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Meet the Give Team

Wright & Steph Thurston

Give Founders

Faith Thurston

Chief Executive Officer

As the CEO of Give Blockchain, Faith Thurston is passionate about giving. Traveling around the world, Faith has seen firsthand the benefits that come from even the smallest amount of help offered to those in need. From Fiji to Thailand, and then Africa, Faith participated in campaigns that bring global awareness to improve conditions for those in need. Faith remembers a powerful lesson learned at age 17 while serving those who had so little: giving is a lifestyle not a choice. Visiting different foreign countries and as a CNA for an assisted living facility, Faith saw how simple acts of kindness can rescue and bring positive change to those who need it. With these experiences, Faith passionately has embraced this idea that collectively giving to others makes our world a better place. Giving a little girl a life by rescuing her from sex endangerment, helping a family have clean water, and providing a way for other projects to be funded are just a few of the ways Give can change the world. With vivacious energy and determination, Faith Thurston is leading the way for others through Give. Giving is a lifestyle that is easily supported through the Give Blockchain.

Tiafau Purcell

VP of Engineering

Tiafau Purcell was born and raised in Laie, Hawaii and now resides in Salem, Utah. Moving from the Pacific Islands to the Mountain West at a young age, Tiafau learned to adapt quickly to cultural and environmental differences. Growing up in a bilingual and Polynesian home also helped Tiafau to gain a greater appreciation for languages and culture. Tiafau lived and served as a missionary for two years in El Salvador where his love of languages and cultures helped him serve the local people on a more personal level. He saw firsthand the poverty that many live in and how service can change a person’s life. Tiafau traveled to Mexico and Haiti, visiting orphanages and rebuilding schools. Tiafau also traveled to China and Hong Kong, England and Scotland, and Germany and surrounding countries. Seeing just part of the world has helped shape his perspective on living with purpose and helping others to do the same.

Tiafau joins the Give Blockchain team as the VP of Engineering, bringing years of experience from multiple startups, leading efforts in product and design. Tiafau is excited to be working on blockchain technology that will support organizations doing good around the world. Building upon blockchain and helping others through charity organizations is the dream job.

James Fry

Sr. Software Engineer - Backend Developer

Software and web development have been my passion and career for over a decade and I’m excited to be a part of creating a blockchain that can change the world for the better through improved transparency. Outside of work, I enjoy snowboarding, wake surfing, and well informed discussions about anything. My wife and I have three boys with one more on the way, so we try find every excuse to get outside.

Brittany Moore

Sr. Project Manager

I’m BEYOND excited to be using my skills working for Give. I’m a seasoned Technical Project Manager who loves traveling, being in nature and my husband and 4 wiener dogs. I’m also fascinated by the human body and biohacking, and have been enjoying getting back into a yoga practice and Pilates. I love hiking in Southern Utah and am looking forward to finally celebrating my 15 year wedding anniversary (3 years late – thanks COVID) in Europe with my husband in 2023. Give is going to change the non-profit world and I’m so glad that I’m along for that ride!

Nathan Crowley

Sr. Product Manager

I am our Product Leader here at Give Blockchain. I have a passion for growth and people. I pride myself on being a dynamic professional with proven experience in entrepreneurial environments and complex creative projects. I am a passionate product and business strategist with the ability to develop, evaluate, negotiate, and optimize product deliverables and business opportunities from the C-suite to the trenches. When I’m not working on the vision – I am skiing, traveling, making art, volunteering, working out, and enjoying time with friends and family.

Courtney Brotherson

Marketing Manager

Being an elementary school teacher for 4 years has instilled a love of education and serving others into who I am. I have always had a passion for digital design and being creative and am thrilled to be using those skills to educate crypto users, nonprofits, and others about using blockchain technology for good. I love the Give community and am excited to be a part of Give Blockchain’s impact on people and organizations worldwide.

Haylee Thompson

Executive Assistant & Graphic Designer

I am a 21 year old entrepreneur with passions that include being outside, self care and traveling. I have worked for Give Blockchain for a year now and have loved participating in projects and events. We have 3 amazing charities we sponsor and I’ve grown to love each of them and the amazing things they do. I look forward to all the amazing projects Give has in store for me this coming year.

Rachel Briggs

Content Writer & Marketing Specialist

I am 21 years old with a passion for reading, writing, and serving people. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be using my talents to help Give! I am thrilled to be able to use my creative writing side to help others learn more about nonprofit organizations, the decentralized blockchain, and Give and the amazing things they are doing.

Madi Acord

Customer Success Manager

I recently had the opportunity to join the Give team and am inspired by the impact we have on so many people around the world. I am 22 years old, studying psychology at the Utah Valley University. I am passionate about helping others and especially interested mental health awareness. I am thrilled about contributing Give’s purpose of inspiring lasting change and improving the lives of millions around the world.

Landon McKell

Software Engineer - Frontend Developer

Born in Western Samoa, at a very young age was adopted and brought to the states. He is the only Polynesian in his family of 13 kids, Was homeschooled from 2nd grade to the 7th grade. Attended Springville High School and played Football and Rugby. Excelled at both sports. After turning 19 he decided to serve an LDS mission and was called to serve in the Columbia, South Carolina mission. After 2 years, he returned home and played football at Snow College. Due to injuries, his football career ended after 1 season. After working several fields in the work force he finally found his passion in programming. He attended a coding bootcamp in Salt Lake City and got a job in Provo. The rest is history. He has a wife and two daughters and lives on 20 acres in Benjamin UT.

