We started OpenTent because we saw the immense potential of new tech tools, and knew from lived experience that translating that potential into reality would be challenging for many organizations.
Today we partner with our clients to close that gap through Salesforce consulting, staff coaching, business process design, and holistic partnerships for the long haul.
By investing in relationships that last, we help our clients succeed as people, not just organizations.
Share your work, feedback, and feelings early and often. Say the real thing through thoughtful and direct communication. Make clear agreements and follow through on them.
Cultivate curiosity and empathy to get to the heart of the matter and the person. Strive to truly understand our teammates and clients.
Find opportunity in uncertainty and take proactive action. Unlock the potential in yourself and the people around you.
Craft intuitive interfaces, beautiful materials, and delightful moments. Host the “best meeting of the day” through extraordinary hospitality and your own unique energy.
Build for the long-term through simplicity, intentionality, and continuous improvement. Prioritize your wellbeing and commit to honoring rest and renewal.
Sam Adiv, as told by Kayleigh Collins:
Sam is an energetic and infectious dreamer. He is a forever student, bringing a Beginner’s Mind to every room and using his curiosity about the world to create meaningful growth experiences for his team and his clients. Sam almost went to rabbinical school and now brings those traits to our team, leading with vulnerability and encourages it in others, and creating space for our team to be who they are. His passion and playfulness are evident in everything he does - from teaching Kayleigh how to cook, to training his puppy, to leading our team in envisioning new ideas. Originally from small town Maine, Sam now lives in Denver, where he and his wife Amalia regularly host Jewish community gatherings at their house.
A time when Sam created a joyful experience: At our Team Advance in January 2021, I played 'jock jams' music in the background while introducing each member of our team. I love using goofy surprises like that to bring laughter to our work. Also, in high school I was far too nerdy to ever be introduced to a room of people with that kind of music...so now it gives me deep satisfaction to hype up our team of nerds like the champion athletes they are.
Sam Adiv, as told by Kayleigh Collins:
Sam is an energetic and infectious dreamer. He is a forever student, bringing a Beginner’s Mind to every room and using his curiosity about the world to create meaningful growth experiences for his team and his clients. Sam almost went to rabbinical school and now brings those traits to our team, leading with vulnerability and encourages it in others, and creating space for our team to be who they are. His passion and playfulness are evident in everything he does - from teaching Kayleigh how to cook, to training his puppy, to leading our team in envisioning new ideas. Originally from small town Maine, Sam now lives in Denver, where he and his wife Amalia regularly host Jewish community gatherings at their house.
A time when Sam created a joyful experience: At our Team Advance in January 2021, I played 'jock jams' music in the background while introducing each member of our team. I love using goofy surprises like that to bring laughter to our work. Also, in high school I was far too nerdy to ever be introduced to a room of people with that kind of music...so now it gives me deep satisfaction to hype up our team of nerds like the champion athletes they are.
%20-%20Sam%20Adiv.jpg)
Tudor Ceara, as told by Audrey Cruz
A perpetual learner and explorer, Tudor’s expansive interests have led him across industries. With experience in a transportation start-up, post-secondary success programming, and education equity, Tudor flexes into different roles and situations with curiosity, determination, and kindness. He genuinely wants to make the world a better place and use his love for data to advance causes he’s passionate about - and there are many! At OpenTent, Tudor’s stoked that his role allows him to serve others and solve complex problems with data. A recent LA transplant living in Brooklyn, Tudor is excited to finally live out his 90s New York sitcom fantasies with his friends in coffee shops and diners. He enjoys laughing over a meal with loved ones, staying active by playing tennis or soccer, and talking about how much he loves the idea of baking but never actually doing it.
A time when Tudor created a joyful experience: “In pre-pandemic summers, my family would take long road trips from our home in the LA area to places like Vancouver & Yellowstone. Drives between destinations on our route were very long, so I’d put on a series of impressions and ridiculous voices to pass the time and make my family laugh. Sesame Street, if you’re reading this and need a backup Elmo, you can reach me at tudor@opentent.com.”
.png)
Tudor Ceara, as told by Audrey Cruz
A perpetual learner and explorer, Tudor’s expansive interests have led him across industries. With experience in a transportation start-up, post-secondary success programming, and education equity, Tudor flexes into different roles and situations with curiosity, determination, and kindness. He genuinely wants to make the world a better place and use his love for data to advance causes he’s passionate about - and there are many! At OpenTent, Tudor’s stoked that his role allows him to serve others and solve complex problems with data. A recent LA transplant living in Brooklyn, Tudor is excited to finally live out his 90s New York sitcom fantasies with his friends in coffee shops and diners. He enjoys laughing over a meal with loved ones, staying active by playing tennis or soccer, and talking about how much he loves the idea of baking but never actually doing it.
A time when Tudor created a joyful experience: “In pre-pandemic summers, my family would take long road trips from our home in the LA area to places like Vancouver & Yellowstone. Drives between destinations on our route were very long, so I’d put on a series of impressions and ridiculous voices to pass the time and make my family laugh. Sesame Street, if you’re reading this and need a backup Elmo, you can reach me at tudor@opentent.com.”
Becky Chao as told by Kayleigh Collins:
Becky is a witty problem-solver and designer of human-centered tools. She has two Bachelors Degrees in Rhetoric and Computer Science, and taught herself to use Python, SQL, and JavaScript. Becky has worked with nonprofit organizations for more than six years. She most recently worked at Oakland Promise, where she supported her team as a Salesforce Administrator to make college a reality for young learners. Becky is passionate about supporting innovative organizations and collaborating with Salesforce maestros. She joined OpenTent to help our clients build user-friendly Salesforce tools to improve the way they work and carry out their missions.
A time when Becky created a joyful experience: I enjoy designing interactive events for friends – scavenger hunts, play readings, murder mysteries, and so on. It’s fun to see a group of cool people working together to make words on a page come alive, with collaborative energy and a blended sense of humor. I strive to bring a similar joy to my work in designing systems for people working together for social change.
