bio

Picture
After graduating college, Greg became a teacher. Two months into his career, he witnessed a moment of conflict between three customers at a restaurant. Hoping to bridge the racial, cultural & generational divides which appeared to spark it, he started The Brunch Bunch Mentoring Program.  More than 700 students & adults participated in the program. After the first 70 weeks, Greg expanded his efforts & founded The 11-10-02 Foundation.  The volunteer-run organization has raised the funds for hundreds of educational grants & college scholarships for students with financial need. Driven by his bonds with his childhood best friends (his dog & his Grandmother), he also has devoted time & resources to initiatives related to animals & older adults & those who assist them. For his volunteer & philanthropic efforts, he was named one of America's Daily Points of Light & received the Jefferson Award for Public Service. He was honored at Princeton University as 'one of America's top social entrepreneurs under 40'.  In 2013, he was one of the Aspen Ideas Festival Scholars. He has served as Scholar-in-Residence &/or guest speaker/lecturer for events, schools, companies, camps & conferences in different countries. He is co-author of five books and workbooks. The Silhouette Man was honored in Canada as a book that celebrates the wisdom of seniors. The student edition (The First Thirty) was NSDLC Multicultural Relations Book of the Year. He has done readings of his book, The Milkshake Man, around the U.S.A. His visual art has gone on exhibit at events in different nations. He received the Portraits in Humanity Award - given to someone who has used the arts to make a difference. His other personal interests include reading, travel, food, farms & athletics.  In 2013, after a long recovery from spinal surgery capped off by a sprint triathlon, his experience was highlighted by USA Triathlon.  Over the years, he also has been featured by media like The Washington Post, NonProfit Times, National Public Radio, Education Week & USA Today.  The show, Good Morning America, buried a Time Capsule which chronicled his efforts to increase volunteerism & bring diverse people together within his community.  He has written & conducted interviews for many publications & media outlets around North America.