Our Team

Host

Matt Jones – Host

Matt has told stories his whole life. It’s part of his family’s DNA. But so too is being active in his community. The People Tree provided Matt with the opportunity to bring together these two passions. Since our very first show, Matt has shared many wonderful stories on our stage.

As our host, he entertains the audience with his wit and humor while supporting and encouraging our amazing storytellers to step up to the microphone and share a part of themselves.

Producers

Rachna Prasad – Producter

“I’ve always thought that true stories are the best stories. And the best stories make you feel and help you learn. They have the power to take me out of my own head and into someone else’s world. There is a magic in stories that is real and attainable. The People Tree allows me to indulge my passion for stories and performance all on one stage!”

Claire Dee – Producer

“In a world where we are mostly connected through technology, storytelling offers an authentic glimpse into someone else’s reality. When someone makes themselves vulnerable on stage, you feel the room get smaller until it’s just you and the storyteller walking through their story.”

Erica Katz – Producer

“The power of story telling is infectious for me because connecting to others and my community brings me joy. I started as a storyteller for TPT and became a huge fan of the process/production before being asked to be a Director/Producer. Although I feel I’m a storyteller at heart I feel, forgive the pun, “growing our tellers” is the most rewarding experience.”

Simi Krishnan – Producer

“Stories, no matter how big or small are part of our every day. I love how they make me feel connected to someone I may have never met, or something is said, and I see someone in a new light. The People Tree makes me feel like I’m part of something bigger than myself. It gives me a chance to go on a journey into the lives of people in my community, and be a part of their truths and their joys and struggles, and help bring stories to life which so many people believed weren’t worth sharing at all! “

Photographers

Greg Mulvey

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Adrienne Harvey

Adrienne is a photographer, designer, and writer based in the west suburbs of Chicago.
Inspired by magical realism, she loves to explore fantastical elements at play in the real world, both perceived and imagined.

Prior to having children, Adrienne took her senior thesis with Stephen King, built kayaks in Ireland, rode with gauchos in Brazil, drank aquavit in Norway, and won a bocce tournament in Argentina.

In her current life as a suburbanite and mom, her best travels have been inward – using photography and writing as portals through which to explore new Prior to having children, Adrienne took her senior thesis with Stephen King, built kayaks in Ireland, rode with gauchos in Brazil, drank aquavit in Norway, and won a bocce tournament in Argentina.

In her current life as a suburbanite and mom, her best travels have been inward – using photography and writing as portals through which to explore ethereal realms.

It looks like they shortened their bios as well

Hunter Byington

A good ole southern boy who has been taking photos since the 9th grade. Back then, it was a Polaroid – mainly because the pictures came out in 60 seconds – they weren’t too sharpe, but it was the memory that counts. From there, it was a combination of photos and sales.

While I was at the University of Alabama, I learned how to take good pictures with a really good Nikon – and it showed in the pictures of every main event on campus for our yearbook and the school newspaper, the Crimson and White. It also helped that I was able to sell ads in everything from the newspaper to the local radio stations. From there, I became a sales coach – listening to stories of companies and individuals who were frustrated in not meeting their sales goals, fearful of prospecting (cold and otherwise!) and learning how the need to be liked got in the way of getting to know a customer and what it took to close them.

On the photography side, it was a desire to just take that picture that one could read a story in. It could be how torn one was, capturing the fun of an evening or the retrospective of a life – pictures were created to make memories and stories live long after they have faded. Both are passions, along with a family of two (daughter Dyan with Brian and grandkid Colton – who’s a freshman at University of Illinois) and son Will (a professional photographer who loves traveling, music and, sadly, the Cubs!) and a wonderful wife Barbara (who was school guidance counselor when I met her and a great study in love and encouragement – or what some call patience and understanding). It is a honor that the People Tree has asked for pictures that capture the stories that grab one’s heart . We will be there to “click away”!