Why the name
The name 'alyx' is a heartfelt nod to three extraordinary individuals who have deeply influenced our founders. These inspiring friends have been instrumental in shaping their understanding of friendship and community so much that we use the first letter of their names to construct the name of our app.
The "x" in alyx represents the unknown variable, symbolizing anyone, including you, who is on the journey to becoming a stronger friend and community builder.
alyx is designed to embody the spirit of reaching out, showing up, and fostering authentic connections.
Why this
matters to us
Village Builders was born from a deeply personal journey and a pressing global need. Both of us, Simone and Adam, have lived through profound experiences of loneliness—Simone as a mother seeking connection during the isolating pandemic years, and Adam as a father of teenagers, witnessing the toll that loneliness takes on future generations. These moments opened our eyes to the urgent need for genuine, lasting support networks. We saw firsthand how isolation and distrust undermine well-being, while close-knit communities foster resilience, empathy, and strength.
For each of us, finding support within trusted circles has been life-changing. We know that everyone deserves a “village”—a dependable network that makes life’s toughest moments bearable and everyday moments more joyful. But in a world increasingly driven by digital interactions and societal fragmentation, people are losing the natural communities they once relied on. We knew we had to take action, not just to address the symptom of loneliness but to help people build meaningful, resilient relationships from the ground up.
Meet the Founders
Adam Rose
(he/him)
I was born in Canada and have spent much of my career as a technologist, working on projects from the International Space Station to next-generation telecommunications and high-transaction advertising platforms. I’ve been an entrepreneur, an executive, and, most importantly, a leader who believes in empowering my team by supporting them and then stepping back to let them shine.
While I’ve always been drawn to challenging engineering problems, I’m even more passionate about tackling human challenges. Raised in a home that valued a life of service, I’m excited to join Village Builders on a mission-driven journey to reduce loneliness and build stronger communities. This is my chance to help leave the world a bit better than I found it.
Simone Torrey
(she/they)
I’ve spent my career as a facilitator and systems thinker, bringing people together to create solutions. With a master’s in leadership and conflict transformation and over 15 years of experience, I’ve led initiatives ranging from Tanzania’s national workforce strategy to negotiations between Occupy the Farm activists and UC Berkeley. I’ve also addressed Me Too cases in tech and co-founded the Impact Hub coworking space to champion social innovation.
Originally from Germany, I now call the Bay Area home. As a survivor of childhood trauma, I’m passionate about breaking cycles of harm and building inclusive spaces. At Village Builders, I focus on fostering belonging and real-life connections to help communities thrive.
Alyx draws on a blend of neuroscience and creative practices to engage and train the social brain.
Nervous System Regulation
Inspired by the work of Jeremy Nobel and the Foundation for Art and Healing,Stephen Porges’ polyvagal theory, and Deb Dana’s Rhythm of Regulation practices, Alyx emphasizes the role of nervous system regulation as a foundation for safe, connected relationships.
Creativity, Awe + Wonder
Research on awe and wonder also informs our approach. Through the work of Dacher Keltner and Jonathan Haidt, we’ve learned how transformative experiences create pathways for behavior change. James Clear has impacted our work on habit formation.
Trauma-Informed Approach
Trauma-informed practices guide our focus on resilience and relational health. We’ve looked to the work of Bessel van der Kolk and Peter Levine, along with relational psychology and embodied approaches by Resmaa Menakem.
Restorative Justice
Alyx integrates restorative justice principles championed by Howard Zehr. We value transformative approaches to conflict, promoting healing and understanding over discord.
Village-Building
Finally, insights from the art of gathering by Priya Parker and community-building by Peter Block inspire Alyx’s approach, helping people cultivate the authentic, supportive connections that make a “village” strong.
