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| | Member Profiles | 
Name: Gopal Penny
Age: 25 Occupation: Marketing, Savvy Rest
1) Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm currently a confused, twenty-something adult wondering what exactly I'll be doing with my future. My options are good, but none of them are perfect. It's a fortunate dilemma which I think a lot of people my age are going through right now. So far, I have a degree in electrical engineering, I've worked in the solar heating industry, and I'm now working at Savvy Rest, a local mattress manufacturer.
The first question people always ask me is, "how did you get that name"? The quick answer is, I grew up in an ashram. Everyone who was there took on a Sanskrit name as part of their spiritual practice, and since I was born there, my Sanskrit name is the only one I have. I was only a kid when I lived at the ashram, but in some ways I think I still carry it with me today.
I also enjoy playing and coaching sports, dancing salsa, and of course long walks on the beach, pina coladas, and sunsets.
2) What brought you to Charlottesville?
My family moved here when I was 11 years old to get out of the long cold winters of Massachusetts. Interestingly, the day I moved to Charlottesville it snowed 3 feet.
3) Why did you decide to become a Future Fund member?
It's such a great idea!! You don't necessarily have to have deep pockets to make a significant contribution-- you just have to work together, and the framework of the Future Fund has provided that.
4) What is your favorite aspect of being a member?
I have two favorites, so I'll list both:
1. The people are awesome -- fun, engaging, and excited about being involved in the local community.
2. I've greatly enjoyed learning about nonprofits and grant making. I took the opportunity to be on the Grants Committee, which gave me an inside look at both of these.
5) Favorite philanthropist or charity?
I'm drawing a blank...
6) Three things you can't live without?
Baseball, italian food, and warm weather
7) Favorite Local Hangout?
When it's warm, I love being outside on the downtown mall. When it's cold, I'd have to say inside Zabor Dance, which is also on the downtown mall.
Name: Sara Whiffen
Age: 37
Occupation: Business Consultant, Insights Ignited
1) Tell us a little about yourself.
I thrive on challenges and change.
2) What brought you to Charlottesville?
I grew up on the East Coast and after eight years in Los Angeles was ready to come back. My husband was a UVA alum and sold me on the benefits of Charlottesville.
3) Why did you decide to become a Future Fund member?
I lived in Charlottesville for less than a year when I heard about the Future Fund. I thought it would be a great way for me to learn more about the needs and opportunities for giving in the community.
4) What is your favorite aspect of being a member?
I learn something new at each meeting.
5) Favorite philanthropist or charity?
I don't have a favorite. I particularly admire those people and organizations that are committed to bettering the lives of others with little recognition for themselves.6) Three things you can't live without?
Books, travel and good sushi
7) Favorite Local Hangout?
It says something about how vibrant this community is that that we've only lived here for a year and a half and I can't narrow it down to one place!
Name: Kelli Palmer
Age: 33 Occupation: University Administrator
1) Tell us a little about yourself.
I enjoy life!
2) What brought you to Charlottesville?
I moved to Charlottesville in August of 2000 to enroll in the Higher Education Administration doctoral program offered at the University of Virginia through the Curry School of Education.
3) Why did you decide to become a Future Fund member?
I joined the Future Fund because I thought that the group would help educate and engage young philanthropists.
4) What is your favorite aspect of being a member?
I enjoy getting to know the other members of the Future Fund. Each time we gather I am able to get to know a new person.
5) Favorite philanthropist or charity?
I don't have a favorite. I appreciate most organizations and individuals that seek to improve our world.) Three things you can't live without?
People, Meaningful Activities, and Organization.
7) Favorite Local Hangout?
I don't have a favorite. I just enjoy the range of activities available in and around Charlottesville.
Name: Michael Allenby
Age: 33
Occupation: Artist Manager
1) Tell us a little about yourself.
I moved to Charlottesville about 10 years ago. I currently spend most of my time in or around The Pink Warehouse on South Street where I both live and have an office.
Most of my life I have been in the music business working as a band member (drummer), booking agent, concert promoter, or artist manager. Two years ago I co-founded The Artist Farm. The Artist Farm has its hands in many aspects of the music business, but I spend most of my time managing a few artists: The Infamous Stringdusters, That 1 Guy, and Jesse Harper
Truth be told, I am madly in love with Charlottesville and suffer from severe separation anxiety when I leave for too long. I can usually calm that anxiety with a BBQ on the front stoop of The Pink Warehouse, a hike in the Blue Ridge, 30 min on the stair-master at ACAC, dinner at Mas, or a trail bike ride at Walnut Creek.
2) What brought you to Charlottesville?