Becky Chao as told by Kayleigh Collins:
Becky is a witty problem-solver and designer of human-centered tools. She has two Bachelors Degrees in Rhetoric and Computer Science, and taught herself to use Python, SQL, and JavaScript. Becky has worked with nonprofit organizations for more than six years. She most recently worked at Oakland Promise, where she supported her team as a Salesforce Administrator to make college a reality for young learners. Becky is passionate about supporting innovative organizations and collaborating with Salesforce maestros. She joined OpenTent to help our clients build user-friendly Salesforce tools to improve the way they work and carry out their missions.
A time when Becky created a joyful experience: I enjoy designing interactive events for friends – scavenger hunts, play readings, murder mysteries, and so on. It’s fun to see a group of cool people working together to make words on a page come alive, with collaborative energy and a blended sense of humor. I strive to bring a similar joy to my work in designing systems for people working together for social change.
Alex Fosco as told by Kayleigh Collins:
Alex is a true believer in the combined power of intentional community building and Salesforce engineering. They worked on the ground with nonprofits for four years and served as the Salesforce lead for GatherDC and the Aleph Institute. Alex was inspired to join OpenTent since the time she entered OpenTent's Accelerator Program to learn how to grow as a Salesforce Engineer. Alex used those skills to become a rockstar people-centered Engineer and advocate for data-driven relationship building. They joined OpenTent to directly support the staff at Central Synagogue (OpenTent's client) to use Salesforce as a tool to make their jobs easier and to deepen connections within their community.
Alex Fosco as told by Kayleigh Collins:
Alex is a true believer in the combined power of intentional community building and Salesforce engineering. They worked on the ground with nonprofits for four years and served as the Salesforce lead for GatherDC and the Aleph Institute. Alex was inspired to join OpenTent since the time she entered OpenTent's Accelerator Program to learn how to grow as a Salesforce Engineer. Alex used those skills to become a rockstar people-centered Engineer and advocate for data-driven relationship building. They joined OpenTent to directly support the staff at Central Synagogue (OpenTent's client) to use Salesforce as a tool to make their jobs easier and to deepen connections within their community.
Maren Gauldin, as told by Kayleigh Collins:
Maren loves connecting the dots, and seeing the gaps and opportunities in team development. With a background in nonprofit leadership, organizational development, coaching and facilitation, Maren orchestrates in the complex space between the human and the tool, the space where technology comes to life. She loves building trusting relationships at every level of her work and is passionate about human and organizational potential. Before joining OpenTent, she was the Director of Operations and Organizational Development at Golden Bridge. Maren is inspired by the ways OpenTent leverages technology in the spirit of community, and in service to humanity. Maren lives in Colorado with her partner, two cute kids, two dogs, a cat, a snake and a goldfish.
A time Maren created joyful experiences: Spring is my favorite season and every year I host a large Easter Soiree to celebrate! I invite several families and we all eat a yummy potluck brunch and spend the afternoon hunting beautifully-died eggs in my big backyard. The best part is the bonus adult version of the egg hunt where eggs get hidden in REALLY challenging places and winners get grown-up prizes. It's amazing how rowdy and joyful adults can get around an Easter Egg Hunt!
Maren Gauldin, as told by Kayleigh Collins:
Maren loves connecting the dots, and seeing the gaps and opportunities in team development. With a background in nonprofit leadership, organizational development, coaching and facilitation, Maren orchestrates in the complex space between the human and the tool, the space where technology comes to life. She loves building trusting relationships at every level of her work and is passionate about human and organizational potential. Before joining OpenTent, she was the Director of Operations and Organizational Development at Golden Bridge. Maren is inspired by the ways OpenTent leverages technology in the spirit of community, and in service to humanity. Maren lives in Colorado with her partner, two cute kids, two dogs, a cat, a snake and a goldfish.
A time Maren created joyful experiences: Spring is my favorite season and every year I host a large Easter Soiree to celebrate! I invite several families and we all eat a yummy potluck brunch and spend the afternoon hunting beautifully-died eggs in my big backyard. The best part is the bonus adult version of the egg hunt where eggs get hidden in REALLY challenging places and winners get grown-up prizes. It's amazing how rowdy and joyful adults can get around an Easter Egg Hunt!
Thomas Gunn as told by Kristen Tippit:
Thomas is a natural and trained problem solver. With his degree in physics, he learned ‘how to learn’ through experiments and team work. Thomas started his career as a quality engineer in the aerospace and medical device industries. Progressing in his abilities, skills, and interest in the dynamics of a good team, he joined a Salesforce consulting firm as a technical writer before moving into client facing roles specializing in utilizing Salesforce technology for marketing solutions within the higher education sector. Thomas considers himself a life explorer, captivated by unknown worlds, real or constructed, and brings this mentality to projects and teamwork. He joins OpenTent after crafting his consulting and Salesforce solutioning skills and teaching himself website development. Outside of work, Thomas values his close friendships, walks with his wife and dog, and venturing into less obvious subjects where “the rules are easy to learn but hard to master."
Why teamwork is so important to Thomas: “As I joined OpenTent, I was asked questions about ‘How I work best’, something I hadn’t spent time considering before. The more I thought about this question, the more I realized that anytime I had achieved something big or done something well, it was ALWAYS done so with the support of a team. I have come to realize that a good team is an invaluable part of work and accomplishing great things. When you think of the transformational output of an improved team’s performance, it can be 16 times that of an individual.”
Thomas Gunn as told by Kristen Tippit:
Thomas is a natural and trained problem solver. With his degree in physics, he learned ‘how to learn’ through experiments and team work. Thomas started his career as a quality engineer in the aerospace and medical device industries. Progressing in his abilities, skills, and interest in the dynamics of a good team, he joined a Salesforce consulting firm as a technical writer before moving into client facing roles specializing in utilizing Salesforce technology for marketing solutions within the higher education sector. Thomas considers himself a life explorer, captivated by unknown worlds, real or constructed, and brings this mentality to projects and teamwork. He joins OpenTent after crafting his consulting and Salesforce solutioning skills and teaching himself website development. Outside of work, Thomas values his close friendships, walks with his wife and dog, and venturing into less obvious subjects where “the rules are easy to learn but hard to master."