Kellon Parkinson

Software Engineer - Frontend Developer

Life is the most fulfilling to me when I’m learning something new, creating something exciting, or connecting with other people. No matter where life takes me, I hold on to the idea of “Ancora Imparo,” which means, “Still, I am learning.” I’m stoked to be able to apply my skills and interests to something like Give Blockchain, and contribute to a technology that I really feel is valuable. I was raised in Idaho, but love living in Utah so close to the mountains and the fast moving tech world here. I love to spend my free time traveling the world, being outdoors, and eating delicious food. I’m a software developer, a dad, and a wannabe food network star.

Solitu Purcell

Digital Content Creator

I’m the youngest of 7 siblings and I was born and raised in Provo Utah. Most of my childhood I was constantly hanging out with friends doing crazy things outdoors and when we got our hands on cameras, gopros and eventually phones as well, I was documenting, filming, vlogging and creating videos. Early on I realized I had a knack for holding a camera and knew someday I wanted to do it full-time. I served a 2 year mission in Japan where I learned to love sharing my culture and learning and loving others cultures as well.

I came home, married my high school sweetheart and spent a year at BYU before dropping out, taking an online film course and starting my own video production company. I filmed wedding videos, sports promos, food and beverage, events and even products and ads.

Currently, I now run and operate Dynasty Lead Agency, a branding and social media marketing agency, focused on helping businesses, entrepreneurs and influencers build their brand on social media.

Outside of work, I love being with my family, playing guitar, singing, dancing and learning about other cultures and foods. Together my wife and I have 2 kids, 1 boy and 1 girl. We love to go swimming, spending time with extended family, we love the outdoors and we especially love to travel. We’ve loved traveling to many places but our favorites so far have been Orlando and the Parks, San Diego, Philly, Boston and of course Hawai’i. We look forward to traveling more in the future.

I’m super excited to work with Give and bring what I can to the table. Give has great values, a great mission, an amazing purpose and even more amazing people behind the scenes that I’m excited to work with. Working with a company that specializes in helping non-profits and sponsoring great causes is the dream job.

Ryan Shumway

Sr. Product Designer

I was born and raised to problem solve—whether that’s solving how to outsmart competition in a board game, stick out a difficult hike, or a working a nebulous business hurdle—I love tackling hard problems. I was attracted to Give the moment I learned what the mission was—to help non-profits do what they do best by tackling the hard problems—raising money. I’m excited and eager to be involved in the process of helping the Give team create a space where non-profits can raise money friction free. When not at work, I love reading, hiking, traveling, trying new foods, occasional video games. I’m a big dinosaur nerd (which means I also an fascinated by birds). I’m interested in entrepreneurship, exercise to increase health and life longevity, and mentoring whenever possible!

Founders

Wright & Steph Thurston

Give Founders

Faith Thurston

Give CEO

As the CEO of Give Blockchain, Faith Thurston is passionate about giving. Traveling around the world, Faith has seen firsthand the benefits that come from even the smallest amount of help offered to those in need. From Fiji to Thailand, and then Africa, Faith participated in campaigns that bring global awareness to improve conditions for those in need. Faith remembers a powerful lesson learned at age 17 while serving those who had so little: giving is a lifestyle not a choice. Visiting different foreign countries and as a CNA for an assisted living facility, Faith saw how simple acts of kindness can rescue and bring positive change to those who need it. With these experiences, Faith passionately has embraced this idea that collectively giving to others makes our world a better place. Giving a little girl a life by rescuing her from sex endangerment, helping a family have clean water, and providing a way for other projects to be funded are just a few of the ways Give can change the world. With vivacious energy and determination, Faith Thurston is leading the way for others through Give. Giving is a lifestyle that is easily supported through the Give Blockchain.

Justin & Lindsay Bowen

ROAM Humanitarian

Hello! We are Justin and Lindsay Bowen. We are the heart behind ROAM Humanitarian. We are committed to creating lasting and positive change in both our expedition participants and those whom we serve throughout the world. We believe in making a difference to the one, whether that is you as the participant or the ones we serve. We may not change the world, but we believe we can change the world of an individual with one smile, one project, and one expedition at a time. We consider it our privilege to work alongside you and create sustainable and empowering change while we ROAM with purpose together.

Together, we believe we have the secret sauce that creates the magic behind each ROAM Humanitarian expedition. We are just as interested in building homes, gardens, libraries, and schools as we are in creating opportunities that build you and your family relationships.

Our goal is not a one-time service project, but an experience that inspires a life of involvement in humanitarian work and social impact. Each itinerary has been carefully selected to give back to those in need, have a ton of fun, and ROAM our fantastic planet with a purpose.

Come as you are and join the ROAM family today! You are welcome here, and we can’t wait to share the adventures of a lifetime with you!

Find yourself.  Connect with your family.  Change the world.

John & Nicci Renouard

WHOlives

John Renouard is the founder and CEO of WHOlives, and Nicci is the Director of Public Relations. WHOlives started in 2010 when John had a vivid dream about a human powered drill (the Village Drill) which a local Capstone Engineering program (BYU) brought to life. WHOlives contracts with Village Drill teams to drill wells in developing countries. Almost every community pays for their well with a no interest loan from WHOlives. Our model is about self-reliance, bringing communities together to solve their problems, and elevate themselves from poverty. Currently there are 12 million people in 39 countries who have clean water through WHOlives and its supporters. We invite you to join our mission of providing life giving water to everyone. It’s a human right.

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