Staff | Open Media Foundation

Staff

Tony Shawcross

Executive Director

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

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.

Ann Theis

Station Director

The purpose of my life is to use my hard-working nature, dedication, preparedness, goofiness and adventurousness

Working for community-based organizations that improve our society
Making media
Trying new things and going new places
Staying active and engaged

To create a world in which people embrace and accept one another; where people don't starve while others throw away food; where every person is given equal opportunity and it doesn't matter where or to whom you are born; where people don't resort to violence to solve problems; where technology and resources are used to enhance all life: plant, animal and human; and where we strive for deeper understanding for each other and all things in the universe.

More Info: Ann has been working with the Open Media Foundation's online user-driven tools since they were first created for Denver Open Media. She has been involved with organizing and presenting at numerous conferences on the subject of community media, technology and the Open Media Project. She started her community media career at Manhattan Neighborhood Network as a Production Assistant and became the Director of Production and Education, managing a staff of twelve and a million-dollar budget. Youth Media has been a passion of hers and she has mentored many youth both at MNN and at DOM over the last ten years. She graduated from Antioch College, with a degree in communications and cultural anthropology. Ann has also served on the ACM Western Region and National Boards.

Laura Trent

Impact Manager

The purpose of my life is to use my sincerity, open-heart, critical mind, and cheerful spirit

Exploring the world
Honoring the relationships in my life
Receiving the perspectives of those around me
Practicing yoga

To create a world that provides space and patience for all humans to flourish and authentically participate in their community.

More info: Laura has been involved in strategy and evaluation work for over five years, working specifically to support the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors realize their desired impact. Laura received her Juris Doctor from Charleston School of Law and studied philosophy and religion at Wofford College. Laura helps OMF and its clients identify and measure the change they want to create in the world.

Brandon Stiller

Director of Community Productions

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

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.

Samantha Taglienti Rodgers

Administration & Development Coordinator

The purpose of my life is to use my loyalty, creativity, cultural pride, and compassion

Living with integrity
Seeking to excel in all endeavors
Always listening before speaking
Appreciating each day I am given with the people I love

To create a world where authenticity is paramount and strength of character is admired.

More Info: Samantha received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater from The University of the Arts and also holds a Masters in Arts Development and Program Management from The University of Denver. She is excited to assist Open Media Foundation in achieving its mission and is thrilled to be pursuing her life and career in Denver, CO alongside her husband and pup, Bandit.

Leo Kacenjar

Director of Web Services

The purpose of my life is to use my thoughtfulness, perceptivity, nonjudgmental nature, creativity, pragmatism and empathy

Taking a walk or bike ride
Challenging myself to learn or create something new
Making and drinking beer
Teaching or explaining something new, and
Playing board and video games with friends

To create a world in which all humans and nonhumans share absolute equity in a community that promotes happiness and well-being.

More Info: Leo is has been involved in web technology for over nine years. He got his masters in Digital Media Studies at the University of Denver. He studied the artistic and social potential of technology. At OMF Leo works with nonprofits and government agencies to envision and build technology for public good.

John Aden

Media Education Coordinator

The purpose of my life is to use my easy-going nature, sense of humor, creativity, thoughtfulness and empathy

Pausing before talking
Creating adventurous ways to play with my family
Laughing with others
Making entertaining films and music
Rediscovering the world with my son, using gentle guidance

To create a world in which people are working together for the common welfare of humans and the planet, separated from self-seeking and selfish motives that serve only an individual or specific group.

Ben Boone

Finance/HR Manager

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

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.

Sam Carlson

Digital Project Manager

The purpose of my life is to learn and understand as much as possible, cultivate close friendships, and help people whenever they need it

By:

Reading and learning new things
Being open-minded
Exploring the world
Keeping up with change
Lending a hand when someone needs it

To create a world that is more enlightened, patient, and open to new ideas

More info: Sam Carlson graduated from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2011 with a B.S. in web development and computer information systems. He has a development background, but switched into project management while working in Denver. He has worked freelance and pursued entrepreneurial projects and enjoys working for mission and purpose driven organizations.

