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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (June 14, 2016) – Heifer International’s Board of Directors has announced the election of Tom Hadfield to its membership. As an at-large delegate, Hadfield will serve a three-year term for the nonprofit whose mission is to end hunger and poverty around the world while caring for the Earth.
“It is an honor to serve Heifer International in this capacity,” Hadfield said. “The organization’s model for empowering communities and lifting people out of poverty is inspiring. I am excited to join Heifer at this point in time as they have a tremendous vision to help 4 million families achieve living incomes by 2020.”
In the professional marketplace, Hadfield is CEO of Message.io, a technology start-up headquartered in Austin, Texas. As a citizen of the world, he is keenly aware of complexities that accompany the global issues of hunger and poverty. To create a lasting impact himself, Hadfield has been instrumental in launching several social ventures to help better the lives of individuals in Africa and worldwide.
Through a financial partnership with the Goldman Sachs Foundation, Hadfield started the Kantolomba Community Development Project in Zambia, which teaches members sustainable living practices. He also led the Young Water Action Team in a global mission to mobilize young people to address water and sanitation issues, with a grant from the European Union. Finally, he was the co-founder of Malaria Engage, a public engagement program for malaria research through support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
President and CEO of Heifer International Pierre Ferrari said, “Tom is a technology pioneer with a history of successful internet startups. He brings a high-level vision and understanding of the future that few people possess. In addition to mastering the digital realm, Tom’s work in creating programs to uplift individuals in need complements Heifer’s mission, which makes him a natural fit. He is adept at bridging cultures with his ingenuity, enthusiasm and empathy for humankind. Heifer is fortunate to have Tom as a member of our diverse board.”
Esteemed as a young entrepreneur, Hadfield developed his first company out of his bedroom at the age of 12. Soccernet.com was later sold to ESPN for $40 million in 1999. Hadfield graduated from Harvard University in 2008 before co-founding AeroDesigns, where he notably raised $23.7 million in financing from Polaris Partners and Flagship Ventures. As CEO of Message.io, Hadfield now resides in Austin, Texas with his wife Christen and two children.
Heifer International’s Board of Directors is comprised of 19 members from diverse backgrounds in the business, agriculture, academic, faith-based and private sectors.
ABOUT HEIFER INTERNATIONAL
Heifer’s mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. For more than 70 years, Heifer International has provided livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. Heifer is currently working in more than 30 countries, including the United States, to help families and communities become more self-reliant. Heifer’s Global Impact Goal is to help 4 million families achieve living incomes by 2020. For information, visit Heifer.org, read our blog, follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @Heifer or call 888.5HUNGER (888.548.6437).
