Josh Schaefer, born in June 1975, grew up as the youngest of six children in Indiana. Josh attended High School there, where he excelled in computers and athletics. His passion for running led him to become a six-time varsity letter winner in Cross Country and Track and Field.
He continued his education at Purdue University, where he focused on the Computer Technology industry. In 1996, Josh began his professional journey as a Systems Engineer at Cisco Systems. His entrepreneurial spirit soon led him to join several startups as an early employee. His most notable achievement in this period was co-founding NearbyNow, the first local product search engine, which revolutionized how consumers found products in their vicinity. Following this success, Josh shifted his focus to cybersecurity, where he continues to make significant contributions to the field.
Josh resides in the Bay Area California with his partner and their five children. His parenting philosophy emphasizes teaching kindness, consideration, open-mindedness, curiosity, and a sense of adventure from a young age. These values not only shape his home life but also influence his role as a coach and author.
Josh has coached numerous youth sports teams and currently coaches High School Cross Country and Track and Field, imparting his passion for athletics and personal development to the next generation.
As an author of a new children’s book series, Josh draws on his rich life experiences to inspire young readers. His stories reflect the values he holds dear, encouraging children to explore, learn, and grow in a nurturing environment. Through his writing, Josh aims to make a lasting impact on his readers, just as he has in his professional and personal life.