Why teamwork is so important to Thomas: “As I joined OpenTent, I was asked questions about ‘How I work best’, something I hadn’t spent time considering before. The more I thought about this question, the more I realized that anytime I had achieved something big or done something well, it was ALWAYS done so with the support of a team. I have come to realize that a good team is an invaluable part of work and accomplishing great things. When you think of the transformational output of an improved team’s performance, it can be 16 times that of an individual.”
Sara Habib, as told by Ariel Lieberman
Sara welcomes a challenge, viewing any stumbling blocks that come her way as just more information to make more informed decisions next time. She has brought that mentality and experience to our OpenTent team, leaning into her inherent strengths of identifying areas for improvement and striving for perfection by helping OpenTent grow, developing leaders on our team, and magnifying our clients’ impacts.
A time when Sara was the solution: The year of 2020 was transformative for her as she explicitly saw the impact of inequity close to home. It became very clear to her that she had power to utilize her strengths and affect the change that she wants to see by working with mission driven organizations at OpenTent.
Sara Habib, as told by Ariel Lieberman
Sara welcomes a challenge, viewing any stumbling blocks that come her way as just more information to make more informed decisions next time. She has brought that mentality and experience to our OpenTent team, leaning into her inherent strengths of identifying areas for improvement and striving for perfection by helping OpenTent grow, developing leaders on our team, and magnifying our clients’ impacts.
A time when Sara was the solution: The year of 2020 was transformative for her as she explicitly saw the impact of inequity close to home. It became very clear to her that she had power to utilize her strengths and affect the change that she wants to see by working with mission driven organizations at OpenTent.
Eva Jablow, as told by Eric Bruenner:
Eva loves helping clients automate and streamline tedious processes and has an incredible talent for breaking down complex technical concepts into plain language. Eva is a lover of boardgames and a passionate advocate for technology within the nonprofit universe. She may or may not have a pet squirrel that lives on her fire escape in NYC.
A time when Eva created a joyful experience: I designed, built and hosted an escape the room in my own apartment for my birthday. Complete with custom made and devious puzzles, I locked all of my closest friends inside of a New York City apartment and watched them try to figure out my brain. It was amazing, no regrets.
Eva Jablow, as told by Eric Bruenner:
Eva loves helping clients automate and streamline tedious processes and has an incredible talent for breaking down complex technical concepts into plain language. Eva is a lover of boardgames and a passionate advocate for technology within the nonprofit universe. She may or may not have a pet squirrel that lives on her fire escape in NYC.
A time when Eva created a joyful experience: I designed, built and hosted an escape the room in my own apartment for my birthday. Complete with custom made and devious puzzles, I locked all of my closest friends inside of a New York City apartment and watched them try to figure out my brain. It was amazing, no regrets.
Ezra LaFleur, as told by Kayleigh Collins:
Since his time as an AmeriCorps member, Ezra has believed that technology and nonprofit teams are the two most powerful forces for good. He has dedicated his learning and growth to combining these forces. When he discovered Salesforce, he stayed up late at night studying Trailhead and creating forms and flows for his colleagues at the Urban League of Middle Tennessee. Ezra learned that sharing a motivating “why” for adopting a new technology is key to success for any team. He decided to join OpenTent so that he could use this kind of people-first consulting approach to help many nonprofit organizations with their Salesforce. During his free time Ezra loves getting inspired by playing piano, reading, and volunteering in his local community of Nashville.
A time when Ezra created a joyful experience: I really enjoy cooking for my friends, and especially creating new things. A friend of mine once said, ‘if Ezra is trying to make you eat something, be scared…but also try it.’ Cooking is like my process as an Engineer. I start with a vision of what I want to achieve and then have fun experimenting and testing along the way. What I love most about cooking is creating something for others that brings them surprise and joy.
.png)
Ezra LaFleur, as told by Kayleigh Collins:
Since his time as an AmeriCorps member, Ezra has believed that technology and nonprofit teams are the two most powerful forces for good. He has dedicated his learning and growth to combining these forces. When he discovered Salesforce, he stayed up late at night studying Trailhead and creating forms and flows for his colleagues at the Urban League of Middle Tennessee. Ezra learned that sharing a motivating “why” for adopting a new technology is key to success for any team. He decided to join OpenTent so that he could use this kind of people-first consulting approach to help many nonprofit organizations with their Salesforce. During his free time Ezra loves getting inspired by playing piano, reading, and volunteering in his local community of Nashville.
A time when Ezra created a joyful experience: I really enjoy cooking for my friends, and especially creating new things. A friend of mine once said, ‘if Ezra is trying to make you eat something, be scared…but also try it.’ Cooking is like my process as an Engineer. I start with a vision of what I want to achieve and then have fun experimenting and testing along the way. What I love most about cooking is creating something for others that brings them surprise and joy.
Lexie Mallow as told by Kayleigh Collins:
Lexie is a compassionate and creative systems thinker. She has dedicated five years to supporting nonprofit and political field organizing teams to carry out their missions. Lexie worked at All Star Code where she built community among alumni from a computer science education program. She then found her love of building Salesforce and data-driven teams, and became the Salesforce Administrator at the Brennan Center for Justice. Lexie joined OpenTent to help many nonprofits achieve their mission and to do more good through their use of technology. She is passionate about helping our clients create change from the ground up and building supportive organizational cultures.
A time when Lexie built trusting relationships: During the 2016 election, I worked as a field organizer in rural Iowa. My objective was to build a community of engaged, motivated volunteers. Through thoughtful maneuvering and strong partnership with existing local structures, I was able to do just that. I learned that people show up for the candidates, but stay for the community. Making people feel important, valued, and comfortable was more important than any policy positions I could memorize.
