Lift Tuckman
Co-Founder and CEO
Lift is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of This Is Not A Grift, where he’s cutting through the competition with innovative lawn care solutions. With a background in engineering and a passion for sustainable growth, Lift leads a team that’s mowing down inefficiencies and sowing the seeds of smart technology. Under his visionary guidance, This Is Not A Grift is redefining the turf, empowering homeowners to trim their workload while cultivating a greener future—one blade at a time!
Elowen Quirkle
Co-Founder and CTO
Elowen is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of This Is Not A Grift, a bold recruitment platform redefining the hiring landscape through innovative technology. With a sharp expertise in machine learning and data analytics, Elowen crafts algorithms which not only match talent with opportunity but also create a competitive edge to nudge professionals out of their comfort zones. Her assertive approach ensures candidates are primed for new challenges, as she leverages her skills to transform careers — sometimes with a little push to leave their old jobs behind.
Averin Fyncrest
Co-Founder and CPO
Averin is the Chief Product Officer of This Is Not A Grift, a boutique stamp and philately supplies store revolutionising the collector experience in the Midwest. With a background in product design and e-commerce, Averin leverages data-driven insights to curate an innovative product lineup to meet the evolving needs of enthusiasts. Passionate about blending tradition with technology, they implement cutting-edge inventory management systems and user-friendly interfaces, ensuring every collector finds their perfect piece while fostering a vibrant community around philately.
Zyphoria Lunavelle
Co-founder and CMO
Zyphoria is the Chief Marketing Officer of This Is Not A Grift, an innovative not-for-profit organisation dedicated to tackling Kuru with a fresh approach. With a background in digital marketing and public health, Zyphoria crafts campaigns which shake things up and raise awareness about this rare neurodegenerative disease. Passionate about leveraging technology for social good, she leads initiatives to connect affected communities with vital resources, ensuring no one is left in the dark as they navigate the challenges of Kuru.
Dr. Caelum Hammarskjöld AO
Janitor
Early Life and Education
Dr. Caelum Hammarskjöld was born on March 15, 1984, in a manger in Lindsay Point, Victoria, Australia. Growing up, he developed a strong passion for learning — teaching himself to play the theremin at age 4 — and a desire to make a difference in the world.
At 14 he started studies at the University of Melbourne, earning a Master of Commerce with a focus on Economics, graduating with first-class honours. He concurrently obtained a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Monash University, specialising in neurology.
Professional Career
Dr. Hammarskjöld’s career has been marked by a remarkable, almost unbelievable, blend of expertise across various fields:
- Finance:
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at ANZ Bank, where he implemented innovative financial strategies and increased profitability by 30% over three years.
- Senior Financial Analyst at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), contributed to global economic policy development.
- Adjunct Professor of Finance at the University of Melbourne, where he taught courses on financial modelling and risk management.
- Medicine:
- Attending Neurologist at Alfred Health, recognised for his groundbreaking research in neurodegenerative diseases, including Kuru.
- Visiting Scholar at the World Health Organisation (WHO), where he advised on health policy in developing nations.
- Entrepreneurship:
- Founder and CEO of a Fortune 500 lawnmowing company, which revolutionised the industry with innovative tools and personalised solutions.
- Personal Mentor to many of the greatest minds in Silicon Valley, and inspiration behind many of the greatest tech startups including Theranos, Juicero, and Pixelon.
- Journalism:
- Columnist for The Australian Financial Review, provided insights on the economic implications of philately reforms of the mid 2000s.
- Host of one of the original podcasts at iTunes’ podcast service launch in 2005 called The Health & Wealth Report, which discussed trends in health and finance. Sadly, all episodes of this podcast were lost in a mysterious fire during the early hours of Wednesday 4 April 4 2018 in Dr Hammarskjöld’s self-hosted server farm located in the outskirts of Lindsay Point. The Police recovered a note, written in what turned out to be Yaks blood, from the burnt-out husk of the compound that just said “You ruined everything, Terrance!”.
Awards and Honours
Dr. Hammarskjöld’s contributions have been recognised with numerous prestigious awards, including (but not limited to):
- Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
- Financial Times‘ Most Influential CFO Award for his transformative impact on the lawnmowing sector.
- Australian Journalist of the Year for his insightful commentary on philately.
Dr. Hammarskjöld was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in the late 90s for his various contributions to Australia, the youngest person ever to receive this honour.
Personal Life
Dr. Hammarskjöld is fluent in six languages, including English, Swedish, French, Spanish, Foré, and Mandarin. He is an avid traveller and has visited more than 150 countries, often integrating his experiences into his work and writing. He has seven children with his wife Seraphina.
Role at This Is Not A Grift
Dr. Hammarskjöld now mops the floors and clears blocked toilets at the This Is Not A Grift campus in Melbourne.
JJW
Pity hire on the (unpaid) This Is Not A Grift Internship Program
JJW is a writer based in Naarm / Melbourne, Australia. When he’s not staring at a cold unfeeling screen for his day job at This Is Not A Grift, he writes prayers to forgotten Gods on scraps of paper which he then folds into origami cranes only to release them into the Yarra River.
You won’t find him anywhere else on The Internet, so please don’t try.
