Meet Our Amazing Team
When you start a GiveForward fundraiser, you instantly gain the support of an entire team of talented fundraising professionals. From offering proven fundraising tips for getting started, to personalized one-to-one coaching, behind our platform is a dedicated group of people passionate about helping our users succeed. Our fundraising professionals are committed to doing all that we can to make your fundraising experience as remarkable as possible.
Desiree Vargas Wrigley, CEO and Co-Founder Desiree@GiveForward.comOriginally from Costa Rica & Kansas, Desiree graduated from Yale University with B.A. in Latin American Studies. Prior to launching GiveForward, she worked as a specialist in collegiate entrepreneurship at the Kauffman Foundation and as an independent consultant for Arabella Philanthropic Investment Advisors. Desiree is passionate about philanthropy and the role that young and small-scale donors can have on our communities. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family.
Ethan Austin, COO and Co-Founder Ethan@GiveForward.com
A local to southern California, Ethan graduated from Emory University with a B.A. in political science. He holds a J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law where he was member of the Law Review. He is passionate about helping people battling cancer and volunteers for Imerman Angels, a one-on-one cancer-support organization. In his free time Ethan can typically be found training for marathons in his banana costume in an effort to raise money for cancer awareness.
A local to southern California, Ethan graduated from Emory University with a B.A. in political science. He holds a J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law where he was member of the Law Review. He is passionate about helping people battling cancer and volunteers for Imerman Angels, a one-on-one cancer-support organization. In his free time Ethan can typically be found training for marathons in his banana costume in an effort to raise money for cancer awareness.
Erica, Director of User Relations Erica@GiveForward.comA product of the Chicago suburbs, Erica graduated from University of Massachusetts-Amherst with a B.A. in Psychology. Originally starting at GiveForward as an intern, Erica has turned her passion of helping people into a career as she guides fundraiser to their fullest potential. When she’s not reading up on the latest in fundraising ideas and crowdfunding, Erica enjoys attending the occasional trivia night and planning her next trip.
Michael, Fundraising Coach Michael@GiveForward.comRaised in Indiana, Michael earned his B.A. in English from Miami University. After graduation, Michael left the mid-west for the Marshall Islands where he volunteered as an English teacher through WorldTeach. On this remote island, Michael cultivated a strong desire to help others in need. He now helps thousands of families through his helpful fundraising tips. Outside of the office, Michael enjoys exploring Chicago, and jogging.
Sarah, Fundraising Coach Sarah@GiveForward.comOriginally from New England, Sarah moved to Chicago to attend DePaul University where she graduated with a degree in Sociology. Sarah started at GiveForward as an intern and was quickly hired as an Executive Assistant. She soon found her passion to help others as a Fundraising Coach, and manages the most important part of every fundraiser- payouts. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys riding her bike.
Adrienne, Fundraising Coach Adrienne@GiveForward.comAdrienne is originally from the snowy streets of Minnesota, so ‘nice’ & “helpful’ are in her DNA. She graduated from Lake Forest College with a degree in English. Working at GiveForward is her dream, as Adrienne loves to help people think of creative ideas to help share their fundraiser with more people. When she’s not in the office talking to fundraising all-stars, she enjoys improvising new recipes, hanging out with her dog, Balto, and dominating at Jeopardy.
Caiti, Fundraising Coach Caiti@GiveForward.comA St. Louisan at heart, Caiti arrived in Chicago a little over 7 years ago. After studying at Columbia College Chicago as well as the University of Melbourne in Australia, she earned a degree in Arts, Entertainment and Media Management. She began at GiveForward as a Marketing intern, and quickly found full time enjoyment providing unexpected joy as a fundraising coach. She is great at providing marketing and media tips for fundraisers.
Kristine, Fundraising Coach Kristine@GiveForward.comKristine is a recent graduate of the University of Iowa, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She started at GiveForward with the goal to help amazing people and give some hugs along the way! When she’s not busy researching awesome support groups for families on GiveForward, you can find her dancing at music festivals, browsing the realms of Reddit, or catching up with celebrity gossip.
Lokesh, Fundraising Coach Lokesh@GiveForward.comBorn in the south-suburbs of Chicago and raised in Missouri, Lokesh (who also goes by Loki) received his degree from DePaul University, studying Management Concentrating in Entrepreneurship. Lokesh came on board with the business development team and worked his way into becoming a Fundraising Coach. Making a positive difference in the lives of GiveForward’s users is what he’s all about. During his free time, Lokesh enjoys growing and cloning some of the hottest varieties of peppers on earth…muy picante!
Anthony Broad-Crawford, Chief Product Officer Anthony@GiveForward.com
A recent addition to Chicago, Anthony originally hails from southern California where he grew up spending every minute on a skateboard or a boogie board. Originally a lover of all things music and extreme sports, Anthony found his true calling in technology early in his college career. Since that discovery, Anthony has created 10 patent receiving technologies, started 2 successful technology companies, and along the way started a family. Outside of GiveForward, Anthony can be found exploring the city of Chicago, and its music scene, with his family.