.png)
Lexie Mallow as told by Kayleigh Collins:
Lexie is a compassionate and creative systems thinker. She has dedicated five years to supporting nonprofit and political field organizing teams to carry out their missions. Lexie worked at All Star Code where she built community among alumni from a computer science education program. She then found her love of building Salesforce and data-driven teams, and became the Salesforce Administrator at the Brennan Center for Justice. Lexie joined OpenTent to help many nonprofits achieve their mission and to do more good through their use of technology. She is passionate about helping our clients create change from the ground up and building supportive organizational cultures.
A time when Lexie built trusting relationships: During the 2016 election, I worked as a field organizer in rural Iowa. My objective was to build a community of engaged, motivated volunteers. Through thoughtful maneuvering and strong partnership with existing local structures, I was able to do just that. I learned that people show up for the candidates, but stay for the community. Making people feel important, valued, and comfortable was more important than any policy positions I could memorize.
Chris McCullough, as told by Linnaia McKenzie:
Chris is a forward-thinking Engineer with a passion for creating clarity, especially when he gets to build and improve processes and user interfaces. Chris has a decade's worth of experience building solutions in Salesforce for nonprofits. He was a Founding Partner at Percolator Consulting, and since then has worked with 350.org and The Build Tank. He chose to make OpenTent his team because of his experience working with OpenTent while he was working at a nonprofit. A native of West Haven, Connecticut, Chris became the first in his family to graduate college. Chris lives in Seattle with his wife Sarah, his son Jack, and his "lab-rat" (lab-rat terrier mix pup), Lola. Outside of work you can catch Chris watching soccer, hiking, running, and cooking.
A time when Chris created a joyful experience: I coached my son’s soccer team for several years when he was little. We practiced twice a week, and I would spend hours coming up with games and drills that would develop their soccer skills and keep them engaged for an hour. I had a lot of failures! But I also had one hit — a game where the kids were dragons, and had to protect their eggs (soccer balls) from the bad dragon (me) who would try to knock them away. The kids LOVED this game. It was all they wanted to do during practice. I bet we had the best ball handlers in the league!
Chris McCullough, as told by Linnaia McKenzie:
Chris is a forward-thinking Engineer with a passion for creating clarity, especially when he gets to build and improve processes and user interfaces. Chris has a decade's worth of experience building solutions in Salesforce for nonprofits. He was a Founding Partner at Percolator Consulting, and since then has worked with 350.org and The Build Tank. He chose to make OpenTent his team because of his experience working with OpenTent while he was working at a nonprofit. A native of West Haven, Connecticut, Chris became the first in his family to graduate college. Chris lives in Seattle with his wife Sarah, his son Jack, and his "lab-rat" (lab-rat terrier mix pup), Lola. Outside of work you can catch Chris watching soccer, hiking, running, and cooking.
A time when Chris created a joyful experience: I coached my son’s soccer team for several years when he was little. We practiced twice a week, and I would spend hours coming up with games and drills that would develop their soccer skills and keep them engaged for an hour. I had a lot of failures! But I also had one hit — a game where the kids were dragons, and had to protect their eggs (soccer balls) from the bad dragon (me) who would try to knock them away. The kids LOVED this game. It was all they wanted to do during practice. I bet we had the best ball handlers in the league!
Emma McKay as told by Kayleigh Collins:
For years, Emma has been passionate about using efficient business practices to increase the impact of nonprofits and social enterprises. During her time as an economic development Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal, she quickly learned the power of using well-collected-and-analyzed data to monitor her projects’ success. She continued studying data analytics while getting her MBA in social and sustainable enterprise, and ended up working soon after as a Salesforce Administrator for TGTHR - a nonprofit that works with youth experiencing homelessness - before finding a home at OpenTent. In her free time, you’ll find Emma practicing yoga, in the mountains snowboarding or backpacking, or covered in glitter at a local electronic music show.
A time when Emma was the solution: "I was in grad school with a cohort full of highly motivated and socially conscious entrepreneurs when Covid-19 came around. Two of my classmates and I decided we were a group well-suited to help calm the chaos around us in some way, so we decided to launch a network of volunteers to help deliver groceries and essential supplies to those who were unable to leave their homes. Naively, we thought the operation would be simple and only last for a month or two, but it turned into a nearly full-time job that lasted the 10 months until we graduated. By the end, our network had done over 3000 deliveries, and we had implemented many other services, including hot meal deliveries for a nonprofit restaurant, financial assistance for groceries, and deliveries for the local food bank."
Emma McKay as told by Kayleigh Collins:
For years, Emma has been passionate about using efficient business practices to increase the impact of nonprofits and social enterprises. During her time as an economic development Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal, she quickly learned the power of using well-collected-and-analyzed data to monitor her projects’ success. She continued studying data analytics while getting her MBA in social and sustainable enterprise, and ended up working soon after as a Salesforce Administrator for TGTHR - a nonprofit that works with youth experiencing homelessness - before finding a home at OpenTent. In her free time, you’ll find Emma practicing yoga, in the mountains snowboarding or backpacking, or covered in glitter at a local electronic music show.
A time when Emma was the solution: "I was in grad school with a cohort full of highly motivated and socially conscious entrepreneurs when Covid-19 came around. Two of my classmates and I decided we were a group well-suited to help calm the chaos around us in some way, so we decided to launch a network of volunteers to help deliver groceries and essential supplies to those who were unable to leave their homes. Naively, we thought the operation would be simple and only last for a month or two, but it turned into a nearly full-time job that lasted the 10 months until we graduated. By the end, our network had done over 3000 deliveries, and we had implemented many other services, including hot meal deliveries for a nonprofit restaurant, financial assistance for groceries, and deliveries for the local food bank."
Linnaia McKenzie, as told by Chris McCullough:
Linnaia is a life-long advocate for the arts, social justice, her clients, her family and for herself. She is passionate about building strong, meaningful relationships with teammates and clients. As an experienced Salesforce Project Manager for nonprofit organizations and technical consulting teams, she supports her clients with proactive communication and diligent research. She’ll also seize any opportunity to make someone laugh! Linnaia lives in Shawnee, Kansas with her 5-year-old daughter, Genesis. Outside of work, you might find her putting her own spin on a new recipe, hosting a karaoke night for friends, planning a dream trip to Europe or spending quality time with Genesis.
