We are a group of Canadian and American advocates, academics, activists and funders coming together to take action on transforming systems of production and consumption of materials and energy – or, how we make, use and throw away stuff – to be more sustainable, equitable, healthy, prosperous and just.
Participants
Ahmina Maxey, Zero Waste Detroit
Ahmina Maxey is the Community Outreach Coordinator with the Zero Waste Detroit (ZWD) coalition. She advocates to increase recycling participation in the City of Detroit, and divert waste from the Detroit incinerator. The long-term goal of ZWD is the expansion of Detroit's curbside recycling program citywide. Ahmina has experience working in the environmental justice field, having worked as an Associate Director at the East Michigan Environmental Action Council for four years. In her work at EMEAC, her responsibilities included health and environmental justice policy, advocacy, and outreach work. She has worked with City Council members on measures to improve Detroit’s air quality, leading to the passage of numerous laws protecting the environment and health of Detroiters. Ahmina is a graduate of the University of Michigan, earning her Bachelor of Science in the Program in the Environment in 2007.
Ahmina Maxey is the Community Outreach Coordinator with the Zero Waste Detroit (ZWD) coalition. She advocates to increase recycling participation in the City of Detroit, and divert waste from the Detroit incinerator. The long-term goal of ZWD is the expansion of Detroit's curbside recycling program citywide. Ahmina has experience working in the environmental justice field, having worked as an Associate Director at the East Michigan Environmental Action Council for four years. In her work at EMEAC, her responsibilities included health and environmental justice policy, advocacy, and outreach work. She has worked with City Council members on measures to improve Detroit’s air quality, leading to the passage of numerous laws protecting the environment and health of Detroiters. Ahmina is a graduate of the University of Michigan, earning her Bachelor of Science in the Program in the Environment in 2007.
Alicia Culver, Responsible Purchasing Network
Alicia Culver is the Executive Director of the Responsible Purchasing Network, an international NGO dedicated to advancing sustainable purchasing policies and practices among government agencies, public institutions, and businesses. RPN uses “the power of the purse” to help its members meet their sustainability goals (e.g., climate protection, toxics reduction, zero waste, “green” job creation, etc.). Alicia has nearly two decades of experience working in the green purchasing field. She got her start in 1994 as Coordinator of Ralph Nader’s Government Purchasing Project, where she lead a campaign to convince the federal government to purchase recycled paper, energy-efficient office equipment, and other environmentally preferable products. She later served as deputy director of the New Jersey Office of Sustainability and, in 2004, founded the Green Purchasing Institute. Alicia has worked directly with purchasing and sustainability staff to demand a wide-range of cutting-edge “green” products, including certified green cleaners, asthma-safe disinfectants, non-antibacterial hand soaps, LEDs and other low-mercury lighting equipment, reusable and compostable food service ware, and other environmentally preferable building and maintenance supplies. RPN has served as an advisor to the US General Services Administration, National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO), National Association of Counties, The World Bank, National Institute of Government Purchasing, and other entities that are working to advance sustainable purchasing in the US and beyond.
Alicia Culver is the Executive Director of the Responsible Purchasing Network, an international NGO dedicated to advancing sustainable purchasing policies and practices among government agencies, public institutions, and businesses. RPN uses “the power of the purse” to help its members meet their sustainability goals (e.g., climate protection, toxics reduction, zero waste, “green” job creation, etc.). Alicia has nearly two decades of experience working in the green purchasing field. She got her start in 1994 as Coordinator of Ralph Nader’s Government Purchasing Project, where she lead a campaign to convince the federal government to purchase recycled paper, energy-efficient office equipment, and other environmentally preferable products. She later served as deputy director of the New Jersey Office of Sustainability and, in 2004, founded the Green Purchasing Institute. Alicia has worked directly with purchasing and sustainability staff to demand a wide-range of cutting-edge “green” products, including certified green cleaners, asthma-safe disinfectants, non-antibacterial hand soaps, LEDs and other low-mercury lighting equipment, reusable and compostable food service ware, and other environmentally preferable building and maintenance supplies. RPN has served as an advisor to the US General Services Administration, National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO), National Association of Counties, The World Bank, National Institute of Government Purchasing, and other entities that are working to advance sustainable purchasing in the US and beyond.
Anna Awimbo, Center for a New American Dream
Anna is the Collaborative Communities Program Director at the Center for a New American Dream. She coordinates New Dream's Get2gether initiative and supports education on its action guides that provide communities with resources that foster sustainable consumption and production. Anna has also been a long time advocate for sustainable food production both in the United States and around the world. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering at her children’s school in Maryland where she has led the effort to launch a green neighborhood initiative and build an outdoor classroom and garden.
Anna is the Collaborative Communities Program Director at the Center for a New American Dream. She coordinates New Dream's Get2gether initiative and supports education on its action guides that provide communities with resources that foster sustainable consumption and production. Anna has also been a long time advocate for sustainable food production both in the United States and around the world. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering at her children’s school in Maryland where she has led the effort to launch a green neighborhood initiative and build an outdoor classroom and garden.
Annie Leonard, Greenpeace USA
Annie Leonard has over two decades of experience investigating and explaining the environmental and social impacts of our stuff: where it comes from, how it gets to us, and where it goes after we get rid of it. Her film, The Story of Stuff, blossomed into The Story of Stuff Project, which works to empower people around the globe to fight for a more sustainable and just future. The project has built a community of over half a million people and released 8 more videos since The Story of Stuff, which have been viewed over 40 million times and been incorporated into countless school and faith curricula. In 2010, Simon & Schuster published Leonard’s New York Times bestselling book, The Story of Stuff, which takes a deeper dive into the issues of the film. A hallmark of Leonard’s work with The Story of Stuff Project has been her keen recognition that solving environmental crises requires working across a wide range of movements to fix economic and political systems that are currently dominated by corporations at the expense of people’s health.
Annie Leonard has over two decades of experience investigating and explaining the environmental and social impacts of our stuff: where it comes from, how it gets to us, and where it goes after we get rid of it. Her film, The Story of Stuff, blossomed into The Story of Stuff Project, which works to empower people around the globe to fight for a more sustainable and just future. The project has built a community of over half a million people and released 8 more videos since The Story of Stuff, which have been viewed over 40 million times and been incorporated into countless school and faith curricula. In 2010, Simon & Schuster published Leonard’s New York Times bestselling book, The Story of Stuff, which takes a deeper dive into the issues of the film. A hallmark of Leonard’s work with The Story of Stuff Project has been her keen recognition that solving environmental crises requires working across a wide range of movements to fix economic and political systems that are currently dominated by corporations at the expense of people’s health.
