Community Builder Websites

Luis Carlos Pando, also known as Mijo, is from Chihuahua, Mexico, and enjoys creating things for the internet. He is interested in computers and the internet, leading him to create his website as a central hub for his projects and thoughts. Luis Carlos loves music, especially punk, metal, and hardcore. He co-founded Hitz-Musik.net to support the local music scene in Chihuahua. He is a fan of Nintendo and created the Mode 7 community on Discord. He enjoys sharing his photos and music interests online and is part of the IndieWeb community.

Cheryl Ann Barnes is a founder, community builder, and connector based in Seattle. As an event strategist, she partners with businesses to design experiences that strengthen connection and build communities. She focuses on transforming gatherings into communities and ideas into shared purpose. With a master’s in public health, Cheryl Ann strategically coordinates events from public health campaigns and wellness events to community meetups and outdoor gatherings. Her mission is to empower others to find connection, courage, and meaning in their own journeys.

Speed-friending: speed-dating but for friends. A grownup show & tell. An adult recital. Some of the offerings of Mac & Cheese Productions℠, a lifestyle business that models and offers positive adulting and increases life fulfillment and ease through building connection: to others, to opportunities, and to self. You know all those things that are THE WORST? Small talk. Networking. Dating. Cleaning. Sales. Self-Promotion. Public speaking. Pricing. Saying no. Setting boundaries. Making asks. To Do Lists. Going places solo. Sticking out. Taking risks. Doing things that scare you. Doing things you're not good at. Doing things you have no business doing. Doing things you don't want to do but have to. Death. Reply All misuse… Saya (Sigh-Uh, like Maya) Hillman lives to make those things less worse. To make adulthood enjoyable. The poster child for living an idyllic, perfect fitting-life, Saya inspires groups and individuals to take charge of their lives and to learn, grow, and become even more delicious versions of themselves. Through events, courses, keynotes, workplace facilitation, products, consulting, writings, and community, Mac & Cheese helps adults become the best versions of themselves, redefine “success,” and design their lives to best fit themselves — to design their Life of Yes℠. An Evanston, Illinois native, Montessori and Boston College graduate, Chicago Girlie 4 Life (even when she doesn’t live there), and Winston-Salem resident, Saya’s a sad, mute wallflower turned joyful, self-assured wildflower. One of Chicago Magazine’s Top 20 Singles, Chicago Tribune’s Top 100 Innovators, and Brazen Careerist’s Top 20 Professionals to Watch, she’s been featured in Forbes and the New York Times, and is a TEDx speaker and an in-progress (fingers-crossed) memoirist. She’s traveled to all 50 states and 21 countries, fostered 18 puppies, met her husband via one of her own offerings, and is responsible for 7 3/4 couples (ask her about the 3/4).

Ari Sohn is a 3x founder, event MC, and community builder. He is passionate about creating meaningful impact through technology and human connection. Ari co-founded PreservUs, and is the Head of Community and Ecosystem at TxtCart. He hosts the Heartfelt Event Show, a live podcast on LinkedIn, and has hosted Cart Basel and various industry events. In 2021, Ari became a stem cell donor.

Manoj Ranaweera has been building tech startups and related ventures since 2004. He has experienced many failures and two exits. Northern Tech Awards and edocr.com were acquired by GP Bullhound and Accusoft , Inc respectively. From 2006 to 2013, Manoj built Manchester’s Tech Startup Ecosystem. Today, Manoj runs Techcelerate, Deal Lite and SkilledUp Life. He founded his first tech startup, a FinTech in electronic invoicing and payments, in 2004. In 2007 Manoj founded, edocr.com which was recognised in 2008 as one of the hottest 20 tech startups in the UK. In 2013, GP Bullhound acquired the Northern Tech Awards from Manoj. In 2015, edocr.com was acquired by US-based Accusoft. In 2018, Manoj restarted Techcelerate to reduce wastage in building and scaling tech startups.

Noah Berkson is a 3x exit founder and serial entrepreneur who has co-founded 8 businesses and sold 3 by the age of 32. He recently launched Irreplaceable, an education platform teaching soft skills to students and young professionals. He was the Founder of DevBase and Candor Ventures, both of which were sold in 2021 and 2022 respectively. Noah currently leads Austin Capital, a single family office, and Commonground, a farmland leasing marketplace. He built Outcove, an invite-only retreat for founders and investors, and Weekend Of Man, an invite-only adult summercamp. He is an active member of Young Presidents Organization.

Eric Melchor is the Founder of 3rd Space Bucharest, happy hour-style networking events that bring people together in a fun way combined with lightning talks. He is an adventurous connector, creative strategist, and dad to two incredible kids. Born in Houston and now living in Romania, Eric has built his life around courage, curiosity, and community. He launches grassroots fitness programs for kids and hosts cocktail parties in Bucharest. Eric is committed to living fully, raising kind and curious children, developing ideas that ignite joy, and serving as a catalyst for authentic human connection. He wants people to feel more seen, more energized, and less alone in this world.