Brian Hiatt

Chief Technology Officer

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

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.

Giorgio Ausenda

Video Producer/Editor

The purpose of my life is to inspire, move, excite and empower by telling stories

Being unbiased
Using a never-ending curiosity
Never stop asking
Seeing what awaits around every corner

To create a world in which information elevates us all and unlocks our true potential by bringing us closer together

More info:

Born in London, raised between New York City and Milan, Giorgio fell in love with Colorado at first sight.

With a background in History, Giorgio has obtained a Master’s Degree in Multimedia Journalism at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

During the years, Giorgio has produced footage from the West Bank, South America, Europe, and Cuba, winning the first prize at the University of Colorado's Short Documentary Festival with his work on American citizens who moved to Havana.

His work is based on the production of videos, primarily in a journalistic and documentary form, for a web audience. Giorgio has experience working both behind and in front of the camera as well as editing and post-production. He has taught nonfictional video editing as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and has thorough experience in documentary writing.

Jiang Zhan

Web Developer

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

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.

Leslie Welch

DOM Member Support

The Purpose of My Life is to use my curiosity, drive, passion, and resilience

By

Getting to the heart of an issue
Analyzing systems
Taking the time to listen
Being open to new people, cultures, and experiences

To create a world in which people have the ability to better understand the world around them. A place where people would be able to access knowledge and resources, regardless of societal barriers.

More Info: Leslie graduated with a BA in Arts & Humanities from the Residential College of Arts and Humanities at Michigan State University, as well as a degree in public policy (Go Green!). Leslie’s experience is at the intersection of civic engagement, social justice, public policy, and media/technology. At OMF, she hopes to bring technology to the people, particularly to those who don’t normally have access. She can usually be found with a coffee tumbler in hand.

Jesse Lockwood

DOM Member Support

The purpose of my life is to expand my sense of joy and expression of unconditional love in all activities.

Showing compassion with patience and humility
Seeking opportunities to learn
Maintaining my personal well being
Accepting apparent reality without expectation

To create a world in which all people are free to have their own experience and expression while respecting the wellbeing of others.

More info: Jesse has had a very diverse set of career experiences, including being a Christian Minister, Construction Worker, Loan Officer, Big Rig Salesman and Cannabis Cultivator. All while developing an array of Artistic and Musical skills. After several years of homelessness and soul searching he turned his attention to learning filmmaking where he continues to focus to this day. Jesse is happy to be of service to an organization that is empowering the expression of the common person.

Jameson Courville

AmeriCorps VISTA

The Purpose of My Life is to use my adventureness, creativity, dedication, and empathy to empower those who lack the means to tell their stories

By:

Creating Media
Laughing with Others
And Globetrotting

To Create a World in which everyone receives equitable opportunities to succeed; where open and compassionate minds resolve differences; and where our stories bind us to one another.

More info: Jameson graduated from Colorado Film School and Cornell College with degrees in Screenwriting and Creative Writing, and has experience in television and film production. He is an avid traveller, and has driven to Alaska from Colorado, toured the European continent, and personally visited Yellowstone National Park at least 27 times in the last ten years.

Joslyn Dorrelle

Media Job Readiness AmeriCorps VISTA

The purpose of my life is to gain a wealth of knowledge and use wisdom acquired overtime to empower and educate people around the globe.

Sharing stories through various media
Fostering meaningful relationships with communities outside my local and personal sphere
Enjoying every moment

To create a world where understanding is achieved, community is appreciated and accountability means something to everyone.

More info: Joslyn graduated with a degree in Journalism and Communications from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI and is currently pursuing Masters in Nonprofit Management from Johnson & Wales University. Though Joslyn is a Denver native, she has produced content for Greeley Unexpected, WDIV News 4 Detroit, WCOV FOX 20 Montgomery, Alabama Public Television, among others. Joslyn hopes to help build capacity for the voiceless in low income and minority communities by equipping them with the essential tools needed to obtain journalism careers in large markets.