Our Story
We recognized that there are substantial and arbitrary gaps in resources allocated across the globe and recognized our luck in being in a geography full of abundant resources. Moreover, we also recognized the danger of top-down driven grand plans and inaccurate assumptions that can easily be made by those looking to help. We wanted to have a pragmatic, business-minded approach to our philanthropy. We wanted to seek out local partners with the ability to make an impact and who truly understood the needs of their communities and could help provide a solution. We wanted to ask tough questions and hold them (and ourselves) to the highest standards. We wanted enough flexibility in the channels through which we create change so that we could easily adapt our approach for each unique community.
But the core part of our inspiration is creating lasting change. Being able to change the trajectory of a person’s life and helping unlock their full potential. Watching them be able to support themselves, or their families or their children. Watching despair being replaced by hope. Letting our recipients know that we are all part of a larger, global community with an obligation to help each other if we can. Helping the small organizations that struggled to gain recognition and funding grow into larger, more successful partners. Nurturing our own, or our donors’, ideas for change and making them a reality.
We are driven by the idea that we all should imagine the world we want to live in and then we should do everything we can NOW to make that world a reality.
Our Core Values
Our gratitude overflows into everything we do. We never forget where we came from. Reciprocity is at the heart of our company. We practice and promote both giving and receiving, and all of our recipients are encouraged to engage back into the community that supported them.
We spread love to the people we interact with. We share in ways that promote positivity and opportunity. We communicate with compassion and forgo judgement. We operate through radical honesty and respectful directness internally and externally. We are quick to forgive and move forward with love.
We strive to constantly improve through re-assessment, introspection, and collaboration. We leave people and environments better than we found them. We choose flexibility in our approach and believe there is always a solution and opportunity for growth. We seek to learn and grow with our partners rather than assuming we have all the answers.
Meet The Team
Founders
Stephen Hodges
Why
I have always wondered about the role of luck in a person’s life. Where you were born. The wherewithal of your parents. The passport you hold. Your gender. Your inherited talents. Your race. So many things at birth are out of our control and yet have a massive impact on the type of life we can live. I have been very fortunate in my life and been given excellent opportunities and, at various points, I have had one person put me in a position to succeed. I feel an urgency to be that person and provide opportunities to those who have not had any.
Experience
Steve founded and currently works for ZimCal Asset Management, an alternative investment firm focused on complex credit investment opportunities. He previously was a Managing Director for O’Brien-Staley Partners, a credit investment firm with over $1 billion in assets, prior to that he worked as an Associate at CarVal Investors, an $8 billion asset firm and prior to that worked in banking for 7 years. Steve received an MBA (with honors) from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and a BSc in Economics from Centre College.
Contact
Steveh@oneformany.org
Key Skills
▾ Investment Analysis
10 years in investment management and reviewed over $1 billion in investment opportunities.
▾ Volunteerism
Corporate fundraising and officiating for the Special Olympics, organized a basketball camp for underprivileged kids, Math and English middle school tutoring, President’s Advisory Council member for alma mater.
▾ Relationship Management
Worked with a variety of clients and counter-parties and established trusted, long-term relationships.
▾ Cultural Perspective
Born and raised in Southern Africa by an English father and Zimbabwean mother, then completed undergraduate and graduate studies in the US.
▾ Efficiency Improvement
Worked as an advisor to banking clients and provided feedback on operational improvement rooted in the financial data.
▾ Business Viability
7 years in corporate banking reviewing business plans/ideas. Able to quickly assess feasibility of a business idea and strategy for implementation.
Laura Holloway
Why
I have felt a deep calling for years to bridge the gap and stand for the underdog. Nothing brings me more joy than seeing someone stand in their truth and feel empowered to bring forward their god given gifts.
