Marcus "Esports" Howard

Gold Standard Gaming

Need Customers? Want to reach the 18-34 demographic daily? We can help. 

Gold Standard Gaming an Esports consulting agency at the forefront of a new era of esports and gaming. In an industry where authenticity is everything, we help brands turn their audience into a tangible community. 

Our focus is on helping our clients deliver better, more effective advertising and event programming with more engaging content and clear messaging to Millennials and Gen Z.

Cut directly through the noise by allowing your consumers to get hands-on with your brand. Provide your audience with an experience they can’t forget and they’ll do all the talking for you.

Director of Business Development

OVR Technology

OVR is a company that focuses on advancing the human experience through intersection of our most advanced technology and the art and science of olfaction. Creating new technologies to allow people to experience scent in a digital landscape. 

We're attending GDC later this month, to demo the prototype for our technology.  Let me know if you'll be there, and we'll find time for you to demo digital scents. We've launched a new program, to help innovators get early access to our tech! 10 game developers will get free dev kits, plus our team's implementation support. If your team wants to create more immersion in its games, let's chat.

Business Development Strategist

Self Employed

90% of customers polled on LinkedIn are interested in their favorite product/service brands engaging them with video games. Over 90% of employees polled on LinkedIn are interested in their employers engaging them with video games, too. Sign up for my free training, to help your brand learn how to use video games to level up its brand engagement: https://bit.ly/gamedrivenbrandgrowth

Game-Driven, Sustainable Brand Growth Coach

Gamers Home

Gamers Home empowers people to turn their passion for video games into a career. We host career webinars for gamers and streamers, so they can learn from industry experts. We also provide specialized training, so gamers and streamers can get hands-on practice in a variety of domains including voice acting, narrative design, and game marketing. Soon, we're launching a platform for premium freelancing in the gaming industry, so gamers and streamers around the world can use their vetted skills to work with awesome gaming studios. In the meantime, you can visit our Gamers Home Store for gaming-inspired comfort clothing and home decor for gamers and streamers of all ages.

I lead business development for Gamers Home, creating meaningful value for our game studios and other strategic partners. I also host Gamers Home's career insights webinars, helping our featured guests share priceless career advice.

At Gamers Home, we're on a mission to close the PayScale gap. If you work in the gaming industry, and you'd like to help us close the PayScale gap, please take a couple of minutes to share your perspective in our PayScale gap survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QNBGG96

Founder & COO

Emotional Ideas, Inc.

The future of sports, esports, and family entertainment.

Gaming & Esports Advisor

Vessel Creative Solutions

We're redefining education and workforce development with esports. We offer end-to-end services clients needs to create a truly wow factor esports gaming space or large scale arena. We recently completed the world's largest investment in the high school education esports space. Reach out to us if you have any projects or questions that we could help you with.

www.vesselxr.com

Chief Growth Officer

Johnson C. Smith University - JCSU

I'm leveraging my decade of gaming industry experience to teach the virtual course "Esports Business & Trends". I've designed a unique course that challenges students to learn esports through direct experience and professional development, rather than just memorizing specific names/dates/info for tests. My goal is that my students will have the specific tools and knowledge to successfully start their professional careers in esports when they graduate college.

Esports and Gaming Management Adjunct Instructor

UKnightedXP, Inc.

Senior Strategic Advisor

Blockchain Game Alliance

The Blockchain Game Alliance is an organization committed to promoting blockchain within the game industry. Its goal is to spread awareness about blockchain technologies and encourage adoption by highlighting their potential to foster new ways to create, publish, play, and build strong communities around games.

The BGA also provides an open forum for individuals and companies to share knowledge and collaborate, create common standards, establish best practices, and network.

Member

MetArena

Two thirds of Americans play video games, and gamers make up nearly half of the world's population. It's highly likely that you brand has gamers as employees and customers. MetArena provides your brand with the insights and technology to authentically engage your entire community, so you can use video games to achieve your brand's goals. Some great examples include selling products or services, recruiting incoming freshman to your school, or raising funds for your nonprofit.

I have 15 consecutive years of strategic/tactical experience with building startups in various industries, including gaming, news media and restaurants. I specialize in identifying exponential growth opportunities and converging trends in consumer markets. Also, I excel at creating/executing blue ocean business strategies. Growth Hacker. Innovator. Techie. Leader.

Dylan Liu's not wrong; with the state of esports, how do you justify that degree?

I MAKE ESPORTS SUSTAINABLE • Lifelong Gamer • Published Author • Professor • Featured Speaker • Indie Game Advocate • Blockchain Enthusiast • International Startup Advisor • Growth Hacker

Nick Martin

I’m Nick—an educator, technologist, and social entrepreneur with 20 years of experience in global development, tech for good, and social innovation.