Bev Thorpe, Clean Production Action
Beverley Thorpe is Co-Director of Clean Production Action, an organization that advances safer chemicals, and sustainable materials through collaboration with leaders in global supply chains. She works at the nexus of activism and corporate leadership to find the best leverage points that can advance a a healthful economy free of toxic pollution and waste. She works to promote CPA's tools and strategies such as the GreenScreen for Safer Chemicals and BizNGO Guide to Safer Chemicals within global business practice by raising the capacity of advocacy, worker and business networks to better understand how to shift markets. She is also a co-coordinator of the Markets Workgroup within Coming Clean, a US based network that aligns itself behind integrated strategies to reform the chemicals and fossil fuels industry so that they are no longer a source of harm to our health and environment. She lives in Toronto, Canada.
Beverley Thorpe is Co-Director of Clean Production Action, an organization that advances safer chemicals, and sustainable materials through collaboration with leaders in global supply chains. She works at the nexus of activism and corporate leadership to find the best leverage points that can advance a a healthful economy free of toxic pollution and waste. She works to promote CPA's tools and strategies such as the GreenScreen for Safer Chemicals and BizNGO Guide to Safer Chemicals within global business practice by raising the capacity of advocacy, worker and business networks to better understand how to shift markets. She is also a co-coordinator of the Markets Workgroup within Coming Clean, a US based network that aligns itself behind integrated strategies to reform the chemicals and fossil fuels industry so that they are no longer a source of harm to our health and environment. She lives in Toronto, Canada.
Bill Rees, One Earth; University of British Columbia (emeritus)
William (Bill) Rees is Director of the One Earth and recipient of the 2012 Blue Planet Prize. Professor Emeritus of the School of Community and Regional Planning at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and past Director of UBC’s Centre for Human Settlements. He is a leading thinker on sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and is best known in this field for his invention of ‘Ecological Footprint analysis’, a quantitative tool that estimates humanity’s ecological impact on the ecosphere in terms of appropriated ecosystem (land and water) area. Bill Rees is a co-investigator in the ‘Global Integrity Project’, oriented toward determining the necessary ecological conditions for biodiversity preservation. Another of his research project examines high-income urbanized countries’ consumption of imported commodities and the ecological and social impacts of their resultant “ecological footprints” on distant export regions.
William (Bill) Rees is Director of the One Earth and recipient of the 2012 Blue Planet Prize. Professor Emeritus of the School of Community and Regional Planning at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and past Director of UBC’s Centre for Human Settlements. He is a leading thinker on sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and is best known in this field for his invention of ‘Ecological Footprint analysis’, a quantitative tool that estimates humanity’s ecological impact on the ecosphere in terms of appropriated ecosystem (land and water) area. Bill Rees is a co-investigator in the ‘Global Integrity Project’, oriented toward determining the necessary ecological conditions for biodiversity preservation. Another of his research project examines high-income urbanized countries’ consumption of imported commodities and the ecological and social impacts of their resultant “ecological footprints” on distant export regions.
Bob Massie, New Economics Institute
Bob Massie is the President and CEO of the New Economics Institute. An ordained Episcopal minister, he received his B.A. from Princeton Unversity, M.A. from Yale Divinity School, and doctorate from Harvard Business School. From 1989 to 1996 he taught at Harvard Divinity School, where he served as the director of the Project on Business, Values, and the Economy. His 1998 book, Loosing the Bonds: The United States and South Africa in the Apartheid Years, won the Lionel Gelber prize for the best book on international relations in the world. He was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor of Massachusetts in 1994 and a candidate for the United States Senate in 2011. Over the last fifteen years Bob created or led three of the most influential sustainability coalitions: CERES (Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies), the Global Reporting Initiative, and the Investor Network on Climate Risk, all of which are still thriving.
Bob Massie is the President and CEO of the New Economics Institute. An ordained Episcopal minister, he received his B.A. from Princeton Unversity, M.A. from Yale Divinity School, and doctorate from Harvard Business School. From 1989 to 1996 he taught at Harvard Divinity School, where he served as the director of the Project on Business, Values, and the Economy. His 1998 book, Loosing the Bonds: The United States and South Africa in the Apartheid Years, won the Lionel Gelber prize for the best book on international relations in the world. He was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor of Massachusetts in 1994 and a candidate for the United States Senate in 2011. Over the last fifteen years Bob created or led three of the most influential sustainability coalitions: CERES (Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies), the Global Reporting Initiative, and the Investor Network on Climate Risk, all of which are still thriving.
Bryony Schwan, Biomimicry Institute
Bryony Schwan is the Co-founder and Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Biomimicry 3.8 Institute. Prior the Institute, Bryony founded Women’s Voices for the Earth and served as its Executive Director and then Program Director for 12 years. During that time she co-founded Coming Clean, a national environmental health coalition and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
Bryony Schwan is the Co-founder and Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Biomimicry 3.8 Institute. Prior the Institute, Bryony founded Women’s Voices for the Earth and served as its Executive Director and then Program Director for 12 years. During that time she co-founded Coming Clean, a national environmental health coalition and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
Chad Park, The Natural Step
Chad Park is the Executive Director and a founding member of The Natural Step Canada team. He brings over 10 years of experience with The Natural Step to his leadership position at the organization. Chad regularly writes and delivers presentations on a wide range of sustainability and social innovation topics, including collaborating for systems change, sustainability-driven innovation, organizational change, and sustainability leadership. His work increasingly focuses on partnership-building and enabling collaboration, having led the development and launch of a multi-stakeholder approach to tackling complex social and environmental challenges called the Sustainability Transition Lab. Chad plays a key thought leadership role with one such collaborative initiative, called Towards a Gold-Standard Benchmark for Sustainable Business.
