The 1440 Multiversity Leadership Team

Frank Ashmore, Managing Director of 1440 Multiversity, leads the "Hospitality Committee" - a dynamic and diverse team of greater good champions.  As the cultural leader of 1440, he expects true authenticity from each staff member as a foundation of trust in all relationships. Through the strong belief that the journey of growth and discovery begins within one's self, Frank is devoted to building community by encouraging others to show a deep love to one another and maintaining an openness to having conversations that matter regardless of circumstances. "Our goal is to inspire everyone in life to make the most of each minute of each day (1440 minutes) and create hope for others to live well.  We know we are fulfilling our mission at 1440 when visitors leave campus with more energy than they arrived with."

Dusty joined 1440 Multiversity in 2017 as a member of its opening team and has been honored to serve from the heart in many capacities since then. As Director of Business & HR Affairs, she draws on over 20 years of experience working in roles in service to others, making a positive impact across all aspects of the organization thanks to her unique ability to act as a strategic partner while exercising deep hospitality and keeping people at the forefront. In her spare time Dusty likes to read, cook and spend time on the road in her family's travel trailer alongside her husband of 18+ years, Ronnie, and their two children, Elliana and Luca.

Tom joined the 1440 Multiversity team in late 2024 as our Director of Facilities & Safety and is deeply fulfilled by ensuring that our campus grounds are a beautiful, functional, and secure container for learning. Tom brings in-depth experience in facilities management within the hospitality industry and embodies "deep hospitality" whether caring for our guests or staff members. Tom is a sixth-generation Californian who enjoys fly fishing, golf, travel, and spending time with his family.

Luigi became part of the 1440 family following 18 years of work at ultra-luxury hospitality properties around the world, most recently in Italy where he was born and raised. His passion for "serving people" began at a very young age while helping his grandfather at his shop during the summer months. At 6 years old he experienced the lifestyle of the Scouts, where he stayed for 13 years and become one of the youngest leaders in Italy at age 17. A native of Amalfi, Luigi brings with him the characteristic passion of his culture, the love for food, an international dynamic and a highly detailed and innovative approach to everything he touches. A devoted husband and father, Luigi loves to spend time traveling and exploring with his family. 

Katie is a storyteller who oversees all engagement and communications strategy functions for 1440 Multiversity, helping to share the 1440 mission and vision with the world while fostering workplace wellbeing. Katie is also a Certified True Colors Elite Facilitator, Designing Your Life Coach & Facilitator, ICF-Certified Executive Coach, Certified Organizational Mindfulness Facilitator, and coordinates our Helping Hands community-building volunteer initiatives. Before joining 1440, Katie spent 15 years working with organizations and clients in the sports, hospitality, nonprofit, and lifestyle industries, along with leading public relations and marketing operations for major special events including the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Committed to the learning environment both personally and professionally, Katie is an after-hours silversmith who enjoys creativity, playing tennis and golf, and exploring California on weekend road trips.

Chef Jose Fernandez leads the 1440 Culinary Team as Executive Chef, Culinary Experiences, and brings a passion for nature, community and flavors to his role in the redwoods. Originally from Barcelona, Spain, Chef Jose honed his skills in Michelin-starred restaurants throughout his native country before moving to the U.S., where he has since held top culinary positions while evolving and perfecting his craft at award-winning restaurants and luxury hospitality establishments in different regions all across the country. It was Chef Jose's early experiences, coupled with memories from his own family's kitchen, that ultimately shaped his culinary point of view, which is to use fresh and seasonal ingredients with an emphasis on organic and sustainable whole foods.

Chef Jose is passionate about incorporating elements of the local culture, authentic flavors and regionally-grown ingredients into his dishes, while also blending distinct influences from his native country and other places he's explored around the world that have inspired him. In his free time, Chef Jose enjoys spending time with his family outdoors and mountain biking in the Santa Cruz Mountains. 

Shyam serves as our Director of Operations, bringing a deep passion for creating meaningful and memorable experiences for our guests, staff, and the broader community. Originally from India, he is a humble, service‑driven leader whose career has been shaped by working within multicultural teams across luxury Marriott properties in Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and the United States.

After completing his bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management, Shyam began his hospitality journey as a Management Trainee at Le Meridien Resort in India. He went on to build a rich and diverse career with renowned Marriott brands including Grosvenor House Luxury Collection Dubai, Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, JW Marriott Marquis, Marriott Salt Lake City, Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino, and Renaissance properties in Tampa and Columbus. Over the years, he has held key leadership roles such as Director of Guest Experience, Director of Rooms, Director of Operations, General Manager, and Vice President of Hospitality — experience that ultimately led him to discover his true home at 1440.

Shyam’s interests are woven into his purpose-driven approach to life. He is committed to creating hope and supporting well‑being, contributing to children’s NGOs, exploring Ayurveda, traveling the world to learn new cultures, connecting with people and their stories of gratitude, and continually seeking ways to make a meaningful impact on the communities around him.

Julie serves as the Director of Philanthropic Programs and Partnerships at the 1440 Foundation and 1440 Multiversity, where she leads efforts to advance the foundation's social initiatives and drive meaningful, positive change. With extensive experience in the nonprofit sector, Julie has spent years at the intersection of direct service, community engagement, and social justice, bringing a hands-on approach to her work.

In her role, Julie collaborates closely with mission-aligned organizations and foundations to address pressing social challenges, championing innovative partnerships that strengthen and empower communities. Her leadership is guided by a deep commitment to building more resilient and equitable societies through collaboration, thoughtful action, and sustainable impact.

Amy oversees all revenue management strategies that lead to optimizing and balancing the financial objectives of 1440 Multiversity, and ensures these strategies align with our mission philosophies and initiatives. Prior to joining the 1440 family, Amy spent 10 years with The Irvine Company Resort Properties where her passion for hospitality and revenue flourished. She has been married to her husband Robert for 17+ years and enjoys spending quality time with their daughter, Natalie, and son, Riley.

Shilpa brings more than 25 years of financial and accounting experience working with various technology startups in Silicon Valley. She began her accounting career in London working at the European headquarters for JTB, one of the largest travel agencies in the world. Shilpa is a solution driven finance professional with an extensive background in contributing to the bottom-line success of the companies she has worked with. She has a proven track record of performance and she is a strong believer in hands-on management and team building style. Shilpa enjoys hiking (especially coastal trails), concerts, and the outdoors with her husband and two sons, all of whom are rabid fans of English Premier League Soccer.