Daniel Ben-Horin | Billy Bicket | Gayle Carpentier | Jayson Fagar | Jennie Frohman | Justin Massa | Amy Sample Ward | Marnie Webb | Fresh! White

Daniel Ben-Horin

Daniel Ben-Horin, Founder and co-CEO
Mr. Ben-Horin created TechSoup Global (as "CompuMentor") in 1987 by tapping volunteer resources on the WELL, one of the first online communities. Over the past two decades, he guided the TechSoup Global evolution from a small, local nonprofit to a globally respected entity with 170 employees and a budget of US$22 million. TechSoup Global now (7/09) provides technology information to individuals and organizations in more than 190 countries, has provided consulting services in more than 50 countries and, through its global network of capacity-building NGOs, manages product donations to more than 80,000 organizations in 24 countries.

In his book Blessed Unrest, Paul Hawken writes that the "…hybridization of business, philanthropy technology and nonprofit activity is exemplified in the work of Daniel Ben-Horin..."

Currently, as co-CEO, Ben-Horin focuses on creating new opportunities for corporate, foundation, and nonprofit partners around the globe to optimize their social benefit impact by utlilizing TechSoup Global's channel, resources, and relationships. He speaks and writes frequently on issues related to the underserved's access to technology.

In April 2009, Ben-Horin received the 2009 "Lifetime Achievement Award" from the Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network (NTEN). Presenting the award, Vince Stehle, Program Officer for the Nonprofit Sector at the Surdna Foundation, said, "[This award is] given each year to a person who has pushed the nptech community forward. This push might be in the form of innovation, or thought leadership. In the case of Daniel Ben-Horin, the 2009 recipient and co-CEO of TechSoup Global, it's both. Everyone who works in our field owes him a debt of gratitude for revolutionizing how we get and share software and information."

In July of 2009, Ashoka named Ben-Horin as one of its Senior Fellows. He also serves on the board of the Nonprofit Finance Fund. On four occasions, he has been named by the Nonprofit Times to its annual list of the 50 most influential leaders in the U.S. nonprofit sector.

From 1980-84, Ben-Horin served as the Executive Director of Media Alliance in San Francisco, during which period he also taught journalism at the University of California, Santa Cruz. From 1969 to 1980, he was a working journalist, writing for The New York Times, The Nation, Harper's Weekly, Mother Jones, Redbook, and many other publications.

He holds a B. A. in Psychology from the University of Chicago.

Billy Bicket

Billy Bicket is the Director of NetSquared and serves as NetSquared's Community Architect.

He spends his days meeting with hackers and philanthropists interested in contributing their unique talents to the ongoing development of NetSquared's work namely the development and execution of social innovation challenges that encourage and inspire the use of technology for progressive social change.

He also spends ample time planning and producing the NetSquared Annual Global Conference a two-day meeting of the minds that brings together unlikely allies from the private and public sector.   The conference provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to open dialogue, fund real-world projects and build relationships while addressing solutions to some of the world's most pressing social issues.

Currently, Billy's leading the team in preparation for NetSquared's Challenge and Conference season, and is in early development of NetSquared's first Web application which aims to transform the way social innovators raise money and support for their projects.  

When away from the screen, Billy spends time bicycling around San Francisco, reading, camping and planning his next adventure. Billy has a secret aspiration to become a rapper, though he won't admit it.

Prior to his work at NetSquared, Billy developed partnerships for www.Meetup.com, 1800flowers and Gannett.

He's also a proud alum of the United States Marine Corps.

Gayle Samuelson Carpentier

Gayle Samuelson Carpentier, TechSoup's Director of Business Development, gets the fun of helping some of the world's largest technology firms engage with TechSoup, with a big focus on creating or expanding product donation programs to benefit social benefit organizations around the world. She continue to seek a triple win in each donation program(for technology companies, for the nonprofit sector and for TechSoup's mission of helping NPO's understand and use technology effectively so they can achieve their individual missions). Beyond CompuMentor, As a widowed mom, Gayle focuses her time on her 14 year old son, volunteering activities at school and church, plus training (or trying to anyway) her new shelter rescue dog Max.

Jayson Fagar

Jayson Fagar, Event Marketing Associate, is happy to be joining the NetSquared team. Before working for CompuMentor, Jayson worked in Chicago for The Center for Immigrant Resources and Community Arts (CIRCA), a nonprofit that works with youth in helping them to relate their immigrant experiences through theater, dance, and song.

