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About Us

About Us

BraveMove was inspired by real experiences born from participation in community projects. Working with individuals struggling to make a difference offered us insight into some of the barriers faced within their communities. The challenges outweighed available opportunities. The BraveMove founding members saw an opportunity to confront the underlying challenges people faced in various communites. Access to jobs, education and support was often not available without community-based interventions. By harnessing the strength of community, BraveMove helps individuals access organizations for academic and employment opportunities. These efforts also ensure that individuals acquire the qualifications needed in order to increase the chances of success.

The Board Room

Paul Monroe
Executive Director
Grover Beach, CA Paul Monroe is a Special Education teacher with a Masters in Education from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Prior to becoming a teacher, Paul worked in the field of law enforcement which included careers in both the Adult and Juvenile probation system. When Paul orginally formed BraveMove five years ago, the purpose was to help veterans find ways to be involved in their community. With the recent injustices in our world, Paul has shifted the focus to a wider array of people to provide support and education. Paul is passionate about helping people overcome the barriers they face by connecting them with the resources they need in order to be successful. Paul enjoys long walks with his dog, Milo, gardening and spending time with family. He is the proud father of an ASU bound, 20 year old young man.
Hess Hempstead
director
Charlotte, NC Hess Hempstead is a former NFL player and scout and has been the Managing owner of Hempstead Construction Services since 2015. Hess has been in the construction industry for almost 20 years and is currently managing the preparation fo the DNC in Milwaukee, WI. He attended the University of Kansas where he majored in Communications. A close friend to Paul, Hess has supported BraveMove since inception and brings years of experience dealing with young men from diverse backgrounds helping them achieve their dream as an NFL player or in other careers. Hess makes his home in Charlotte, NC.
Jed Wockenfuss
director
Pasadena, CA Jed brings over 25 years of experience in various leadership capacities in the corporate world. In 2017, he stepped away from his corporate career to start Prolific Group, a general business consultancy with a focus on leadership, talent development, sales and operational competencies. In addition to his consulting work, Jed co-founded Prolific PKG in early 2019, which focuses on helping companies in the packaging industry grow profitably. Jed’s experience working with large corporations as well as his recent endeavors in the formation of his own businesses will be put to work to help identify and then facilitate synergies between our BraveMove Partners and Movers. Jed loves God and his time with family and friends as well as hiking, gardening and fishing.
Joe Saylor
director
Seattle, WA Joe Saylor is an entrepeneur that is currently a partner in Prolific PKG and The JSay Group. He has spent over 20 years as a Director of Sales and Operations for a variety of companies in the fields of Aerospace, Technology and Packaging. Joe is involved in many charity organizations and now resides in Seattle with his wife, Tere, and son Henry.
Sako Bezdjian
director
San Francisco, CA Sako Bezdjian is a Real Estate management and investment professional, specializing in an array of properties including commercial, multi-unit residential and Class A commercial offices for a variety of tenants of Fortune 500 and industry leading growth companies in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sako also volunteers as Board Secretary for a private school located in San Francisco.