As founder and CEO of TechChange (techchange.org), I lead a mission-driven team that designs hybrid courses, training programs, and convenings for organizations tackling global challenges—from digital health to climate resilience to financial inclusion.

I’m also a LinkedIn Top Voice, posting 6x/week about jobs, fellowships, coaching resources, scholarships, and tools for the social impact space.

In 2025, my goal is to help 100,000+ people and organizations connect meaningfully through learning, leadership, and community.

Stay connected:
• impactsource.ai – 7,000+ curated social impact jobs with salary info, filters, and a talent network to match with hiring orgs
• impactcoach.com – 50+ vetted executive and career coaches for global development, philanthropy, and mission-driven leadership
• nickatnoon.substack.com – Weekly newsletter with curated jobs, fellowships, and tools—sent Sundays at noon ET
• bit.ly/3vlXnkF – LinkedIn Learning course: “Build a Social Impact Career” (30-minute crash course)
• getkolab.ai – Kolab: A new platform for immersive, collaborative digital convenings.  Get early access now. 

***

What we do at TechChange:
We help leading organizations scale learning and build community. Our team delivers high-impact hybrid experiences—live cohort courses, leadership journeys, on-demand programs, and global forums.

We specialize in complex, high-touch learning programs that blend tech, facilitation, and storytelling. Services include instructional design, platform hosting, video production, translation, and participant engagement.

Flagship projects:
• Global Digital Health Forum – gdhf.digital
• FinTech Impact Forum – ftif.org
• Digital Health Training Program – digitalhealthtraining.org
• Custom programs for USAID, CRS, WHO, the World Bank, and more

We also advise on strategy and innovation for training and convening models.

*** 

Outside of Work
I spend time birdwatching in Costa Rica, surfing the Pacific, or working on my vocal range in singing lessons. These passions keep me grounded and curious.

Let’s Connect
If you’re hiring, building, learning—or just exploring ideas—send a message. Always happy to help or collaborate.

Founder and CEO

TechChange builds beautiful and engaging online learning and convening experiences on topics that matter.

Affected by layoffs and looking for a new job in nonprofit, social impact, or humanitarian work?

Here are 40 PEOPLE TO FOLLOW this holiday season who post regular job updates and career resources on LinkedIn. (Updated 12/12)

1. Caroline Ouwerkerk: working on Impact Coach with me! 
2. Wayan Vota - Global Dev and ICT4D Jobs
3. Mandy Van Deven: Regular opps in social impact and philanthropy
4. Beatrice Chioccioli Job board for human rights/social impact jobs
5. Ludovica Anedda: Gender jobs
6. Gail Rego (She/Her): Social impact jobs
7. Satyam Vyas: International and India social impact jobs / climate asia
8. Jenny K. Wright: Europe, migration, impact content
9. Elisabeth Roura Bosch: Comms jobs for social impact
10. Stephanie Mansueto - Social impact jobs that pay 100K+ 
11. Scott Beale - social impact jobs and opportunities
12. Mark Horoszowski: social impact jobs, transitions. MovingWorlds
13. Trish Kenlon: Sustainability jobs and tips
14. Jessica Marati Radparvar: social impact resources and newsletter
15. Ed Carley: Climate and sustainability jobs
16. Kelsi Kriitmaa, PhD: social impact transitions
17. Marco Morawec: Climate change transition coach and content
18. Kelli Poole: Equity, hiring and inclusion coaching and opps
19. Renan Araujo , AI and policy jobs 
20. Rose Ronoh: For everything and anything Africa jobs
21. Bernhard Kowatsch: Innovation and food security jobs/funding
22. Julia Firestone,- social impact career coach extraordinare 
23. Craig Zelizer: PCDN social impact and peacebuilding roles
24. Rafa Achondo: LATAM impact jobs
25. kyle dietrich - Coaching and facilitation match resources
26. Lígia Gomes - sustainability and social impact jons
27. Juliette Sanchez-Lambert (she/her)-Lambert: Job board for social impact jobs (Europe/remote)
28. Claudia Guerreiro: conscious marketing, remote jobs
29. Sujani Sivanantharajah MPH, MPH,: public health jobs
30. Katie Latham: changemaker careers
31. servane mouazan ICF PCC ACTC 🍉 ICF PCC ACTC 🌳: for social impact and social finance
32. Jennifer Bangoura,: edtech social innovation content and jobs
33. Kristy Drutman: Great openings in sustainability and content around equity as well.
34. M S Mahala: Social impact content and jobs in india
35. Daniel Hill: Green jobs, great podcast (degrees), and networking community
36. Jasmine Anouna: The Bloom Newsletter and community- so good!
37. Spencer Campbell: talent agent for social impact jobseekers
38. David Felson: tech for good jobs 
39. Molly Schultz Hafid Hafid: great philanthropy and impact roles
40. ??? WHO ELSE should we add to this list? Comments always have lots more great suggestions.