Aside from facing the wind in Chicago, Jayson has also lived in Seattle. Despite its rainy reputation, Jayson felt much at home in its' perpetual drizzle. The next weather challenge for him: the sun that California has to offer.

Jennie Frohman

Jennie Frohman is NetSquared's Producer and   wears many hats on the small yet dedicated team.   She splits her time between the NetSquared.org Web site, the on-line Community, Challenge Projects as well as supporting the Biz Dev function and the in-house team.   Her responsibilities range from ensuring the Web site is functioning proplerly and is updated with relevant information to developing web strategies for core activities to providing metrics reports to engaging with our various online & offline communities to supporting the daily needs of the team and our contributors.   And much more. And she enjoys nearly every minute of it!  

Prior to working for TechSoup Global, Jennie spent years wandering the world teaching in various high schools and universities. She earned her Master of Arts in International Peace Studies from the United Nations mandated University for Peace.

When not working, Jennie enjoys traveling, good old fashioned veggie cooking and bluegrass music, an ode to her Tennessee roots.

Justin Massa

Justin Massa's time is split among NetSquared.org, where he is the Program and Technical Coordinator, and MoveSmart.org, where he is the executive director. MoveSmart.org, which he co-founded, is a start-up organization dedicated to fostering vibrant and diverse neighborhoods by empowering housing seekers through technology to move to opportunity.  

Previously, Justin was the Fair Housing Testing and Outreach Coordinator for the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, where he supervised the testing program, handled intake and investigation, and conducted fair housing trainings for 3.5 years. At CLCCRUL, his work focused on the intersection of fair housing and technology, and he the led the investigation into craigslist's publication of discriminatory advertisements.  

Born and raised in New Orleans, Justin now lives in Chicago's South Loop with his wife Abbie and dog beast Reggie.

Amy Sample Ward

Amy Sample Ward is NetSquared's Global Community Development Manager, focusing on the strategic development of content, community and collaboration among NetSquared's stakeholders both on and offline. Her work covers the NetSquared website (content, Challenges, and more), online Community (comments, usability, participation), and offline Community or Net Tuesdays (supporting and coordinating all local organizers around the world).

Currently based in London, UK, she also organizers London Net Tuesday and would be thrilled to help you start a Net Tuesday event in your city!

In addition to her fun with NetSquared, Amy is a nonprofit technology blogger, trainer, presenter, and collaborator. She recently co-authored Social by Social: a practical guide to using new technologies for social impact.   She has worked in and with advocacy organizations of varying sizes and for a private grantmaker; and loves all tools that facilitate collaboration and conversation.   You can find her blog at http://amysampleward.org/.

Marnie Webb

Marnie Webb is the Co-CEO of TechSoup Global. Marnie has been with TechSoup Global since 2001, most recently holding the position of Vice President of Knowledge Services. To help address the nonprofit sector's systemic technology challenges, Marnie works towards optimizing TechSoup Global's popular Web resource, TechSoup, and its Knowledge Services program, which includes projects such as Healthy and Secure Computing and MaintainIT. She is one of the driving forces behind the NetSquared Initiative, which brings the social Web to nonprofits across the globe.

A sought-after speaker and writer on nonprofit technology, she understands both challenges and technological possibilities facing the sector. Marnie is one of the founding members of the Nonprofit Emerging Technology Exchange and an organizer of the NPTech tagging experiment.

In 2008, The Nonprofit Times included Marnie on its list of the 50 most influential leaders in the U.S. nonprofit sector.

Fresh! White

Fresh! is celebrating his 3rd year as the logistics manager for NetSquared.

Moving into his 7th year with CompuMentor/TechSoup, Fresh! is very excited to once again be a part of the NetSquared Team and support their efforts to help non-profits best utilize Social Networking tools. Fresh! also co-produces Net Tuesday with Britt Bravo by managing the logistics for that event as well.

A long time Bay Area activist, Fresh! currently sits on the board and provides anti-violence training with the Community United Against (CUAV) and supports Writing Ourselves Whole, a project designed to transform lives through words; Fresh! also supports the National Black Justice Coalition and Generation Five and hopes to work on the development of a US Social Forum in the SF Bay Area.

Fresh! is also a professional coach; working to help others connect with their inner power, strengths and talents in order to live their lives as completely as they wish. Fresh! and his fiancé are enjoying the beautiful views from their new apartment next to the lovely Lake Merritt, Oakland.