The purpose of my life is to use my joy for living, empathic spirit, and sharp, open mind

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• Having unbridled, authentic conversations and connections
• Making music
• Traveling
• Writing
• Making movies that expand our perspective

To create a world in which people care for one another, ensuring all of us are free to focus on building the future we want, with the only limitation on our freedom being the requirement that we afford that same freedom to others. 

More info: Tony developed and launched the visionary model for community media that has evolved into the Open Media Foundation.  Before founding the precursor to OMF called Deproduction, as well as OMF's project Denver Open Media, Tony worked with Little Voice Productions, the Colorado State House of Representatives, the Pan African Arts Society and FreeSpeech TV, among others. Tony has presented over 100 media education courses with the Colorado Independent Media Center, Denver Community Television, the Alliance for Community Media and various local schools and universities.  He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Marketing and Business Administration from the University of Colorado.

• Keeping an open mind
• Asking questions
• Showing gratitude on a daily basis
• Traveling the world and meeting new people
• Spending my free time outside on mountains, trails, and rivers
• Practicing empathy and compassion

The purpose of my life is to use my loyalty, quietude, analytical cynicism, caring and passion 

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• Gathering with friends and family
• Playing the guitar
• Creating video
• Participating in theatre
• Creating art with the people in my life

To create a world in which relationships take priority; where the only thing distracting us from that priority is our passions which provide for us, strengthen our bonds and further our understanding of ourselves and others.  This is a world where people succeed because they want to not because they have to. It's a world with less violence and economic strife.  It's a compassionate, culture-driven world.

More info: With over seven years in the industry, Brandon's background in production has been focused primarily on inspirational and industrial segments in addition to live event coverage.  He looks forward each day to telling the stories of organizations that are truly making a difference.  Brandon is constantly humbled to be a part of an organization composed of great people who are collectively working towards real and lasting change.

The purpose of my life is to use my passionate spirit, sense of humor, loyalty, empathy, curiosity and business background

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• Connecting with others on a personal level
• Exploring new cultures, countries, and unmarked trails
• Dedicating my time to foundations that bring about positive change
• Stretching myself and others around me on a daily basis
• Not sweating the small stuff

To create a world in which communities come together to bring about positive change for everybody by working cooperatively, listening to one another with an open mind and with respect to everyone’s opinion; a world that worries a little less about profits and a lot more about people.

More info: After earning his degree in History with a minor in Business from Texas A&M University, Ben began working as a high school educator in the Greater Houston area.  During his fulfilling time as a teacher, he continued his personal education with a postgraduate degree in Accounting.  Over the last six years he has worked in several settings as an accountant, and was lucky enough to move to Colorado to pursue his Masters in Business Administration at the University of Denver.  Ben loves being part of a dedicated, passionate team and an organization that gives back to the community and spreads the word of positive change.

The purpose of my life is to focus my energy on positive, measurable change

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• Improving the systems around me
• Giving my son as many opportunities as I can

To create a world in which it is easier for more people to lead compassionate, fulfilling lives.

More Info: Brian focuses on developing applications, websites and business metric systems for Open Media Foundation's nonprofit & government clients. He has been programming in multiple languages since 2000. After graduating from CU Boulder in 2006 Brian co-founded Civic Pixel, a web development firm dedicated to working with nonprofits and small businesses dedicated to positive change. In 2008, Civic Pixel merged with the Open Media Foundation, becoming the web development arm of the nonprofit organization. Brian is currently focused on helping governments better engage their citizens through the Open Media Project SaaS platform. He loves spending time with his 5 year old son, wife, and mountain biking.

The purpose of my life is to use my perseverance, deep sense of purpose and integrity

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• Creating intelligent websites and applications to save other’s time
• Improving my mom’s English
• Eating food from different cultures

To create a world in which people have the right to be taught the truth in regards to history.

The purpose of my life is to use my creativity, humor and compassion

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• Investing myself in the projects to which I commit
• Engaging with others
• Being present
• Telling stories

To create a world in which society values the representation of all voices and encourages dialogue between them.

More Info: Nicole Marquez is a storyteller, producer and loves to laugh.  She developed a series of poems and short stories for her capstone project, “Because Yes: A Woman’s Right to Voice” while studying at the California State University Monterey Bay.  She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Humanities and Communication, with a concentration in Creative Writing and Social Action.  Since then she has earned her Master of Arts degree at The New School in New York City for Media Studies.  Nicole is enjoying her current adventure in Denver at OMF.

The purpose of my life is to use my enthusiasm, kindness, humor and creativity

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• Exploring
• Practicing living in this very moment
• Sharing stories through the written word and video
• Allowing cars to merge when they use their blinker

To create a world in which our communication with one another occurs under the consistent awareness that the same blood flows through our veins, understanding all lives are punctuated by success and struggle.  Where creativity isn’t stifled, so it can be used to cope with adversity and where everybody has the strength to find an awesome moment of beauty, whether in nature, or another human, every single day.

More info:  Ellie grew up in a small suburb outside of the Twin Cities and attended Winona State University where she earned a B.A. in History.  A few years ago she followed a passion and found herself back in school for screenwriting.  Ellie wrote and produced plays for the MN Shorts Festival and MN Fringe Festival before relocating to Denver with her husband.  A desire for creative collaboration led her to OMF, where she completed a Video Production and Editing internship.  She is excited to be part of a team that helps tell the stories of our community.

The purpose of my life is to utilize my passion, intelligence, and dedication

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• Writing
• Educating
• Collaborating
• Challenging myself

To create a world in which people use their privilege to create an equitable society, eradicating the systems that create privilege in the first place.

More info: Carly Dunning graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a BA in English Literature, a minor in Film Studies, and certificates in Children’s Literature, Medieval & Renaissance Studies, and Race, Gender, & Sexuality studies. She has spent four years working or volunteering in educational and non-profit capacities. A recent Colorado transplant, Carly hopes to use both her observational and her listening skills in order to better serve the community she recently became a member of. She hopes to increase member satisfaction with the Open Media Foundation and expand the reach of the organization. In her down time, Carly enjoys being either active or inert.