MY WORK
I believe Education = Opportunity
I am passionate about working with great people to expand education access
Dyad Mentorship Founder & CEO
Mentorship for the Motivated
Shanghai & Seattle
At Dyad we believe in the transformative power of mentorship. We connect students with mentors for life-changing admissions and career advice. Our team of 200+ mentors have helped students earn scholarships worth over $27M ($27,157,029 and counting)!
We were recognized by PayPal as Asia's Most Promising Startup in 2015. We have raised $1M in Venture Capital from investors like 500 Startups, SOSV, and Harbor Pacific Capital.
Our Advisory Board includes the former CEO of McDonalds and retired Secretary of the U.S. Air Force. You can learn more about our model and mission in interviews with Cambridge University, Huffington Post, and the World Economic Forum Agenda.
We are always looking to build our team with rockstar talent. We have openings for best-in-class web developers, friendly bi-lingual salespeople, and insightful mentors.
Moneythink Co-Founder & Chairman
Educating Urban Youth on Money Smarts
Coast-to-Coast, USA
Recognized by President Obama as one of the best new ideas for social innovation, Moneythink empowers under-resourced students to achieve college success by supporting financial decision-making through coaching and technology. You can watch this video to learn more about our mission and model.
We believe every student should have the knowledge and support to make prudent financial decisions. Since 2008, our 650 volunteer mentors have made it possible by training over 30,000 highschoolers to make and manage money in 17 states.
We've raised more than $6M from generous grassroots donors and organizations like JP Morgan, Google, Goldman Sachs, MassChallenge, CFSI, Capital One, PwC, Blackstone and American Express. In 2012 President Obama named Moneythink a "Champion of Change."
The Harvard Business Review called Moneythink a company that offers meaningful work. We believe in the power of human potential, and we love to work with people who share that belief. If you’re looking for a mission-driven, results-oriented work environment and awesome colleagues, we'd love to hear from you! We're currently hiring - check out our careers page to apply today or help us find someone terrific!
Advancing Scholarship Opportunities
Paying it forward
I was only able to attend my dream schools, UChicago and Cambridge, with the help of scholarships. I'm on a mission to pay it forward by partnering with organizations doing impactful work:
• The Harry S Truman Scholarship is the Presidential Memorial to Public Service. Since 2016 I've served on the Board of Directors of the Truman Scholars Association.
• The Gates Cambridge Scholarship was established by Bill & Melinda Gates as a global network of emerging leaders dedicated to tackling worldwide challenges. In 2019 I joined the Gates Cambridge Alumni Association Board.
• Rhodes Scholarships were first awarded to Chinese students in 2015. I was honored to serve on the Pre-Selection Committee in 2015 and 2016.
• MakerGirl has inspired over 3,000 girls ages 7-10 to get active in STEM through 3D printing workshops. Since 2018 I've served on the Advisory Board and am excited to support future leaders in science and technology!
U.S. Alliance Strategist
Shaping American Foreign Policy
Global
I believe American leadership is vital to preserving peace and prosperity in the 21st century. As a Harry S Truman Scholar at the University of Chicago, I authored the first white paper to use a geopolitical defensive realist framework to explain the East Asian naval arms race and how the U.S. must enlist democratic maritime allies to ensure regional stability.
Since 2014 I have served as an Advisory Board Member to the Chicago Project on Security and Threats (CPOST), a leading international security affairs research institute funded by the U.S. Department of Defense. My writing has been featured in the Seattle Times and I've shared insights on Sino-American relations with London's NBC News and Beijing's China Global Television Network (watch here). The Diplomatic Courier recognized my work by naming me one of the "Top 99 Foreign Policy Leaders Under 33" in 2013.
Seattle Seahawks 12 Ambassador
Cheering with the World's Best Fans
In 2016 Delta Air Lines named me "12 Ambassador" to the Seattle Seahawks and featured my ultra running in TV commercials.
The Seahawks shared a fun recap after I ran 7 Marathons in 7 Days on 7 Continents: "Nance was born into a Seahawks family as his dad was a beer vendor at the King Dome during the 1983 and ’84 seasons. His fandom started at a young age, wearing his number 12 Seahawks jersey to peewee football practice, continuing to represent his favorite NFL team over the years wearing a Seahawks cap while running some of the toughest footraces in the world."
You can see the 12 Ambassador announcement on CBS Sports, Seattle sports radio, or read more in my hometown newspaper.
Fellow 12? Reach out because I'd love to hear your story! I love connecting with 12s, talking Hawks together, and cheering with the world's best fans!
ADVENTURE
"Little by little, one travels far." -J.R.R. Tolkien
Ultra Runner at GregRunsFar
Pushing past our limits
Worldwide
I recently completed the World Marathon Challenge powered by Wentworth where I ran 7 Marathons in 7 Days on 7 Continents. Beginning with 26.2 miles in Antarctica, I then ran back-to-back marathons in Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid, Santiago, and Miami!
Check out my interview with Cambridge University for more on my "Run the mile you're on" mindset.
You can read the story of my Gobi Crossing for more on the ultramarathon community and my running philosophy: we aim to find our limits and push past them.
