Zachary Hayes

 Links:

President | Hayes Financial

Bio:

A graduate of the University of California at Davis, Zach began working in the investment industry in 2000. Early in his career, Zach was significantly impacted by the swiftness of wealth destruction during the dot.com crash. As such, he is keenly focused on managing risk as he cares for each client’s long-term needs. In spite of the turbulent times, Zach has been blessed with an expanding clientele and a flourishing business.

Life:

A grateful husband and father of four young children, Zach thrives on family time. He and his wife are involved at Morgan Hill Bible Church, & San Martin Gwinn School, where they delight in together serving others and raising a family.

Will Thomas

 Links:

Managing Director and Founder | Ambassadors Impact Network

Bio:

Will has been investing in organizations that demonstrate social and spiritual impact since 2013. Additionally, Will serves on the board of two publicly-traded companies and as Chairman of the board of Marketplace Chaplains. Previously, he was Vice President at Capital Southwest Corporation where he made investments in private companies and provided advice.

Prior to his private equity experience, Will served as an evaluator pilot and in numerous leadership positions in the United States Air Force, achieving the rank of Major. He has served on the board of eleven private companies. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and has an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Life:

Will and his wife are blessed by their three exciting children and attend Providence Presbyterian Church.

William Norvell

Co-Founder | Forte

William is the Co-Founder of Forte- the world’s first SoulCare platform for the workforce. Prior to Forte, William spent approximately ten years in Private Equity, Venture Capital and Investment Banking, along with over five years pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors. He has invested in numerous sectors and industries throughout his career. He loves finding unique investment opportunities, working with people and helping them become the best version of themselves.

William loves engaging in any conversation about how to make work more meaningful in the world. He received an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a BS in Finance, Summa Cum Laude, from the University of Alabama, where he was named a USA Today Academic All-American. He is also the Co-Founder and Podcast Host of Faith Driven Entrepreneur and Faith Driven Investor.

William is married to a wonderful woman, Deb, that continually challenges and refines him. They welcomed their son Liam in 2018, daughter Eloise in 2020 and their son Henry in 2021.

Troy Austin

 Links:

Operating Partner | Cephas Partners

Bio:

Troy is a relationship builder, connector, entrepreneur, attorney, investor, real estate broker, ministry leader, consultant, and musician. His curiosity, desire to serve God, and the value he places on relationships continue to lead him on a rather eclectic adventure.

Troy is focused on better integrating business and ministry by investing in businesses whose owners systematically and measurably love their people well. This is a rare find, but these businesses are best positioned to create the greatest long-term value, as well as have the greatest impact on the people they serve: employees, customers, vendors, investors, and communities.

Troy spent his first 10-year career in the mortgage industry, where he served as general counsel for a large national lender before co-founding several businesses: a law firm, title office, real estate brokerage, lender and debt purchaser. He sold to his partners in 2011. God then led Troy into full-time ministry with National Christian Foundation and 6 Stones Mission Network. It was during this season that Troy began to see business with a different purpose- HUMAN FLOURISHING.

Troy serves as broker for 6th Avenue Homes and Aledo Living. He is also co-founder of Cultivate Community Workspace. Troy actively serves with NCF and Generous Giving. He is on the local board for Hope International and Aledo Young Life. He attends Christ Chapel Bible Church in Aledo with his wife of 20+ years, Sunny, his son, Luke, and daughter, Kate, who all think he is much less cool since he “retired” after ten years with Left Arm Tan, the band he co-founded in 2009.

Troy Blackmon

 Links:

VP of Field Operations | C12 Group

Bio:

Troy joined the C12 Group in 2008 with a diverse background in executive leadership, sales development, team building, and operations. Through his role as VP of Field Operations he is committed to serve, equip and encourage CEOs and business owners to lead thriving companies that honor the Lord and serve people.

During his tenure at Chick-fil-A, Inc. Troy learned that business excellence and glorifying God in the marketplace go hand in hand. Troy managed a P&L of $35+ million in revenue and coached business owners in operational excellence and improving financial results.

In addition, Troy has been involved in leading small group ministry, including planting a church in Seattle, WA. Troy was formerly Partner at OneAccord, a management-consulting firm focused on accelerating revenue for mid-market companies. While at OneAccord, Troy was privileged to work with numerous technology companies in senior leadership positions, managing sales, marketing and business development activities. Troy most recently served as the President of a technology private equity group, where he led the management teams of 4 portfolio businesses.

Life:

Troy is married to his high school sweetheart, Shanna, and has been blessed with 4 children. He enjoys golf, cycling, and mountain biking with his family.

Tsitsi Masiyiwa

Executive Chair and Co-Founder | Higherlife Foundation

Tsitsi Masiyiwa is an African philanthropist and social entrepreneur. She is Executive Chair and Co-Founder of Higherlife Foundation, whose primary goal is to invest in human capital development to build thriving individuals, communities and sustainable livelihoods.

As a result of her work and experience establishing and growing Higherlife Foundation over the last twenty years, Tsitsi has become an advisor and thought partner to universities, national leaders, and social entrepreneurs on issues of education, leadership development, and youth empowerment.

In 2017, Tsitsi established Delta Philanthropies, as a vehicle for impact investing and grant making. Delta Philanthropies seeks to unlock and catalyze innovative solutions to the elimination of poverty by convening strategic partnerships and incubating new development models.

Her work has garnered global recognition, including Honorary Doctorate degrees from Morehouse University in Atlanta, Georgia; Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe; as well as the prestigious Champions for Change Award for Leadership from the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW).

Tsitsi is a founding board member and the current Board Chair of the African Philanthropy Forum; a Trustee of the Legatum Institute, the END Fund, and UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited Initiative; a member of the Sesame Workshop Global Advisory Group, the International Advisory Board for Texas A&M University, the Yale Institute for Global Health Advisory Board, the Africa University Board, the Prince’s Trust International West Africa Advisory Board, and the Kenjin-Tatsujin International Advisory Council. Tsitsi and her husband, Strive, have been signatories to the Giving Pledge since 2014.