Chad Park is the Executive Director and a founding member of The Natural Step Canada team. He brings over 10 years of experience with The Natural Step to his leadership position at the organization. Chad regularly writes and delivers presentations on a wide range of sustainability and social innovation topics, including collaborating for systems change, sustainability-driven innovation, organizational change, and sustainability leadership. His work increasingly focuses on partnership-building and enabling collaboration, having led the development and launch of a multi-stakeholder approach to tackling complex social and environmental challenges called the Sustainability Transition Lab. Chad plays a key thought leadership role with one such collaborative initiative, called Towards a Gold-Standard Benchmark for Sustainable Business.
Christie Keith, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives
Christie Keith is GAIA's International Co-Coordinator. She has many years of experience in social justice activism and non-profit management, including seven years as a popular educator, program coordinator, and strategic planner in Guatemala. Part of her heart will always reside in the Selva Lacandona, where she worked with refugees from the Guatemalan civil war. She is based in GAIA's Berkeley, U.S. office.
Christie Keith is GAIA's International Co-Coordinator. She has many years of experience in social justice activism and non-profit management, including seven years as a popular educator, program coordinator, and strategic planner in Guatemala. Part of her heart will always reside in the Selva Lacandona, where she worked with refugees from the Guatemalan civil war. She is based in GAIA's Berkeley, U.S. office.
Clayton Bunyard, Kimberly-Clark
Clayton Bunyard is Research Technical Leader for Kimberly-Clark, and has more than 10 years experience as a researcher in the field of green chemistry. Clay is most recognized for his work with polymers, for which he holds several patents. He holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and received the Kenneth G. Hancock Memorial Scholarship in Green Chemistry from the American Chemical Society & Environmental Protection Agency in 1999.
Clayton Bunyard is Research Technical Leader for Kimberly-Clark, and has more than 10 years experience as a researcher in the field of green chemistry. Clay is most recognized for his work with polymers, for which he holds several patents. He holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and received the Kenneth G. Hancock Memorial Scholarship in Green Chemistry from the American Chemical Society & Environmental Protection Agency in 1999.
Dagmar Timmer, One Earth
Dagmar is a facilitator, researcher, policy analyst, and activist with a passion for dialogue and translating ideas into action. She is the Manager of Strategic Initiatives for One Earth. One Earth is facilitating the New Economies theme of Cities for People, initiated by The J. W. McConnell Family Foundation – a national experiment in taking collaborative action to create more resilient and livable cities. Dagmar co-hosts the award-winning TV show, The Sustainable Region, and trains mid-career professionals in sustainable community development. She has extensive international experience working in sustainability, including coordinating a global network on rainforest conservation. Dagmar holds an MA in Political Science.
Dagmar is a facilitator, researcher, policy analyst, and activist with a passion for dialogue and translating ideas into action. She is the Manager of Strategic Initiatives for One Earth. One Earth is facilitating the New Economies theme of Cities for People, initiated by The J. W. McConnell Family Foundation – a national experiment in taking collaborative action to create more resilient and livable cities. Dagmar co-hosts the award-winning TV show, The Sustainable Region, and trains mid-career professionals in sustainable community development. She has extensive international experience working in sustainability, including coordinating a global network on rainforest conservation. Dagmar holds an MA in Political Science.
Darryl Young, The Summit Foundation
Darryl Young is the Director of Sustainable Cities at the Summit Foundation, which supports projects that advance ecologically, socially and economically sustainable community and city design. Previously, Darryl served as the Director of the California Department of Conservation, a $1.2 billion agency responsible for one of the nation’s largest and most successful recycling programs. He has also been the President of the National Recycling Coalition, Chief Consultant to the Senate Natural Resources Committee and the National Media Director for the Sierra Club. He currently serves on the boards of the Funders Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities as well as The Story of Stuff Project.
Darryl Young is the Director of Sustainable Cities at the Summit Foundation, which supports projects that advance ecologically, socially and economically sustainable community and city design. Previously, Darryl served as the Director of the California Department of Conservation, a $1.2 billion agency responsible for one of the nation’s largest and most successful recycling programs. He has also been the President of the National Recycling Coalition, Chief Consultant to the Senate Natural Resources Committee and the National Media Director for the Sierra Club. He currently serves on the boards of the Funders Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities as well as The Story of Stuff Project.
Eleni Sotos, The Sustainability Funders
Eleni Sotos is the director of the Funders Workgroup for Sustainable Production and Consumption (the Sustainability Funders), a funder affinity group focused on engendering a truly sustainable and just culture and economy by addressing the hidden social, environmental and health costs of production, consumption, and the flow of material goods through our society. She has previously worked at the Health and Environmental Funders Network, the Collaborative on Health and the Environment, the Jenifer Altman Foundation and the Tides Foundation.
Eleni Sotos is the director of the Funders Workgroup for Sustainable Production and Consumption (the Sustainability Funders), a funder affinity group focused on engendering a truly sustainable and just culture and economy by addressing the hidden social, environmental and health costs of production, consumption, and the flow of material goods through our society. She has previously worked at the Health and Environmental Funders Network, the Collaborative on Health and the Environment, the Jenifer Altman Foundation and the Tides Foundation.
Esther Speck, Business Sustainability Advisor and Executive
Esther is a sustainability advisor and executive working at the intersection of business, the environment and society to catalyze and implement strategies that achieve short and long term success along the value chain. Most recently, Esther was the senior leader responsible for Mountain Equipment Cooperative’s sustainable business strategy, with a mandate to create value and optimize MEC’s impact in doing less harm and more good, internally and externally. As a strategist and integrator, she helped achieve product sustainability successes, supply chain capacity, community investment and public policy impacts, progress on targets such as carbon reductions, and integrated accountability reporting. Esther brings over ten years of experience from the outdoor, retail, apparel, tourism and hospitality, financial, and urban/municipal planning industries, with systems thinking central to her approach. She was an active participant of TNS Canada, is/was on boards of non profit organizations including One Earth, the Whistler Center for Sustainability, Aurora Institute, and Net Impact, as well as business boards including MEC and Bridgehead Coffee. Esther holds an MBA and masters in Resource Management from Simon University.
