ABOUT
I am the co-founder of Kettle, where we use AI to better understand climate risk, and use those models to offer more affordable insurance. We use deep learning to mitigate the growing risks facing the world and create a safety net to protect people from climate change. Here is my article about why I started the company.
I was selected as one of TIME100’s Most Influential People in AI in 2023
I’ve deployed over $25m of capital as General Partner of Kindergarten Ventures, with my partner David Rosenthal of Acquired. We focus on early stage ventures across many technologies and verticals, with particular expertise in AI, climate tech, and fintech. We aim to be a partner to founders in the earliest stages of building. Here is an interview on Acquired about Kettle and Kindergarten.
Since it’s inception I helped build Wayfinder, first as COO, now as a board member. Because I believe helping young people live healthy lives of meaning and purpose will create a better future. We now serve over a million kids across the US.
Before that I was the CEO at Ushahidi, where we built the largest open source software platform for crisis response in the world. Our software tools are the backbone of data management for community organizing, human rights reporting, crisis response, and government transparency. I was also part of the founding team that built BRCK from within Ushahidi. BRCK aims to bring connectivity to the next 4 billion people and is now the largest public wifi provider in Africa.
In 2012 I was accepted into the first class of Presidential Innovation Fellows, working with the CTO’s office. There I worked on open data for international development. I stayed on after the fellowship as the first Chief Data Officer of USAID. I worked between The White House and USAID to develop tools and strategies for liberating data to fuel entrepreneurship and innovation to solve big problems around the world. One of my most proud moments was that together the Fellows and our partners in The White House and in the Agencies helped to draft and get passed the Open Data Policy.
At the onset of the COVID crises, I and other volunteers came together to try and help those in need. We created Artist Rescue Trust, which has now provided direct cash relief to over 160 artists across the country.
Back in 2014 I was honoured to be selected as part of the 2014 GOOD100, dubbed a "connective thinker."
I find creativity in the intersection of disciplines, so at one point I also helped start a robotics company. Through 2013 I was the Chief Executive Officer of Fellow Robots.
I used to work for the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) throughout Asia and Australia, where I helped to craft business models that make clean energy financially feasible in emerging nations. I focused on solar in Malaysia, rural electrification in India, waste management in Indonesia, carbon capture and storage in Australia, and energy efficiency in Thailand.
As an advisor and investor I have worked with the social businesses such as Runa and sat on the World Economic Forum's Personal Data Team.
You can find out more about my work on my LinkedIn Profile. Or read some of my writing on Medium.
Some random facts that result in good stories and highlight the things I admire most in other people:
I danced off Justin Timberlake in a reggae bar on Frenchman Street in New Orleans. - I admire incredible dance moves.
I meditated with the Dalai Lama at his home monastery in Mcleod Ganj. - I aspire to such wisdom.
I missed the Presidential Innovation Fellows meeting with President Obama because I was on my honeymoon in New Zealand, I think he would have approved. - I love my wife Sunisa.
I lived in a Zen monastery in Kyoto, Japan for three months. - I value compassion and empathy.
