
Meet the Team
Team
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Justin Winters
Co-founder and Executive DirectorCloseDriven by a passion for nature, Justin Winters is committed to democratizing climate philanthropy in order to create an inclusive and impactful movement to address the climate crisis from the ground up. She is the Co-founder and Executive Director of One Earth, a nonprofit organization working to galvanize science, advocacy, and philanthropy to drive collective action on climate change. Through One Earth, she is focused on creating a vision for the world that is possible by 2050 – one in which humanity and nature coexist and thrive together. This vision is based on three pillars of action: 100% renewable energy, protection and restoration of 50% of the world’s lands and oceans, and a transition to regenerative, carbon-negative agriculture. Prior to One Earth, Justin served as Executive Director of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation for 13 years, where she built the organization’s grant-making program, which awarded over $100 million in grants across 60 countries and created a series of innovative philanthropic funds, including Oceans 5, Shark Conservation Fund, The Solutions Funds, Lion Recovery Fund, Elephant Crisis Fund, and Quick Response Fund for Nature.
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Karl Burkart
Co-founder and Deputy DirectorCloseKarl is the Deputy Director of One Earth and formerly the Director of Media, Science & Technology at the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. One Earth's Science Program supports academic institutions and NGOs working on the cutting edge of climate and energy science, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable food systems. Through grantmaking and development capacity, the program helps to turn science into action, empowering decision makers in government, civil society, and the private sector. Karl also oversees production and distribution of content across One Earth’s website and social media properties, along with award-winning initiatives such as the Global Safety Net, which was recently named a "World Changing Idea" by Fast Company. Karl is a contributing author to "A roadmap for repowering California for all purposes with wind, water, and sunlight" (Energy, 2014) and later spearheaded the development of the landmark textbook Achieving the Paris Climate Agreement Goals (Springer Nature, 2019). He is also co-author of “A Global Deal for Nature: Guiding Principles, Milestones, and Targets” (Science Advances, 2019), a scientific paper establishing the evidence base for an ambitious conservation agenda covering 50% of the world’s lands and seas, which was endorsed by the IUCN including an interim 30x30 target adopted by the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in 2022.
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Nuna Teal, PhD
Program DirectorCloseNuna implements the strategic vision of One Earth through support of on-the-ground action. She grew up on a large, diverse organic farm in Vermont that was also the site of a project by her father to study, domesticate and protect muskoxen for the economic use of their fine wool by indigenous peoples of the Far North. Conceived on Spitsbergen, Nuna traveled with the Sami and their reindeer, then migrated between the farm and Arctic wilderness and communities with the muskox project. After traveling the world on her own, studying dance and completing graduate studies in ecological anthropology, she returned to the family farm to rediscover a love for agriculture and raise two daughters. During the UN Year of Soil, she joined the Jena & Michael King Foundation in Los Angeles and served as its Executive Director for five years. Focusing on regenerative agriculture, healthy soils and climate, and also the general health of all beings, biodiversity and living systems, the foundation gave special attention to the rising youth and indigenous movements. Nuna currently serves on the Board of the Mni Wiconi Health Clinic & Farm, a model for decolonized, Lakota designed care to be built at Standing Rock.
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Jesse Ladner
Director of OperationsCloseJesse oversees One Earth’s internal operating systems. After a brief career in biotech he attended law school, and has since developed a versatile skill set for guiding nonprofit operations, finance, HR, technology, and risk management. Past roles have included Associate Counsel to the fund that provides benefits to members of NYC’s largest municipal employees union, Managing Director to a small but mighty nonprofit focused on advancing the standard of care for psychological trauma, and Associate Administrative Director to a leading democracy reform organization. Jesse was instilled with conservationist values early in life by his parents, activists who worked in the 1970s to protect the Hudson River from polluters and later to defend New York’s Catskill mountains from would-be deforesters. Outside of his day jobs, he has devoted himself to various causes he believes in, including finding ways to make himself useful in the effort to respond to the ongoing climate emergency. He lives with his partner, dog, and two young kids in western Massachusetts, where hiking trails are plentiful and they have been thrilled to spot groundhogs, bears, foxes, hawks, and a good deal of other wildlife from the back windows of their home.