Esther is a sustainability advisor and executive working at the intersection of business, the environment and society to catalyze and implement strategies that achieve short and long term success along the value chain. Most recently, Esther was the senior leader responsible for Mountain Equipment Cooperative’s sustainable business strategy, with a mandate to create value and optimize MEC’s impact in doing less harm and more good, internally and externally. As a strategist and integrator, she helped achieve product sustainability successes, supply chain capacity, community investment and public policy impacts, progress on targets such as carbon reductions, and integrated accountability reporting. Esther brings over ten years of experience from the outdoor, retail, apparel, tourism and hospitality, financial, and urban/municipal planning industries, with systems thinking central to her approach. She was an active participant of TNS Canada, is/was on boards of non profit organizations including One Earth, the Whistler Center for Sustainability, Aurora Institute, and Net Impact, as well as business boards including MEC and Bridgehead Coffee. Esther holds an MBA and masters in Resource Management from Simon University.
Ina Smith Johnson, Johnson Family Foundation
Ina Smith Johnson is an Advisory Trustee with the Johnson Family Foundation, which has a history of funding environmental health, leadership development and LGBT issues. She is a leader on both the local level in her Vermont community and on the statewide and national levels on Boards dealing with sustainability, social justice and community building. She brings media expertise with over 30 years experience as a film and video editor for WGBH Boston and NBC Network News.
Ina Smith Johnson is an Advisory Trustee with the Johnson Family Foundation, which has a history of funding environmental health, leadership development and LGBT issues. She is a leader on both the local level in her Vermont community and on the statewide and national levels on Boards dealing with sustainability, social justice and community building. She brings media expertise with over 30 years experience as a film and video editor for WGBH Boston and NBC Network News.
Janis Timm-Bottos, La Ruche d'Art; Concordia University
Janis Timm-Bottos is an artist, licensed physiotherapist, board certified art therapist and an interdisciplinary scholar with a sustained research practice investigating the community art studio as a therapeutic site for individual, family and community healing. She is founder of ArtStreet, an art studio with Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless, OFFCenter Community Arts Project, an arts-based public homeplace in downtown Albuquerque and "Kitchen Table Arts," which was housed in a thrift store in Nelson, BC and spawned "Children of the Seams" a youth collective that remakes fashion from discarded clothing. Her current research and training sites include a storefront in St. Henri, "La Ruche d'Art: Community Studio and Science Shop." Through this venue she intends to teach a therapeutic studio model and encourage a network of art hives to develop throughout the rest of Quebec and across Canada.
Janis Timm-Bottos is an artist, licensed physiotherapist, board certified art therapist and an interdisciplinary scholar with a sustained research practice investigating the community art studio as a therapeutic site for individual, family and community healing. She is founder of ArtStreet, an art studio with Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless, OFFCenter Community Arts Project, an arts-based public homeplace in downtown Albuquerque and "Kitchen Table Arts," which was housed in a thrift store in Nelson, BC and spawned "Children of the Seams" a youth collective that remakes fashion from discarded clothing. Her current research and training sites include a storefront in St. Henri, "La Ruche d'Art: Community Studio and Science Shop." Through this venue she intends to teach a therapeutic studio model and encourage a network of art hives to develop throughout the rest of Quebec and across Canada.
Jason Pearson, TRUTHstudio; Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council
Jason is Executive Director of the Sustainable Purchasing Council and Principal of TRUTHstudio. He is an experienced non-profit executive, strategist, and facilitator who has led the creation of several successful initiatives related to supply chain sustainability. As President & CEO of GreenBlue he grew multi-stakeholder sustainability initiatives in a number of sectors, including the Sustainable Packaging Coalition for packaging and CleanGredients for chemical products. Since 2010, Jason’s consultancy, TRUTHstudio, has provided strategy, visualization, and facilitation support to organizations working in the public interest, including the US EPA, World Wildlife Fund, World Resources Institute, The Nature Conservancy, EDF, and the Green Products Roundtable. Each engagement has focused on developing effective, long-term sustainability strategies that connect a specific action plan with larger objectives. Jason has a deep understanding of the market dynamics related to business-to-business, business-to-consumer, and business-to-government green product purchasing. He has held previous positions in government, non-profit, foundation, and private sectors.
Jason is Executive Director of the Sustainable Purchasing Council and Principal of TRUTHstudio. He is an experienced non-profit executive, strategist, and facilitator who has led the creation of several successful initiatives related to supply chain sustainability. As President & CEO of GreenBlue he grew multi-stakeholder sustainability initiatives in a number of sectors, including the Sustainable Packaging Coalition for packaging and CleanGredients for chemical products. Since 2010, Jason’s consultancy, TRUTHstudio, has provided strategy, visualization, and facilitation support to organizations working in the public interest, including the US EPA, World Wildlife Fund, World Resources Institute, The Nature Conservancy, EDF, and the Green Products Roundtable. Each engagement has focused on developing effective, long-term sustainability strategies that connect a specific action plan with larger objectives. Jason has a deep understanding of the market dynamics related to business-to-business, business-to-consumer, and business-to-government green product purchasing. He has held previous positions in government, non-profit, foundation, and private sectors.
Jeffrey Barber, Integrative Strategies Forum; North American Roundtable on Sustainable Production and Consumption
Since 1992, Jeffrey Barber has worked with a range of civil society networks and organizations around the world committed to sustainability and public participation. As Executive Director of Integrative Strategies Forum (ISF), Mr.Barber has helped develop policy networks and campaigns promoting sustainable production and consumption policy at the UN Commission on Sustainable Development and various other fora. Mr. Barber is a member of the Executive Committee of the Sustainable Consumption Research and Action Initiative (SCORAI) and one of the founding members of the North American Sustainable Consumption Alliance (NASCA), the International Coalition for Sustainable Production and Consumption (ICSPAC), the Taskforce on Business and Industry (ToBI), the Sustainable Development Issues Network (SDIN), the Global Research Forum on Sustainable Production and Consumption (GRF-SPC), and most recently the North American Roundtable on Sustainable Production and Consumption (NARSPAC), in addition to other networks and research initiatives. Prior to ISF, Mr. Barber was director of media research at Peter D. Hart Research, developing typologies of news audiences, following a history of consumer and market research at Arbitron Ratings Company, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and SRI International. Mr. Barber received his BA in experimental psychology and MA in interdisciplinary social science from San Francisco State University.
