Building something meaningful starts with the right people. At Digital Impact Project, our mission to give local nonprofits the digital tools they need to reach their communities starts with the leaders guiding the organization. We're proud to introduce the founding members of our Board of Directors, three people who bring complementary strengths in technology, product, and nonprofit fundraising to the work ahead.
Andrew Byrd, Board Chair
Leading our founding board as Board Chair is Andrew Byrd. Andrew is the founder of Cary Digital Design, a web design agency serving startups, small businesses, and nonprofits. He's also the founder of Digital Impact, where he will work directly with the nonprofits Digital Impact will support. Years of partnership with mission-driven organizations have only deepened his commitment to community service. His vision is to help the helpers by giving local nonprofits the digital tools they need to reach their communities, connect with volunteers, and attract the donors needed to execute their mission.
Jim Thomas, Treasurer
Jim Thomas is a Senior Staff Product Manager at Mozilla, where he leads strategy for Firefox's homepage experiences across platforms, including advertising, partnerships, and user engagement. Over his career, he has built and scaled consumer technology products at Mozilla, Groupon, and early-stage startups, combining product strategy with a strong foundation in software development and data-driven experimentation.
Jim brings deep expertise in product management, growth experimentation, and ethical technology design, with a focus on how digital experiences can create value for both users and organizations. He is particularly interested in how thoughtfully-designed technology can help mission-driven organizations operate more effectively and extend their reach.
Since relocating to Cary from Silicon Valley with his wife and two young daughters, Jim has developed a strong appreciation for the Triangle's culture of mission-driven businesses and community organizations. He was drawn to the Digital Impact Project's focus on strengthening nonprofit capacity through technology, and believes the right digital tools can help organizations scale their impact without losing their mission. As a founding board member, he brings strategic product thinking, data-informed decision making, and a builder's mindset. He is excited to help Digital Impact expand its reach and enable more organizations to translate digital potential into meaningful community outcomes.
Mary Brunner, Secretary
Mary Brunner has worked in nonprofit fundraising for over 15 years, bringing her passion, warmth, and experience in individual giving to both large and small nonprofits. She has built annual fund programs and raised million dollar gifts for nationally recognized organizations, building meaningful relationships with donors that lead to funding and greater impact for the missions she supports. Continually inspired by the power of nonprofits and nonprofit leaders to change our community and world for the better, Mary is excited by the opportunities for growth presented by the Digital Impact Project.