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Zainab Salbi
Daughters for EarthCloseZainab Salbi is a celebrated humanitarian, author, and journalist. Oprah Winfrey identified her as one of the 25 women changing the world to People Magazine and Foreign Policy Magazine called Zainab one of “100 Top Global Thinkers”. Zainab is the Co-founder of Daughters for Earth, chief Awareness Officer at Find Center, and host of Redefined podcast. Zainab started her career when she was 23 years old as the founder and former CEO of Women for Women International, an organization to help women survivors of conflicts. She built the group from helping 30 women to reaching nearly half a million women and raising 146 million dollars in aids and microloans to help them and their families rebuild their lives. Zainab is also the author of a few books, including the national bestseller Between Two Worlds and her latest Freedom Is an Inside Job. She is also the creator and host of several shows, including #MeToo, Now What? on PBS, and Through Her Eyes with Zainab Salbi at Yahoo News.
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Edward Bell
Digital Media DirectorCloseEdward oversees One Earth’s digital ecosystem, including websites, social media accounts, and digital campaigns. Previously, Edward managed the Changefactor program that designed and built multiple websites for philanthropic coalitions, including the Lion Recovery Fund, Elephant Crisis Fund, Shark Conservation Fund, Quick Response Fund for Nature, Pangolin Crisis Fund, and Oceans 5, among others. Edward led the creation and distribution of all social media content for the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation and the Global Call for Climate Action. He has specialized in building and expanding digital presences for climate coalitions and environmental organizations since 2011. He lives in sunny Los Angeles with his partner and their collection of bioactive terrariums, unconventional pets, and a ridiculous amount of comic books.
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Danniele Miller
Program Manager, Daughters for EarthCloseDanniele is the Program Manager for One Earth’s Daughters for Earth campaign. Her passion for the environment is deeply influenced by the many women who paved the way to build a more sustainable world before her. Prior to One Earth, Danniele worked at Conservation International and Chesapeake Climate Action Network. Her past experience ranges from managing composting operations at a campus farm to local climate grassroots advocacy, and fundraising. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from Wilson College and a Masters in Environmental Law & Policy from Vermont Law School. Danniele currently resides in Maryland with her husband and their two goofy rescue dogs. In her spare time, she loves horseback riding, hiking in the mountains, and gardening.
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Kate Thomas
Philanthropy & Engagement ManagerCloseKate is the Philanthropy and Engagement Manager at One Earth, where she works to establish, strengthen, and diversify external partnerships and scale resources for on-the-ground climate action. She has broad experience working in environmental and policy-focused non-profits, including the RAND Corporation, the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, Canopy, and the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, where she oversaw the Global Wildlife and Landscape Conservation portfolio. Kate holds a master’s degree in Public Administration (environmental policy focus) and an undergraduate degree in Anthropology focusing on primate studies, both from Texas Tech University. She has a deep love and appreciation for wild places and the furry, feathered, and finned critters that call them home. Originally from Texas, Kate lives in Los Angeles with her partner and their french bulldog, Ibby.
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Sarah Hertel, M.Sc.
Program Manager, Science & PolicyCloseSarah is an environmental social scientist with a passion for addressing the twin crises of biodiversity and climate change through nature-based solutions. She has spent the last decade working in communications for various organizations, including World Resources Institute, The Nature Conservancy, the Society for Conservation Biology, and the Conservation Measures Partnership. At One Earth, Sarah assists the Deputy Director in overseeing the Global Safety Net project, conducting research on natural climate solutions, and managing One Earth's extensive citations library. She holds a dual B.A. in Journalism and History from American University, an M.Sc. in Environmental Conservation from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and is currently a Ph.D. Candidate in Environmental Science and Policy at George Mason University. Sarah lives just outside of Washington, D.C. with her husband and two little dogs.
