Her story is our story
In 2013, we endowed a bicycle to Elma, a 16-year-old girl living in the Roma communities outside of Belgrade, Serbia. Elma had just flouted her family’s wishes to marry a much older man, and had instead married her boyfriend. To earn money, Elma began renting out her new bicycle; her husband acting as mechanic. In the ensuing years Elma has grown her small endeavor into a popular bicycle bike share with dozens of bikes, fully supporting her family.
In Elma's case, an endowed bike helped launch a business. In many cases, it helps restore self-worth, like for Sreylin, a trafficking survivor who received a bike from us and participated in our dressmaking workshop in Cambodia, in 2013. For still others, like Puja in Kolkata, a bike recipient in 2017, it helps her get to the gym to pursue her dream to be a boxer.
For all of the girls, a bike is a path to joy.
Dan Austin, Founder
OUR Ambassadors
Mee Kim
Jakarta, Indonesia
Mee is a self-made businesswoman and philanthropist who is the founder and President of CEO Suite. She directs our entrepreneurship workshops for young women in Southeast Asia.
Christina Pascucci
Los Angeles, California, USA
Christina is an Emmy-nominated journalist who has interviewed the Dalai Lama, President Remengesau of Palau, and Pope Francis. In addition to being an activist and a pilot, she has volunteered with Big Brothers/Big Sisters for more than ten years.
Saycon Sengbloh
New York City, New York, USA
Saycon is a Tony-nominated performing artist and entertainer whose Broadway credits include Hair, The Color Purple, Wicked, and Eclipsed. She is deeply involved with philanthropic endeavors, especially in West Africa.
Shaleena Sheikh
New Scotland Yard, London, England
Shaleena is a Detective Sergeant celebrated for her work with vulnerable people, especially women and children, and a foster parent.
Leadership
Dan Austin
Southern California | Founder + CEO
Dan is the director of cult classic indie film, True Fans, about a 4800-mile bike ride across America, and the author of three books. Dan coined the term “Joy-Based Philanthropy” to convey his belief that we need to elevate happiness to a human need.
Danielle Goold
Phoenix, Arizona | COO
Danielle is Vice President of Product Development at American Express. She’s also an Ironman Bronze finisher and a cycling coach for her local middle school mountain biking team.
Gali Lucas
London | Creative Director
Gali is a British Designer based in London with a strong passion for big ideas. Her sculpture ‘Absorbed by Light’ is slowly making its way around the world too!
Leslie Hansen
New York City | Board Member
Leslie is a former partner at Hunton and Williams in New York with a law degree from Cornell.
Lesley Matthews
Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Board Member
Lesley is a Principal at Polaris Solutions and a consultant to the global energy industry.
Nick Arauz
New York City | Founder/Board Member Emeritus
Jared Austin
Portland, Oregon, USA | Founder/Board Member Emeritus
Katharine Andrews
Seattle | Director of Seamless Possibilities
Deanna Black
Cleveland, Ohio, USA | India Liaison
Kim Ngo
Los Angeles | Director Emeritus of Seamless Possibilities
Carrie Regan
Knoxville, Tennessee | Board Chair Emeritus
Carrie is a former VP at National Geographic Television and Film. She served as a Peace Corps volunteer for 3 years in Senegal
Chhorvin Noy
Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Coordinator
Sothih Ping
Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Fixer
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88bikes Foundation
SOCAL - SEATTLE - WORLD
1752 NW Market St. #818
Seattle, WA 98107
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501(c)(3) Organization. All contributions are tax deductible. EIN#: 26-2740895
