We live for Golden Moments, realities that tie us to the people around us, when you're happy where you are, and you know it.

Prior to Golden, Sam worked in corporate innovation at Penske and as Managing Director of Applico, where he helped Google, HP, Disney and others launch new platform businesses.

Before that, he founded Pinwheel, which became the most comprehensive database of volunteer jobs open to anyone in San Francisco, and a peer counseling program that has served thousands of high school students.

Sam serves on the Board of Directors for the United Nations Volunteer Groups Alliance, as Technology Editor of the Engage Journal, and Executive Judge of the Webby and Anthem Awards, in addition to his involvement with the Gates Foundation’s Greater Giving Summit and Giving Tuesday’s thought leadership committees on AI, Corporate Giving, and Volunteering.

Sam received MA & BA degrees from Stanford, where he studied Social Entrepreneurship, Organizational Behavior, and Design Thinking.

Prior to joining Golden, Johann was the Chief Operating Officer (and member of the Founding Team) of Pond, a digital marketplace for nonprofits to access the tools and resources needed to ‘level-up’ their impact. He spent the first fifteen years of his career at Goldman Sachs in a variety of roles and departments, including running Technology, Media, and Telecommunications Debt Capital Markets (a ~$100mm Investment Banking business), Managing Director of Corporate Risk Management, and Global Head of Diversity Recruiting (in Human Capital Management). Following that, he joined Bridgewater Associates, where he worked directly for the Co-CEOs on a special projects team, focusing on talent-related initiatives.

He graduated cum laude from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business with degrees in Finance and Management, and serves on the Board of Directors of FREE: Finance Requires Effective Education, and as Board Treasurer for the Austin Gay Flag Football League. Previously, he served as President of Board of Directors of the New York City LGBTQ Center.

Fun fact: he’s a proud ‘plant co-daddy’ to nearly 300 pothos, ivies, and monsteras.

Most recently, Quan comes to Golden from Omatic Software, the non-profit leader specializing in data health & integrations, where he was responsible for driving increased revenue across their key business segments for the last 3+ years. Additional non-profit technology experience includes, cultivating expansion of NGO and government partnerships while deploying an identity management platform, using blockchain biometrics, for various global development projects in emerging markets from W.Africa to SE Asia.

Furthermore, with an extensive background in ecommerce, digital marketing and brand strategy, he’s had the opportunity to lead cross-category, strategic, design, creative, and product teams in launching enterprise level initiatives and highly invested 360 campaigns, as a part of their Global Ad|Media teams for Amazon and REI.

That said, Quan has always had a passion for serving others, while working on social impact ventures alongside mission driven organizations and companies, such as Golden, in making the world a little bit brighter.

Fun fact: Quan has run with the bulls (twice-yikes!) in Pamplona and once jumped out of an airplane over Tijuana.

Golden’s Head of Engineering has three decades of software development experience, most of which has involved mobile and remote computing.

In his past life, he worked in R&D labs within some of the nation’s most admired aerospace companies. Other notable accomplishments include prototyping a wearable for a major manufacturer, and incubating engineering teams within several well-known startups.

He is a lifelong volunteer and animal lover.

Michelle has a diverse and well-rounded background in creating thoughtful experiences within recreation, finance, e-commerce, health care, media, and entertainment industries. She has experience evolving with startups and companies going through acquisitions and mergers.

As an advocate for holistic design, she leads by example in collaborating with her engineering and product counterparts. She is passionate about distilling complexities into intuitive and friendly solutions.

Building systems for the betterment of humanity is one of her core philosophies in life. Michelle received her BFA in Graphic Design from Virginia Commonwealth University, VCUarts.

When she’s not designing or brewing up ideas, you’ll likely find her outside learning a new sport or going on a hike!

Carina leverages over a decade of strategic advisory expertise cultivated across the public sector, political advocacy, and financial services. Her roles at the NYC Department of Education, NYC and Los Angeles City Councils, and contributions to notable U.S. presidential and mayoral campaigns reflect a commitment to meaningful work and her collaborative nature within dynamic organizations. In financial services, Carina applied her systems thinking, strong decision-making, and holistic perspective to support the front office at Bridgewater Associates and a financial services firm with footprints in Shanghai and London. Prior to joining Golden, she managed strategic partnerships across various verticals at OXMAN. Her diverse background showcases her adaptability and an unwavering commitment to continuous learning.

Carina holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Public Administration from New York University.

Beyond her professional journey, she finds joy as a “dog mom” to Panda, her spirited 12-year-old Siberian Husky.

Chris is a seasoned nonprofit professional who has been managing volunteer programs for the last nine years. Serving with AmeriCorps after college, he saw firsthand how volunteerism can be a catalyst for community empowerment. His experience ranges from managing one-time volunteer projects, to overseeing large-scale regional events, most recently as a Program Officer for the Massachusetts Service Alliance, where he provided strategic volunteer management consulting services to large scale organizers across the State. He has guided numerous organizations through database implantations and created advocacy resources for nonprofits to successfully leverage funding for their programs.

Chris is also an active Board Member and Marketing Chair for the Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE)— a national association that provides professional development workshops, networking opportunities, and advocacy resources to volunteer managers across the United States.

Albert has over eight years of customer service experience in building and leading teams. Prior to Golden, Albert helped to build and expand the in-person, driver-based customer service vertical at Uber for his region of the U.S.

Passionate about science and process improvement, Albert brings an analytical approach to the team and loves being a problem solver. He has a strong sense of community due to his family’s military background and his involvement in philanthropy throughout college. He has also spent nearly all of his professional experience in technology companies and believes that technological advancements have the potential to radically improve lives globally.

With 20 years of experience in the engineering industry, Felipe has specialized in strategy, technology and design. Previously, he consulted for major companies including Saatchi, Deloitte, Sapient and AKQA and contributed to numerous award-winning projects for Google, Nike, Disney, HBO, ESPN and more.

Because of his lifelong passion for volunteering, Felipe has spent decades as a math and science tutor. He also is the President and Head Coach of a Youth Football & Cheer 501 (c) (3) NPO serving young children (ages 5-14) and families in the community for over 10 years.

Fun fact about Felipe: He’s an un-official Seinfeld aficionado and can name the title of the episode by watching a 15-second clip.

Prior to Golden, Brian has worked at a string of startups, helping to scale their systems and processes. Having spent half his life programming and working in different areas, he’s got stories.

From years of interest in psychology and the softer sides of our human experience, Brian is excited to contribute to Golden’s mission. He believes technology is a massive lever for societal change, and believes that increasing human connection through positive volunteering experiences has the potential to contribute to widespread issues such as depression and anomie.

Fun fact: Brian joined a dance crew here in LA, and took 4th place at the amateur competitions at Camp Hollywood. If you’ve got a little jitterbug in you, perhaps you’ll see him out there.