Hank Wells. Hank is an old friend from my hometown. He had been building his business, Sam Hill Entertainment, and was ready to start bringing in more agents. I was his first full-time agent/employee. I can't (and don't) thank him enough for bringing me to Charlottesville.
3) Why did you decide to become a Future Fund member?
Holly Hatcher is also an old hometown friend. She first introduced me to the concept of the Future Fund and I immediately started sending her ideas about how to include social networking strategies into growing the program.
Also, fundraising is kind of the family business. My father and brother have both worked in university and non-profit development for most of their professional lives. However, I (like many others) always felt that philanthropy was for the extremely wealthy. The Future Fund seemed like an ideal way to continue getting further involved in the Charlottesville community while starting to dip my toe in the world of fundraising.
4) What is your favorite aspect of being a member?
Probably being involved since conception; it's rare to have that opportunity. Particularly exciting when the Future Fund has been such an immediate success. Also, the organization is 100% malleable...there are very few rules. It's exciting to be involved in an organization where any strong opinion could feasibly shape its function or course.
5) Favorite philanthropist or charity?
I have been involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters as a Big for a little over a year. It's an amazing national organization, but I have been particularly excited lately as Dave Norris and Becky Reid have come in and completely ramped up the program. 6) Three things you can't live without?
Friends & Family, Music, Self-employment
7) Favorite Local Hangout?
"The Stoop" (front steps of The Pink Warehouse)
Name: Jennifer Hoyt Tidwell Age: 37 Occupation: performer / writer / event + video producer / pogosticker
1) Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a strange hybrid beast -- an entrepreneur, writer, performer and producer of strange events and videos. I am a proud co-founder of Performers Exchange Project (PEP) [http://www.performers-exchange.org], which is, as far as I know, Charlottesville's only professional company of theatre artists at the moment and of CLAW, the Charlottesville Lady Arm Wrestlers [http://www.clawville.org], a theater and philanthropy spectacle. I have recently co-founded Powhatan Studios [http://www.powhatanstudios.com], a viral video production company, with Billy Hunt and Brian Wimer. But I am, most importantly, the co-founder of Harper June Tidwell, a five year old who lives with me and looks a lot like me.
2) What brought you to Charlottesville?
It's the old story: UVA brought me here. Love and community keep me here.
3) Why did you decide to become a Future Fund member?
Holly Hatcher and I have a mutual admiration society. When she told me what she was up to, I thought it was an ingenious way to get young adults seriously thinking about helping their communities in a significant way. So I rolled up $300 in quarters and came to the kickoff party.
4) What is your favorite aspect of being a member?
Besides feeling all futuristic? I would say knowing that my money is being put to use in my own community to enhance all of our well being.
5) Favorite philanthropist or charity?
Charlottesville Lady Arm Wrestlers (CLAW).
6) Three things you can't live without?
(1) Heart, (2) Lungs, and (3) Brain
7) Favorite Local Hangout?
Blue Moon Diner
Name: Brennan Johnson Age: 26 Occupation: District Liaison, Office of Congressman Tom Perriello
1) Tell us a little about yourself.
I am originally from a hog farm in Iowa. My mom is from inner-city Philadelphia and my dad is from a dairy farm in rural Iowa, which resulted in an interesting childhood of John Deere tractors, modern dance classes, sweet corn, opera performances on PBS and, of course, hogs. I majored in philosophy and have worked in for-profit and non-profit organizations. In my current position, I help localities find and secure federal resources for local projects that will help them achieve the vision they have for their communities.
2) What brought you to Charlottesville?
I moved to Charlottesville to work with the Ron Brown Scholar Program. I am a 2001 Ron Brown Scholar and I took an internship with the program after graduating college. I fell in love with Charlottesville and decided to stay when my internship ended. When I was offered a position in the congressional office, I was thrilled at the opportunity to give back to the area.
3) Why did you decide to become a Future Fund member?
I decided to become a Future Fund member from a desire both to offer my support to local nonprofit efforts and to connect with others who are interested in meeting the needs of our neighbors. The nonprofit community in the Charlottesville-area is rich in ideas, passion, and expertise and I wanted to be a part of a group that helps charitable organizations do what they do best.
4) What is your favorite aspect of being a member?
I enjoy the membership-directed nature of the Future Fund and the opportunity for all members to participate directly in its impact. I am a member of the Events Committee and I am encouraged by the creativity of the group. I love that the Fund draws on the skills, insights, and experiences of its members to build its capacity and expand its reach.
5) Favorite philanthropist or charity?
I can't name a favorite; I get excited by social innovation and home-grown solutions to problems of social importance. I also love when those solutions involve person-to-person interaction and empowerment.
