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.

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.

Carly Dunning

AmeriCorps VISTA

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

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.

Jessica George

Development Director

The purpose of my life is to bring love, every day, to every encounter

Being open-minded, compassionate, and empathetic
Voting with my dollar and being mindful of the planet's limited resources and how my purchases and actions affect people globally
Working to change the vast inequalities of my white privilege until there is freedom, fairness, and justice for all
Creating togetherness in the face of division

To create a world in which every person lives as if we're all in this together, because we are.

More Info: Moving to Colorado in 2007 from San Francisco, Jessica slowly began a switch from her 10-year career as a Technical Writer to more meaningful employment. Since deciding to make the change, she has worked in fundraising and development for a plethora of local nonprofit and social impact companies, such as Grant Family Farms, The Local Food Shift, Veterans to Farmers, Waste Farmers, and Revision. She's served as a mentor with Reading Partners and Colorado Youth at Risk (CYAR), Communication Co-Chair on the Denver Sustainable Food Policy Council, and board member of the Denver Voice. Jessica currently spends her free time as Board Chair of Sprout City Farms, mentoring through CYAR, hiking, enjoying the arts, and spending time with her family and friends. She's thrilled to work with an organization that empowers nonprofits, governments, and individuals to shift the media conversation (and thus social awareness) from the corporate interests of our commercial media system towards the human interests of an open, diverse, engaged public.

Lina Gibson

Community Media Coordinator

The purpose of my life is to use my empathy, compassion, love, and inquisitive nature

Showing kindness to all beings
Sharing in laughter while still being there during the hard times
Seeking knowledge and creating an environment conducive to learning
Seeing the best in others and helping them see it in themselves

To create a world in which all people feel heard and accepted; a world in which both physical and emotional needs are met; a world in which each person can develop and use their talents to express their stories.

More info: Lina has always been fascinated by language and communication; they have a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from the Ohio State University where they focused primarily on lesser-documented and dying languages. They have worked as an adult education instructor, primarily teaching literacy, numeracy, and overall high school knowledge for the General Education Development (GED) test. Lina is excited to be working in a place that values the intelligence and voice of every person.

Patrick Gilmore

Producer/Editor

The purpose of my life is to use my heart, creativity, inspiration, motivation and impact

Evoking the emotion in the stories I tell
Thinking outside of the box
Being receptive to the world around me
Putting my all into every project
Revealing hidden truths

To create a world in which we think differently about the multitude of issues that we face and understand the connections we all share. I want to craft stories that inspire others to come together, shaping a brighter future for our planet.

More info: After completing his degree in film television from The Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, Patrick began working as a videographer and editor with Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic. This position took him on travels around the world from the Galápagos Islands to Antarctica. After three years with the company, Patrick shifted his focus to creating powerful, mission videos for local nonprofits in his hometown of Portland, OR. He also produced several news segments for National Geographic during this time. Here at OMF, Patrick is excited to be a member of a passionate, inspired team of filmmakers with whom he can create powerful stories that foster positive change in the world.

Brian Hiatt

Senior Developer/Analyst

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 productive, 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. He loves his 3 year old son, wife and numbers.

Leo Kacenjar

Senior Developer

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 a web developer who was introduced to the Open Media Foundation through running the University of Denver's Digital Media Outreach Center. He spent a year learning all about Drupal and OMF, then was excited to stay on. Leo's interests lie in bridging digital media, art, and environment. His current project is the Digital Garden on Leetsdale.

Melissa Kerr

Senior UX and Visual Designer

The purpose of my life is to use my artistic, analytical and friendly nature

Getting energized with new ideas and challenges
Collaborating with a great team
Chasing finish lines
And having fun

To create a world that has enthusiasm for life and put more empathy and simplicity into our daily interactions.

More Info: Melissa earned a Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design from La Roche College in 2002 and has had the pleasure of working with clients, agencies and in-house organizations on both the East and West coasts. Throughout her career, she has been hired to empower brands through various forms of visual communication that not only look beautiful, but perform exceptionally! Melissa brings enthusiasm, collaboration and a design for good attitude to all her clients at the Open Media Foundation!

Nicole Marquez

Development Coordinator

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

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.

Kate Mason

Account Director

The purpose of my life is to use my passion, conscience, and sense of humor

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

To create a world where all people feel equally respected, heard, and included as members of the greater community. Where happiness and health are paramount in creating a naturally sustainable, thriving world.

More Info: Kate brings a decade of account management and digital production experience to OMF. After earning her degree in Media Studies and Documentary Film from Pitzer College, Kate made the jump to Colorado for the fresh air, hoppy beers and endless outdoor adventures. After working with agencies, production companies and local and international NGOs, Kate is excited to combine her love of media and advocacy as OMF’s Director of Account Services.

Dylan Rine

AmeriCorps VISTA

The Purpose of my life is to use my passion for assisting others, curiosity, playful personality, sense of humor and determination

Encouraging strength in those who feel week
Asking open-ended questions
Creating a welcoming environment
Staying engaged

To create a world in which all walks of life are equal. Which all persons feel love and respect to the highest degree. A world that can rise as a community and achieve the unachievable.

More Info: Dylan is a Colorado Native excited about working in the Denver area for his new role within Open Media Foundation in the Fundraising and Development Department. Dylan is a proud Alumni having previously served 2 terms with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), with an overall focus on strengthening communities and developing leaders through national and community service. Prior to beginning his year as a Vista, Dylan worked for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), assisting individual households in disaster recovery efforts. This required him to travel often and gave the opportunity to work with a wide variety of people. He believes that his experience, open mindedness and willingness to be fully engaged will prove to be a benefit to both himself and Open Media Foundation.

Ellie Schmidt

Nonprofit Video Production Manager

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

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.

Jaina Sorrel

AmeriCorps VISTA

The purpose of my life is to leave the world a better place than when I arrived

Continuous growth and introspection
Spreading compassion, joy, and love
Being open minded and accepting of new perspectives
Sharing my thoughts and insights
Making technology work for people
Being mindful in my daily interactions

To create a world beyond ego and hegemony in which all life may seek its own truth

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.

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.

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.