Tom Dawkins

75 Brosnan St, San Francisco CA 94102

Phone: 347 371 2887 Email: tomdawkins@gmail.com

Overview:

 Social entrepreneur with a passion for social technology, art and people.
 Founded three community organizations by the age of 22.
 Founded Vibewire Youth Inc whilst at University, was CEO until departing in April
2008
 During this time raised over $800,000 and led evolution of organization from all-
volunteer student group to 4.5 full-time equivalent permanent staff along with
contractors and a national volunteer base.
 Recruited to be the first Social Media Director at Ashoka, a 25 year-old NGO with
offices in 30 countries, where I launched a number of new channels and took our
Twitter account to 315,000 followers.
 I have organized everything from film festivals, conferences, workshop programs,
communications strategies, incubator spaces, music festivals and events, magazines
and anthologies, websites, and a Burning Man theme camp.
 Regular speaker at conferences, seminars, workshops for past 14 years.
 Former founding board member of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition and The
International Institute for Communications Australia.
 Published in numerous websites and magazines and The Australian newspaper.

Experience:

Senior Social Media Consultant, Small Act, July-November 2010

Small Act supports nonprofits to use social media successfully by building
software and providing consulting and implementation support. My work has
focused primarily on supporting AARP, including developing a social media event
strategy and a video strategy. As Small Act is shutting the San Francisco office I
will be working half-time until mid-November to wrap up.

Digital Marketing Strategist and Social Media Director, Ashoka:

Innovators for the Public, 2008-2010
Established new social media properties, conducted trainings, created policy and
strategy and supported the increased use of social media in all aspects of
Ashoka’s work. Amongst other activities I launched the Ashoka Twitter account in
January 2009 and grew it to 315,000 followers, led the development of Ashoka's
blogging platform, launched and maintained the flagship Change InSight blog,
successfully pushed for an increased use of video, established a new monthly
email newsletter and launched a quarterly ebook series, Stories of Change. In
addition I consulted with and supported the efforts of our 13 programs and 40
country offices to use social media strategically.

Founder and CEO, Vibewire Youth Inc. 2000 - 2008

I founded Vibewire Youth Inc in 2000 to create opportunities for younger
Australians to express themselves creatively and politically. I led the development
of numerous projects including the opening of the Vibewire Enterprise Hub
incubator, the Reelife Short Film Festival, electionTracker citizen journalism
project and numerous websites, anthologies and events. During this time I grew
Vibewire from an all volunteer collective to 4.5 full time-equivalent ongoing staff
plus project teams when I left, supported by volunteers all around the country.
 National Steering Committee member, Australian Youth Climate
Coalition, 2006-2007
I was a founding member of the National Steering Committee of the Australian
Youth Climate Coalition, an alliance of 28 youth-led organizations taking action to
prevent dangerous climate change, helping to establish its systems and strategies
for mobilizing young people on this issue.

Education and Recognition:

 BA with dual majors in Political Science and History at the University of New South
Wales, 2002. Received award for top political science student in my second year.
 Appointed to the Australian Government's peak youth body, the National Youth
Roundtable, 1999.
 In 2005 Vibewire was awarded the World Summit Youth Award for Community
Engagement as part of the UN's World Summit on the Information Society
 In 2007 I received the Future Summit Leadership Award at the Future Summit and a
Global YouthActionNet Fellowship from the International Youth Foundation.

Interests:

Democracy, social media, camping, hiking, cycling, reading, music, art, travel.

Endorsements:

“Tom is an inspiring and motivated activist, entrepreneur, web expert, media-

maker, team builder, volunteer coordinator, organiser and all-round
communications trouble-maker (when trouble is warranted).” -Nick Moraitis,
Founder and Director, Make Believe

Tom is one of the best persons to have in a brainstorm session. He is intensely

analytical and helps bring out the best thinking from those around him. He knows
technology, but also knows society, and it's a powerful combination. I am grateful
to have Tom in my circle. -Jacob Colker, Founder and CEO, The Extraordinaries

”Tom is a skilled operator, passionate agitator for a better world, and a classy
human being.” -Cameron Neil, CEO, International Young Professionals Foundation

“Tom is a true entrepreneur... and a very effective change leader. He has truly
made a difference across Ashoka.” -Keith Hammonds, Director, Ashoka

“Tom is a team player with a deep passion for tackling social problems with the
innovative usage of technology, marketing and communications.” -Will Kristin,
Global Venture and Fellowship Communications, Ashoka

“Vibewire’s success owes much to Tom's personal drive, intellect and passion and
his practical insight into ways in which connectedness is becoming a driving force
for new forms of civic engagement, political discussion and civil society renewal.
-Martin Stewart-Weekes, Director, Asia/Pacific Public Sector Consulting Practice,
Cisco.

Connect:

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