Penny Austen is the co-founder and Executive Director of ThinkGive. A native Canadian, Penny believes that character is not only a foundational skill but a superpower—one that shapes our ability to thrive, connect, and create positive change. With a background in technology and nonprofit management, Penny co-founded ThinkGive to help young people unlock their potential to make a difference and develop the character traits that will serve them throughout their lives.

Penny holds a bachelor’s degree from McGill University and an MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business. She lives in Concord, MA, with her husband, three children, and three dogs. When she’s not working, you can find her watching her children play sports, walking dogs, biking, or climbing mountains.

What do you have a PhD in? Ashtanga Yoga
What’s your favorite movie? The Princess Bride
Describe your 10-year-old self. A mini-teen: determined, focused, and a tester of rules.

Scott has witnessed the profound impact of kindness through his eigth-grade son, who is cherished by peers, teachers, parents, and coaches for his generosity of spirit. Inspired by the difference one child’s kindness can make, Scott is passionate about bringing ThinkGive to more classrooms to foster similar positive change.

With a background in marketing, Scott has held roles in higher education and publishing, including leading marketing at a nonprofit executive search firm and managing partnerships with Major League Baseball, Google, and General Electric at Northeastern University. He lives in Southborough, MA, with his wife, son, and two rescue dogs, enjoying family hikes, experimenting with new recipes, and spending summer days on water.

What do you have a PhD in? Embarrassing my son.
What’s your claim to fame? My team going 24-0 in a pickleball league.
Describe your 10-year-old self. Typical middle child, always seeking attention.

Hannah’s fondest memories from her childhood education involve kindness and empathy; indeed, these essential experiences led her to choosing a career in education. She believes that social and emotional learning (SEL) is an essential part of any joyful school experience and equally as important as any subject area. Students deserve to be empowered to spread kindness within their school communities and beyond.

Prior to joining ThinkGive, Hannah taught elementary school for 11 years. In her classrooms, Hannah sought to form meaningful connections with each and every student and to create an atmosphere of kind-heartedness and generosity. Hannah lives with her husband and two children in Woburn, MA. Some of her favorite activities include mountain biking, reading, embroidery, gardening, and visiting historical sites.

What do you have a PhD in? Bluey
Describe your 10-year-old self. Wearing overalls and a white turtleneck, playing four-square with my brothers.
What’s your claim to fame? Making the game-winning, half-court shot in my JV playoff basketball game.

Christina is passionate about the transformative power of kindness and positivity, believing that both giving and receiving it can significantly impact a child’s self-esteem and social interactions. She recognizes the vital role SEL plays in equipping children with the skills needed for healthy development- socially and academically- and is proud to work with ThinkGive to make SEL accessible to all youth.

Originally from the Finger Lakes of New York, Christina holds a Bachelor's in Political Science from the University of Vermont and a Master's in Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago. After transitioning from a career in sales to nonprofit work, she has been deeply involved with organizations like the Network for Social Justice, Winchester Federation for Educational Excellence, and Winchester A Better Chance. Now living in Winchester, MA with her three young boys, Christina and her family enjoy snowboarding, hiking, tennis, reading, traveling, and visiting family in Vermont and Upstate New York.

What do you have a PhD in? Making snacks
What’s your favorite children’s book? The Giant Jam Sandwich
Describe your 10-year-old self. Barefoot all summer at the lake, always playing or pretending with friends or siblings, and usually mothering my 2-year-old baby sister.

Throughout her career in education, Shayna has always placed social and emotional learning at the forefront. She believes kindness, empathy, and inclusion are key factors in creating a successful learning environment where every student feels comfortable and seen. Shayna is thrilled to be part of the ThinkGive team and help bring SEL programs to more youth.

Shayna is a graduate of Northeastern University, where she earned a degree in Communications and International Affairs. For the past eight years, she has worked in education in various roles, including as an early education teacher, professional development specialist, and, currently, as an administrative assistant at a PreK-8th grade independent school. Shayna is certified as a Social Emotional Learning Facilitator and Yoga Teacher. Outside of work, Shayna loves traveling- especially to the beach, trying a new crafting project, and hanging out with her cat.