6) Three things you can't live without?
(1) my Bible, (2) my journal, and (3) my morning coffee
Name: Erin Malec Age: 32 Occupation: Director of External Relations, GreenBlue
1) Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, where I first developed a passion for football and politics. After attending college at U. Penn in Philadelphia, I moved to San Francisco and became immersed in its vibrant nonprofit scene. My career in the time since has spanned nonprofit work in environmental issues, women’s health, and gay rights. For the last three years I’ve worked with an amazing local sustainability nonprofit, GreenBlue, and have more recently become an active board member of the Martha Jefferson Neighborhood Association. When I’m not working I spend most of my time with my husband, our cats, and the Chicago Bears.
2) What brought you to Charlottesville?
I moved here from San Francisco four and a half years ago thanks to my husband Jed starting grad school at UVA. He had always wanted to return to Charlottesville after his undergrad days at UVA so we jumped at the chance. I adore Charlottesville life. I love how many interesting people live here, the mild winters (except for recently), how involved people are in the community, and the great restaurant scene. It’s small town living with everything you could want in a city!
3) Why did you decide to become a Future Fund member?
One, I wanted to learn more about local nonprofits and to support the good working going on. Two, I thought it would be interesting to have an insider perspective of how foundations assess nonprofits (since I often find myself writing grant proposals). Three, I knew some of the amazing and fun people who were already involved so I wanted to meet everyone else.
4) What is your favorite aspect of being a member?
It’s exciting to be part of such an innovative approach to community giving. I think of it as democratizing philanthropy for our generation.
5) Favorite local hangout?
Riverside, the Pavilion for Fridays after Five, Vivace’s Bar, and a secret camping spot off Skyline Drive.
6) Favorite philanthropist or charity?
I have a lot of respect for philanthropist George Soros, who has invested an incredible amount in less mainstream and more controversial social issues. I also must mention my mom: from as early as I can remember, we would receive money at Christmas time and she would work with us to research what charity we should donate it to. I’ve always appreciated that she raised us from an early age to realize the importance and fun of giving back.
Name: Cyrus Jacob Zarnegar
Age: 32 Occupation: President, Silverchair Information Systems
1) Tell us a little about yourself
I’ll stick with the most interesting stuff. My father is from Tehran and moved here with his family when he was young. My mother is from Yorktown, though she spent time in her childhood in Cuba—my grandfather was a Marine Colonel in charge of the Marine barracks in Guantanamo Bay. (Actually, he had the same position as Jack Nicholson in “A Few Good Men.” But everyone please note—that was a fictional story!) Half of my childhood was spent in New Jersey, the other half in Richmond. The variety certainly kept me on my toes (Jersey shore vs. white-gloved cotillion?!?). I went to UNC-Chapel Hill, where I warmed the bench for the Tar Heels soccer team and met my wife, Jessica.
2) What brought you to Charlottesville? Did you grow up here and if so what kept you here?
I had worked during the summers in college as an intern at Silverchair, a local medical publishing software company, which had only a handful of employees at the time. My cousin Baylor Fooks (who now runs local company Blue Ridge Internetworks) made the connection at the time—thanks, Baylor! After college, Jessica headed to law school and I joined Silverchair full time. A great business and my lucky timing allowed me to work up from a furniture-building intern to being an owner of the company and president of one of our main divisions (we now have over 100 employees). My wife and I moved to northern Virginia after she graduated from law school so she could pursue her career, and I’ve been commuting and telecommuting for the past few years.
3) Why did you decide to become a Future Fund member?
This fall, my wife Jessica and I knew we’d be moving to Charlottesville (we closed on our new house this week!) and we were looking for a fun and interesting way to get involved in our new community. I heard about the Future Fund from Hank Wells and Joy Polefrone—two fun, dynamic individuals who pretty much sold me on joining just by being involved themselves!
4) What is your favorite aspect of being a member?
As I learned from Silverchair, there is something very appealing about being involved in the beginning of a new enterprise. Our group has a solid chance to build a growing, lasting source of new funding for nonprofits in the area—and have a heck of a fun time as we do it. I’m sure this sounds corny, but I’ve told myself that I have 18 years to help the Fund grow and become a real local treasure. Eighteen years will be enough, though – once I turn 50, I’m out!
5) Favorite local hangout?
This is a bit TBD as we’ll be living here full-time starting in January. Because Silverchair is located on the downtown mall, I’m always up for a post-work glass of wine at Enoteca or a splurge meal at Ten.
6) Favorite philanthropist or charity?
I respect Bill Gates and Warren Buffett for their huge commitments to tackling some of the world's toughest issues by funding new, creative approaches.
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