Meeting: Social Behavior Change Communication

Matt York

Founder & Executive Director of illuminAid

Matt graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Communications (TV and Film) and English in 1978.  In 1986, he founded Videomaker Inc., a leading publisher on video production.  Videomaker’s mission is to empower individuals to make videos through its monthly magazine, website and hands-on workshops and conferences.

Branching out of Videomaker Inc. in 2008, Matt founded illuminAid because of his genuine passion to make a difference in the developing world by bringing change through video.  Since then, Matt has been able to harness over two decades of expertise in the video consumer electronics industry to grow illuminAid from an idea to a thriving nonprofit organization.

Through the development of his own patent for a consumer electronics device as well as his travels to research and development labs in Japan, he is experienced in the details of electronics equipment development. Matt's inside knowledge about consumer electronics gear, his tracking of up and coming technologies and his seasoned relationships with many top decision makers from major consumer electronics manufacturing firms contribute to his ability to fulfill the mission of illuminAid.  His professional contacts will vouch for his honesty and integrity as he is a well-respected colleague in both the publishing and consumer electronics industry.

Joel Zimbelman

Joel Zimbelman is a retired professor of comparative religion from Cal State Chico. When he is not attending Rotary meetings, he spends his time in international travel and volunteer work in Guatemala, Tanzania, and various Asian and European countries. He is married to Linda, a retired nurse practitioner, and has two daughters and two grandchildren.