What do you have a PhD in? Ice cream
What’s your favorite children’s book? Harvest Song by Ron Hirschi
What is your favorite quote that shapes your work or life? “Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has yet to come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering.” - Ida Scott Taylor

Nisse is a lifelong educator with experience teaching math, storytelling, science communication, theater, film, radio, clowning, robotics, and more. Teaching across such diverse disciplines has shaped Nisse’s focus on the learning environment itself, and they are proud to be part of ThinkGive’s mission to make the emotional space where learning happens safe, supportive, and productive.

Nisse began teaching theater and film at summer camps and, after majoring in mathematics, went on to teach high school math in New York City. After developing a passion for personal storytelling, Nisse worked in the nonprofit storytelling world, building and teaching storytelling curriculum centered on true, personal stories. Now, Nisse spends their time gardening, foraging, gleaning, and participating in mutual aid systems that distribute food resources, while exploring the land around the Connecticut River Valley.

What do you have a PhD in? Unnecessary contrarian hot takes.
Describe your 10-year-old self. I was often climbing a tree with a calculator.
What’s your claim to fame? I think I can talk to crows.
What’s your favorite children’s book? Winnie-the-Pooh.

Nancy began her career as an 8th-grade science teacher before earning her MBA from Northeastern University and transitioning into product strategy and management. Over the past decade, she has worked in EdTech, clean energy finance, and consumer products. Drawing on her classroom experience, Nancy managed the K–8 Science portfolio at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, driving curriculum innovation and embedding social-emotional learning across programs used in core curricula nationwide.

At ThinkGive, Nancy brings expertise in product roadmap planning, partnership development, and customer advocacy. She thrives in collaborative environments, working across teams to build products and services that create meaningful impact for educators and students.

Nancy grew up in Concord and now lives in Boston. Outside of work, she enjoys golfing, sailing in Boston Harbor, biking along New England’s rail trails, and running a restaurant blog, Two Forks Boston, with her college-aged daughter.

What do you have a PhD in? Making chocolate mousse
What’s your favorite movie? All John Hughes films
Describe your 10-year-old self. Curious and precocious—always experimenting and making a mess in the kitchen

Minna's journey of healing and growth in her personal life and in community with others reflects ThinkGive values of authenticity, empowerment, kindness, and small consistent actions that "ripple outward to inspire a collective shift." She is grateful for the people, places, and experiences that continue to teach her about shifting towards a world that reflects the ThinkGive curricula and developing ThinkGive programming that reflects what she's being taught.

Her contribution to ThinkGive is largely informed by her eleven years of classroom experience that integrated mindfulness, social-emotional literacy, and social justice. Today, she has the privilege and honor of co-facilitating spaces that center connection and belonging with humans of all ages worldwide through various modalities such as experiential and somatic practices, conflict resolution, slowing down, and play! Minna delights in the magic of children’s picture books, reclaiming her Korean ancestry, and rock climbing as she roots on land stewarded by the Duwamish people colonially known as Seattle, WA.

What do you have a PhD in? Dog cuddling
What’s your favorite children’s book? What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada, and Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom
What is your favorite quote that shapes your work or life? A quote that has been transformative in the way I build relationships is, “Conflict is the spirit of the relationship asking itself to deepen.” - Malidoma Some, West African elder and teacher

Guided by her grandfather’s words, “Do unto others as you would have done to you,” Pam deeply aligns with ThinkGive’s mission to foster kindness, empathy, and self-awareness in children. In a fast-paced, screen-driven world, she believes social and emotional learning gives kids the space to slow down, understand themselves and others, and simply be kids—values she strives to model for her own family every day.

Raised in a family rooted in fundraising and events, Pam built a career in nonprofit and advancement work, with highlights including the opening of The Shops at Prudential Center, events at the Boston Museum of Science during the Everest IMAX launch, and serving as Accreditation Manager for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. She has helped raise critical funds for organizations, including Northeastern University School of Law and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, which holds deep personal meaning for her. Pam is energized by building relationships and meaningful work, and outside of work enjoys hiking with her husband and dog Maizy, spending time with her three children and friends, and downhill skiing when there’s snow.

What do you have a PhD in? Mastering the new game, Box Bollen, and competing with her son
What’s your favorite children’s book? The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein
Describe your 10-year-old self. Competitive, athletic, and always laughing with her siblings and friends, sitting backwards in the station wagon.

