'If want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together'

African Proverb

Collaborations, Mentorships and Partnerships

Co-creation is central to my approach to life and that comes in many forms. There is no original idea and we don't do things alone there are always people that we are collaborating with or inspired by through their life's work and experiences.

Collaborations and Direct Influences

Peggy Oki

I helped bring Peggy on as the graduation speaker for the class of 2020 at Green School. I have so much admiration for her spirit, passion and drive. She is a reminder that age is just a number and gender is a construct. Peggy has been breaking the mold and challenging norms from her high days as the only female skate with the Z-Boys from Dogtown in Venice Beach California. She is an ardent activist with her own cause, the Origami Whales Project. For the past forty years she has worked to protect Whales and Dolphins. It was great to collaborate with her for World's Ocean day, along with Ric O'Barry to release 7 dolphins that were in captivity in Indonesian hotels.

Kiran "Madame" Gandhi

I worked to bring Kiran in as our Graduate Speaker for the class of 2019. This had a profound impact not only on our community but coming into contact with her was a personal revelation for me. She has beat the system teaches us that to be true to ourselves, "We are not here to be second rate versions of someone else. We are here to be first rate versions of ourselves". Her insight comes from not just challenging the patriarchy but understanding it. She has mathematics degree from Georgetown and an MBA from Harvard. Touring as M.I.A's drummer and free bleeding the London Marathon are prime examples of how she rises up as a feminist. She is a role model for us to wise up and rise up for gender equity.

Alexandra Cousteau

I had an immediate connection with Alexandra. We have many shared life experiences. I studied Marine Biology as an undergrad and have all my life connected with the ocean. What I especially appreciate about her work is that transcends the simplicity of sustainable living and challenges us to think regeneratively. She not only carries on her father's legacy work and she brings hope for ocean abundance with her Ocean's 2050 campaign. We are still connected and are exchanging ideas for how to continue to integrate her mission with the world of education.

Steve Hoad

Steve and I are both Alumni of Bates College and that might have been the initial connection. Immediately after graduation, I volunteered with Americorps. This is where I met Steve. True to his "can" attitude that he has about life, he lives life to the fullest with his disability. Among the many experiences that he shared, Steve used to hitchhike! It was a very pivotal time in my life and Steve helped me think through some decisions that help set my course and career path.

Philip Zimbardo

Philip Zimbardo, on two occasions, visited Green School leaving a lasting impression with his training and lessons on the Heroic Imagination Project. The "Bystander Effect" is something has been incorporated into our curriculum and often referenced in the application of the Green School values. I personally embrace his philosophy and strive to be an every day "Upstander".

Geoffrey Canada

I saw this incredible human speak at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2001. I will never forget his message about not giving up. His stories are rife with life lessons and divergent thinking. He was featured in the film Waiting for Superman and is the founder of the Harlem Children's Zone a new model for education that is community-centered. He is an inspiration to improve access to learning.

Eve Ensler

No one has connected the women internationally and asked men to look in the mirror better than Eve Ensler. Her V-Day movement is something that I have embraced at Green School for the past 8 years. We have had the privilege of having her and check in with us annually during V-Day. She has inspired me to understand my gender role better. I actively work on my positive masculinity and consider Eve to be one of the biggest influences on my life.

Page updated

Report abuse