It Takes A Community To Build A Better World

June 26th, 2020. The official launch of The Better World Challenge. Before the year ends, we wanted to tip our caps and recognize all the incredible people who have helped bring The Better World Challenge to life. There’s an old saying “that it takes a village to raise a child,” and we say it takes a community to build a better world.

The Better World Challenge has taken many forms in its early progress as an organization, and the list of people below represents those who were giving advice before the official launch:

• Chris Guillebeau (The Better World Challenge was inspired by his book The Art of Nonconformity)

• Colin Jeffers (Designed Our New Website)

• Lane County Small Business Development Center

• Robert Killen (An early believer in the idea)

• Roger Wong (Business model advisor, teacher, and mentor)

• Kate Harmon (Director of Cross-Campus Engagement, Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship at University of Oregon)

Constant dialogue and conversation with extraordinary humans are how The Better World Challenge continues to march forward. The people below have dedicated many hours of their time to see The Better World Challenge mission come to fruition.

• Mike Platis (Masters of Science in Finance and Technology at Hong Kong Baptist University)

• Jaymen Beall (Ad Tech Marketer at T-Mobile)

• Greg Hansen (GQG Consulting Founder | Principle | Chief Strategist)

• Shalin Shah (Data Analytics Chair at University of Oregon Athletic Department)

• Jordan Chasescott (Team Leader California Harvest)

• Ben Ordonez (Brodon Creative Media Founder & Early Advisor/Editor for the podcast)

• Matt Cendejas MBA’ (Founder of Lost Coast Plastics)

• Steve Cary (President and Founder Many Mega)

• Jose Melendez (Professor at University of Oregon)

• Tucker L. Stine (Founder and CEO Tucker Stine+Brand Architect)

• Beth Casper (Marketing and Communication Manager at Eugene Family YMCA)

Collaboration and connection are how we drive change and build a better world. We’ve recently been able to have a few team members contribute countless hours of incredible work to continue driving The Better World Challenge forward.

• Maddy Reznick - Outreach Coordinator

• Daniel Olbrych - Content Manager/Editor

The Better World Challenge would not exist without the moral support from my wonderful girlfriend Addie Lacewell and my inspiring parents Jim and Keri Furtado.

How could we possibly provide value to our community without our insightful and inspiring podcast guests? Here’s a list of amazing better world humans who have been guests on the podcast this year.

• Kayden Echols (Health Coach at Echols Health)

• Matt Cendejas (Lost Coast Plastics Founder and Podcaster)

• Hannah White (Coordinator of Leadership and Community Engagement at the Holden Center)

• Maddy Reznick (Program Manager at Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities Coalition)

• Chris Cohen (Founder of Powerfill)

• Kellie DeVore (Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Lane County)

• Shelly Galvin (Director of Engagement and CSR at CBT Nuggets)

• Jaria Martin (JD/MSW Candidate at the University of Texas at Austin)

• Mike Cloughsey (Director of Forestry at Oregon Forest Resources Institute)

• John Bailey (Professor at Oregon State University)

• Ben Clark (Professor at University of Oregon)

• Sabrina Gordon (President of Eugene Education Association)

• Matt Sorensen (CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Emerald Valley)

• Bev Smith (Executive Director of Kidsports)

• Holly Andersen (Director of Youth Development at Eugene Family YMCA)

• Paul Solomon (Executive Director of Sponsors Inc.)

• Kevin Alltucker (Professor at University of Oregon)

• Michael Hames-Garcia (Professor at University of Oregon)

• Carrie Copeland (Education and Program Director at Food for Lane County)

• Sarah Koski (Executive Director of Love for Lane County)

Oh yes, and our wonderful blog contributors as well!

• Shalin Shah

• Brendan Adamczyk

• Maddy Reznick

• Jackie Cahill

• Savannah Kan

• BRING Recycling

• Ryan Robledo

• Donald Moore

And, of course, our very own better world humans who have participated in our challenges this year!

• Jackson Staples

• Eilish Mcnulty

• Amanda Zacharda

• Karly Nowak

• Jordan Chasescott

• Keri Furtado

• Jim Furtado

• Jaymen Beall

• Shalin Shah

• Maddy Reznick

• Mike Platis

• Katie Owens

For those who have come to our recent Better World Network events!

• Jordan Chasescott

• Matt Cendejas

• Jaymen Beall

• Ryan Robledo

• Shalin Shah

• Alex Wilson

• Katie Owens

• Arden Saravis

• Karsyn Kapur

• Avi Kapur

• Addie Lacewell

Last but certainly not least, our community partners who participated in the Lane County Holiday Helper Challenge!

• Boys & Girls Club of Emerald Valley

• Eugene Family YMCA

• White Bird Clinic

• St. Vincent De Paul of Lane County

• Relief Nursery