A time when Linnaia was the solution: After the murder of George Floyd by the Minneapolis police in May of 2020, I found myself in a new place mentally. I was seeing yet another headline where someone who looks like me, or could be my Father, Brother, Uncle, etc. being fatally harmed for an unjust cause. I had enough. I was desperate to feel the support of my community during this time, so I would no longer be fearful of such an event happening to me in my own community. I decided that the best way to gather community support for marginalized, underrepresented groups in our county would be to organize a march & rally event. I sent one email to the City Manager and from that connection, I met so many others who were available and ready to support me. After two weeks of intense planning, we as a community were able to put on the 1st Annual Advocacy and Awareness Peace March and Rally, a truly beautiful, impactful and life-changing event. 300+ community members showed up, all in masks, to support BIPOC people in Johnson County. As we approach our 3rd Annual Advocacy and Awareness Peach March and Rally, I am thankful to reflect upon the first beautiful moment we created in the midst of tragedy and recall how much it uplifted all those who attended.
Linnaia McKenzie, as told by Chris McCullough:
Linnaia is a life-long advocate for the arts, social justice, her clients, her family and for herself. She is passionate about building strong, meaningful relationships with teammates and clients. As an experienced Salesforce Project Manager for nonprofit organizations and technical consulting teams, she supports her clients with proactive communication and diligent research. She’ll also seize any opportunity to make someone laugh! Linnaia lives in Shawnee, Kansas with her 5-year-old daughter, Genesis. Outside of work, you might find her putting her own spin on a new recipe, hosting a karaoke night for friends, planning a dream trip to Europe or spending quality time with Genesis.
A time when Linnaia was the solution: After the murder of George Floyd by the Minneapolis police in May of 2020, I found myself in a new place mentally. I was seeing yet another headline where someone who looks like me, or could be my Father, Brother, Uncle, etc. being fatally harmed for an unjust cause. I had enough. I was desperate to feel the support of my community during this time, so I would no longer be fearful of such an event happening to me in my own community. I decided that the best way to gather community support for marginalized, underrepresented groups in our county would be to organize a march & rally event. I sent one email to the City Manager and from that connection, I met so many others who were available and ready to support me. After two weeks of intense planning, we as a community were able to put on the 1st Annual Advocacy and Awareness Peace March and Rally, a truly beautiful, impactful and life-changing event. 300+ community members showed up, all in masks, to support BIPOC people in Johnson County. As we approach our 3rd Annual Advocacy and Awareness Peach March and Rally, I am thankful to reflect upon the first beautiful moment we created in the midst of tragedy and recall how much it uplifted all those who attended.
.jpg)
Kara Nic, as told by Gabby Lobascio
Kara is fascinated by the story that data can tell about an organization. Starting her Salesforce journey as a Data Specialist, she spent entire days reviewing and editing spreadsheets. It was through that experience that she quickly developed a love for working with people to uncover how their work can be as impactful as possible. Kara is persistently positive - she’s always willing to lend a helping hand. She is a homebody at heart and loves spending time with her pup, Keith.
A time when Kara worked sustainably: I am super organized, to the point where I love to catalogue things - even the books and music in my house. I try to be very meticulous, and that affects how I work. Anyone could come into my house and peruse my collection to easily find what they need. I bring the same energy to my Salesforce projects to ensure that I’m leaving folks with something elegant, long-lasting, and easy-to-use.
Kara Nic, as told by Gabby Lobascio
Kara is fascinated by the story that data can tell about an organization. Starting her Salesforce journey as a Data Specialist, she spent entire days reviewing and editing spreadsheets. It was through that experience that she quickly developed a love for working with people to uncover how their work can be as impactful as possible. Kara is persistently positive - she’s always willing to lend a helping hand. She is a homebody at heart and loves spending time with her pup, Keith.
A time when Kara worked sustainably: I am super organized, to the point where I love to catalogue things - even the books and music in my house. I try to be very meticulous, and that affects how I work. Anyone could come into my house and peruse my collection to easily find what they need. I bring the same energy to my Salesforce projects to ensure that I’m leaving folks with something elegant, long-lasting, and easy-to-use.
Fred Pabon as told by Kayleigh Collins:
Fred is an Agile coach at heart who believes in building trusted relationships to achieve greater outcomes. His interest in technology led him to Raytheon, where he quickly established a reputation for rapid software delivery and matured his software craftsmanship skills. Looking back on his 17 years there, Fred is proud that he cultivated a healthier environment for teams to grow & helped others bloom into Agile leaders working to further spread an Agile culture across the company.
Fred found OpenTent when he started looking for a career opportunity with greater social purpose. When we met Fred, it was immediately clear that he cares about people. He uses Agile principles to shape the environment so that people feel empowered and engaged, and safe enough to bring their whole selves to work. He fosters close working partnerships with clients to uncover and focus on their highest priorities.
Since joining, Fred has helped us constantly improve how OpenTent staff and clients collaborate. We appreciate how he pushes us to define the social impact created in partnership with our clients, and his sense of humor along the way! Fred lives in Indiana with his wife, three kids, and several loved family pets, and is an active participant in his church community.
A time when Fred Sought the Whole Picture:
"Years ago, I stepped into a role as a project engineer for our lab team. My background was in software, and I was asked to lead a group of technicians & hardware / mechanical engineers. We were in a mode where our customer was seeking to cut lab funding & didn’t see the value in our lab work. There was a mentality of, “it’s just running wires and small equipment repairs.” Our lab group was being asked for detailed estimates for how much was need in the following year with the intent of dramatically reducing the overall budget.
The team historically attempted estimates in terms of the number of drawing updates or things like the number of wiring harnesses. These estimates were always wrong, and it was one of those tail-wagging-the-dog situations. Seeking the whole picture meant we needed to step back and ask our team, “Why is the work we do important?”