👉 FOLLOW them
👉 ENGAGE with their posts.
👉 SUBSCRIBE to their newsletters
👉 SUPPORT their work!

This is part of a series.

Follow me (Nick Martin) for more lists amazing humans and add more below.

400K people saw the last list like this I shared.

EARLY COMMENTS get the most attention/visibility.

Sharing is CARING

Bridge builder | CEO @ TechChange | Prof @ Columbia | Top Voice (325K+)

*** OPPORTUNITY ALERT ***

Introducing PIVOT FOR IMPACT from the Endless Foundation and TechChange --> a new FREE accelerator program for social impact leaders who know their organizations are in some kind of pivot moment and want real support navigating it.

The program is designed to help teams rethink their business models, clarify their value proposition, and build the skills (sales and otherwise) needed to move toward more resilient and diversified paths forward.

What you’ll work on:

--> Redefine or update your business model in ways that fit today’s funding reality
 --> Sharpen your value proposition so partners actually understand what you offer
 --> Build practical sales skills to grow revenue beyond traditional grants
 --> Develop a more adaptive mindset around partnerships, pricing, and sustainability
 --> Create a clear, realistic path forward that aligns with your mission and capacity

Learn more and register: pivot.course.tc 

Nick’s Take: Very excited about this one. With so much turmoil in the sector this year with the global aid freeze, we’ve been in close touch with our partners at the Endless Foundation and felt strongly that this was the right moment to launch something substantial.  The goal is to bring fresh, creative, and practical ideas to organizations trying to pivot, while also honoring how hard this work actually is.

Community matters here. New skills matter. New networks and access to more diverse funding options matter. And this accelerator is meant to bring all of that together.

You’ll notice the structure: an open six-week portion where as many orgs as possible can join, learn, and experiment. And then a deeper, more applied phase you can apply for orgs who want want hands-on coaching, deeper guidance, more skills training, and exposure to new funders and clients. We want this to be both accessible and genuinely useful.

Would love to have some of you join us on this journey... and would appreciate you spreading the word to anyone who might benefit.

Program kicks off in Jan. 

Sharing is CARING. Tag someone who might be ready .

Do you have someone in your world who could use a little extra job-seeking support as we head into the holiday season?

This time of year can feel rough. Budgets freeze. Hiring slows. People start questioning their next steps, their confidence, their direction. sometimes one conversation with the right person can shift things.

That’s why we set up Impact Coach (impactcoach dot com).

And this year we're making it easy to gift someone a coaching session that meets them exactly where they are.
 
Could be:
 ✔ Interview prep
 ✔ Resume + CV support
 ✔ LinkedIn strategy
 ✔ Building routines + accountability
 ✔ Or just getting unstuck long enough to feel momentum again

We’ve got 50+ incredible coaches working across global development, philanthropy, climate, tech-for-good, and more. Whether you want to help a friend, a colleague, or a team member… there’s someone in the collective who will be a great fit.

Packages start at $199, and you can gift a single session or a small bundle. 

Seen a lot of folks this year go from “I have no idea what’s next” to landing a role that feels aligned and meaningful… so yes, I’m pretty convinced this stuff works.

If you’re curious whether for someone else or for yourself take a look at the coaches and packages here:

 👉 impactcoach dot com (or DM me  or Caroline Ouwerkerk) and we’ll point you in the right direction)

Let’s make sure people aren’t going into the new year feeling alone.

Sharing is CARING.

Opportunity Alert: Relationship Building Session!!!

Trying something fun next month with my friend Caroline Ouwerkerk... a little spin on her signature Happy Hour(kerk) series, but this time we’re bringing it inside Kolab.

If you’ve never been to one of Caroline’s facilitated networking sessions, they’re honestly super fun.  No panel fatigue, no “go around and introduce yourself” chaos. Just intentional connection with people doing meaningful work.

And because we’re hosting it on Kolab, we get to play around with some of the stuff we built this year — games, movement on the canvas, spatial audio, small-group flows that feel way closer to IRL than anything you’ve used online.

Event details are in the graphic below, but here’s the quick version:

Monday, Dec 15
Noon ET / 9 AM PT
Free + open to all

If you’ve been curious about Kolab or just want to meet other folks building cool things in the social impact space… grab a spot while there’s room.
Would love to see some friendly faces.

 Sharing is CARING.

taplio

The Battle

Marcus "Esports" Howard

Nick Martin

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreMarcus "Esports" Howard's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreNick Martin's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Marcus "Esports" Howard

Nick Martin

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Marcus "Esports" Howard's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreNick Martin's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreMarcus "Esports" Howard's LinkedIn Performance