WHO WE ARE
Founded in 2005 by Turk and Christy Pipkin, The Nobelity Project is based in Austin, Texas and addresses issues of global education.
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Filmmakers by trade, Turk and Christy shifted their focus from commercial projects to documentaries engaging with Nobel Laureates and other global leaders exploring potential solutions to the challenges facing us all.
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Now taking direct action in partnership with communities in Kenya, Honduras and the U.S. we serve over 15,000 students annually.
Founder of The Nobelity Project, Turk Pipkin is an award-winning author, director, actor, comedian, photographer, film-maker and activist. Turk aims to bring awareness and creative solutions to pressing global issues.
Executive Director of The Nobelity Project, Christy Ellinger Pipkin is a filmmaker, producer, speaker and advocate for positive global change. Christy oversees all projects and educational programming.
Logistics Manager for The Nobelity Project, Liz Graham earned her master's degree from St. Edward's University.
Kenya Operations Manager, Gibson Githaiga manages tech and daily needs of the campuses in The Nobelity Project's partner school network.
Jumpstart Scholarship Coordinator and Laburra librarian, Bea earned her degree from Nyeri National Polytechnic.
Teamwork makes the dream work.
U.S.
Christy Pipkin, Executive Director
Monica Duck, Accountant
Liz Graham, Programs and Logistics
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KENYA
Joseph Mutongu, Field Supervisor
Gibson Githaiga, Kenya Schools Project Manager
Beatrice Macharia, Scholarship Coordinator
Mike Mutuku, Transportation Captain & Mutaki Manager
Greg Elsner, AfH Design Fellow/Mahiga RainWater Court​
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ADVISORY BOARD
Annie and Willie Nelson
David C. Smith
John Springer
Linda and Howard McCollum
Matt Ellinger, SERP
Nan and Glynn Beebe
Paul Twitchell
Stephanie Duprie Routh
Steve Kuhn
Turk Pipkin, Founder
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Eric Webber, President
Leslie Moore, President Pro-tem
Dan King, Treasurer
Rebecca Redwood, Secretary
Joey Martin
Bill Bechtol
CHRISTY PIPKIN
Christy has been featured on the cover of Austin Woman, received the 2013 International Women’s Day Humanitarian Award from Ten Thousand Villages, and was named the 2015 Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of America.
TURK PIPKIN
Building Hope, tells the story of The Nobelity Project’s partnership with a rural Kenyan community to build the area’s first high school. His many film festival awards include: Best Directing (My Hero Fest) and The White Lotus Humanitarian Award (Macao). The Nobelity Project is commited to Turk’s vision that documentary films are powerful tools for change - presenting critical issues, raising important questions, and illustrating potential solutions.A popular Huffington Post blogger, Turk is also the author of ten works of fiction and nonfiction, including NY Times bestseller, The Tao of Willie, co-authored with Willie Nelson.
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SXSW Film Fest 2011 Lone Star Audience Award
Maui Film Festival 2011 Best Documentary
Dove Family Seal of Approval
San Diego Film Festival
Aspen Film Festival
Nairobi Film Festival
Napa Film Festival
Tahoe/Reno Intl Film Fest Winner Audience Choice Award
LISTEN OR WATCH INTERVIEWS WITH CHRISTY AND TURK
Masters and Founders Podcast with Dan Dillard of Founding Austin Magazine: "See all the work that is happening"
Feb 7, 2019 | Episode 16: Christy Pipkin 27m 29s
Steve Adubato's One-on-One with Turk Pipkin Aug 25, 2014
https://youtu.be/O-nSmVjXKrs