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Patrick Stephen Brown
Digital Media ProducerClosePatrick is a content producer who specializes in video editing, web and graphic design, and online presence. He has worked with numerous clients, most notably: The Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, Bruning Law Group, The Nebraska American Civil Liberties Union, The Office of the New York State Attorney General, Author Pamela L. Newton, and Cubcoats. Patrick is an alumni of The Los Angeles Film School and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
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Lindsey Jean Schueman
Writer and Content ProducerCloseLindsey has written a variety of content, from children’s storybooks to commodities trader manuals, all with the firm belief everything has a story to tell. A former writer and producer for Totally TV, TubeScience, and Cubcoats, she believes the best way to make people pay attention and care is to make material lively and engaging. Raised in Nebraska and currently living in Los Angeles, she loves the outdoors and can usually be spotted with her head in a book.
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Monica Lopez Romo
Assistant to the Executive DirectorCloseMonica serves as Assistant to the Executive Director, providing broad-based support to the ED across strategy execution, communications, and administration. She is passionate about social justice movements, and most recently worked as a consultant where she worked closely with an array of clients focused on affordable housing, immigration, civil rights, and the environment. Previously, Monica helped support the founding and development of the WILD ELEMENTS Foundation, with the mission to diversify funds and leverage creative stories that support women, Indigenous communities, and people of color on the frontlines of conservation. There she supported the launch of their first-ever WILD Innovators x WILD Advocates cohort and their Partners Program. She also had the opportunity to work with the Green Leadership Trust, advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion by supporting and leveraging environmental leaders of color with board mentorship and opportunities. Monica obtained her Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Government at California State University, Northridge. Originally from Mexico, Monica lives in Los Angeles with her partner and two dogs, Coco and Brownie.
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Carly Vynne Baker, PhD
Conservation AdvisorCloseCarly’s principal motivation is to help ensure that natural places and wild species can thrive together with humanity now and into the future. To that end, she works to bring to the table (or into the field) uncommon partners, novel approaches, and an open mindset. Carly has led biodiversity planning efforts in Asia, Africa, and South America and has helped design and implement species-based conservation programs across the western US and Alaska. Carly is a co-founder of TerrAdapt, and an author of several recent publications, including the Global Deal for Nature, Global Safety Net, The Importance of Alaska for Climate Stabilization, Resilience, and Biodiversity Conservation, and An Ecoregion-based Approach to Restoring the World’s Intact Large Mammal Assemblages. Carly holds a Bachelors of Arts in Environmental Policy from Middlebury College (VT-USA) and a PhD in Biology from the University of Washington, Seattle.
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Geraldine Patrick Encina
Indigenous Relations AdvisorCloseGeraldine Patrick Encina is mother of climate justice activist Xiye Bastida and music producer Danzaki, and wife of Mindahi Bastida Muñoz, a principal authority in the Grand Council of the Eagle and the Condor. Geraldine has Mapuche and Celtic ancestry, and her ethnoecological approach has led to groundbreaking findings about the astronomical and ecological basis of timekeeping in Mesoamerica. She is a member of the Otomi Council of the High Lerma River Basin that achieved legal protection of the headwater wetlands in Toluca Valley, Mexico State. She is a board member of the Biocultural Heritage Network of the Mexican National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT), the American Renewable Energy Institute, Land Healers and Y on Earth! Over the past decade, she has worked with community leaders and teachers in the Yucatan Peninsula and Central Mexico to promote the use of original calendars in year-round biocultural activities for a good and harmonious living in their ecosystems. Among her publications are: Biocultural Sacred Sites in Mexico and Ecology and Wetland Culture in Almoloya del Río, 1900-2004. Towards a Sustainable Management of Chiconahuapan, a Remnant of the Lerma Wetlands.
