We’re here for
something bigger!

We believe every person was created by God for a purpose, and that the way we spend our days shapes the people we become.

Meet the team

8 people. One mission.

Why We Build

These are the things that
make up a life.

Our faith
Our marriages
Our children
Our health
Our relationships
Our calling

And yet, just like everyone else…

We get busy.We get distracted.We lose sight of what matters most.

We’re not building Ankor because we’ve figured it all out.
We’re building it because we need it too.

Our Mission

More than an app.

We’re husbandswivesmomsdadsfriendsdevelopers and followers of Jesus

on a mission to create a technology that helps people become the person God created them to be.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

Technology should not ~~distract~~ us.
Technology should help us!

Ankor helps you focus on the people and things that matter most.

WHAT TECHNOLOGY SHOULD DO

✦See the truth.
✦Live more intentionally.
✦Draw closer to God.
✦Deepen your relationships.
✦Use your time wisely.
✦Become the person God created you to be.

OUR MISSION

We’re here to redeem technology.

Our mission is to help people become the person God created them to be.

The People Building It

Meet the team.

Founder, Chief Executive Officer

Paul “Gravy” Graeve

Superpower“Guys… I had another idea last night…”Entire Today Matters team: 😳

Gravy has spent nearly two decades helping companies use data to see what’s true and make better decisions. As founder of The Data Group, that work eventually led him to a more personal question. What if people could use their own data to make better decisions about their lives? Inspired in part by John Maxwell’s book Today Matters, that question became Today Matters, a company built to help people see clearly, live intentionally, and become who God created them to be.

The value Gravy champions

Truth

The data doesn’t lie. Occasionally, I wish it would.

Truth gives us something assumptions never can: a place to start. See what’s true. Own it. Adjust from there.

Gravy with his wife and daughter — Living TodayFor Gravy, living today means faith, family, and being present. Some of his favorite time is spent with his wife and daughter, a prayer meeting at church, or when life slows down enough for a walk with his dogs and daughter, a cup of coffee, and a little room to think.

Why this work matters“I want Today Matters to help people see whether the way they’re actually living reflects what they say matters most. Not so we can tell them how to live, but so they have the truth and freedom to choose for themselves.”

One more thingAlmost everyone calls him Gravy. At this point, hearing “Paul” may be the quickest way to make him wonder whether he’s in trouble.

Co-Founder and Chief Architect

Michael Hype

SuperpowerMakes the enormous machine underneath Today Matters actually work: backend systems, databases, integrations, synchronization, data correctness.

Michael turns big ideas into frameworks built to last. For 15 years, he has worked alongside Gravy across multiple companies, developing a trusted rhythm of brainstorming, challenging assumptions, and moving ideas from whiteboard to market. At Today Matters, Michael works at the intersection of product vision, AI, data, and technology, designing the foundations that allow ambitious ideas to become meaningful products built for scale.

The value Michael champions

Excellence

Good enough is usually neither.

Excellence means caring enough to ask the harder question, challenge the obvious answer, and build something worthy of people’s trust. Keep learning. Keep refining. Make it better.

Michael at the beach at sunset — Living TodayWhen Michael steps away from the whiteboard, he recharges with his family at the beach and takes over the barbecue. He admits he never completely switches off. Building things is part of the fun.

Why this work matters“I want Today Matters to close the gap between who someone is and who they already know they could be. Give someone clarity and they can make one better decision. Then another. Those decisions compound into a different life.”

One more thingGive Michael a rough idea and a whiteboard and you may not get him back for the rest of the day. His favorite place to work is somewhere between “Wouldn’t it be great if…” and “Here’s exactly how we make it happen.”

CCO, Marketing Officer

Traci Morrow

SuperpowerShe makes sure Today Matters has one.

Traci helps shape how Today Matters communicates its mission and lives its values from the inside out. An entrepreneur, bestselling author, speaker, leadership mentor, co-host of The Maxwell Leadership Podcast, and Founder of LifeStory Strategies, she brings more than two decades of experience building businesses, developing leaders, and creating relationship-driven cultures.

The value Traci champions

Relationships

If they matter to you, your calendar should probably know it.

We weren’t created to do life alone. The people we love, lead, serve, and build alongside are worth our time and attention. Be present. Invest deeply. People matter.

Traci with her big family outdoors — Living TodayWhen she’s not working, you’ll find Traci with KC, their kids and grandkids, being active outdoors, hosting people in their home, or serving at church.

Why this work matters“I want to help people connect what they were created for with what they do each day, with joy and purpose. More presence. More real connection. Better relationships.”

One more thingTraci has a big family, a full table, and an open-door policy. Traci believes there’s always room at the table for one more.

Technical Lead

Chris Pham

SuperpowerTurns ridiculously complicated ideas into working software.“If Gravy can dream it, Chris can code it.”

Chris leads technical execution across the Ankor mobile app and supporting platform. With experience building mobile products and cloud systems, he specializes in turning complex ideas into simple, dependable experiences with a focus on architecture, data integrity, privacy, and quality. His goal is to help the team move quickly without compromising the trust of the people we serve.

The value Chris champions

Faith

Trust God. Then do the work in front of you.