Sophia Annunziata is a Junior at Concord Carlisle High School. She is a member of her school's varsity soccer, ski, and track teams, and she is working on starting a unified soccer team for special education students. Aside from sports, she likes to spend time volunteering in the special education classes at her school, as well as volunteering at household goods and various camps over the summer. She is super excited to start helping with the ThinkGive SAB, and wants to help teach social awareness and kindness to students.

My name is Sophia Arif, and I’m a student at Concord Carlisle High School. I am an athlete on both the Field Hockey and Track and Field teams and a member of the Red Cross and Innocence Project clubs. I volunteer at the Veterans Affairs Hospital and the Women’s Health Clinic, working to create a more positive community. I’m excited to carry this mission forward through the ThinkGive Student Advisory Board, where I can share my passion for spreading positivity and working with kids.

My name is Carolina Casimiro-Nunez, and I am a junior at Concord Carlisle High School. During the summer, I work as a camp counselor, and I also help out with the confirmation class for kids. In the future, I hope to become a teacher. I am interested in ThinkGive because I want to find new ways for children to learn and participate in improving their community. I am excited about helping kids become leaders and creating a kind and positive environment.

My name is Bianca Flores, and I am a senior at Creekview High School in Carrollton, Texas. At school, I am actively involved in Moot Court and Class Council, as well as working at a brunch restaurant. I also enjoy playing and watching soccer, and trying new foods. I was attracted to ThinkGive because it provides a platform for me to share my passion for creating open, welcoming, and collaborative environments.

Silas Harmon is a junior at Concord-Carlisle High School in Concord, MA. He plays hockey and baseball and has enjoyed taking ceramics classes for the past two years. This past summer, Silas volunteered at Camp Jabberwocky, a sleepaway camp on Martha’s Vineyard for people with disabilities. He was grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a community that values inclusivity, kindness, and confidence-building. Silas is excited to join ThinkGive’s Student Advisory Board to help bring these same values to his own and surrounding communities while continuing his personal growth.

Sandra Haskell is a sophomore at Concord-Carlisle High School in Massachusetts. Sandra swims competitively and enjoys other water sports, like surfing. She works and volunteers at the Gleason Public Library in Carlisle, MA, where she is also a member of the Teen Advisory Board. Sandra enjoyed participating in the ThinkGive program when she was in the 5th Grade at the Carlisle Public Schools. She hopes to impact the program positively and is excited to create opportunities for children to spread kindness and build empathy.

Maya is a sophomore at Concord Carlisle High School. In her free time, she enjoys participating in her school's sports teams and club gymnastics and volunteering around her school and community. She is excited to learn and work with others to spread positivity, kindness, and mindfulness!

Elise McMorrow is a Junior at Concord Carlisle High School. She is a member of the Track and Field team as well as the Alpine Ski team. In the winter, Elise is a ski instructor and pursues her passion for working with children. Besides sports, she is dedicated to volunteering for the benefit of the community. As a fifth grader at Carlisle Public Schools, Elise participated in the ThinkGive program. She is excited to contribute to the program through the Student Advisory Board and spread the important message of ThinkGive.

Arwen is a senior at Walton High School in Marietta, Georgia. She is the president of her school’s community outreach club and volunteers regularly at her local library. In the past, she has enjoyed volunteering at local elementary schools, making care packages for veterans, and assisting at senior living centers. Arwen is also an Eye Level tutor and loves interacting with and motivating children, which is why she is excited to work with ThinkGive. She looks forward to contributing to the program and helping build safe and fun communities for kids.

Orlyola Tantchou is a student at Loretto Academy in El Paso, Texas. She is passionate about climate education, youth advocacy, and international service. As a children’s book author and environmental educator, Orlyola loves working with kids to inspire action through kindness and storytelling. She’s excited to join the ThinkGive Student Advisory Board because she believes kindness is one of the most powerful tools for building community, sparking change, and sustaining hope. Orlyola looks forward to joining the ThinkGive Student Advisory Board to help build a more compassionate, connected world through everyday acts of giving.

Joshvin Thomas is a junior at Natick High School in Natick, MA. He runs track and field, sings in his school’s a cappella group, and enjoys spending time with friends and family. Joshvin is a core member of his school’s Red Cross Club and Kids Wish for Kids Club. He is also the co-founder and CFO of Food for Fighters, a nonprofit organization that provides nutritious meals to cancer patients during recovery. He is excited to join ThinkGive’s Student Advisory Board to learn more about how he can make an impact by helping children develop empathy and care for their emotional well-being.