Experience
Laura is the owner of Holloway Wellness where she has created and managed physical wellness centers, a team of over 10,000 leaders and generated over $6 million in revenue, supporting lower income communities in need of health education, resources, and career opportunities. Laura works directly with nonprofits in program development, volunteering, and has served on boards as an advisor. A division 1 volleyball player and team captain, Laura attended Penn State and graduated from UCLA, with a bachelors in Sociology.
Contact
Laurah@oneformany.org
Key Skills
▾ Community Connector
Demonstrates an ability to empathize, connect, and use leadership skills to support the mission of the communities she is involved with.
▾ Non-Profit Involvement
Laura has sponsored children, fundraised, worked with A Place Called Home in LA, the Boys and Girls Club in Chicago, and Served on the advisory board of I Grow Chicago.
▾ Entrepreneurship
Over the past 10 years led a team of over 4000 people all over the US and in underprivileged areas in creating profitable, sustainable business practices in the wellness industry.
▾ Coordination
Coordinated, organized, developed content, and gave a platform to more than 2,000 people in weekly and monthly seminars.
▾ Leadership
Mobilize, empower, and lead people from a mission driven perspective.
Principals
Laura Humber
Financial Services
Wharton School University of Pennsylvania,
MBA
Harvard University, BA
laurahumber@oneformany.org
Why
I truly believe that one small action has the ability to make a large impact. Whether it is through an act of kindness, the sharing of time or a charitable donation, we all have the ability to promote greater empathy and positive change in the world. In my own life, when I think of my most important accomplishments and periods of personal growth, the common denominator is that they’ve all been fueled by the thoughtfulness and generosity of individuals that believed in me. As a beneficiary of such kindness, I feel an obligation to carry that mentality of generosity forward.
▾ Experience
Laura has fifteen years of experience working in financial services. Most recently, Laura was a trader at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management where she managed $4 billion in fixed income securities for high net worth individuals. Laura has also acted as the primary credit analyst for a $10 billion portfolio of municipal and corporate bonds. Prior to Morgan Stanley, Laura was a Vice President at Bank of America Securities, where she structured derivative products used to mitigate market risk exposure. Laura received her MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and has a BA degree from Harvard University.
Key Skills
▾ Phillanthropy
Volunteered and mentored participants for several worthy organizations that focus on improving the quality of healthcare or financial education in underserved communities. These organizations include; The Riordan Scholars Program at UCLA, Sponsors for Educational Opportunity and the Mother Nurture Foundation.
▾ Problem Solving
As a structured product professional, created one-off solutions that provided risk protection for clients that could not hedge their risk using traditional market instruments. Each solution was tailor made and required original strategies and analysis.
▾ Risk Analysis
As a credit analyst, identified strengths, weaknesses and growth potential for investments and partnerships.
Monika Zands
Life Coach & Entrepreneur
University of Santa Monica,
Masters in Spiritual Psychology
UCLA, BA
monikaz@oneformany.org
Why
I believe it is our responsibility and opportunity to empower people to use their voice in order to be the beacons of truth and vision for the next generation.
▾ Experience
Monika founded a production company with an exclusive partnership with Northrop Grumman, producing, directing and editing multi-billion dollar Military Defense and Space Technology proposals and training videos. She co-founded Phonesheet, a web-based SAAS (Software as a Service) company and founded Blueprint Consulting, a life, business and relationship Coaching and Consulting business. She founded a non-profit, ARI (Autism Resources International) supporting the healing and recovery of families with Children with Autism. Monika is an Author, a Motivational and High Performance Speaker and has a Master’s in Spiritual Psychology and her BA from UCLA. She is a mom of three and has been married for 20 years.
Key Skills
▾ Business Leadership Training
Developed and delivered leadership classes, presentations and training programs for Entrepreneurs and Founders.
▾ Consulting
Master’s in Spiritual Psychology and over 15 years coaching and consulting C-Suite Executives, Founders and Entrepreneurs.
▾ Operations
Worked with hundreds of businesses across many sectors to develop Key Performance Indicators, strategic efficiency, organizational infrastructure, competitive edge and operational design and metrics.