Ushering in the Advisors #1: Erik, Jan
At one time or another, all projects need a little help and direction. FrontlineSMS is no exception, and we’re fortunate to have been able to draw on the skills, experience and support of many close friends and allies over the past couple of years or so. During the FrontlineSMS building process we’ve been totally focused on the users – unashamedly so – and only now are we beginning to catch up organisationally.
This week sees the formation of a Board of Advisors for FrontlineSMS. With a field- and user-based theme, we’re honoured to welcome Erik Hersman and Jan Chipchase as our first round of appointees.
Erik is the co-founder of Ushahidi (which means “testimony” in Swahili), a web application created to map the reported incidents of violence happening during the post-election crisis in Kenya. Raised in Sudan and Kenya, Erik brings unique energy and insight to the world of technology and innovation – bridging the gap between Africa and Silicon Valley. An avid blogger Erik writes two different technology blogs including AfriGadget and WhiteAfrican. One dedicated to low-tech African ingenuity, and the other to high-tech mobile and web changes happening throughout Africa.
The user-needs-driven focus of the Ushahidi/FrontlineSMS relationship has become a model in collaboration for us, and Erik’s experience, passion and focus mirrors our own multidisciplinary approach to identifying and solving problems. His experience and understanding of the African technology landscape will be invaluable as we move our efforts forward. Erik has been a great mentor over the years, and he remains a good friend.
Jan specialises in understanding the intersection of people, culture and technology. For eight years he worked out of the Nokia Research Center, Tokyo where, as Principal Scientist he conducted user experience and exploratory design research, taking teams into the field across the four corners of the globe. He is currently based out of Nokia’s Los Angeles design studio, conducting research to guide and support corporate strategy. Jan’s thinking is featured on his blog at www.janchipchase.com.
Jan, who we’ve known for a while, has built a considerable following for his work with Nokia, and continues to be a leader in his field. His focus on people, culture and technology is a perfect fit for us in many ways, reinforcing our own commitment to understanding and responding to user needs as a major driver in the development of social mobile tools. Jan’s experience will be particularly valuable as we begin the process of understanding the challenges and impact of FrontlineSMS on the ground.
We’re incredibly excited to be able to draw on the considerable experience of our new Advisory Board members, each of whom will help steer and direct our technical, marketing and organisational development. With software downloads rapidly approaching the 4,000 mark, the imminent launch of a FrontlineSMS Developer Community, and the emergence of new spin-off organisations such as FrontlineSMS:Medic and FrontlineSMS:Credit, there’s without doubt plenty to be getting on with.
The Board of Advisors will all be profiled on the FrontlineSMS website once all appointments have been made. Two more will be unveiled next week. In the meantime…
… welcome Erik and Jan! \o/
34 comments
Let me be the first to welcome you, guys! Over the moon to be working with you on this!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jan Chipchase and changefeed, FrontlineSMS o/. FrontlineSMS o/ said: Honoured and excited to announce @whiteafrican and @janchip as members of our new o/ Advisory Board! http://is.gd/4qDiK [...]
RT @janchip: RT Announcing @whiteafrican and @janchip as members of our new \o/ Advisory Board! http://is.gd/4qDiK
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by frontlinesms: Honoured and excited to announce @whiteafrican and @janchip as members of our new \o/ Advisory Board! http://is.gd/4qDiK…
Very exciting stuff Ken!! I’m so pleased to see such social entrepreneurship in Africa creating results!!
Big fans of Frontline SMS, Jan and Erik. Team made in heaven!!! Looking forward to seeing where you take this — what an exciting start you’ve had
[...] Ushering in the Advisors #1: Erik, Jan Share and Enjoy: [...]
RT @whiteafrican: RT @frontlinesms: excited to announce @whiteafrican and @janchip as members of new \o/ Advisory Board! http://is.gd/4qDiK
Exceptional team. Looking forward to more great things from \o/ and friends (Medic, Credit, etc.).
Over the moon to report that @whiteafrican and @janchip are joining the @FrontlineSMS Advisory Board! \o/ http://is.gd/4qDiK
Over the moon to report that @whiteafrican and @janchip are joining the @FrontlineSMS Advisory Board! \o/ http://is.gd/4qDiK
RT @kiwanja: Over the moon to report that @whiteafrican & @janchip are joining the @FrontlineSMS Advisory Board! http://is.gd/4qDiK | Wow!
RT @kiwanja: Over the moon to report that @whiteafrican & @janchip are joining the @FrontlineSMS Advisory Board! http://is.gd/4qDiK | Wow!
Good stuff. @janchip is joining the advisory board for @FrontlineSMS http://ow.ly/vh9f and http://ow.ly/vh9x
Good stuff. @janchip is joining the advisory board for @FrontlineSMS http://ow.ly/vh9f and http://ow.ly/vh9x
Over the moon to report that @whiteafrican and @janchip have joined the @FrontlineSMS Advisory Board! \o/ http://is.gd/4qDiK
Over the moon to report that @whiteafrican and @janchip have joined the @FrontlineSMS Advisory Board! \o/ http://is.gd/4qDiK
Thanks for the nice welcomes! We’ll keep everyone posted on how things go. I’m particularly excited about having some seriously user-focused people on the team. Vital.
Over the moon to report @whiteafrican and @janchip have joined the @FrontlineSMS Advisory Board! \o/ http://is.gd/4qDiK (via @kiwanja)
Over the moon to report @whiteafrican and @janchip have joined the @FrontlineSMS Advisory Board! \o/ http://is.gd/4qDiK (via @kiwanja)
RT @kiwanja: Over the moon to report that @whiteafrican and @janchip have joined the @FrontlineSMS Advisory Board! \o/ http://is.gd/4qDiK
RT @kiwanja: Over the moon to report that @whiteafrican and @janchip have joined the @FrontlineSMS Advisory Board! \o/ http://is.gd/4qDiK
RT @lovisatalk: RT @kiwanja: Over the moon that @whiteafrican and @janchip joined the @FrontlineSMS Advisory Board! \o/ http://is.gd/4qDiK
RT @lovisatalk: RT @kiwanja: Over the moon that @whiteafrican and @janchip joined the @FrontlineSMS Advisory Board! \o/ http://is.gd/4qDiK
RT @kiwanja: Over the moon to report that @whiteafrican and @janchip have joined the @FrontlineSMS Advisory Board! http://is.gd/4qDiK
RT @kiwanja: Over the moon to report that @whiteafrican and @janchip have joined the @FrontlineSMS Advisory Board! http://is.gd/4qDiK
RT @kiwanja: Over the moon to report that @whiteafrican and @janchip have joined the @FrontlineSMS Advisory Board! \o/ http://is.gd/4qDiK
RT @kiwanja: Over the moon to report that @whiteafrican and @janchip have joined the @FrontlineSMS Advisory Board! \o/ http://is.gd/4qDiK
Ushering in the Advisors #1: Erik, Jan http://bit.ly/3WKUz1
Ushering in the Advisors #1: Erik, Jan http://bit.ly/3WKUz1
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[...] by kiwanja Following the launch of the FrontlineSMS Advisory Board late last year, we’re honoured to announce news of our latest two appointees – Tess Conner and Renny Gleeson. Tess and Renny join previous recruits Larry Diamond, Jenny Aker, Jan Chipchase and Erik Hersman. [...]
[...] those of you who are outbound-link challenged and can’t read this – I’m proud to announce that I’ll be joining the advisory board for FrontlineSMS. [...]
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