It's been a huge honor to #RunHappy as a Brooks Global Ambassador and to represent the Seattle Seahawks as #12Ambassador since 2016.
Follow me on Instagram @GregRunsFar for updates and visit GregRunsFar.com to learn more about my passion for running.
Mountaineer
I climb great peaks for great causes
Europe, USA and Asia
I've enjoyed time in the Rockies, Tetons, Alps, Pyrenees, Scottish Highlands, China's Hengduan Mountains, and throughout the Cascades. Previous charity fundraising climbs include a free solo of Mont Blanc's Gonella Glacier (pictured at 4,810M) and speed ascents of China's Haba Xueshan (5,396M), and Mount Siguniang (5,276M).
Up next is an attempt on Yu Zhu, a 6,224M (20,420ft.) mountain in China's wild Qinghai Province.
Check out my interview with Cambridge Business School for more on the connection between climbing and business leadership.
Open-Water Swimmer
Aspiring Amphibian
Swimming the Seven Seas
I grew up swimming Washington's Puget Sound and have crossed the Nile, Thames (pictured), Seine, Douro, Huangpu, Moskva, and Jordan rivers. I've also swum the Persian Gulf, Aegean, Andaman, Coral, Marmara, Mediterranean, Dead, South and East China seas. My favorite way to see a city is on the run or by swim.
I've also been captivated by Scuba diving since my first time below the waves at Australia's Great Barrier Reef!
My big goal is to cross the English Channel.
Hillside Hiker
Exploring Forested Trails
USA, Iberia and Asia.
My brother, sister and I spent many summers climbing trees and walking trails in the Olympics. I've enjoyed alpine scrambles and extended hikes in Washington, Oregon, California, Wyoming, and Colorado. My favorite hike so far was my two-week, 400-miler on Iberia's Pilgrimage Trail from Lisbon to Santiago de Compostela.
Up next is a backpacking trip to the Tibetan Highlands.
LEARNING
“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.” -Mark Twain
Current learning projects are Mandarin Chinese, Team-Building, and Bible Study...
Long way to go on each!
Cambridge Business School
Gates Scholar
Cambridge, UK
- 2011 Gates Scholar (1 of 30 Americans; 800+ applicants)
- 2011 National Jefferson Award for Public Service (1 of 4 “under 30 Globe Changers")
- Welterweight for the Cambridge varsity boxing team
- Graduated with a Masters in Management (Entrepreneurship focus)
University of Chicago
Truman Scholar
Chicago, USA
- Washington State's 2010 Harry S Truman Scholar. I was 1 of 60 national recipients for the Presidential Memorial for Public Service, a $30,000 graduate school award
- Served as Student Government President, representing 15,000 students as chief liaison to university administrators and oversaw $1.5M in campus activities funding
- Selected as Delta Upsilon Fraternity's 2011 Undergraduate of the Year (of 3,000+ active members)
- Graduated with Honors in Political Science (International Relations focus)
Leaders Must Be Readers
Inspired by my grandpa Charlie who had to quit school to support his family during the Great Depression, I aspire to be a life-long learner. I always have an open book on my bed stand and work through audiobooks during morning training runs.
Some of my favorite recent reads include:
Running: Born to Run, Running Man, Once a Runner.
Mountaineering: Eiger Dreams, No Shortcuts to the Top, The Climb.
Personal Development: Start-Up of You, Gateless, The 10X Rule, The War of Art.
Leadership: Win Forever, The Score Takes Care of Itself, The Alliance, The Effective Executive.
Science & Tech: Sapiens, The Third Chimpanzee, An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth, Into That Silent Sea, The Industries of the Future, The Innovator's Dilemma.
Philosophy: The Constitution of Liberty, How Will You Measure Your Life?, Meditations.
Foreign Affairs: The Next 100 Years, How Asia Works, Diplomacy, On China, Asia's Cauldron, The Coming Prosperity.
Founding Fathers: Washington, Franklin, Hamilton, The Federalist Papers.
Presidents: Team of Rivals (Lincoln), The Last Romantic (Teddy), Truman, Robert Caro's Life of LBJ series.
Civil War: Crucible of Command, Rebel Yell, Fierce Patriot, The Man Who Saved the Union.
Christian Spirituality: The Bronze Bow, Mere Christianity, The Beloved Disciple, The Book of Psalms, and the Bible.
What's your favorite book? I'm always looking for recommendations!
Fueled by Faith
I thank God every day
I feel closest to God while running, climbing, and exploring the great outdoors. These mobile meditations become worship in a cathedral crafted by God's paintbrush.
I seek to live by Saint Augustine's mantra: “Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.”
"I have very often been driven to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go." -Abraham Lincoln
Bible verses I'm reflecting on:
"A new commandment I give unto you: that ye love one another, as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples: if ye have love one for another.” -John 13:34-35
"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance" -Romans 5:3
"Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture." -Psalm 37:3
"Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong." -1 Corinthians 16:13
"I can do all this through Him who gives me strength." -Philippians 4:13
MEMORY LANE
What do you love to do? Spend more time doing it!