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Spencer Scott, PhD
Science Program ManagerCloseSpencer is a biologist, writer, and climate educator passionate about helping create an ecological civilization. After a few years in biotech, he switched careers to become a sustainability consultant and climate writer. Most recently he's worked with Impossible Foods, Sierra Club, Terraformation, Climate Town, Grist, and Paul Hawken to create educational content aimed at furthering climate engagement. He recently co-founded a regenerative farm and community education space in Northern California with his partner and close friends, where he now lives. Spencer holds a Bachelors of Science in Bioengineering from UC Berkeley and a PhD in Bioengineering from UC San Diego.
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Oscar Alarcón
Web & IT AdvisorCloseOscar is an experienced web developer and digital comms officer with over 15 years of experience helping NGO's develop and implement their digital strategies and infrastructure. Oscar has enjoyed a variety of positions with Oxfam, The Global Call for Climate Action, and other Mexican organizations. He believes in empowering individuals and organizations through knowledge. Passionate about music and the outdoors, he can be found sometimes playing with a local band, taking a bicycle ride, or camping at the beach in the Yucatan Peninsula with his son.
International Fellows
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Marcela Maria Martins de Souza
One Earth Fellow, BrazilCloseMarcela is a journalist, based in Brazil, with special interest in the environment and climate change. Currently, she is a reporter and TV presenter at Rede Minas, and a Public Science Communication postgrad student at the Federal University of Minas Gerais. For the past seven years, she’s been covering environmental issues, with a focus on mining impacts, and she’s produced dozens of reports about themes such as traditional and indigenous knowledge and conservation projects. She’s also the director of a short film, “Amazon Rainforest TV”, and a writer, author of the novel “O nome do Lobo” (The wolf’s name).
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Ishita Yadav
One Earth Fellow, IndiaCloseIshita has been actively involved in journalism for four years and specializes in nature-based solutions, clean energy, and the intersection of gender and climate change. Ishita got into journalism so she could help highlight the efforts of individuals from traditionally marginalized groups in the fight against climate change after noticing the disproportionate representation of certain groups in the media. She aspires to inspire and empower youth to take meaningful and impactful actions to create momentum for positive change.
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Lillian Keneqa
One Earth Fellow, Papua New GuineaCloseLillian S Keneqa (pronounced KE-NE-A, the “Q” is silent) is a journalist who believes that journalism is a way of life no matter where you work! She is from the small pacific island nation of Papua New Guinea. Currently, Lillian is employed as a communications officer with Save the Children in PNG. Previously, she was employed by PNG’s local television media company EM TV, where she contributed stories and also produced the news. Lillian is passionate about community development, mental health, agriculture and climate change/environment and writes about small initiatives individuals are taking to make a difference in their sphere of influence. Lillian also loves to travel and do photography. She believes in the power of storytelling and the positive, life changing impact it can have on individuals.
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Charley Piringi
One Earth Fellow, Solomon IslandsCloseCharley is a journalist from the Solomon Islands. He is an environmental reporter mainly in investigative journalism. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Communication Arts (Journalism) from Divine Word University in Papua New Guinea. He spent years dedicated to covering climate change and environmental-related stories as the Solomon Islands was one of the first countries to record adverse impacts from climate change, despite being one of the least contributors of greenhouse gas emissions.
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Flavia Lopes
One Earth Fellow, IndiaCloseFlavia Lopes is an environmental reporter with IndiaSpend, a data news platform based in India. She has previously written for Wire, Article 12, and BehanBox and she was a mobile journalism fellow with Internews and a media fellow with Rising Flame. She is also a graduate of Conflict Studies from the London School of Economics. When not working on stories, you can find her cooking, journaling, or learning new languages. Currently, she is trying her luck with Farsi.
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Colline Saabwe
One Earth Fellow, UgandaCloseColline Saabwe is a climate communicator based in Uganda. A self-described climate enthusiast, he has worked as a climate activist, farmer, and communicator in Uganda.
