Thomas spent a decade in the advertising industry before joining the nonprofit sector in 2009. Social media had started gaining traction in organizations and Thomas was interested in how nonprofits could harness its potential to communicate with supporters. One of the first things he did to further his education was to join NTEN as a member and fly to San Francisco for the NTC. He didn't know who anyone was going in, but he's still friends with many of the people he met there.

Back in New York City, he helped reboot the dormant 501 Tech Club and served as co-organizer for a few years before passing the Facebook group to the next generation of organizers.

Thomas has worked as a corporate relations manager for United Way of New York City, project director for communications firm Big Duck, and communications director of Catskill Animal Sanctuary, a refuge for farmed animals in New York's Hudson Valley. It was an organization close to his heart as he's been vegan since 2011.

He lives in Brooklyn with his husband where they spend their free time debating their next big trip: Greece or Kenya?