Our October Member of the Month is Grant Kinney! Grant has been a member of 100state since 2015, and thank goodness for that because he is just the nicest of dudes. We’re so happy to have him be a part of the 100state community, and not only because he knows how to hold down a game night! Read all about him, below.
Occupation:
I still haven’t really figured that out, but in the meantime I make software (primarily for the web). Currently I’m working at Automattic.
What motivates you?
People coming together to do great things that benefit others more than themselves.
Why do you work out of a co-working space? And more importantly, why 100state?
I’ve worked from home for the past 6 years (which is great!) but I thrive on in-person contact so having a vibrant community at 100state helps fill that need. I joined 100state 2 days after I moved to Madison because of a formative experience at Tech Liminal, a similarly community-oriented co-working space in Oakland, California, where I lived for 10 years. I knew what I wanted and 100state has it!
Who do you look at as a role model and why?
So many people! Particularly those who overcome self doubt and endure with deep passion to create a more just and peaceful world. Noam Chomsky comes to mind as someone who speaks so clearly and vividly about injustice and is still teaching at 90 years old!
What is your favorite 100state memory?
Dinners out on Fridays after scotch o’clock with fellow members during the summer.
I used to be big on having grand, long term plans and finding incremental steps every day to make progress towards them. But one of the things I’m learning from my children (who are 5 and 2 years old) is to ride the waves of the moment, and let the intersection of who I am, who I’m with, and being present right now guide me.
When you’re not at 100state, where can you be found?
Either at home with my family, or off on an adventure backpacking, cycling, or traveling the world.