Board of Directors
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Coretta Anderson
Board MemberCloseCoretta Anderson is the Senior Manager of the Influencer Marketing and Strategic Partnerships team at EarthJustice. She has over 10 years of diverse project experience serving non-profit, public and private sector organizations, and specializes in designing, managing, implementing and supporting creative and strategic engagement, public outreach and integrated communications initiatives. Through her work with EarthJustice, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, NRDC and more, she brings a broad perspective of experience in the areas of: strategic alliances, corporate partnerships, relationship management, cause marketing, fundraising/development, public relations, sponsorship coordination, event planning and management, celebrity and influencer engagement, issue and legislative advocacy and public affairs. Coretta currently serves on the board of One Earth, and resides in Los Angeles, California.
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Roberta Baskin
SecretaryCloseRoberta Baskin earned more than 75 journalism awards during her storied investigative reporting career. Among her honors include several prestigious duPont-Columbia Awards, George Foster Peabody Awards, multiple Emmys, and a year long Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University. The results of her investigations have improved government and corporate practices affecting environmental regulations, healthcare, and consumer protections. More recently, Roberta shifted her focus to global corporations demonstrating exemplary conduct. Roberta created AIM2Flourish, a platform showcasing thousands of innovations written by business school students in more than 80 countries. Roberta was featured in Real Leaders magazine for its “Top 100 Visionary Leaders” issue. Roberta serves on the boards of One Earth, The Carbon Underground, FoolProof Foundation for Financial Literacy, The Peace Studio, O Street Museum Foundation, Magnolia Moonshot 2030, and the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards Committee.
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Spike Buckley
Co-Founder and Board MemberCloseSpike Buckley is committed to mobilizing supporters and activating investors to tackle the climate crisis. He is Co-Founder and a board member of One Earth, a non-profit initiative working to galvanize science, advocacy and philanthropy to drive collective action on climate change. Prior to One Earth, Spike founded Earth’s Call Fund with a mission to deploy capital to innovators targeting climate change. He is an avid supporter of the Sierra Club, Greenpeace, Conservation Colorado, the League of Conservation Voters and NextGen America. In addition to his climate-focused work, Spike has four decades of experience as a commercial real estate owner and developer with projects across the U.S. and Canada. Spike also serves on the boards at Pharmajet, Inc., Alameda Corridor Business Improvement District and BioCare Systems, Inc. In 2019, Spike was honored with the Earth Legacy Leadership Award from the American Renewable Energy Day Summit (AREDay). He is a graduate of the University of Colorado with a BA in Economics.
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Jay Halfon
Board MemberCloseJay Halfon is a practicing attorney and public policy strategist. His practice focuses on legal issues affecting tax-exempt organizations. He represents many leading foundations, advocacy groups and political organizations. He has a broad range of experience influencing public policy at the state and national levels. He currently advises and supports a variety of organizations working on climate campaigns including efforts to stop oil and gas extraction in California. Mr. Halfon is a founding board member of the international climate change organization 350 and serves on the boards of several grant-making institutions including the Park Foundation with assets of $400,000,000
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Jena King
Co-Founder and Board MemberCloseAs a philanthropist, Jena guides the giving of the Jena and Michael King Foundation, which she created in 1999 with her late husband, Michael, and oversees a donor advised fund through the Jewish Community Foundation. Their endowments focus on creating a world in which all children may thrive. In 2007, Jena was honored with the "Global Green’s Entertainment Industry Environmental Leadership Award," given to "individuals who exhibit extraordinary leadership reflecting a deep personal commitment to the environment and encourage responsible behavior amongst the public and within the industry." Global Green's mission is to foster a global value shift toward a sustainable and secure future, a vision to which Jena remains dedicated. Jena is a founding member of COACH for Kids, which provides medical assistance to underserved children. She has served on the boards of the Environmental Media Association, Kiss the Ground and Healthy Child Healthy World (overseeing its partnership with the Environmental Working Group), and works closely with A Sense of Home. She serves on the boards of the NRDC and OCEANA, and is a member of Mayor Eric Garcetti's L.A. Sustainability Leadership Council. Jena has played a key strategic role in supporting the rise of rural and urban Regenerative Agriculture throughout California and the West, as well as supporting the Indigenous and youth movements. She has co-produced several films, including The 11th Hour, Fantastic Fungi and Kiss the Ground, and is currently working on a feature film of the story of Julia Butterfly Hill and the giant redwood, Luna. Jena was raised in Marin, California and New Zealand. Her concern for the environment and human health were informed and inspired by her rural childhood, her father's environmentalism, her education and practices as a nutritionist and yoga teacher, and her devotion to her four children.
