What do you see as the greatest challenge your community is facing?
Wealth inequity and the challenges that brings. With increasing disparity between the super rich and everyone else, resources are seen as more precious – funding good works is more challenging than I’ve ever known it to be.

What is the strongest asset of your community?
Our commitment to all life.

Who are your real-life heroes in your field?
The indigenous communities and their leaders who hold the line against development from without, and those who support them.

When and where did you feel most fulfilled in your work?
When I take supporters into the field with partners – with people like Larry Gibson and Maria Gunnoe in West Virginia’s mountain top removal battle or with our partners in the Amazon; people like Esperanza Martinez, Natalia Green, Donald Moncoya and Don Sabino Gualinga, engaging supporters to add spirit and resources to these important arenas of environmental and social justice. There is magic that occurs when people and issues are brought together with open hearts.

What is one thing you wish the general public knew about your work?
That it feels good to serve and to support others – that generosity itself creates abundance and joy in the giver. Supporting others through one’s financial power is a wonderful, empowering and loving act. Give more!

If funding were no object, what would you do?
I’d pay off everyone’s debts, buy as much natural land as possible and put it into a conservation trust, double the salaries of the non-profit sector, keep the oil and the coal in the soil and move us to a renewable, sustainable grid, end slavery, end politics of influence, make corporations corporations, not people, ride my mountain bike more…

What’s your favourite way to procrastinate at work?
Promote our work through social media. Followed by break.com…

If you weren’t doing this kind of work, what would you be doing?
I would be a philanthropist.

Favourite moment at work?
Creating truly holy moments at fundraisers – when the clouds part and the celestial choir sings…and everyone doubles their commitment and surprises themselves. This happened at a house party in Boulder – I will never forget it.

Favourite visual artist?
Pablo Amaringo – or Alex Grey – you choose.

Favourite song?
Wish You Were Here – Sandstorm – Freedom of Choice – No One Like You

Favourite activist?
Mike Roselle – Mike Brune – Annie Leonard – Randy Hayes – Scott Parkin – Larry Gibson – Maria Gunnoe – Judy Bonds

Favourite historical figure?
John Muir

If you could give $10,000 to any organization besides your own, which would it be and why?
The Ethnobotanical Stewardship Council – because they are a new organization whose mission is to protect the integrity of the plants and people who work in harmony in the Amazon.

What do you think is the greatest social issue of our time?
Wealth inequity

What do you think is the greatest environmental issue of our time?
Climate change

How do you think we can change the world?
By practicing compassion in every moment

What book are you reading right now?
The Serpent and the Rainbow by Wade Davis

What’s your favourite online resource for fun?
Break.com

What makes you the most happy?
Love