Embracing the Future: My Journey into Climate Leadership: Agroecology & Carbon Capture

?? We are all part of nature.? We are not separate from nature.??

?? My Journey

My journey into the world of climate activism and leadership began with a profound appreciation for nature and a strong desire to protect it.? At the age of 5, I began picking up plastic off the beach in FL because I knew the harm it would cause if marine life ate it.? I wrote letters to several leaders in Japan ages 7-10 urging them to stop killing whales, and I organized my 3rd grade class to adopt sea turtles and gray whales.???

I pursued education in Organizational and Health Psychology because I felt the interconnection of our well being and the planet's well being.? I felt at that time the greatest lever I could take towards protecting people and planet was to inspire the hearts and minds of business leaders to create business motivated through a deeper sense of purpose and meaning.??

Business leaders have the greatest opportunity and responsibility to create companies that serve the greatest good. Patagonia was the first B corp in CA and their ethos on responsible and conscious business is still the gold standard.??Many of us don't trust our governments, but can we inspire the transformation we are seeking in the world through business? I am rooting for it!

?The Catalyst?

After serving for two years as a senior lecturer on topics related to leadership and well being at 美国斯坦福大学 I attended an international climate science conference. At this gathering, the biggest and most reputable climate scientists came together for 1 day to share the latest science and some of the solutions needed from the 2016 IPCC report.? The information at that conference horrified me and I thought, " What can I do?" A series of escalating steps as a climate leader unfolded.

1. In 2014, I began teaching on the intersection of leadership, climate change, and spirituality at Stanford.?
2. In 2016, I began writing my book , Shine to inspire the new paradigm of people and sustainability first leaders.?
3. In 2019, I attended Al Gores Climate Reality Leadership training.??
4. In 2021, my book ,debuted.

During the four years of writing my book, I brought in the science and application of a powerful framework of conscious leadership capabilities with climate science, stories, and distilling what were the most important levers leaders and business could invest in to reverse climate change.

The biggest levers include:

• The education and empowerment of women and girls into leadership roles.
• Being mindful of our energy consumption and converting to clean energy and renewable resources.?
• The stewardship of land and water through agro-ecology.??

?? Reimagining the Future of Farming??

As we look towards a more sustainable future, the importance of our energy demands and being mindful of consumption has never been more evident.? It seems sensible enough right? If our current food production practices use too much water or emit too much greenhouse gas, we ought to replace them with practices that use less or generate less.

Science tells us in the US, we have depleted 75% of our soil and we have 30 harvests left based on the current farming practices. Furthermore, the nutritional quality of food has decreased by 50% based on our farming practices. This is completely connected to the rise in psychological and physiological health. Our well being is intricately connected to the planets well being.

Radically reimagining our food system will help to solve some of the largest social and ecological problems we are facing worldwide.? Without a great food system transformation, the world will fail to deliver both on the SDGs and the Paris Climate Agreement.?

?? Due to the importance of shifting our farming practices and the importance of soil health, I completed a month-long course in Climate Farm School with Terra.do .? I learned first hand that one of the biggest solutions to climate change is that we all learn to be farmers. This was further ignited after speaking with the producers of Common Ground in my recent podcast episode about all things big ag, pharmaceuticals, and when eating really is activism.

Changing our farming, eating, and distribution practices is a "long game". It's multifaceted from learning about regenerative farming practices and advocating loudly and courageously for a new farm bill in 2025. This new farm bill will empower regenerative practices for soil health, crop diversity, support small and bipoc farmers, and enhance resilience to climate change that sequesters carbon in the soil.??

?? What are the benefits of scaling regenerative agriculture practices?

• Soil Health: Healthy soils are the foundation of a thriving ecosystem. Practices such as cover cropping, crop rotation, and reduced tillage help build organic matter, improve soil structure, and enhance microbial activity.
• Biodiversity: Encouraging a diverse range of plants and animals on farms creates a more resilient ecosystem, reduces pest pressures, and promotes pollinator health.
• Carbon Sequestration: By adopting practices that increase soil organic matter, regenerative agriculture can capture and store carbon dioxide, mitigating climate change.

I am grateful for the leaders and companies who are driving solutions forward for a sustainable food system.

?? My Vision. I envision a world where leaders are trained in the people skills to inspire and influence a people and sustainability first culture. Every company realizes that based on the implications of climate change that every job is a climate job.? I believe that through some discomfort, wisdom, and change, we can hospice out systems that no longer serve to create a clean energy world where regenerative agriculture is the norm, not the exception.

?My desire and intention is to use my passion and skills to support the leaders invested in the forefront of the movements of clean energy, carbon sequestration, regenerative agriculture, and climate solutions.

?? Let’s Connect. I love meeting and collaborating with like-minded professionals, organizations, and thought leaders who share this vision and need people to support that vision. Whether you’re involved in farming, policy-making, renewables, or carbon sequestration, research, or education. I believe that together we can make a significant impact.??I am open to connection calls and/or opportunities. I look forward to hearing from you.

?? The Value I Bring. I am a beginning farmer and climate leader who is recognized as a strategic, data driven, and heart centered HR and Learning and Development Partner.? I am skilled at defining and implementing strategic initiatives, developing high trust stakeholder relationships, sales and partnerships, and effectively communicating at all levels of an organization to address business and people needs. My expertise and enthusiasm falls within organizational, talent, DEI, coaching, learning, and leadership development.? If your organization is looking for a dedicated, forward-thinking people leader to join your team, let’s connect! I’m excited to contribute to projects that promote sustainability, innovation, and positive change.

??Honoring Indigenous Wisdom and People

Reflecting on this time of year in America isn't just about fireworks and flags - it's a moment to honor the resilience of Indigenous peoples, whose land stewardship and wisdom in regenerative agriculture sustain us all.?

Today, many communities continue to fight for sovereignty and reconciliation. Embracing regenerative agriculture, rooted in Indigenous wisdom, honors their stewardship of the land and offers a path to coexist and nurture nature for a thriving future.

#RegenerativeAgriculture #Sustainability #ClimateAction #Biodiversity #SoilHealth #GreenJobs #AgTech #EnvironmentalStewardship #RenewableEnergy #LeadershipDevelopment