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Brad Leibov
Vice Chair & TreasurerCloseBrad is a social entrepreneur driven by his passion for building solutions for the benefit of people and the planet. He has served as a founder, co-founder, and chief executive for over 25 years, specializing in building nonprofit, philanthropic, and mission-first businesses for social and environmental impact. Brad serves as CEO of EarthShare where he’s focused on building the tools to engage businesses, individuals, and nonprofits to help solve the environmental crisis. With a vision of a world where everyone takes action for a healthy planet, EarthShare has provided millions of individuals with the opportunity to begin and continue their environmental journeys. Prior to joining EarthShare, Brad served as President of the Liberty Prairie Foundation, where he launched several pioneering initiatives to improve the health of land, water, and communities in the Upper Midwest of the United States. Brad is an Edmund Hillary Fellow, one of the most globally connected and forward-thinking networks of leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors on a mission to incubate solutions to global problems and make a lasting positive impact in New Zealand and around the world.
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Rick Ridgeway
ChairCloseRick Ridgeway is an outdoor adventurer, writer, and advocate for sustainability and conservation initiatives. For 15 years, Rick was a VP at Patagonia developing environmental and sustainability initiatives including Freedom to Roam, the Footprint Chronicles and Worn Wear. He also was founding chair of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, today the largest apparel, footwear, and home textile trade organization in the world. In addition, Rick is recognized as one of the world’s foremost mountaineers. With three companions, he was the first American to summit K2, and he has done other significant climbs and explorations on all continents. He has written seven books, and National Geographic honored him with its “Lifetime Achievement in Adventure” award. Today, he serves on six boards of conservation organizations and has returned to his passion for writing. His memoir Life Lived Wild was released in October 2021.
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Rachel Rivera
Board MemberCloseRachel Rivera is the Chief Operating Officer of Wild Lives Foundation, a nonprofit organization launched by Jody Allen in 2016. Wild Lives Foundation is dedicated to marine and wildlife conservation and other philanthropic initiatives. In addition, Rachel serves as a board member of Sealife Response, Rehabilitation and Research, an organization dedicated to improving the health and welfare of marine wildlife in the Pacific Northwest. Previously, Rachel Rivera worked directly with Jody Allen in her role as the trustee of the Paul G. Allen Trust and Chair of Vulcan Inc. on philanthropic initiatives. In that role, Rachel worked on philanthropic strategy, including work in oceans, conservation, films, communities, and climate.
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Justin Winters
President and Co-founderCloseDriven by a passion for nature, Justin Winters is committed to democratizing climate philanthropy in order to create an inclusive and impactful movement to address the climate crisis from the ground up. She is the Co-founder and Executive Director of One Earth, a nonprofit organization working to galvanize science, advocacy, and philanthropy to drive collective action on climate change. Through One Earth, she is focused on creating a vision for the world that is possible by 2050 – one in which humanity and nature coexist and thrive together. This vision is based on three pillars of action: 100% renewable energy, protection and restoration of 50% of the world’s lands and oceans, and a transition to regenerative, carbon-negative agriculture. Prior to One Earth, Justin served as Executive Director of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation for 13 years, where she built the organization’s grant-making program, which awarded over $100 million in grants across 60 countries and created a series of innovative philanthropic funds, including Oceans 5, Shark Conservation Fund, The Solutions Funds, Lion Recovery Fund, Elephant Crisis Fund, and Quick Response Fund for Nature.