The lab’s fundamental purpose was to enable systems & software engineers while they troubleshoot, develop, and integrate new systems. Without input from lab users in the systems & software organization, our lab team had no meaningful way to estimate how much money was needed. The fix: I asked lead engineers across our systems & software organization (outside of the team I managed) to dream big & come up with any ideas they could use within our lab facilities. End result: we came up with a list of over 20 ideas and 12 were funded the following year. Rather than the expected funding cut, our lab team grew by $2.5M that year. More importantly, it gave a voice to those systems & software engineers to uncover their real needs."
Fred Pabon as told by Kayleigh Collins:
Fred is an Agile coach at heart who believes in building trusted relationships to achieve greater outcomes. His interest in technology led him to Raytheon, where he quickly established a reputation for rapid software delivery and matured his software craftsmanship skills. Looking back on his 17 years there, Fred is proud that he cultivated a healthier environment for teams to grow & helped others bloom into Agile leaders working to further spread an Agile culture across the company.
Fred found OpenTent when he started looking for a career opportunity with greater social purpose. When we met Fred, it was immediately clear that he cares about people. He uses Agile principles to shape the environment so that people feel empowered and engaged, and safe enough to bring their whole selves to work. He fosters close working partnerships with clients to uncover and focus on their highest priorities.
Since joining, Fred has helped us constantly improve how OpenTent staff and clients collaborate. We appreciate how he pushes us to define the social impact created in partnership with our clients, and his sense of humor along the way! Fred lives in Indiana with his wife, three kids, and several loved family pets, and is an active participant in his church community.
A time when Fred Sought the Whole Picture:
"Years ago, I stepped into a role as a project engineer for our lab team. My background was in software, and I was asked to lead a group of technicians & hardware / mechanical engineers. We were in a mode where our customer was seeking to cut lab funding & didn’t see the value in our lab work. There was a mentality of, “it’s just running wires and small equipment repairs.” Our lab group was being asked for detailed estimates for how much was need in the following year with the intent of dramatically reducing the overall budget.
The team historically attempted estimates in terms of the number of drawing updates or things like the number of wiring harnesses. These estimates were always wrong, and it was one of those tail-wagging-the-dog situations. Seeking the whole picture meant we needed to step back and ask our team, “Why is the work we do important?”
The lab’s fundamental purpose was to enable systems & software engineers while they troubleshoot, develop, and integrate new systems. Without input from lab users in the systems & software organization, our lab team had no meaningful way to estimate how much money was needed. The fix: I asked lead engineers across our systems & software organization (outside of the team I managed) to dream big & come up with any ideas they could use within our lab facilities. End result: we came up with a list of over 20 ideas and 12 were funded the following year. Rather than the expected funding cut, our lab team grew by $2.5M that year. More importantly, it gave a voice to those systems & software engineers to uncover their real needs."
Angie Pol, as told by Lauren Tassone.
Angie is a natural creative problem solver with a knack for building and maintaining strong relationships with her clients. After starting her career in nonprofits, Angie encountered Salesforce as a user and quickly realized the power and impact of the tool. Angie resides in Rincon, Puerto Rico, where she enjoys surfing every morning, adventuring outdoors, and exercising the arts of sewing, macrame, and weaving. Her ability to nurture her personal hobbies helps fuel what Angie is able to give professionally.
A time when Angie created a joyful experience: I love to craft and teach myself how to create new things, especially in fiber arts. Several years ago I learned to macrame (yes, like your mom did in the 70s) and I like finding drift wood or other interesting materials out in nature to use as part of my macrame designs.
Angie Pol, as told by Lauren Tassone.
Angie is a natural creative problem solver with a knack for building and maintaining strong relationships with her clients. After starting her career in nonprofits, Angie encountered Salesforce as a user and quickly realized the power and impact of the tool. Angie resides in Rincon, Puerto Rico, where she enjoys surfing every morning, adventuring outdoors, and exercising the arts of sewing, macrame, and weaving. Her ability to nurture her personal hobbies helps fuel what Angie is able to give professionally.
A time when Angie created a joyful experience: I love to craft and teach myself how to create new things, especially in fiber arts. Several years ago I learned to macrame (yes, like your mom did in the 70s) and I like finding drift wood or other interesting materials out in nature to use as part of my macrame designs.
James Quinlan as told by Kristen Tippit:
James is an innovative, human-centered, leader. After multiple study abroad experiences as an undergraduate in Europe and Asia, he graduated and became a Study Abroad Director, designing and leading trips for college students, and most importantly, helping young people learn who they are in the world. Those experiences were the catalyst that drove James to the roles he's since taken on in HR, People Operations, and Personal/Professional Development. He received a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership, with a focus on creating businesses that are more people-centered. He joins OpenTent excited to contribute as a community and culture builder, supporting teammates that are amplifying the work of nonprofits in the world.
A time when James created Community:
"When my family moved to Vermont from California, we wanted to find and create the kind of community that gave us a sense of belonging. Being seasoned and passionate dinner party throwers, we hosted the first ever neighborhood block party. It was a huge success and people felt happy that the 'Californians' had moved into town!"
James Quinlan as told by Kristen Tippit:
James is an innovative, human-centered, leader. After multiple study abroad experiences as an undergraduate in Europe and Asia, he graduated and became a Study Abroad Director, designing and leading trips for college students, and most importantly, helping young people learn who they are in the world. Those experiences were the catalyst that drove James to the roles he's since taken on in HR, People Operations, and Personal/Professional Development. He received a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership, with a focus on creating businesses that are more people-centered. He joins OpenTent excited to contribute as a community and culture builder, supporting teammates that are amplifying the work of nonprofits in the world.
A time when James created Community:
"When my family moved to Vermont from California, we wanted to find and create the kind of community that gave us a sense of belonging. Being seasoned and passionate dinner party throwers, we hosted the first ever neighborhood block party. It was a huge success and people felt happy that the 'Californians' had moved into town!"
