Ben Wright, Rob Wellner, and Velocity Global receive First Descents’ Horizon Line Award for Leadership Support of MS Programming

April 6, 2022

DENVER/OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – First Descents awards Ben Wright and Rob Wellner the Horizon Line Award at the 15^th Annual First Descents Ball in recognition of Velocity Global’s visionary support of First Descents’ Multiple Sclerosis (MS) programming.

“When I was diagnosed with MS 13 years ago, it turned my life upside down,” shares Rob Wellner, Velocity Global’s Chief Revenue Officer. “While medical treatments for MS have improved over time, psychosocial opportunities for those living with this diagnosis still remain limited. I’m honored to help enable these life-changing programs for the MS community in partnership with First Descents, and to be a part of a company dedicated to scaling our philanthropy for meaningful causes as we grow.”

Each year, First Descents presents its highest honor – the Horizon Line Award – at the First Descents Ball to an individual or organization who dedicates their time, guidance, and wisdom to First Descents, asking nothing in return. In kayaking, one of our flagship outdoor programs, the horizon line is where the river descends into rapids not viewable by the paddler. At this point, the paddler must rely on his or her skills, tenacity, and the dedicated support of teammates. Over the past two decades, First Descents has experienced countless rapids and milestones in its history, and the team has relied on generous and selfless people and partners, like the entire Velocity Global team, to allow them to charge confidently ahead.

“It’s a true honor to receive the Horizon Line Award on behalf of the entire Velocity Global team that puts us in the position to support First Descents and the young adult MS community. I’ve witnessed the transformative and healing power of adventure on their programs, including the very first MS program First Descents provided in 2018,” says Ben Wright, Founder and CEO of Velocity Global. “Service is one of the values we live by in our company, and First Descents embodies service to the full wellbeing of young adults living with MS. I’m proud of our partnership and the opportunity to support their mission in any way we can.”

Velocity Global and First Descents have shared a special partnership since 2014 when the two Colorado-based companies became office neighbors at INDUSTRY Denver. Quickly bonding, Velocity Global employees now volunteer annually at First Descents’ programs and fundraisers, including the Ragnar Trail Relay Snowmass and TransRockies Run. In 2018, Velocity Global contributed $150,000 to pilot MS programming which began with a whitewater kayaking experience in Tarkio, Montana. In 2021, Velocity Global announced a transformative $1 million contribution to expand adventure programs for young adults with MS.

“This year, we were honored to present Ben, Rob, and the entire Velocity Global team with our prestigious Horizon Line Award. We’ve long believed that our programs can serve populations beyond oncology. Ben and Rob shared this vision, and provided us with the generous funding, clinical connections, and support to extend the healing power of adventure to the MS community,” notes Ryan O’Donoghue, CEO, First Descents. “Their support will help us to serve hundreds of young adults living with MS in the coming years while building meaningful partnerships with patient advocacy groups and neurology clinics nationwide.”

First Descents has served 57 MS participants across six programs since launching their pilot MS program in 2018. First Descents aims to serve more than 225 MS participants over the next three years.

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ABOUT VELOCITY GLOBAL

Velocity Global accelerates the future of work for anyone, anywhere, anyhow. Its Global Work Platform™ simplifies the employer and talent experience through its proprietary cloud-based talent management technology, backed by personalized expertise and unmatched global scale. The platform offers a full suite of talent solutions, including global Employer of Record and Contractor Management, to help companies onboard, manage, and pay talent in more than 185 countries and all 50 United States. Thousands of brands rely on Velocity Global to build international teams without the cost or complexity of setting up foreign legal entities or state registrations. Velocity Global was named a “Leader” in Global Employer of Record Services by prominent analyst firm NelsonHall. Founded in 2014, the company has hundreds of employees across six continents. For more information, visit velocityglobal.com.

ABOUT FIRST DESCENTS

First Descents (FD) is a leader in adventure-based healing. Through outdoor adventure, community building, and lifestyle development, FD improves long-term survivorship and quality of life for young adults impacted by cancer, multiple sclerosis, and other serious health conditions. Headquartered in Denver, First Descents has served more than 10,000 participants over the last 20 years. Beginning in 2020, First Descents launched programs for healthcare workers on the frontlines of COVID-19. All services are fully-adaptive and free of charge. A Guidestar Platinum-ranked nonprofit, First Descents has been recognized on CNN Heroes and Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work.

RESOURCES: Honoring Ben Wright, Rob Wellner and the Velocity Global Team (link)

CONTACT:

For First Descents
Becca Rohrer
Senior Marketing Manager
becca.rohrer@firstdescents.org
828.712.5927
For Velocity Global
Anja Koltes
Corporate Communications
news@velocityglobal.com
720.650.4348