Our team

  • Executive Director

    John Thornton serves as the Executive Director of Held. Prior to that he worked for seven years as a pastor in North Carolina where he focused his work on bringing together the congregation and those in need in the community so that they both might be changed. Most recently he worked as the Self-Sufficiency Coordinator at a day center for the homeless in Greensboro, North Carolina where he designed and implemented a first of its kind guaranteed income project for the homeless.

    John began his work as the Executive Director of Held in January 2023. 

  • Participant Support Specialist

    Tobias Krizon is Held’s Participant Support Specialist.

    From March to July 2022, Tobi found himself homeless. By participating in a guaranteed income program, Tobi was able to move into his own apartment. A year later he felt a desire to help others having similar experiences, and in July 2023 he was brought on as Held’s Participant Support Specialist. He serves as the direct contact and support to all participants in Held’s core partnerships in Greensboro.