As we move into 2026, I find myself reflecting deeply on how the values nurtured through the Beahrs Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) continue to shape my daily work as an Environmental Educator and civil society leader in Kenya. My journey has been guided by three interwoven pillars: community-based action, the ethical framework of Laudato Si’, and the systems leadership approach advanced through Beahrs ELP. 

Laudato Si’ as a Living Guide for Community Work.

Laudato Si’ has become a practical compass in my daily work across communities, faith institutions, schools, and civil society spaces. Its emphasis on the interconnection between social justice, environmental protection, and human dignity strongly resonates in Kenyan contexts where climate change directly affects livelihoods, food systems, and social cohesion. 

Community-centered environmental work — particularly in arid and semi-arid regions — demands inclusive and locally grounded solutions: conservation of biodiversity, climate-resilient livelihoods, sustainable housing, waste management, and green jobs for youth. Laudato Si’ reinforces the belief that environmental leadership must be ethical, participatory, and anchored in solidarity with the most vulnerable. 

Systems Leadership through Beahrs ELP: From Theory to Practice 

A defining milestone in my continued engagement with Beahrs ELP was my participation in the Systems Leadership program organized under the leadership of Lisa Dreier, with the support of the Beahrs ELP team at UC Berkeley. This experience deepened my understanding that complex challenges — climate change, inequality, environmental degradation — cannot be addressed through isolated interventions. 

The systems leadership journey strengthened my ability to: 

• Understand challenges as interconnected systems 

• Convene diverse stakeholders across sectors and disciplines 

• Practice adaptive leadership and continuous learning 

• Focus on long-term, transformative impact rather than short-term outputs 

These principles now guide how I design community programs, facilitate dialogue, and build partnerships across Kenya. 

Reconnecting as Alumni: A Spark for Regional Collaboration 

Recently, I had the opportunity to reunite with fellow Beahrs ELP alumni — Violet Kirigua of KALRO, Jacky Oyugi of the Human Needs Project, and Jonathan Gichuru. Our conversation was both reflective and forward-looking. Despite working in different sectors — — we recognized a shared commitment to environmental leadership, social justice, and systems thinking. 

This reunion reaffirmed a common realization: East Africa has immense Beahrs ELP leadership capital that remains largely untapped as a collective force. Individually, alumni are making meaningful contributions. Together, we could co-create platforms with far greater reach and influence. 

A Shared Vision for East Africa Beahrs ELP Alumni 

From this reconnection emerged a shared vision to intentionally bring together Beahrs ELP alumni from across East Africa — Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and beyond — to explore collaborative action. 

Our early thinking points toward: 

• Establishing a regional Beahrs ELP alumni convening platform or hub 

• Designing joint community demonstration projects grounded in systems leadership 

• Supporting youth leadership and green job pathways 

• Strengthening links with universities, research institutions, faith-based organizations, and development partners 

Such an initiative would translate Beahrs ELP values into visible, place-based impact while creating opportunities for learning, mentorship, and collaboration across the region. 

Looking Ahead: From Connection to Collective Action 

Both Laudato Si’ and the Beahrs ELP systems leadership approach remind us that meaningful change grows from relationships, shared purpose, and sustained collaboration. Reconnecting with fellow alumni has reinforced my belief that the next chapter of Beahrs ELP impact in East Africa can be shaped by alumni themselves — grounded in community realities and connected to global knowledge. 

I warmly invite Beahrs ELP alumni across East Africa and beyond to reconnect, share ideas, and explore how we might collectively nurture this emerging vision. 

“Everything is connected.” — Laudato Si’  

[Blog preview photo credit: blog author Robert Wandera Odonya]