Meet Our Team
Board Members
Rebecca StinsonHi! I’m gep’s Founder & Director. I’m also a spec ops vet, oil painter & designer. As a kid, I was always building forts in the woods near our farm. As an adult, I’m drawn toward humanistic psychology & regenerative thinking.
gep is the culmination of those influences, giving me and others a way to use creativity to contribute to a better world for children. I also love exploring new cultures, long road trips, camping & always having my pup, Nikola, by my side.
President
Jiyan Babaie-HarmonI’m a computer scientist & researcher who spends most of my time building things, whether that's intelligent systems, a good meal, or an excuse to avoid doing laundry. I joined gep because I genuinely believe artists deserve support, not just applause, and I wanted to do something about it.
When I’m not staring at a screen, I’m on the mats training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or in the kitchen making something that probably took way too long.
Treasurer
Jacob RushingI’m a Criminal Defense Attorney licensed to practice in Alabama. I leverage my legal expertise to strengthen compliance and advocate for others.
I also enjoy the outdoors, Auburn Football, and time with family.
Board Director
Dustin BladaI’m a United States Coast Guard veteran, woodworker, handyman & firefighter.
I’m passionate about helping others and doing whatever to be involved in the community. I love mountain biking, camping, snowboarding & traveling.
"If a friend asks for help, you help them.”
Board Director
David GaskinsI’m a Special Operations Aviator, computer builder and a German Shepard daddy.
I enjoy solving complex challenges and continuously expanding my skills. In my free time I like hiking, exploring new environments and just spending time in nature.
Board Director
Volunteer Opportunities
golden eyes project is in its founding stage. We are actively building a team of skilled, mission-aligned volunteers across a range of disciplines. Whether you have a specific expertise we’ve identified or a skill set you believe could serve the mission, we want to hear from you.
We are building a network of photographers across the country who can help artists in their local area capture their artwork in its best light.
If you are a photographer who believes in gep’s mission and would like to be part of that network, we’d love to connect.
This is a volunteer role that can be as occasional as a single shoot or as often as you’d like.
Photography
We are looking for volunteers who enjoy turning creative ideas into thoughtfully made products people can use, wear & gift to others.
Designers can help develop original concepts for gep’s shop. Collaborate with other creators to bring ideas to life. Design apparel, accessories, prints & other unique offerings that support child empowerment while building work you can add to your portfolio.
Merchandise Design
We’re looking for volunteers who enjoy creating video & digital media and want to use those skills to help us tell gep’s story.
Help create short-form videos, edit footage, develop animations or bring other multimedia ideas to life with creator credits on our website, social platforms & campaigns. Contribute to a single project or collaborate with us whenever an opportunity matches your skills.
Video & Media Editing
Advisory
Board Roles
gep’s is presently forming its advisory board. A group of individuals who offer strategic guidance, subject matter expertise & organizational support without formal board responsibilities.
Advisory board positions are volunteer roles. As gep grows we are committed to finding meaningful ways to recognize & compensate these roles.
Advisors help gep develop strategies, continue to strengthen programs, and grow with intention. We are actively seeking advisors with experience in the following areas:
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Seeking professionals with experience in child development, child psychology, youth development or trauma-informed practice.
Advisors in this area help gep review youth-facing programs, activities, communications, incentive structures & policies for developmental appropriateness and emotional safety. They may also help us recognize when a situation falls outside gep’s role and should be referred to qualified clinical or community resources.
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Seeking professionals with experience in regenerative design, ecology, sustainable agriculture, environmental systems, landscape architecture or related fields.
These advisors help gep strengthen initiatives that connect children with nature, food systems, environmental stewardship & regenerative thinking. Their expertise can inform garden models, resource use, ecological design decisions and the long-term sustainability of community-based projects.
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Seeking educators and professionals with experience in STEM, environmental science, experiential learning, informal education or hands-on youth programming.
These advisors help gep develop activities that turn curiosity into meaningful learning experiences. They may provide guidance on age-appropriate STEM challenges, educational resources, scientific accuracy, hands-on learning methods & opportunities to connect children with real-world exploration.
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Seeking professionals with experience in arts education, galleries & curation, artist relations, creative commerce, publishing, cultural programming or socially engaged art.
These advisors help strengthen gep’s art-based fundraising model and creative initiatives by providing insight into artist engagement, exhibitions, creative partnerships, art commerce, cultural programming & ways creativity can generate resources and opportunities for children.
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Seeking attorneys and professionals with experience in nonprofit law, charitable compliance, governance, contracts, youth-serving organizations or organizational risk.
Advisors in this area help gep identify legal and compliance considerations as the organization grows. Their guidance may support policies, agreements, governance procedures, charitable fundraising requirements, youth-program responsibilities, risk management & other areas where qualified professional review is appropriate.
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Seeking professionals with experience in nonprofit accounting, bookkeeping, financial management, grant accounting, internal controls or charitable fund stewardship.
These advisors help gep strengthen the systems used to account for charitable resources, track grant and restricted funds, support financial reporting and maintain responsible internal controls as organizational activity increases.
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Seeking professionals with experience in program evaluation, data analysis, research, impact measurement or nonprofit performance reporting.
These advisors help gep determine how to collect, analyze & communicate meaningful information about participation, outcomes, resource distribution and organizational growth. Their expertise helps us understand what is working, improve programs based on evidence & communicate impact responsibly to partners, donors and funders.
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Seeking professionals with experience in community partnerships, nonprofit collaboration, schools, corporate or brand partnerships, resource development or community-based programming.
These advisors help gep identify and strengthen relationships with organizations, businesses, schools, resource providers and other mission-aligned partners. Their insight can help expand access to expertise, services, participant resources, distribution channels, financial support & in-kind contributions without requiring gep to independently build or purchase every resource its programs need.
Volunteer
Your Skills & Services
to the Mission
Don’t See Your Skills Listed?
gep’s mission is built on creativity, collaboration & the belief that the right people find each other.
If you have skills, services or ideas that you believe could contribute to what we’re building, we want to hear from you. Reach out to introduce yourself and let us know what you’d like to bring to gep.
Internships
gep offers remote internship opportunities for college students & emerging professionals interested in gaining hands-on experience while contributing to a growing nonprofit.
Internships may support grant research & writing, communications, publishing & design, program development, research, data & impact evaluation, and other areas based on current organizational needs.