A recent addition to Chicago, Anthony originally hails from southern California where he grew up spending every minute on a skateboard or a boogie board. Originally a lover of all things music and extreme sports, Anthony found his true calling in technology early in his college career. Since that discovery, Anthony has created 10 patent receiving technologies, started 2 successful technology companies, and along the way started a family. Outside of GiveForward, Anthony can be found exploring the city of Chicago, and its music scene, with his family.
Chris McKeever, Lead Developer Chris@GiveForward.comPrior to GiveForward, Chris spent 10 years doing various forms of IT for the real estate industry including a position as the Director of Technology for Prudential Real Estate – Chicago. From there, Chris moved on to become the Managing Director for the Center for Real Estate Technology (CRT). At GiveForward Chris helps define the company’s online presence and builds new features to help our users.
Matt Greenwood, Web Developer Matt@GiveForward.comBorn and raised in Chicago, Matt was an all-start math and physics student. He decided to pursue a degree in engineering, but after taking his first programming class at Lake Forest College, he was hooked on computer science. He graduated from LFC with a B.A in both Math and Computer Science. When Matt’s not making the GiveForward website look slick and run smoothly, he plays in a competitive hockey league and cheers for the Blackhawks (as long as the NHL isn’t in a lockout).
Stephanie Finken, User Interface Developer Stephanie@GiveForward.comDriven by a desire to help people and make a positive difference, Stephanie came to GiveForward after working as a front-end developer for 3 years at a web agency in the Chicago suburbs. She earned a B.F.A. in graphic design from The University of Iowa where she worked as a student employee designing and building websites for university departments. When she’s not reading up on new web design she enjoys traveling, and visiting friends and family.
Ariana Vargas, Director of Biz Development Ariana@GiveForward.com
Ariana was born in Costa Rica, grew up in Kansas City and has lived everywhere from Sevilla to Sydney. After graduating from Boston College with a degree in Film Studies and History, she worked as a Project Manager for AT&T’s ad agency. Ariana lives to work with people, and at GiveForward she loves to find more ways for organizations and companies to help others.
Ariana was born in Costa Rica, grew up in Kansas City and has lived everywhere from Sevilla to Sydney. After graduating from Boston College with a degree in Film Studies and History, she worked as a Project Manager for AT&T’s ad agency. Ariana lives to work with people, and at GiveForward she loves to find more ways for organizations and companies to help others.
Whitney Johnson, Business Development Whitney@GiveForward.com
Whitney was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri. She received her degree in technical writing from Missouri State University. When Whitney came across GiveForward, she knew she had to be a part of their mission and grow awareness as part of the Business Development team. Leaving Springfield behind, she moved to the big city of Chicago. Outside of work, Whitney loves going for runs and trying new restaurants.
Dan Kuthy, CMO Dan@GiveForward.com
While Dan earned a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising at Michigan State, he spent most of his time learning and practicing online marketing at an East Lansing consulting shop. Since then, Dan has managed some of the nation’s largest search marketing programs including Lowe’s, LeapFrog and The Tire Rack. He led the charge to include SEO as a key priority of the Lowes.com site redesign in 2008. Dan started a self-funded digital direct-marketing business and a venture-funded software company in the solar power space.
Nate St. Pierre, Director of Communications Nate@GiveForward.comBorn, raised, and currently living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Nate is a special guest star in Chicago and Los Angeles. He left the corporate world in 2010, spending three years building global communities around web-based personal philanthropy projects. His life goal is only three words long: Change the World. He gets to do that at GiveForward by telling the story of who we are and how we help.
Ashley Groves, Director of Social Media Ashley@GiveForward.comA proud graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ashley worked as a consultant in D.C. before joining GiveForward. She loves building and interacting with the GiveForward community on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest and learning the latest SEO tips. In her spare time, Ashley can be found cheering on the Tar Heels and planning her next trip.
Mike Rome, Search Manager Mike@GiveForward.com After a brief spell consulting to Fortune 500 consumer brands, Mike left the corporate life on a quest to use his knack for numbers to help build meaningful things. At GiveForward, Mike uses his data skills to uncover the best ways we can improve the GiveForward site. Raised just outside Chicago, Mike spent his college years at the University of Iowa and University of Newcastle, Australia. Out of the office, Mike enjoys traveling, the outdoors, family and friends.
Founded in 2008, GiveForward is privately held and supported by an incredible group of investors and advisors including; Founder Collective, First Round Capital, New World Ventures, BulletTime Ventures, Social Leverage, AngelPool, Excelerate Labs, Firestarter Fund and an incredible group of angel investors.