Who's 'bee-hind' Buy1GIVE1?

The Directors of Buy1GIVE1 are all the co-founders, David Anttony, Paul Dunn and Masami Sato. Each has their own ‘thing’ that they bring to Buy1GIVE1.

Masami Sato — Founder of Buy1GIVE1

By taking a completely new look at the power of connection and giving, Masami Sato founded the Buy1GIVE1 transaction-based giving movement in early 2007.

Masami was born in Japan but her desire to expand her horizons at an early age took her on an incredible journey of exploration travelling throughout the world. Her way of travelling was all about connecting and sharing with people to gain new insights and understandings of different cultures, lifestyles and environment. While being a mother of 2 young children, she has also gone through a journey as an entrepreneur starting and running several commercial enterprises all aiming to transform the way businesses are operated today—contributing to the increased awareness of the public.

The very original Buy1GIVE1 concept was born through the journey of the food production company she was running (she was a health food chef by profession) with business partner, David Anttony. Giving back became a core of their company and the articulation of that eventually got simplified to “Buy a meal and feed a child” (quite a departure from the conventional “We give profits to charity”). And once that happened, some dramatic change started to occur in their business. Masami realised this concept of giving was so powerful that they needed to share with other businesses to make it even more effective in making a real difference. That is how Buy1GIVE1 – B1G1  – came to the world as a new social enterprise to connect the entire world into ONE.

The Buy1GIVE1 program now educates businesses to involve their customers and team members to bring in the new form of effective CSR program—Customer Social Response-ability program to turn everything we do into a giving activity. Masami recognises that giving plays a critical part in leading a fulfilling life and that giving connects us all in a very special way.

Masami is an author of 2 transformational books “JOY ~ The Gift of Acceptance, Trust and Love” and “ONE ~ Sharing the joy of giving” and a creator of a short movie called "ONE ~ Finding what we are looking for". She is also a public speaker sharing the joy of giving around the world. She brings a new almost upside-down strategy to everything she does. And her message radiates through her writing and speaking.

Masami's role now in Buy1GIVE1 revolves around connecting with global giving leaders and creating new and amazing ideas that share the joy of giving - her life passion. She also just loves writing so is always writing her next book.

Paul Dunn — Co-Founder of Buy1GIVE1

Paul Dunn is a highly successful entrepreneur, marketeer and speaker. In the late 60’s (in his twenties!) Paul was one of the first 10 people in the Australian start up of Hewlett Packard. He co-created one of Australia’s most successful computer companies and then created one of Australia’s largest marketing and training enterprises. He took that global with a unique focus on accountants in Public Practice creating what became known as the Accountants’ Boot Camp process.

In 2000 he ‘retired’ and sold all his business interests only to discover the transformational power of giving in 2006 by funding an orphanage for Tsunami-affected children in India. That led to his co-discovery of Buy1GIVE1 in 2007.

Paul continues to be in high demand for his amazing speaking ability and in 2007 won the inaugural Extraordinary Lives Award from the world’s largest entrepreneurial organisation. He is now known around the world as ‘the Wizard of WOW’. 

Paul's current role involves supporting and growing the ambassador base so Buy1GIVE1 can 'bee' shared with more people around the world.

David Anttony — Co-Founder of Buy1GIVE1

David has always been inspired by philanthropic business icons like George Soros who have used the power of business to create positive global change. David imagined Buy1GIVE1 in precisely that sprit. David began coupling that spirit with the magic of entrepreneurial passion in 1995 when he created a magazine publishing company.

Then in 1999 David co-created a fast-food business (Fast-Feast) in New Zealand and began to see how that could be linked with his passion for giving back. So in 2000 he co-created another fine-food business (Bouncing Olive) which became one of the first examples in the world of true transaction-based giving – each meal feeding a child in India.

And then the vision got bigger again when David realised how true transaction-based giving could be linked to ANY business, allowing all of us to make a positive and sustained difference to the world in a simple yet profoundly impactful way. And at that point, the magic of Buy1GIVE1 was born.

Meet some of the operations team who make Buy1GIVE1 possible 

Arun — Systems Manager with Buy1GIVE1

Arun is originally from Tamil Nadu in the South of India. His extensive systems and website knowledge is a major asset to the Buy1GIVE1 team. He spends most of his time with his head 'under the bonnet' of the Buy1GIVE1 web systems, building and expanding them. He is an IT graduate from Singapore. In his spare time he builds social networking sites that have special prizes such as feeding children and planting trees.