our Aspiration

FOUNDER & STUDENT PROGRAMS DIRECTOR

I launched Aspire Institute after being personally inspired while traveling with a group of American students in the Netherlands and internalized the immensely positive impact of having young people immerse themselves in a culture that takes a progressive approach to urban design and climate change mitigation. 

My professional background is in business and  international program development in the areas of  volunteering and service learning, as well as cultural and language immersion.  Previously, I've held  leadership positions at several internationally focussed nonprofits and have developed and launched programs in Asia, Latin America and Europe. 

Philosophically, I feel it's crucial that all Aspire Institute programs include a focus on equity and  environmental advocacy, as well as showcase inspiring solutions to challenges we are facing due to climate change. Through Aspire, I hope to inspire people to become more knowledgeable environmental advocates and activists.

PARTNER & PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS DIRECTOR

Through Aspire Institute I seek to change the way companies think, act and communicate around sustainability topics. 

I have a diverse set of professional experience ranging from environmental activism to advising major corporations on technology and sustainability strategy. Over the course of my career, I’ve taken on a variety of roles which have included responsibility for solution design, product development, marketing, and consulting.  My professional focus is on strategy, adoption of new technologies, optimising IT infrastructure and operations, and building immersive customer experiences and technology solutions that address sustainability issues.

I currently serve on sustainability committees for the iMasons and techUK and as a strategic advisor to GeSI and the SDIA. I earned a certification from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership in 2019 and have published work on topics ranging from digital asset management to sustainability strategy and the perils of carbon footprint and ESG reporting.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR

I am an independent transformative educator, researcher and artist interested in the ethics of cultural production and change.  Through Aspire Institute, I work with groups to bring about systemic change via a constellation of approaches including; rigorous study of systems of marginalization and injustice, somatic approaches to understanding and transformation, and cultivating the joys of collateral growth. I strongly believe information isn't enough -- that we learn best through forming social bonds and agreements and that people grow and thrive through "Whole Self" learning experiences.

I am the founder and director of Hey White Lady, a racial justice project started in Minneapolis in 2018, and a co-founder of Brass Solidarity, a street activist brass band started in response to the murder of George Floyd playing every Monday in George Floyd Square as part of the justice seeking occupation.  I am also a theater director and playwright, musician, photographer and poet, and the director of Creative Solidarity Consulting.

SUSTAINABILITY & EUROPEAN PROGRAMS ADVISOR

I am the founder of Sustainable Amsterdam and Delegations Lead for Amsterdam Smart City. I have worked on climate change, waste management, and urbanism projects in Vancouver and Amsterdam, and my work with Sustainable Amsterdam focuses on knowledge exchange and capacity building for international delegations interested in best practices for sustainable and smart urban development.  My role at Aspire is to assist with making connections to local experts, provide  general expertise on program development, and at times lead tours in Amsterdam.

ADVISOR

I am an urban and environmental sociologist, a lover of cities, and passionate about urban sustainability and equitable planning practices. I have two decades of experience as a sustainability and resilience educator and have brought students to Portland, Vancouver & Victoria, BC, and Mexico City to study urban sustainability, relying on bicycles, walking and transit as primary modes of transport.  Dimensions of sustainability studied include food systems, renewable energy, waste management, transportation, green buildings/architecture, green spaces/parks/trees, and water (stormwater management; access to clean water). 

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR

I am a student at Trinity College Dublin majoring in Political Science, Sociology, Philosophy and Economics. I took a gap year and travelled to Iceland, the Netherlands, France, Austria, Italy, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Germany, and England and I taught English in Nepal.   I spent one semester in Switzerland and have gone on cultural immersion programs to St Lucia and Sierra Leone.   I'm working on program development in Nepal and New Zealand, and will be leading student groups during the summer.