Since 1992, Jeffrey Barber has worked with a range of civil society networks and organizations around the world committed to sustainability and public participation. As Executive Director of Integrative Strategies Forum (ISF), Mr.Barber has helped develop policy networks and campaigns promoting sustainable production and consumption policy at the UN Commission on Sustainable Development and various other fora. Mr. Barber is a member of the Executive Committee of the Sustainable Consumption Research and Action Initiative (SCORAI) and one of the founding members of the North American Sustainable Consumption Alliance (NASCA), the International Coalition for Sustainable Production and Consumption (ICSPAC), the Taskforce on Business and Industry (ToBI), the Sustainable Development Issues Network (SDIN), the Global Research Forum on Sustainable Production and Consumption (GRF-SPC), and most recently the North American Roundtable on Sustainable Production and Consumption (NARSPAC), in addition to other networks and research initiatives. Prior to ISF, Mr. Barber was director of media research at Peter D. Hart Research, developing typologies of news audiences, following a history of consumer and market research at Arbitron Ratings Company, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and SRI International. Mr. Barber received his BA in experimental psychology and MA in interdisciplinary social science from San Francisco State University.
Jennie Curtis, The Garfield Foundation
Jennie Curtis is the originating executive director of the Garfield Foundation. Before joining the Garfield Foundation, Jennie managed a donor advised fund at the Marion Foundation. Prior to that, Jennie spent ten years managing humanitarian refugee relief programs for International Rescue Committee in Pakistan, Thailand, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. From 1985-1987 she served as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand.
Jennie Curtis is the originating executive director of the Garfield Foundation. Before joining the Garfield Foundation, Jennie managed a donor advised fund at the Marion Foundation. Prior to that, Jennie spent ten years managing humanitarian refugee relief programs for International Rescue Committee in Pakistan, Thailand, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. From 1985-1987 she served as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand.
Joe Hsueh, Academy for Systemic Change
Joe Hsueh is a lecturer, consultant and researcher in system dynamics, learning organization and large systems change. He teaches systems thinking at MIT Sloan School’s IDEAS Program and co-founded the Academy for Systemic Change. He uses participatory systems maps to help multi-stakeholder groups see the larger system and identify leverage points for collective impact. Joe’s past projects include sustainable fisheries, toxics reduction and equitable manufacturing in apparel supply chains, and K-12 education reform.
Joe Hsueh is a lecturer, consultant and researcher in system dynamics, learning organization and large systems change. He teaches systems thinking at MIT Sloan School’s IDEAS Program and co-founded the Academy for Systemic Change. He uses participatory systems maps to help multi-stakeholder groups see the larger system and identify leverage points for collective impact. Joe’s past projects include sustainable fisheries, toxics reduction and equitable manufacturing in apparel supply chains, and K-12 education reform.
John Cawley, J. W. McConnell Family Foundation
John currently works as the Program Manager at The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation with particular responsibility for the Foundation’s initiatives with universities, youth engagement and the sport for development movement. He worked in the community sector in Canada and in developing countries for over 25 years – as a front-line practitioner, program evaluator and senior leader. He has degrees from Queen’s, Sussex, Ottawa and McGill in fields ranging from intellectual history to agricultural economics and management. He is an active board member of several community and international organizations focusing on citizen engagement.
John currently works as the Program Manager at The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation with particular responsibility for the Foundation’s initiatives with universities, youth engagement and the sport for development movement. He worked in the community sector in Canada and in developing countries for over 25 years – as a front-line practitioner, program evaluator and senior leader. He has degrees from Queen’s, Sussex, Ottawa and McGill in fields ranging from intellectual history to agricultural economics and management. He is an active board member of several community and international organizations focusing on citizen engagement.
John Fullerton, The Capital Institute
John Fullerton is the Founder and President of Capital Institute, a collaborative space working to transform finance to serve a more just, regenerative, and sustainable economic system. Through the work of Capital Institute, regular public speaking engagements, and university lectures, John has become a recognized thought leader in the New Economy space generally, and the financial system transformation challenge in particular. He is a recognized leading practitioner in the “impact investment” space as the Principal of Level 3 Capital Advisors, LLC. Level 3’s direct investments are primarily focused on sustainable, regenerative land use, food, and water issues. Through both Capital Institute and Level 3, John brings a unique theory and practice approach to financial system transformation.
John Fullerton is the Founder and President of Capital Institute, a collaborative space working to transform finance to serve a more just, regenerative, and sustainable economic system. Through the work of Capital Institute, regular public speaking engagements, and university lectures, John has become a recognized thought leader in the New Economy space generally, and the financial system transformation challenge in particular. He is a recognized leading practitioner in the “impact investment” space as the Principal of Level 3 Capital Advisors, LLC. Level 3’s direct investments are primarily focused on sustainable, regenerative land use, food, and water issues. Through both Capital Institute and Level 3, John brings a unique theory and practice approach to financial system transformation.
John Richardson, Blackstone Ranch Institute
During the early 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s John investigated the world's most complex humanitarian relief operations in Africa and the Balkans as a troubleshooter for the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF). He has also been an adjunct professor of international politics at the University of New Mexico, a mediator in civil disputes, and written about travel and politics for a variety of national publications. He was a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in central Africa in the late 1970s. He lives in Taos, New Mexico.
During the early 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s John investigated the world's most complex humanitarian relief operations in Africa and the Balkans as a troubleshooter for the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF). He has also been an adjunct professor of international politics at the University of New Mexico, a mediator in civil disputes, and written about travel and politics for a variety of national publications. He was a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in central Africa in the late 1970s. He lives in Taos, New Mexico.
Ken Geiser, University of Massachussetts Lowell Center for Sustainable Production (emeritus)
Kenneth Geiser is an internationally recognized specialist on pollution prevention, clean production and industrial chemicals policy. He is both a Professor of Work Environment at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Co-Director of the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production. He is one of the authors of the 1989 Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute Act, landmark legislation that has encouraged companies to reduce their use of toxic chemicals by 41 percent since 1989. He has served as a policy advisor to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, several states, and the United Nations Environment Program and has served on the boards of several environmental advocacy organizations.
Kenneth Geiser is an internationally recognized specialist on pollution prevention, clean production and industrial chemicals policy. He is both a Professor of Work Environment at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Co-Director of the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production. He is one of the authors of the 1989 Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute Act, landmark legislation that has encouraged companies to reduce their use of toxic chemicals by 41 percent since 1989. He has served as a policy advisor to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, several states, and the United Nations Environment Program and has served on the boards of several environmental advocacy organizations.
