# Justin Dillon

> Justin Dillon is the San Francisco founder and CEO of FRDM AI, an author, filmmaker and former touring musician whose work has followed one persistent question: how can ordinary buying decisions change the hidden conditions inside global supply chains? After directing the 2008 documentary Call + Response, he built Slavery Footprint with support from the U.S. State Department, led Made In A Free World, wrote A Selfish Plan to Change the World and translated a consumer movement into enterprise risk software. In July 2026, WiseTech Global agreed to acquire FRDM.ai for $10 million upfront, with up to $14.31 million in earn-outs, to help power its VerifyWise compliance platform.

- **Role:** CEO and Founder at FRDM AI
- **Organizations:** FRDM AI, Made In A Free World, Slavery Footprint, Fair Trade Fund
- **Education:** Degree in psychology, California State University, East Bay, Honorary doctorate, California State University, East Bay
- **Known for:** Directed the 2008 documentary Call + Response., Founded Slavery Footprint, which the U.S. State Department reported had reached 25 million users in 190 countries by 2016., Built and led Made In A Free World, which developed consumer and business tools addressing forced labor in supply chains.

## Career timeline

- **2003-2004** — While working as a touring musician, encountered stories and signs of human trafficking that redirected his creative work toward advocacy.
- **2008** — Made his directorial debut with Call + Response, a documentary and concert film about modern slavery.
- **2011** — Launched Slavery Footprint with support from the U.S. State Department; the site asked consumers how their purchases connected to forced labor.
- **2011-2017** — Led Made In A Free World and developed data-driven tools and campaigns connecting consumers and businesses to hidden supply-chain labor risks.
- **2017** — Published A Selfish Plan to Change the World: Finding Big Purpose in Big Problems.
- **2018** — FRDM.ai was established in California as an enterprise supply-chain risk and compliance platform.
- **2018** — Received an honorary doctorate from California State University, East Bay.
- **2026** — WiseTech Global entered a binding agreement to acquire FRDM.ai and use its capabilities in the planned VerifyWise platform.

## Achievements

- Directed the 2008 documentary Call + Response.
- Founded Slavery Footprint, which the U.S. State Department reported had reached 25 million users in 190 countries by 2016.
- Built and led Made In A Free World, which developed consumer and business tools addressing forced labor in supply chains.
- Authored A Selfish Plan to Change the World in 2017.
- Received a 2012 SXSW Interactive Award and a 2011 Cannes Lion, according to his public professional profile.
- Received an honorary doctorate from California State University, East Bay in 2018.
- Founded FRDM AI, whose multi-tier risk technology is slated to become part of WiseTech Global's VerifyWise platform.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — WiseTech Global announced a binding agreement to acquire FRDM.ai for $10 million upfront in cash and shares, with maximum cash earn-outs of $14.31 million.
- **2026-06** — Appeared on The Sourcing Hero podcast to discuss replacing supplier questionnaires with intelligence, deeper mapping and aligned incentives.
- **2026-05** — Discussed FRDM AI's supply-chain mapping work on CNN's Quest Means Business.

## Links

- Website: https://frdm.ai
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjustindillon
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/madeinafreewrld
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FRDMVideos
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madeinafreeworld

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/justin-dillon
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-26