GEORGE HAMPTON
Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer and President

As President and Chief Executive Officer, George Hampton is responsible for setting the overall vision and strategy for Global Village Concerns (GVC).

Prior to founding GVC, George spent almost two decades in senior level sales and marketing roles within the biopharmaceutical industry running multi-billion dollar businesses and launching successful brands worldwide.  When asked what inspired him to create Global Village Concerns, George says, “One of the most rewarding parts of the biopharmaceutical industry was working with the not-for-profits that we benefited. Leveraging their support communities to create more awareness for their cause, as well as donate towards a cure, was important to me. Then I saw our schools cutting programs such as sports, art, music and more as a result of the on-going budget cuts. As a parent, I couldn’t let that happen. When billions are spent every year on school clothes, gear and school supplies, why shouldn’t the schools and students benefit from that spending?”

George graduated with a B. S. degree from Miami University, OH.  His participation in extra-curricular activities as a student has continued to benefit George throughout his professional and personal life. He wants to ensure ALL children (including his own) continue to have the same opportunities well into the future.

DIANE ROCHE
Chief Marketing Officer

In December 2009, Diane joined Global Village Concerns as Chief Marketing Officer.  Diane is responsible for the overall marketing strategy, customer experience, communications and branding for Global Village Concerns, and its subsequent brands including B1self and Incredible Mascots.

Diane has almost 20 years of Corporate, Brand and Product Marketing experience within global corporate headquarters including Sony Electronics and Nissan Motor Corporation as well as a Silicon Valley start-up serving small businesses. As part of the senior management team with Sony, she successfully developed go-to-market strategies and programs for multi-billion dollar businesses, won numerous awards for effective marketing and helped grow the SonyStyle direct business through their e-commerce and retail stores.

Diane received a B. S. degree in Business Administration from California Polytechnic State University- San Luis Obispo, CA. When asked why she joined GVC, her response was, “It’s a great feeling being able to serve a greater good. These kids are our future.  Our B1self social commerce program provides them with support and creates opportunities to learn, grow and thrive.”

KURT CUMMING
Chief Operating Officer, Vice President of Strategic Business Development

Kurt joined the Global Village Concerns team in May 2011 as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President for Strategic Business Development.  Kurt is responsible for designing and implementing the systems, processes, and people strategies necessary to deliver on our mission.

Kurt was previously with Verisign, where he held roles including Vice President for Business Development and Vice President for Global Sales Engineering.  Prior to Verisign, he was a management consultant with inCode Wireless and Deloitte Consulting, specializing in telecom strategy.  He worked extensively with start-ups in these roles, helping them create, sell and deliver new products and grow revenue.   Kurt was also a Captain in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany, Saudi Arabia and the U.S.

He earned a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Lafayette College, PA and an MBA from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!).   Why GVC?  “Global Village Concerns is based on an incredibly powerful idea that will fundamentally change how cause-based organizations harness the power of their networks.  The opportunity to create a game changer for tens of millions of students, parents and faculty was something I just had to be a part of.”

VIDAR VIGNISSON
Chief Technology Officer

In November 2010, Vidar joined Global Village Concerns (GVC) as Chief Technology Officer. Vidar is responsible for designing and building the ecommerce platform, systems and software to scale our business.

Prior to joining GVC, Vidar was founder and CEO of Webtilling- a web strategy and development company, as well as founder and CTO of Kidzui- a San Diego based company that developed a kid-friendly internet browser. With over 20 years of experience in executive positions with start-up companies as well as corporations including Qualcomm and General Instrument, Vidar has created a broad range of engaging online experiences.

He earned a B.A. degree in Computer Science with a minor in Math from Luther College and his Masters degree in Computer Science from California State University- San Diego. Why GVC? “Global Village Concerns has a unique business model that inspires me. On the technical side, we are building very robust technologies at GVC, that help schools and non-profits get the most out of our social fundraising programs. On a professional and personal side, I appreciate the fact that GVC gives back to schools and non-profits and makes it very convenient for them to participate.”

CHRISTOPHER VOHNOUT
Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of Finance

Chris joined Global Village Concerns in June 2011 as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance.  Christopher is responsible for the corporate finance, accounting and human resources functions at Global Village Concerns including a wide range of operating, strategic, financing and legal matters.

Christopher has spent more than 17 years as a senior financial executive in both private and public accounting, including four years in the information and technology practice of KPMG.  Chris served the last 10 years as CFO for Overtone, Inc. and has a strong entrepreneurial background with start-up and early stage software, e-commerce and other emerging growth companies helping raise nearly $50 million in various types of capital financing.

Christopher graduated from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with a B.S. degree in Business Administration and holds a CPA license.  When asked why he joined Global Village Concerns, Christopher’s response was “The amazing opportunity to help contribute to the future of our children and to help revolutionize the way fundraising is done for our schools was a no-brainer for me.  Seeing the commitment from every member of the GVC team towards the success of the schools and our children was just icing on the cake.”

WILL FORD
Co-Founder, Vice President of Sales and School Affairs

As Vice President of Sales and School Affairs, Will is responsible for managing the sales and school affairs team, developing and managing the sales strategy and serving as the executive contact for our schools and key clients.

Will comes to Global Village Concerns with almost ten years of prior experience in sales, client relations and real estate brokerage.  Prior to co-founding GVC, Will had managed over $1 million in annual advertising revenue for Yellow Book USA and achieved the Presidents Club Award for top sales performance in 2007 and 2008.

He holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the University of Denver, CO and is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Massachusetts.  When asked what inspired him as one of the founders of GVC, Will responded, “I wanted to help create a business that was a Win-Win for everyone involved.  Global Village Concerns was the perfect opportunity for me to leverage my outside sales experience and account management skills to make a positive difference for students and schools everywhere.”