Cornita Robinson as told by Kristen Tippit:
Cornita is community focused in everything she does. After obtaining her degree in urban planning + design, she worked for over a decade at nonprofits focused on youth empowerment and urban strategy and development in St. Louis and Kansas City. Realizing her passion and skill for project management and organizational operations, she took it a step further by earning a Master’s degree in Public Administration. Cornita is a big fan of innovation and efficiency and she has improved the user experience in every client-facing and application based role she’s had. She comes to OpenTent excited about the opportunity to serve nonprofits in helping them create more sustainable systems. Recently relocating to the DC area, Cornita likes exploring new restaurants with her fiance, binge watching NCIS and true crime series, and becoming the hub for game nights for friends and family.
A time Cornita was part of the solution: "In a previous role, I worked with high school and middle school aged youth. While the program was only intended for high schoolers, I widened the curriculum in order to tailor to younger students as well. Many of my high school graduates returned to serve as college chaperones for my program, and even though I'm no longer there, they still go back and volunteer."
Cornita Robinson as told by Kristen Tippit:
Cornita is community focused in everything she does. After obtaining her degree in urban planning + design, she worked for over a decade at nonprofits focused on youth empowerment and urban strategy and development in St. Louis and Kansas City. Realizing her passion and skill for project management and organizational operations, she took it a step further by earning a Master’s degree in Public Administration. Cornita is a big fan of innovation and efficiency and she has improved the user experience in every client-facing and application based role she’s had. She comes to OpenTent excited about the opportunity to serve nonprofits in helping them create more sustainable systems. Recently relocating to the DC area, Cornita likes exploring new restaurants with her fiance, binge watching NCIS and true crime series, and becoming the hub for game nights for friends and family.
A time Cornita was part of the solution: "In a previous role, I worked with high school and middle school aged youth. While the program was only intended for high schoolers, I widened the curriculum in order to tailor to younger students as well. Many of my high school graduates returned to serve as college chaperones for my program, and even though I'm no longer there, they still go back and volunteer."
Natalie Shaver as told by Kristen Tippit:
Natalie has always been inspired to create a tangible difference. While in college, Natalie studied abroad in Israel and Palestine, raising funds for hospitals and community centers for the underprivileged communities in northern Israel. She worked initially as a Development Associate at Hillel International, but changed her focus during the pandemic to work as a Program Director at Congregation B’nai Emunah Synagogue in Tulsa. Her role here focused on coordinating volunteer initiatives to deliver baked goods to covid wards at 5 hospitals and providing volunteer support for Tulsa's refugee resettlement agency, helping re-home 100 Afghan refugees (of the city's 800) in first 6 months! Realizing the potential of using Salesforce for impact, she became certified and joined OpenTent after being referred by a current team member. In her free time, you’ll find her “keeping Tulsa weird” by playing piano and bass guitar, volunteering for a local nonprofit - Sustainable Tulsa - and writing screenplays and novels.
A time when Natalie was the solution: “When I started working for Congregation B’nai Emunah Synagogue in Tulsa, they had Salesforce, but it was being underutilized. I decided to get certified as a Salesforce Administrator, and became the resident Salesforce ‘expert’. I was able to use NPSP and much of the out of the box functionality to bring the congregation’s efforts up to date. It became really fulfilling to translate what we were doing and turn around and talk about our data for long term decision making. I think that learning Salesforce had a huge impact on my ability to report on outcomes and build relationships as a nonprofit professional and also created a desire within me to lean into what data science can offer in terms of innovation and creativity.”
Natalie Shaver as told by Kristen Tippit:
Natalie has always been inspired to create a tangible difference. While in college, Natalie studied abroad in Israel and Palestine, raising funds for hospitals and community centers for the underprivileged communities in northern Israel. She worked initially as a Development Associate at Hillel International, but changed her focus during the pandemic to work as a Program Director at Congregation B’nai Emunah Synagogue in Tulsa. Her role here focused on coordinating volunteer initiatives to deliver baked goods to covid wards at 5 hospitals and providing volunteer support for Tulsa's refugee resettlement agency, helping re-home 100 Afghan refugees (of the city's 800) in first 6 months! Realizing the potential of using Salesforce for impact, she became certified and joined OpenTent after being referred by a current team member. In her free time, you’ll find her “keeping Tulsa weird” by playing piano and bass guitar, volunteering for a local nonprofit - Sustainable Tulsa - and writing screenplays and novels.
A time when Natalie was the solution: “When I started working for Congregation B’nai Emunah Synagogue in Tulsa, they had Salesforce, but it was being underutilized. I decided to get certified as a Salesforce Administrator, and became the resident Salesforce ‘expert’. I was able to use NPSP and much of the out of the box functionality to bring the congregation’s efforts up to date. It became really fulfilling to translate what we were doing and turn around and talk about our data for long term decision making. I think that learning Salesforce had a huge impact on my ability to report on outcomes and build relationships as a nonprofit professional and also created a desire within me to lean into what data science can offer in terms of innovation and creativity.”
Christopher Smith as told by Kristen Tippit:
Christopher is a builder at heart. With a background in math and computer science, he took to the IT world easily and transitioned from 'Hard IT' work into the intricate space of Salesforce, teaching himself APEX and the declarative tools while working for Austin Partners in Education, becoming their 'accidental admin' and improving their volunteer impact through technology. After 4 years, he moved on to a Make-A-Wish Foundation chapter in which he built and implemented their first Salesforce instance, instituting systems for wish delivery and child recruitment. He eventually went on to the national chapter where he assisted in providing a similar Salesforce system for all US Make-A-Wish chapters.
Christopher is mission-driven and prefers being the "guy behind the scenes", creating opportunities for nonprofits to shine. When he isn't building in Salesforce, he is building wooden clocks and trains for his grandkids. He has been deemed an "honorary Texan" by his wife's family for his ability to smoke any and all meats, "better than any restaurant around."
A time when Christopher was the solution: "Once I learned the declarative functionality and APEX in Salesforce, I was hired by the Central and South Texas regional chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation to set up a new instance in order to track wish delivery and child recruitment. I got to know the business process and developed good listening skills becoming the business-to-technology bridge-builder. After reviewing their intake process, we realized a system was needed to keep track of children in the period between introduction and us receiving a complete referral. There had been a missing piece, allowing kids to potentially fall through the cracks, and a wish not being delivered. I was able to fix this by implementing custom objects and an email handler to assist the intake process."
