Meet the team

The people behind Thrive Offline

“The most powerful leadership comes from those who help people reconnect with what makes them human.”

Staff

“Our staff is the heart of our mission — empowering families to thrive offline by leading with passion, compassion, and connection.”

Gayle Cheatham

Founder & Executive Director

A business professional, entrepreneur, certified coach, and mother of two, Gayle brings a multifaceted perspective to her leadership. Her two decades in the corporate world, combined with her experience as a mother and her own personal journey with mental health and connection, fuel her passion for helping families navigate the challenges of parenting in a digital age. She approaches her work with both empathy and expertise, offering practical solutions rooted in lived experience.

Executive board

Deborah Conner

Chairperson / President

Deborah brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, community engagement, and transformational coaching. With a background in philanthropy and a passion for fostering mental wellness and meaningful connection, Deborah supports Thrive Offline’s mission to help families and communities build balanced lives beyond the screen. Her work is grounded in compassion, empowerment, and intentional living — values that guide her strategic leadership and dedication to promoting digital wellness.

Andrew Hayes

Board Treasurer

Andrew brings 36 years of financial experience working globally in the oil and gas industry. He was a board member for affiliates in the US and UK as a finance executive prior to retiring in 2024.

Jeanetta Basson

Board Member

Jeanetta brings over two decades of international leadership experience in community development, nonprofit leadership, and mission partnerships. With a background that bridges business, education, and ministry, she is passionate about equipping people and organizations to live out their purpose. Her leadership is marked by vision, strategic collaboration, and a proven ability to mobilize and empower volunteers to grow and thrive.

Michell Atkin Karim

Board Member

Michell brings 30-plus years working with small and large nonprofits in Canada, the US, and abroad.

Austin Oliver

Board Member

Austin Oliver is a Marine Corps veteran with over a decade of experience in cybersecurity, where he has led teams and supported national security initiatives. He joined Thrive Offline because he believes strong communities are built through authentic relationships, shared experiences, and service to others. Austin enjoys outdoor adventures, fitness, and meeting new people who value personal growth and community.

Jonathan Campbell

Board Member

Jonathan is a developer of affordable housing specializing in rural rental affordable housing and previously served as Executive Director of Southeast Texas Housing Finance Corporation (SETH). He assisted in the design and managed the launch of $1+ billion in single-family disaster recovery programs for the Texas General Land Office following Hurricane Harvey. He is a board member of the Rural Rental Housing Association of Texas (RRHA) and Gulf Coast Housing Partnership (GCHP), a previous board member of the National Association of Local Housing Finance Associations (NALHFA) and the Houston Housing Collaborative, and a graduate of Trinity University and Texas A&M University.

Youth Board and interns

At Thrive Offline, we do not see ourselves as “the experts.” We are guides for the future leaders, co-creating programs with our incredible youth board, interns, and advisors.

Ainslee McFarland

Intern

Ainslee provides her expanding knowledge of digital communication, mental health, and community support as a volunteer intern. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Ainslee is passionate about encouraging digital wellness and helping individuals create more constructive, intentional connections with technology and the world around them. Her approach is grounded in empathy, advocacy, authenticity, and the commitment to promoting mental, emotional, and social wellbeing.

Current Youth Board members

Britt Williams
Katie Quanders
Leezah Hernandez
Sophia Rice

Learn about the Youth Board