Linda Booth Sweeney, Systems Educator
Linda Booth Sweeney is a systems educator, researcher and author of several books including The Systems Thinking Playbook (co-authored with Dennis Meadows) and Connected Wisdom: Living Stories about Living Systems (Chelsea Green, 2009). She supports systemic change on a variety of complex issues including childhood obesity, food systems, climate change and production/consumption patterns through systems dynamics maps, visuals, stories and interactive engagement. (See: www.lindaboothsweeney.net)
Linda Booth Sweeney is a systems educator, researcher and author of several books including The Systems Thinking Playbook (co-authored with Dennis Meadows) and Connected Wisdom: Living Stories about Living Systems (Chelsea Green, 2009). She supports systemic change on a variety of complex issues including childhood obesity, food systems, climate change and production/consumption patterns through systems dynamics maps, visuals, stories and interactive engagement. (See: www.lindaboothsweeney.net)
Mary Rowe, Municipal Art Society of New York
Mary W. Rowe is Vice President, Managing Director for the Municipal Art Society of New York, where she supports the work of her colleagues to research, train and advocate for city building practices and policies that build economic vitality, cultural vibrancy, environmental sustainability and social diversity. Her particular charge at MAS includes creating learning networks of practitioners working to foster urban livability and resilience. Her engagement with MAS follows five years of work in the recovering city of New Orleans, most recently as coordinator of the New Orleans Institute for Resilience and Innovation, a loose alliance of initiatives that emerged in response to the systemic collapses of 2005.
Mary W. Rowe is Vice President, Managing Director for the Municipal Art Society of New York, where she supports the work of her colleagues to research, train and advocate for city building practices and policies that build economic vitality, cultural vibrancy, environmental sustainability and social diversity. Her particular charge at MAS includes creating learning networks of practitioners working to foster urban livability and resilience. Her engagement with MAS follows five years of work in the recovering city of New Orleans, most recently as coordinator of the New Orleans Institute for Resilience and Innovation, a loose alliance of initiatives that emerged in response to the systemic collapses of 2005.
Melissa Vernon, Interface
Melissa is the Director of Sustainable Strategy for Interface. She is responsible for maximizing business opportunities for Interface by strategically leveraging Interface’s leadership in sustainable development. She works closely with technical, marketing, and sales to develop strategies, programs, and tools for account executives, which enable them to educate their customers about sustainability. She also researches and addresses trends and opportunities in the green product market. As a liaison between several Interface departments, she ensures that Interface customers receive a more holistic approach in creating commercial interior environments to meet the needs of client, community, and the environment. Melissa also oversees the company’s image, messaging, and presence at key environmental conferences.
Melissa is the Director of Sustainable Strategy for Interface. She is responsible for maximizing business opportunities for Interface by strategically leveraging Interface’s leadership in sustainable development. She works closely with technical, marketing, and sales to develop strategies, programs, and tools for account executives, which enable them to educate their customers about sustainability. She also researches and addresses trends and opportunities in the green product market. As a liaison between several Interface departments, she ensures that Interface customers receive a more holistic approach in creating commercial interior environments to meet the needs of client, community, and the environment. Melissa also oversees the company’s image, messaging, and presence at key environmental conferences.
Michael O'Heaney, The Story of Stuff Project
Michael brings over fifteen years experience as an advocate, fundraiser and consultant to his role as Co-Director. As the Project’s lead program developer and fundraiser, Michael focuses on providing the over 300,000 members of the Story of Stuff community with the tailored content and tools they need to engage in collective learning and social change efforts. Prior to joining The Story of Stuff Project, Michael developed fundraising and communications strategies for environmental, civil rights, reproductive justice and media reform organizations as the principal of Channing Way Consulting. He also served as the Development Director of two San Francisco Bay Area-based advocacy organizations—Global Exchange and Pacific Environment.
Michael brings over fifteen years experience as an advocate, fundraiser and consultant to his role as Co-Director. As the Project’s lead program developer and fundraiser, Michael focuses on providing the over 300,000 members of the Story of Stuff community with the tailored content and tools they need to engage in collective learning and social change efforts. Prior to joining The Story of Stuff Project, Michael developed fundraising and communications strategies for environmental, civil rights, reproductive justice and media reform organizations as the principal of Channing Way Consulting. He also served as the Development Director of two San Francisco Bay Area-based advocacy organizations—Global Exchange and Pacific Environment.
Monica Wilson, GAIA
Monica Wilson is GAIA's US and Canada Program Director. She has worked with GAIA since 2002, and served five years as GAIA's International Co-Coordinator. Monica serves on the board of the Grassroots Recycling Network, was previously on the board of the Northern California Recycling Association, and is a master composter. In 2012 she was honored to be named by the California Resource Recovery Association as "Recycler of the Year" together with GAIA's US & Canada Program, for achievement in the field. Monica is based in GAIA's Berkeley, U.S. office.
Monica Wilson is GAIA's US and Canada Program Director. She has worked with GAIA since 2002, and served five years as GAIA's International Co-Coordinator. Monica serves on the board of the Grassroots Recycling Network, was previously on the board of the Northern California Recycling Association, and is a master composter. In 2012 she was honored to be named by the California Resource Recovery Association as "Recycler of the Year" together with GAIA's US & Canada Program, for achievement in the field. Monica is based in GAIA's Berkeley, U.S. office.
Nicole Anne Boyer, Adaptive Edge; One Earth
Nicole is a futurist and facilitator, specialising in catalysing positive disruptive innovations. She is passionate about helping leaders create better futures, and has more than 15 years experience with future-visioning projects ranging from the future of healthcare and biosciences to manufacturing and consumption patterns. Nicole is Managing Director of Adaptive Edge, a firm specializing in futures thinking, strategy, and innovation.
Nicole is a futurist and facilitator, specialising in catalysing positive disruptive innovations. She is passionate about helping leaders create better futures, and has more than 15 years experience with future-visioning projects ranging from the future of healthcare and biosciences to manufacturing and consumption patterns. Nicole is Managing Director of Adaptive Edge, a firm specializing in futures thinking, strategy, and innovation.
