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.

Shruti Chowdhary

Creative Catalyst | Account Manager

The purpose of my life is to experience all that this world has to share with awareness, wonder, and love

Speaking up for species that cannot speak for themselves
Exploring facets of the world beneath our feet, above our heads, and in between
Diving into the infinite nature of the universe
Observing myself and the world from different perspectives
Creating bonds with unfamiliar cultures, peoples, and places
Rarely taking things personally

To create a world covered in flourishing forests and clean oceans, where limited resources are not cannibalised by a single species, within which people can find freedom in living a balanced life - between the body, heart, brain, and soul.

More info: Having had the fortune of growing up in some incredible places and being exposed to many cultures when young, Shruti learned early on how to keep those rose-colored glasses over her eyes through most life situations. There is just too much to be in awe of, even in the midst of this madness. While Architecture and Ecology are her realest passions, she finds fulfillment in Marketing - a gateway to learn from and tell stories about all kinds of people and projects through a variety of media, helping companies and individuals define their place in society. Shruti graduated from LSU in 2010 with a B.Sc in Marketing, and her experience using media and communications tech to tell engaging stories spans billion-dollar companies to startups. If money wasn’t required to build and support things in life, Shruti would be a full-time tree planter, mushroom and mineral hunter, Earthship builder, snowboarder, stargazer, and world traveller.

Shruti graduated from LSU in 2010 with a B.Sc in Marketing, and her experience using media and communications tech to tell engaging stories spans billion-dollar companies to startups.

Brandon Stiller

Creative Director

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 working with nonprofit and public sector clients, Brandon's background has been focused on digital storytelling, messaging strategy and video production. 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.

John Aden

Project Manager, Open.Media; Director of Education

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.

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.

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.

J. Alfonso Maldonado

Digital Media and Sales Associate

The purpose of my life is constantly evolving

By

Welcoming all beings with candid appreciation
Feeding my extraordinary hunger to learn
Healing societal wounds through proactive mindfulness
Nurturing the courage to create the future
Materializing new ideas
Promoting the arts
Valuing every moment of this precious yet humbling finite life

To create a world that is dynamic, exciting, free of needless suffering and full of adventure we must reach beyond the laws of physics because laws binding our creative imagination do not exist. This amazing world I imagine is within our grasp.

More info: Alfonso is a native of Colorado. He conducted genetics and microbiology research while in high school and college. After graduating from Yale with a degree in Anthropology, he impelled international acquisitions and mergers in NYC before relocating to LA to pursue a media career. His aptitude for science put him at the forefront of uploading traditional media to new media at the dawn of the digital era. He spent the last decade further pursuing his fascination with the sciences by facilitating multinationals across Latin America in the implementation of new technologies. He returned to Colorado to experience more of life in the presence of his extensive family.

Naomi Krenitsyn

UX/Graphic Designer The purpose of my life is to move through the world with light-heartedness and live inquisitively By Being present in the here and now Keeping my heart and mind open Making room for humor To create a world where we ask “how are you” and wholeheartedly mean it. More info: With a background in electronic arts and sculpture, Naomi utilized her college years by experimenting with animation, ceramics, 3D printing, and digital multi-media. After graduating, she felt pulled to learn more about human interaction with technology and began to learn UX Design. She is constantly in awe of the human mind and all the mysteries it holds. Beyond the screen, Naomi spends her down-time hiking, upcycling clothes, trying new recipes, yoga, and exploring new places.

Joe Gelay

Developer

The purpose of my life is to use my mindfulness, optimism, curiosity and kindness

By

Listening more than speaking
Encouraging positivity
Continuously learning
Giving generously

To create a world in which people interact with more truth, respect, and understanding; where open-mindedness is the norm, and judgement is taboo. A world where people say “yes” to more adventure, and embrace opportunities to connect with their environment and each other.

More info: Joe is a full stack developer with a deep love for learning, solving problems, and connecting people. His background in marketing analytics has shaped him into being a detail-oriented thinker with an eye for the big picture. As a former Peace Corps Volunteer, he knows how to work with ambiguity and adapt to changes with grace. When his eyes need a break from the screen, you can find him climbing rocks, running trails, reading books, and petting dogs.

Olivia McCloy

AmeriCorps VISTA

The purpose of my life is to learn new things, inspire creativity, and spread happiness.

By

Staying true to my belief system
Supporting local causes
Fostering life-long friendships and connections
And following my passions

To create a world

That believes in the weakest link and supports public arts programs!

More info:

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio with a love of the outdoors and alpine skiing, Olivia moved to Colorado in July of 2021 as an AmeriCorps VISTA member. She graduated in 2020 from The Ohio State University with a background in policy analysis, urban planning, and nonprofit management. Her hobbies include painting, lifting, skiing, and gardening. She is always open to new passions and believes that the key to happiness is a pimento cheese sandwich.

Nicolas Telep

AmeriCorps VISTA The purpose of my life is to create a welcoming, friendly, and supportive community wherever I go.

By

Building connections on all scales between people.
Educating people about media literacy and the way news reporting works.
Encouraging reporters and other media figures to be invested in their communities and the people they serve.
Teaching communication skills and patience.

To create a world that is

Better-informed, better-connected, more honest, and less intimidating.

More info:

Nicolas is a journalist and radio enthusiast. He joined the Open Media Foundation after stints at public radio stations in St. Louis and his adopted hometown of Kansas City, MO. After realizing becoming an architect was more boring than he thought, he got his first taste of broadcasting and reporting in student media at Truman State University, where he graduated from in 2019. A native of Upstate New York and raised in various places around the country, Nicolas is an avid sports fan and will talk for hours about his favorite teams, including baseball’s New York Yankees, hockey’s St. Louis Blues, the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, and lacrosse’s Colorado Mammoth. When he’s not at Open Media, you can find Nicolas listening to a podcast, playing defense in a rec league hockey game, watching a sitcom, examining a map, cooking with little regard for the recipe, or hiking an easy-to-moderate trail. Nicolas is a staunch defender of the Oxford Comma, and looks forward to the day it is incorporated into AP Style.

Bridget Kraus

AmeriCorps VISTA The purpose of my life is to stay true to myself, follow my goals and passions, and strive to better the world in any possible way.

By

Making meaningful connections with others
Listening to my thoughts and putting them to action
Taking on new tasks, even ones that seem daunting

To create a world

That gives everyone the equal opportunity to follow their own paths and make the best possible place for themselves.

More info:

She was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado. In 2021, she graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Media Studies and a minor in music. She came back to Colorado after graduating and decided to become an AmeriCorps VISTA with Open Media Foundation.

Her hobbies include singing and playing piano/ukulele, aerial dance, hiking and other outdoor activities, volunteering with animals, and writing.

She is always willing to try new things and is excited about what the future has to offer.