Meet Our Team
George Manuel — Co-Founder & CEO
A U.S. Army veteran, 3D artist, and self-proclaimed "people collector," George brings people from every walk of life together around the table — because nothing builds trust like a good game. His time in the military instilled a deep appreciation for camaraderie and teamwork under pressure, values he's carried directly into building Thirsty Goblin Games from the ground up. As the public face of TGG, George is the one you'll meet at events or hyping up a room before the first card is even drawn.
Whether it's swapping strategy on the latest set release, talking shop about team culture and what makes a workplace event actually fun, or just catching up over a good game, George is always up for a chat — pull up a seat and let's connect.
Dani McCurdy - Co-Founder
Dani is a New York-based people person through and through — and yes, that extends to the gaming table. By day, she works in People Operations, where she's passionate about creating great experiences for the people around her. By night (and weekends), you'll find her deep in a game of Everdell, her all-time favorite, carefully building her woodland city one critter and construction at a time.
With a background that spans fashion, venture capital, and operations, Danielle brings creativity and strategy to everything she does — including her board game picks. She's proof that great games, like great teams, are all about the right people coming together.
Kate Benini - Chief of Staff
Having grown up between Queens, New York and Vermont before returning to New York City, Kate learned early how to navigate different environments with ease. Moving between worlds sharpened her adaptability, social awareness, and ability to read a room.- skills that now define both her professional life and her approach to experience-building.
By day, she holds high-level leadership and operational roles, managing complexity and bringing structure to big ideas. Outside of work, she gravitates toward intentional and immersive experiences—from omakase counters and hidden cocktail bars to axe throwing.
At Thirsty Goblins, she's drawn to strategic, socially dynamic games that spark genuine engagement. She believes the best experiences don't feel manufactured- they feel organic. Her focus is simple: create moments that feel intentional, competitive, and memorable.