Meet the Team | ForoCivic

Meet the team

The people behind ForoCivic

A focused team building civic infrastructure that helps municipalities hear residents clearly and respond with accountability.

Michael O’Donnell is the Founder and CEO of ForoCivic, where he leads product development and works directly with communities to implement the platform. He is a student at Texas Tech University pursuing degrees in Physics and Mathematics, with a background in research and analytical problem-solving.

His work focuses on building simple, effective systems that help organizations better understand and act on public input. He takes a hands-on approach with early deployments, working closely with customers to ensure the product fits real-world workflows.

Outside of ForoCivic, Michael is involved in scientific research and enjoys reading classic literature. He values discipline, consistency, honesty, and clear thinking—principles that guide both his work and his approach to building relationships.

Matthew O’Donnell is the Director of Sales at ForoCivic, where he leads client acquisition, builds and maintains customer relationships, and manages client accounts. He operates with a customer-first philosophy, focused on serving communities and supporting the people within them.

He has been accepted to Texas Tech University, where he plans to study Finance with minors in Spanish and International Economics. He brings a disciplined and people-focused approach to his work, with an emphasis on clear communication and building strong, lasting relationships.

Hayden Robinson is the Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer of ForoCivic, where he oversees financial strategy, operations, and long-term planning. He works closely with the leadership team to ensure the company is structured for sustainable growth while maintaining a disciplined and efficient approach to execution.

His work focuses on aligning financial decision-making with product development and organizational goals, helping guide the company through early-stage growth with clarity and structure. He brings a practical, detail-oriented approach to managing resources and evaluating opportunities.

Outside of ForoCivic, Hayden has experience in financial analysis and advisory through roles at J.S. Held and Peacefield Wealth Solutions, where he worked in forensic accounting and financial planning respectively. He is pursuing a degree in Personal Financial Planning, with additional studies in Economics and Mathematics. He values discipline, consistency, and sound decision-making—principles that guide both his professional work and personal approach.

Cort Koester is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of ForoCivic, where he focuses on business strategy, customer engagement, and expanding the platform’s reach across communities and organizations. He works directly with community leaders to refine the product experience and ensure the platform aligns with real-world needs.

He is a student at Texas Tech University pursuing degrees in Energy Commerce and Finance. Cort takes a direct, hands-on approach to client engagement, helping guide implementation and ensuring the platform delivers practical value for the communities it serves.

Outside of ForoCivic, Cort works as a Title Research Intern at Title One, Digital Title Services, where he supports title research and property analysis as part of the closing process. He is also involved at Texas Tech as a member of the Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity and as a learning assistant, where he supports peers through academic guidance. He brings a consistent, disciplined approach to both his academic and professional work.