Christopher Smith as told by Kristen Tippit:
Christopher is a builder at heart. With a background in math and computer science, he took to the IT world easily and transitioned from 'Hard IT' work into the intricate space of Salesforce, teaching himself APEX and the declarative tools while working for Austin Partners in Education, becoming their 'accidental admin' and improving their volunteer impact through technology. After 4 years, he moved on to a Make-A-Wish Foundation chapter in which he built and implemented their first Salesforce instance, instituting systems for wish delivery and child recruitment. He eventually went on to the national chapter where he assisted in providing a similar Salesforce system for all US Make-A-Wish chapters.
Christopher is mission-driven and prefers being the "guy behind the scenes", creating opportunities for nonprofits to shine. When he isn't building in Salesforce, he is building wooden clocks and trains for his grandkids. He has been deemed an "honorary Texan" by his wife's family for his ability to smoke any and all meats, "better than any restaurant around."
A time when Christopher was the solution: "Once I learned the declarative functionality and APEX in Salesforce, I was hired by the Central and South Texas regional chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation to set up a new instance in order to track wish delivery and child recruitment. I got to know the business process and developed good listening skills becoming the business-to-technology bridge-builder. After reviewing their intake process, we realized a system was needed to keep track of children in the period between introduction and us receiving a complete referral. There had been a missing piece, allowing kids to potentially fall through the cracks, and a wish not being delivered. I was able to fix this by implementing custom objects and an email handler to assist the intake process."
Kristen is a compassionate storyteller and brand hype woman. She has worn many hats in her entrepreneurial career, but helping people shine has been at the heart of all of them. Kristen co-founded a nonprofit consulting organization called GroundTruth where she witnessed the power of nonprofits empowering their own internal Salesforce team. After welcoming her fourth beautiful baby into the world, she founded a nonprofit called LOGiC.baby, which helps parents in the NICU engage in a family-centered model of care. As Kristen deepened her understanding of her own voice and personal mission, she became a freelance brand journalist to help organizations build their narrative around their purpose, people and product. When Kristen heard of OpenTent through a friend, she knew she wanted to be part of growing the OpenTent team. She now helps us work “Out Loud,” sharing the story of who we are and what we do.
Kristen is a compassionate storyteller and brand hype woman. She has worn many hats in her entrepreneurial career, but helping people shine has been at the heart of all of them. Kristen co-founded a nonprofit consulting organization called GroundTruth where she witnessed the power of nonprofits empowering their own internal Salesforce team. After welcoming her fourth beautiful baby into the world, she founded a nonprofit called LOGiC.baby, which helps parents in the NICU engage in a family-centered model of care. As Kristen deepened her understanding of her own voice and personal mission, she became a freelance brand journalist to help organizations build their narrative around their purpose, people and product. When Kristen heard of OpenTent through a friend, she knew she wanted to be part of growing the OpenTent team. She now helps us work “Out Loud,” sharing the story of who we are and what we do.
Connie Tu, as told by Stephen Martinez:
Connie is an empath and natural coach, combining technical chops built from their time as an OpenTent Solutions Engineer, with lived experience working and moving through highly pressurized nonprofit environments. She cannot unsee the dynamics of power and identity within the systems we operate in, and brings that watchful eye to her work as a coach. Connie is a proud Oakland native, Long Beach transplant, plant parent, cat caretaker, lover of lifting heavy things, hiker of the forest, soaker of the sun - literally and figuratively.
A time when Connie saw the whole picture: Every single moment a coachee of mine unlocks something and you can see it: power, lightness, truth, themselves. It’s hella cool to see people grow.
Connie Tu, as told by Stephen Martinez:
Connie is an empath and natural coach, combining technical chops built from their time as an OpenTent Solutions Engineer, with lived experience working and moving through highly pressurized nonprofit environments. She cannot unsee the dynamics of power and identity within the systems we operate in, and brings that watchful eye to her work as a coach. Connie is a proud Oakland native, Long Beach transplant, plant parent, cat caretaker, lover of lifting heavy things, hiker of the forest, soaker of the sun - literally and figuratively.
A time when Connie saw the whole picture: Every single moment a coachee of mine unlocks something and you can see it: power, lightness, truth, themselves. It’s hella cool to see people grow.
Jess Young as told by Madalyn Kimlick:
Jess is a natural problem solver and energetic creator who seeks to find simple, streamlined solutions for complex problems. She learned about her passion for data while studying Chemistry which she now uses to build systems and integrations to help teams work smarter together. In her free time, Jess has tackled an Ultra Marathon (which is a not-so-casual 50 miles) and is currently planning the build of her dream tiny house.
A time when Jess saw the whole picture: I’m an amateur woodworker and am currently learning all about joinery. There are certain types of joinery that function most efficiently in different scenarios. I think the same concepts apply to my work. I really enjoy discovering how all the parts interact and taking a look at the bigger picture and processes to reimagine how people can work.
Jess Young as told by Madalyn Kimlick:
Jess is a natural problem solver and energetic creator who seeks to find simple, streamlined solutions for complex problems. She learned about her passion for data while studying Chemistry which she now uses to build systems and integrations to help teams work smarter together. In her free time, Jess has tackled an Ultra Marathon (which is a not-so-casual 50 miles) and is currently planning the build of her dream tiny house.
A time when Jess saw the whole picture: I’m an amateur woodworker and am currently learning all about joinery. There are certain types of joinery that function most efficiently in different scenarios. I think the same concepts apply to my work. I really enjoy discovering how all the parts interact and taking a look at the bigger picture and processes to reimagine how people can work.
An open tent is a space ready for connection. A place where people are remembered and seen. It's yours, it's ours, it's shared - like our world. When our clients start work with us, they join our tent and together we build the systems to carry all of us forward.
%2520bw.png)