Sadhu Johnston, City of Vancouver; Urban Sustainability Directors Network
As Deputy City Manager, Sadhu contributes to the overall management of the City of Vancouver. Sadhu oversees the environmental and emergency management areas within the City Manager’s Office including oversight of the implementation of the Greenest City Action Plan. Sadhu is a founder and co-chair of the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN), a network of over 120 municipal staff focused on greening their cities, representing over 50 million urban dwellers in North America. Sadhu is also chair of the executive committee of the STAR Community, which helps cities and counties achieve meaningful sustainability through the first national framework for local community efforts and tools that measure progress. Prior to moving to Vancouver, Sadhu served as Mayor Richard M. Daley’s Chief Environmental Officer responsible for the City of Chicago environmental initiatives. He also served as the Commissioner of the City of Chicago’s Department of Environment (DOE).
As Deputy City Manager, Sadhu contributes to the overall management of the City of Vancouver. Sadhu oversees the environmental and emergency management areas within the City Manager’s Office including oversight of the implementation of the Greenest City Action Plan. Sadhu is a founder and co-chair of the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN), a network of over 120 municipal staff focused on greening their cities, representing over 50 million urban dwellers in North America. Sadhu is also chair of the executive committee of the STAR Community, which helps cities and counties achieve meaningful sustainability through the first national framework for local community efforts and tools that measure progress. Prior to moving to Vancouver, Sadhu served as Mayor Richard M. Daley’s Chief Environmental Officer responsible for the City of Chicago environmental initiatives. He also served as the Commissioner of the City of Chicago’s Department of Environment (DOE).
Sally Edwards, University of Massachusetts Lowell Center for Sustainable Production
Sally Edwards directs the Sustainable Products Initiative at the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production. This initiative promotes the design and development of safer, healthier and greener products through engaging stakeholders, conducting research, and providing information that can spark innovative, environmentally sound solutions. She is currently developing a scorecard to measure corporate progress in the use of safer chemicals. Sally has over 25 years of experience in the field of environmental health, including 14 years at the US Environmental Protection Agency in Massachusetts and Alaska. She is also an adjunct professor at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and provides consulting services to businesses and NGOs to support the development of sustainable products.
Sally Edwards directs the Sustainable Products Initiative at the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production. This initiative promotes the design and development of safer, healthier and greener products through engaging stakeholders, conducting research, and providing information that can spark innovative, environmentally sound solutions. She is currently developing a scorecard to measure corporate progress in the use of safer chemicals. Sally has over 25 years of experience in the field of environmental health, including 14 years at the US Environmental Protection Agency in Massachusetts and Alaska. She is also an adjunct professor at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and provides consulting services to businesses and NGOs to support the development of sustainable products.
Sheila Davis, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition
Over the past 10 years, Sheila Davis has played a valuable role at SVTC and in shaping environmental policy in the high-tech industry. She is one of the co-founders of the Computer TakeBack Campaign and sits on its steering committee. In 1996 she researched and developed the first electronic recycling legislation to reach the California Governor’s desk and in 1999 spearheaded the first pilot programs in the country to collect and recycle electronic waste from the residential curbside. Before becoming SVTC’s executive director, she served as program director of SVTC’s Sustainable Technologies Program (formerly the Clean Computer Campaign). Sheila’s research, advocacy and policy development led to a successful ban on hazardous electronic waste from the California municipal landfills and the subsequent passage of the first electronic recycling legislation in the nation.
Over the past 10 years, Sheila Davis has played a valuable role at SVTC and in shaping environmental policy in the high-tech industry. She is one of the co-founders of the Computer TakeBack Campaign and sits on its steering committee. In 1996 she researched and developed the first electronic recycling legislation to reach the California Governor’s desk and in 1999 spearheaded the first pilot programs in the country to collect and recycle electronic waste from the residential curbside. Before becoming SVTC’s executive director, she served as program director of SVTC’s Sustainable Technologies Program (formerly the Clean Computer Campaign). Sheila’s research, advocacy and policy development led to a successful ban on hazardous electronic waste from the California municipal landfills and the subsequent passage of the first electronic recycling legislation in the nation.
Sue Chiang, Center for Environmental Health
Sue Chiang is the Pollution Prevention Program Co-Director at the Center for Environmental Health. Sue is excited to be leading and creating a new market-based project related to fracked natural gas under CEH’s Energy and Environmental Health program. For over 7 years, Sue managed CEH’s work to create market incentives for the electronics industry to design, manufacture, and dispose of their products in a way that protects public and environmental health. She served on the steering committee of the national Electronics TakeBack Coalition, and as a fierce advocate and the leading NGO stakeholder for the development of strong, credible international environmental standards under the EPEAT eco-label for electronics. Sue has over two decades of experience in the environmental health field including as a consultant to the San Francisco Foundation where she provided capacity building opportunities for the Environmental Health and Justice Initiative’s grantees; as Community Health Advocate at Greenaction, where she served as a liaison to the national HealthCare without Harm Campaign and played a leading role in linking community organizing efforts in Northern California against dangerous medical waste incineration practices to upstream pollution prevention strategies with hospitals; Sue also spent over four years at Environmental Defense Fund researching community right-to-know issues, investigating Proposition 65 cases, and conducting grassroots outreach for EDF’s Chemical Scorecard. Sue received a B.A. degree in Environmental Science from Barnard College, Columbia University and completed a double-masters program at University of California Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy and the Graduate School of Public Health, where she was a recipient of the prestigious Switzer Environmental Fellowship.
Sue Chiang is the Pollution Prevention Program Co-Director at the Center for Environmental Health. Sue is excited to be leading and creating a new market-based project related to fracked natural gas under CEH’s Energy and Environmental Health program. For over 7 years, Sue managed CEH’s work to create market incentives for the electronics industry to design, manufacture, and dispose of their products in a way that protects public and environmental health. She served on the steering committee of the national Electronics TakeBack Coalition, and as a fierce advocate and the leading NGO stakeholder for the development of strong, credible international environmental standards under the EPEAT eco-label for electronics. Sue has over two decades of experience in the environmental health field including as a consultant to the San Francisco Foundation where she provided capacity building opportunities for the Environmental Health and Justice Initiative’s grantees; as Community Health Advocate at Greenaction, where she served as a liaison to the national HealthCare without Harm Campaign and played a leading role in linking community organizing efforts in Northern California against dangerous medical waste incineration practices to upstream pollution prevention strategies with hospitals; Sue also spent over four years at Environmental Defense Fund researching community right-to-know issues, investigating Proposition 65 cases, and conducting grassroots outreach for EDF’s Chemical Scorecard. Sue received a B.A. degree in Environmental Science from Barnard College, Columbia University and completed a double-masters program at University of California Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy and the Graduate School of Public Health, where she was a recipient of the prestigious Switzer Environmental Fellowship.
