Meet The Team

Dan Nixon, CEO + Managing Partner

Growing up in Ottawa, Ontario with a Venezuelan mother and Canadian father, Dan was introduced to different cultures from an early age. His family instilled in him the importance of serving others and having the courage to stand up for people whose voices often go underheard.

Dan built a career in marketing and management, driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and deep desire to create positive impact in underserved communities. He first met Joe and Michael at a business conference in 2019 and they kept in touch through the years. His first trip to Jamaica in 2022 settled the question. Creators of Hope Journeys was formed the following year.

Inspired by parents and business leaders such as Gary Vaynerchuk, Simon Sinek, Patrick Lencioni, and Tony Robbins, Dan is focused on making Creators of Hope Journeys the global standard in student and group service travel.  

“The unlock to real connection with another human being is remembering that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Joe Biba + Managing Partner

Growing up in a dairy farming family in the Midwest, Joe learned the value of hard work and integrity from an early age. Now, as a proud father of three and successful entrepreneur, those same values continue to define the way he lives, leads and serves others.

After building multiple businesses in Cuba City, Wisconsin and across the Upper Midwest, Joe felt called to turn his experience and energy toward something bigger.

In 2015, he founded the nonprofit Creators of Hope with a simple mission: to restore hope and dignity by serving families and communities in need. What began with building homes in Jamaica has since grown into a much larger vision for creating meaningful and lasting change.

That mission remains at the heart of Joe’s work today. His name carries a reputation for leading with honesty, enthusiasm and generosity, and he believes impact starts with simply showing up for those who need it. Always with a smile and hug when needed, Joe renews hope in everyone he meets.

“To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.”

Michael Tabarez + Managing Partner

A native of San Diego, California, Michael grew up on the West Coast before building a career that would take him around the world. 

Now with over 35 years of experience across travel and technology management, Michael began his career with American Airlines before moving into high-end travel. Today, he is co-founder of the Laura Massoni Travel brand house of tour operators and destination management companies.

Having met Joe Biba through a business leadership coaching program, the two instantly clicked and a deep brotherhood was formed based on a shared commitment to service and desire to create meaningful change throughout the world.

At Creators of Hope Journeys, Michael brings decades of travel expertise to a mission that goes far beyond the destination. His passion lies in creating experiences that connect people to new cultures, to one another and to a greater sense of purpose.

“I am ever hopeful for people like us, willing to go to places like this, and give all the hope that we can give… to the inspirational beat of MC Hammer -‘Hammertime!’”