MEET THE FOUNDERS

Rather than bore you with our full bios, we’ve listed a few of the things that we hope make us interesting at parties.

AMANDA

Is a Kiwi (New Zealander) by birth.
Has a wicked sense of humor. Particularly loves to laugh at herself.
Collects quirky, brilliant, devoted friends all over the world.
Was a nerd (studied neurophysiology at University of Auckland).
Worked for Vogue magazine. Failed miserably as a fashionista and was nearly fired.
Discovered an obsession with far-flung adventure while on camelback in the Thar Desert in India for a week.
Quit Vogue to become a travel writer and photographer.
Spent 23 years living mostly out of a suitcase; 10 of those were dedicated to photographing tribes. Did not accept the paltry few chickens offered as dowry.
Became a successful travel writer and has been published in magazines and newspapers worldwide.
Loves to host big dinner parties and have other people cook. Is extremely adept at scattering the crowd with sympathetic gourmands.
Co-founded (yep, with Jen) Cynthia’s Sisters, which raises money to put girls through law school in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Is married to an outstandingly supportive (and handsome) man who works in high tech.
Is mother to two nearly perfect teenage daughters.
Produced a beautiful book called Potentia on women’s rights. The proceeds go to Cynthia’s Sisters.
Sits on the Silicon Valley Executive Committee for Human Rights Watch.

Has a heart the size of Texas but firmly grounded in the politics of Northern California.
Has been a successful entrepreneur in the technology, games and food industries.
Is a certified life coach, which makes her even greater to work with.
Was the only person ever to run for 10th grade class president with the tagline “How Do You Spell Relief?” (She lost.)
Took a yearlong sabbatical at age 46 to volunteer with women in Nicaragua and Kenya.
Worked at Club Med as a tennis coach and party starter in the late 80s.
Is annoyingly fit and works out all the time.
Is an inspired cook, which is of enormous benefit to Amanda.
Is a beer and wine snob. Also of benefit.
Throws impromptu dinner parties for 20 with great frequency and ludicrous ease.
Drove a big-ass truck by herself from Seattle to Berkeley with our first tea machine in the back. Adopted the trucker handle “KikoMama.”
Mentors many, is a superlative friend and a bountiful aunt.
Co-founded Cynthia’s Sisters (with Amanda), an organization that puts girls through law school in the Democratic Republic of Congo (the world’s most violent place for women, according to the UN).
Is a graduate of U.C. Berkeley with a degree in communications and business.