them along their healing journeys.

Education

• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

  Master Certificate (Doctoral Studies, non-dissertation), Aviation Science

  2015 — 2018

• Capitol Technology University

  Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Technology

• Georgia Institute of Technology

  M.S. Aerospace Engineering

  2013 — 2014

• United States Military Academy at West Point

  B.S. Mechanical Engineering/ Aeronautical Systems

  2000 — 2004