Unlike many other high-tech entrepreneurs, Omidyar didn't set out to become an Internet tycoon. Born in Paris, he moved to Maryland as a child when his father accepted a residency at Johns Hopkins University Medical Center. Hewrote his first computer program at age 14, to catalog books for the school library. He graduated from Tufts University in 1988 with a degree incomputer science and went to work for a company that developed Macintosh software.

Scott Heiferman is a co-founder of the website Meetup.com, a service that helps people use the internet to organize local community groups with local offline meetings. Meetup originally gained notoriety as the grassroots backbone of the Howard Dean presidential campaign in 2004. As of November 2006, approximately 3 million people have registered on Meetup. Meetup's investors include eBay, Omidyar Network, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Esther Dyson, and others.

Dr. Eric Reeves is professor of English Language and Literature at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. He has spent the past seven years working full-time as a Sudan researcher and analyst, publishing extensively both in the United States and internationally. He has testified several times before the Congress, has lectured widely in academic settings, and has served as a consultant to a number of human rights and humanitarian organizations operating in Sudan.

Christine Herron has spent her career finding new and innovative information technologies. She is currently a Principal with First Round Capital , an early-stage venture capital firm. Previously, Christine was a director at Omidyar Network, where she developed the Media practice strategy and drove $15 million in early-stage placements.

Rob has been a partner at First Round Capital since 2006. Rob came to First Round Capital from Omidyar Network where he was their first venture investor. He led most of Omidyar Network's initial venture capital deals and later built and ran the technology investing group. Prior to joining Omidyar Network in 2004, Rob was at Palm where he started up their corporate venture fund. While in that role he also managed the strategy effort around Palm OS that led to the spinout of PalmSource. . . .

Ramit Sethi - VP/Marketing Ramit leads marketing and usability for PBwiki. He dislikes people who confuse marketing with advertising. He has been the Director of Special Projects at the Stanford Persuasive Technology Lab, and is a consultant on emerging technologies to venture-capital firms in Silicon Valley. His blog, IWillTeachYouToBeRich.com, hosts over 100,000 readers per month. He is also the creator of the classic "You Have Died of Dysentery" T-shirt .

Rob joined First Round Capital in 2006. Rob came to First Round Capital from Omidyar Network where he was their first venture investor. He led most of Omidyar Network's initial venture capital deals and later built and ran the technology investing group. Prior to joining Omidyar Network in 2004, Rob was at Palm where he started up their corporate venture fund. While in that role he also managed the strategy effort around Palm OS that led to the spinout of PalmSource.

Stephen DeBerry Stephen DeBerry , Investment Director, Omidyar Network, Redwood City, CA. In his role as Investment Director for Omidyar Network, Stephen invests in for-profit and nonprofit initiatives that enable individuals to pursue their self-interest through collaboration with others. Some of his recent investments include Prosper, InnoCentive, Meetup and KaBOOM! .

William Fitzpatrick, Corporate Counsel William Fitzpatrick is the corporate counsel for Omidyar Network, a mission-based organization committed to enabling individuals to improve the quality of their lives. Prior to joining Omidyar Network, Mr. Fitzpatrick worked for the Alabama Capital Representation Resource Center, providing legal assistance to death row inmates in Alabama.

I have worked at many different types of companies including biotechnology, software and venture capital. I do not necessarily prefer any one of those industries over the other, but I do thrive in a fast-paced, start up environment. I am currently working for Omidyar Network in Redwood City.

Joan joined Omidyar Network's predecessor organization, the Omidyar Foundation, in 2000. As director of special projects, Joan applies her experience to activities across the organization, from identifying strategic opportunities to developing and enhancing internal processes. Previously, Joan specialized in sales, training and implementation of new technologies for several startup specialty software companies. Joan graduated from Sawyer College in Southern California.

Dena’s career spans both the social and business sectors, with more than ten years of facilitation and management consulting experience. Prior to joining Omidyar Network as the Omidyar Foundation in 2002, Dena was a senior consultant with Ripple Effect Consulting, where she worked with nonprofits to enhance their organizational effectiveness.

Will Fitzpatrick Corporate Counsel, Omidyar Network Will's role as Omidyar Network's corporate counsel allows him to combine his experience as a technology and business lawyer with his commitment to progressive social change.

Joan Boysen, Director, Special Projects Joan joined Omidyar Network's predecessor organization, the Omidyar Foundation, in 2000. As director of special projects, Joan applies her experience to activities across the organization, from identifying strategic opportunities to developing and enhancing internal processes. Previously, Joan specialized in sales, training and implementation of new technologies for several startup specialty software companies.

Rob Hayes First Round Capital Rob joined First Round Capital in 2006. Rob came to First Round Capital from Omidyar Network where he was their first venture investor. He led most of Omidyar Network’s initial venture capital deals and later built and ran its technology investing group. Prior to joining Omidyar Network in 2004, Rob was at Palm, Inc. where he launched their corporate venture fund.

Crystal Hutter invests in for-profit and nonprofit initiatives that increase access to financial products and services, promote market-based economic activity, and distribute economic resources. Prior to joining Omidyar Network, Crystal served as a senior engineer at Oracle Corporation, where she also provided technical consulting for Oracle's North American government, education and healthcare groups.

Todor brings to Omidyar Network more than 15 years of experience in finance, private equity, and corporate and business development. At JP Morgan Capital, he worked on more than $200 million in equity investments across a range of industries and investment stages. At Tellme Networks, a leading voice applications network, he developed and led the company's OEM strategy and business development with the largest US wireless carriers.

Iqbal Paroo Director Iqbal Paroo has long committed his energy, passion and intellect to making good things happen. His career includes domestic and international leadership in complex health care delivery organizations, academic institutions, the social sector, technology companies and venture-funded startups.