I create brand desire. I put ideas into people's minds. And inspire them to buy X instead of Y.
My startup, OwnGrown, helps create, nurture and grow sustainability brands from Asia for Asia.
Mark Justin Llorente
I'm a data scientist and former materials researcher primarily focused on sustainability and the larger political and ecological work required to transform our economy and relationships into ones that can cultivate life on this planet rather than extract maximum power from it. I have taught data science at Galvanize but am currently pursuing work with ecologically and social justice committed investment organizations to create tools for analyzing and communicating our shared resilience, dependencies, and vulnerabilities and thus increase our focus on making decisions for the whole rather than for competing private interests.
Parker Reposa
Parker is an eco-entrepreneur focused on regenerative and socially restorative solutions to the current environmental crisis. Parker studied Regenerative Business and Biomimetic Design at NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study in New York City. His studies allowed him to use mission-driven, stakeholder-focused business as a vehicle for positive social and environmental change.
Parker is now the CEO and Founder of Grounded Upcycling, a social venture geared towards recirculating spent organic waste streams through the development of upcycled products and processing methods. Through his work, he aims to reframe society’s “throw away culture” by presenting the business case of circular, close-loop economies and help transition New York City and other cities towards its zero waste goals by 2030. While he wears many hats at Grounded, his main responsibilities include business development, fundraising, and strategy as it pertains to the mission, vision, and culture of the company.
Ethan Mauch
A New Jersey native, Ethan is an alumni of his local community college and of McGill University in Montreal, where he studied Industrial Labour Relations. While at McGill, Ethan took a deep interest in cooperatives, labor movements, and the welfare state.
Since graduating from university, Ethan has continued to work with CYCLEffect Regenerative Ventures, a multi-stakeholder venture fund that invests in the regenerative and circular economy. Additionally, he works with New Profit, a nonprofit leader in social impact investment and systems change.
In his spare time Ethan loves ceramics, painting, homebrewing, and Marvin Gaye.
Reza Shahcheraghi
Reza designs new business strategies and implementation plans for various types of organizations and facilitates the creation of the new mindsets, skills, and environments needed to execute these strategies. He has 15 years of experience in the private and social sectors as an entrepreneur and consultant.
Reza holds an MBA from the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley and a BS in management from the McIntire School of Commerce, University of Virginia.
Nicholas Salmons
Nicholas is a creative leader, designer, convener and place-maker with twelve years of experience managing high-impact projects, executing top-quality custom builds, and producing tailored cultural events with a focus on community, sustainability, and greening the built environment. Designing and building spaces for community and festivals has led him to join the community at the Mushroom Farm, where he is helping to restore the land and build spaces for communal thriving.
Adrian Roman
Inspired these days by Adrienne Marie Brown, Tarthang Tulku, Frédéric Laloux, Lama Rod Owens, Angel Kyodo Williams, Lift. I am working for a non profit in Berkeley, Mangalam, and my focus is on - how to integrate or use Buddhist practices in a modern world; how to structure an organization in a way that is supportive for personal growth and meaning to the members; how to blur the lines between life and work; how to foster relationships and facilitate groups with emergence in mind. I am a 27 year old hispanic male who graduated with a degree in philosophy and business. I have a partner, Cyn, and twin sister, Anais, who I spend much of my time with. This past weekend I went to see Vulfpeck at the Greek theater and went hiking in Mt. Tam to West Point in to eat pancakes.
David Jaber
As a Project Drawdown Fellow (www.drawdown.org), the author of Our Historic Moment (www.ourhistoricmoment.com), and an advisor, I advance better decision-making through greenhouse gas (GHG) analysis, zero waste audits, green building investigation, life-cycle analysis and climate action/adaptation planning. I actively work with Native American tribes, where I have long-held a commitment to justice.