Susie Seidelman, Johnson Foundation at Wingspread
Susie Seidelman is the Environment Program Associate at The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread. She manages all externally-driven environmental conferences, from the participant selection process through the convening of meetings at Wingspread, helping co-sponsoring organizations develop strong, actionable solutions to tough environmental challenges. Prior to joining The Johnson Foundation, Susie worked with Wisconsin Public Radio, the City of Milwaukee Election Commission, and the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. She graduated from Oberlin College in 2003 with a BA in English/Cinema, and in 2010 she received her MA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Media Studies. Susie is also on the boards of the Center for Resilient Cities and the UWM LGBT Alumni Association.
Susie Seidelman is the Environment Program Associate at The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread. She manages all externally-driven environmental conferences, from the participant selection process through the convening of meetings at Wingspread, helping co-sponsoring organizations develop strong, actionable solutions to tough environmental challenges. Prior to joining The Johnson Foundation, Susie worked with Wisconsin Public Radio, the City of Milwaukee Election Commission, and the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. She graduated from Oberlin College in 2003 with a BA in English/Cinema, and in 2010 she received her MA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Media Studies. Susie is also on the boards of the Center for Resilient Cities and the UWM LGBT Alumni Association.
Todd Lester, Arts-Policy Nexus @ the World Policy Institute; Lanchonete.org; FreeDimensional; Creative Resistance Fund
Todd Lester has worked in leadership, advocacy and strategic communications roles at Reporters sans frontiers, the Astraea Lesbian Justice Foundation, and most recently as the Executive Director of the Global Arts Corps, an organization that creates theatre to advance reconciliation in societies emerging from violent conflict. He founded freeDimensional & the Creative Resistance Fund, an organization that helps activists-in-distress by providing safe haven in artist residencies. He is simultaneously launching two new projects, the Arts-Policy Nexus at the World Policy Institute and Lanchonete.org, a 5-year experiment in artistic witnessing focused on a neighborhood in the center of São Paulo.
Todd Lester has worked in leadership, advocacy and strategic communications roles at Reporters sans frontiers, the Astraea Lesbian Justice Foundation, and most recently as the Executive Director of the Global Arts Corps, an organization that creates theatre to advance reconciliation in societies emerging from violent conflict. He founded freeDimensional & the Creative Resistance Fund, an organization that helps activists-in-distress by providing safe haven in artist residencies. He is simultaneously launching two new projects, the Arts-Policy Nexus at the World Policy Institute and Lanchonete.org, a 5-year experiment in artistic witnessing focused on a neighborhood in the center of São Paulo.
Vanessa Timmer, One Earth
Vanessa Timmer is the Executive Director of One Earth, a Vancouver-based “think and do tank” focused on sustainable consumption and production across scales with partners including The Sustainability Funders. One Earth is facilitating the New Economies theme of Cities for People, initiated by The J. W. McConnell Family Foundation – a national experiment in taking collaborative action to create more resilient and livable cities. Vanessa is also an Associate with Harvard University's Sustainability Science Program focused on innovation. She teaches sustainability and systems thinking, and co-hosts the television show, The Sustainable Region. In 2013, Vanessa was named one of Business in Vancouver’s Top Forty under 40. Locally, the team advises the City and Metro Vancouver and promotes eco-industrial networking through the National Industrial Symbiosis Program - Canada. One Earth is also co-leading a global campaign to create positive and compelling visions of life in sustainable futures.
Vanessa Timmer is the Executive Director of One Earth, a Vancouver-based “think and do tank” focused on sustainable consumption and production across scales with partners including The Sustainability Funders. One Earth is facilitating the New Economies theme of Cities for People, initiated by The J. W. McConnell Family Foundation – a national experiment in taking collaborative action to create more resilient and livable cities. Vanessa is also an Associate with Harvard University's Sustainability Science Program focused on innovation. She teaches sustainability and systems thinking, and co-hosts the television show, The Sustainable Region. In 2013, Vanessa was named one of Business in Vancouver’s Top Forty under 40. Locally, the team advises the City and Metro Vancouver and promotes eco-industrial networking through the National Industrial Symbiosis Program - Canada. One Earth is also co-leading a global campaign to create positive and compelling visions of life in sustainable futures.
Wendy Philleo, Center for a New American Dream
Wendy brings 20 years of experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic fields in the areas of environment and natural resource management, community development, women's empowerment, advocacy, and civic engagement. Prior to joining New Dream, Wendy ran a philanthropy and nonprofit consulting business. She also worked as a program officer at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, focusing on protecting freshwater, public lands, and wilderness in the west. Prior to that, she served as a program officer at the David and Lucile Packard Foundation where she designed and ran a $25 million, five-year cross-cutting initiative on population, health, and environment. Before working in philanthropy, Wendy was a program officer at the World Wildlife Fund working on the adoption of a priority-setting strategy for global biodiversity conservation (Global 200) and on developing an ecoregional approach to conservation. She has also worked for WorldWIDE Network (Women in Development and Environment) and for the United Nations Environment Programme.
Wendy brings 20 years of experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic fields in the areas of environment and natural resource management, community development, women's empowerment, advocacy, and civic engagement. Prior to joining New Dream, Wendy ran a philanthropy and nonprofit consulting business. She also worked as a program officer at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, focusing on protecting freshwater, public lands, and wilderness in the west. Prior to that, she served as a program officer at the David and Lucile Packard Foundation where she designed and ran a $25 million, five-year cross-cutting initiative on population, health, and environment. Before working in philanthropy, Wendy was a program officer at the World Wildlife Fund working on the adoption of a priority-setting strategy for global biodiversity conservation (Global 200) and on developing an ecoregional approach to conservation. She has also worked for WorldWIDE Network (Women in Development and Environment) and for the United Nations Environment Programme.