Faith shapes how we live today, not just what we believe about tomorrow. It shapes our choices, our work, our relationships, and the way we steward the ordinary moments we’ve been given.

Chris with his wife and baby outdoors — Living TodayChris enjoys great coffee, especially when his wife makes it, building side projects, getting outside, and spending time with his family. For him, living today means slowing down enough to be fully present with the people he loves.

Why this work matters“I hope Today Matters helps people see their lives more clearly and make intentional adjustments without feeling judged or overwhelmed. If we help someone recognize what matters, strengthen their relationship with God and others, and take one meaningful step today, we’ve done something valuable.”

One more thingChris may step away from the screen to relax… and then build a side project. Apparently, that’s relaxing.

Product Design & Strategy

Alex Patrón

SuperpowerTurning big ideas into simple, beautiful experiences.

Alex helps shape how Ankor looks, feels, and works for the people who use it. A Creative Director and Product Designer with more than two decades of experience, her work has ranged from architecting SiriusXM’s design system to leading full-lifecycle creative and product execution. She specializes in creating accessible, data-informed experiences that delight users and earn their trust.

The value Alex champions

Ownership

You can’t control everything. But you do get to own your next move.

See what’s true, make the adjustment, and own your next step. Your data. Your choices. Your one life.

Alex hiking with her dog — Living TodayWhen Alex steps away from design, you’ll find her drawing, cooking, spending time with her pup, or planning her next adventure.

Why this work matters“I have big, lofty hopes for Today Matters. But the real impact is helping people make small changes that build toward meaningful goals.”

One more thingAlex doesn’t just take vacations. She researches the world’s most remote hot springs and then figures out how to get there.

Database Administrator

Mark Smith

SuperpowerTakes billions of pieces of life data and turns them into truth.

Mark has worked alongside Gravy and The Data Group for 15 years, bringing deep experience to the data team as Database Administrator. He loves the challenge of solving complex problems alongside a positive, supportive team. Away from data, Mark also serves his community through his local fire department and brings his EMS experience to his church safety team.

The value Mark champions

Data

Memory is confident. Data is accurate.

We’re surprisingly good at remembering life the way we think it happened. Data gives us another perspective, one that helps us see clearly and choose intentionally.

Mark skiing with his family in Colorado — Living TodayMark is happiest spending time with family and getting outdoors, especially camping, hiking, skiing, and making family trips to Colorado.

Why this work matters“I love doing challenging, rewarding work with a team that’s always positive and willing to support each other.”

One more thingMark believes a s’more without peanut butter is an unfinished s’more.

Infrastructure, Security, & Reliability

Jeff Neuenschwander

SuperpowerKeeps Ankor secure, online, scalable, and protected while everybody else tries to break things.

Jeff brings an unusual combination of law, technology, and security to the team. After beginning his career in financial services and practicing law, he moved into technology, where he has worked as an AWS architect, software developer, and security expert with organizations ranging from early-stage startups to Fortune 50 companies. Today, much of his work centers on software development and strengthening the security behind the technology people trust us to build.

The value Jeff champions

Process

Turns out, “winging it” isn’t a strategy.

Good process creates clarity, protects what matters, and makes great work repeatable. Build it right. Follow it well. Improve it when the truth says you should.

Jeff next to the Charging Bull statue on Wall Street — Living TodayWhen Jeff gets away from the screen, he really gets away. He loves to travel and competes in extreme triathlons and Ironman events.

Why this work matters“I hope Today Matters helps people take an honest, quantitative look at where their time is going and make adjustments so the way they spend it reflects their real goals and values.”

One more thingJeff’s idea of “Living Today” may involve swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112, and then deciding a marathon sounds like a reasonable way to finish the day.

Developer

Cole Elzerman

SuperpowerYoung, hungry, & fearless. He captures the truth.

Cole is a builder at heart. He helps turn big ideas into working technology, solving the puzzles that come with creating something entirely new. It’s a fitting role for someone who grew up wanting to be an inventor and now gets to spend his days doing exactly that. The only student on the team, and don’t let that fool you. Cole is smart, hungry, determined, relentlessly curious, and willing to tackle whatever we throw at him. While the veterans bring decades of experience, our Young Lion brings energy, grit, and absolutely no fear of the impossible.

The value Cole champions

Improvement

Relentlessly in pursuit of excellence.

Cole sees excellence as a catalyst for everything we hope to accomplish. He believes the quality of what we build, how we lead, and how we serve all rise or fall with our willingness to continually pursue better.

Cole in Santorini, Greece — Living TodayFor Cole, living today means being intentional with the people he loves. When he’s away from development, his priority is quality time with friends and family, creating memories rather than letting the time simply pass by.

Why this work matters“I hope Today Matters helps people break out of the cycle of simply repeating the same day. Every person has the opportunity to make today matter more than yesterday, and I want what we’re building to help them do that.”

One more thingCole wanted to be an inventor when he grew up. Turns out, he just needed someone to give him a really complicated app to build.

Even Better…

Know someone who would love Ankor?

Share your unique invitation link and invite them to join the Founder’s Preview.

ankor.app/early-access

We’re here forsomething bigger!

These are the things thatmake up a life.