Aaron Thomas (Class of 2005)

Visionary & CEO of Outerfields

Since graduating from Burton, Aaron Thomas has dedicated his life to the pursuit of creativity, play, and adding value—an intersection of art, game theory, and entrepreneurship. His career and interests have taken him to over 35 countries, where he has filmed, created, and explored new experiences that allow him to share his work and perspective of the world.

As the Visionary & CEO of Outerfields, Aaron leads a team focused on producing impactful content, from commercial projects to private content networks. His portfolio includes directing and co-directing numerous commercials, films, shows, and courses, as well as the award-winning short film 20 Liters, which helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for clean water initiatives across Africa. Known for assembling world-class teams, he is passionate about providing an environment for creatives to thrive and produce meaningful impact in the world.

When he’s not behind the camera, reading, or strategizing his next move in business, you’ll find Aaron playing board games or solving puzzles with his wife, Grace—usually while watching Survivor and planning his own future on the show. He also enjoys playing tennis and spending time with his daughter, Sage.

Above all, Aaron is on a lifelong journey to find peace and freedom in a world full of chaos and choices. He has coined the phrase “Will Work for Freedom”—a testament to his belief in prioritizing freedom over money and designing a life driven by play, creativity, purpose, and adventure.