Next Economy Now highlights the leaders who are taking a regenerative, bio-regional, equitable, transparent, and whole-systems approach to using business as a force for good.
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As the Executive Director for Justice Funders, Dana Kawaoka-Chen partners and guides philanthropy in reimagining practices that advance a thriving and just world. She is a co-author of “The Choir Book: A Framework for Social Justice Philanthropy,” and frequently serves as a trainer and facilitator for values-aligned practice in philanthropy. Dana’s leadership has been recognized by her peers–in 2014, she was awarded a Distinguished Alumni Award by Oakes College of the University of California at Santa Cruz, and in 2015, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy recognized Dana as one of twenty-five national “Leaders in Action.”
Dana has previously served in executive functions for two other non-profit organizations. She has a Masters of Science degree in Organization Development from the University of San Francisco, Bachelor of Arts degrees in American Studies and Visual Art from the University of California at Santa Cruz, and Non-Profit Management Certification from San Jose State University.
Interview Highlights:
Justice Funders was born out of community organizing in the wake of the murder of Oscar Grant
Examining the problematic roots of philanthropy & re-imagining a more values aligned system
Dana shares her family story, how her father was born imprisoned in Japanese concentration camps in the United States, and how these experiences inform her work
“The Choir Book: A Framework for Social Justice Philanthropy” and the Resonance: a Framework for Philanthropic Transformation explore what a Just Transition can look like for philanthropy
Shoutouts to Nwamaka Agbo’s work, It Takes Roots’ Peoples’ Solutions Lens, Movement Strategy Center, Movement Generation, Center for Economy Democracy & Boston Ujima Project, Bay Rising, Climate Justice Alliance, and other grassroots community partners
Dana explains Justice Funders’ leadership development programs: the Harmony Initiative and the Maestra Program
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LIFT Economy is an impact consulting firm whose mission is to create, model, and share a locally self-reliant economy that works for the benefit of all life.
Erin Axelrod is a Partner at LIFT Economy, helping to accelerate the spread of climate-beneficial businesses, specializing in businesses that address critical soil and water regeneration. She is an avid ecologist, grassroots organizer and regularly forages for wild food in her home in rural Sonoma County. You can follow Erin on Twitter @erinaxelrod or email her erin@lifteconomy.com.