Announcing Brenna Norton who will be leading a group titled "The future of water in LA is in your hands"
Come learn about where get our water in LA and how we can ensure a safe, secure, and reliable future for our children!
In the next two months massive billion dollar water projects will be voted on. The future of our water in Southern California is at stake. Join us for a brief presentation about our water system in LA, and how you can get involved in local water campaigns!
Brenna Norton is a Senior Organizer for Food & Water Watch. Based in LA, Brenna coordinates campaigns around the So-Cal region and with statewide coalitions. She has worked on issues related to oil and fracking, the California Drought, water privatization, factory farms, and stopping secret national trade deals. Her background is in legislative campaigning and community and electoral organizing. She has worked for a wide range of nonprofits, worked on presidential campaigns, and worked in a Senate committee office. In her spare time, she loves to share her passion for the outdoors, community organizing, practicing yoga, and meditation.
Come learn about where get our water in LA and how we can ensure a safe, secure, and reliable future for our children!
In the next two months massive billion dollar water projects will be voted on. The future of our water in Southern California is at stake. Join us for a brief presentation about our water system in LA, and how you can get involved in local water campaigns!
Brenna Norton is a Senior Organizer for Food & Water Watch. Based in LA, Brenna coordinates campaigns around the So-Cal region and with statewide coalitions. She has worked on issues related to oil and fracking, the California Drought, water privatization, factory farms, and stopping secret national trade deals. Her background is in legislative campaigning and community and electoral organizing. She has worked for a wide range of nonprofits, worked on presidential campaigns, and worked in a Senate committee office. In her spare time, she loves to share her passion for the outdoors, community organizing, practicing yoga, and meditation.
We're pleased to announce Anna Penido as another affinity group leader.
She will lead a group in Uncovering Our Goals and seeding them to fruition.
Anna Penido is a Brazilian/ American author, coach, workshop leader, filmmaker and environmental activist. She has been empowering and inspiring audiences through her films, events, writings and workshops. She was privileged to personally learn from many masters such as Chagdud Tulku Rimpoche (Tibetan Buddhist Lama), Bernard Redondo ( French Physiotherapist and creator of Isostretching), Maria Fux ( Argentinian dance therapist) and Sapaim Kamaiura ( Brazilian indigenous shaman). She was invited by Deepak Chopra to lead an Orisha workshop in the 1st Alliance for a New Humanity Conference in Porto Rico. She also was the founder of an internet dating service in Brazil designed to provide trust for women. In 2015 she created the non-profit project Sustainable Food Basket, to protect Brazil’s biodiversity through food consumption. The project was exhibited during the EXPO Milan in 2015. Anna is now launching a new book “Brazilian Secrets for a Joyful Life” and making the teachings available through an on-line course on how to use joy to make magic happen. Joy is miraculous! The Totally Joyful course makes a shift happen in your mood and in your luck. The course starts by setting a goal to achieve in 4 weeks for whatever your heart craves for: love, freedom, pleasure, courage, health, recognition, creativity or joy! www.annapenido.com
She will lead a group in Uncovering Our Goals and seeding them to fruition.
Anna Penido is a Brazilian/ American author, coach, workshop leader, filmmaker and environmental activist. She has been empowering and inspiring audiences through her films, events, writings and workshops. She was privileged to personally learn from many masters such as Chagdud Tulku Rimpoche (Tibetan Buddhist Lama), Bernard Redondo ( French Physiotherapist and creator of Isostretching), Maria Fux ( Argentinian dance therapist) and Sapaim Kamaiura ( Brazilian indigenous shaman). She was invited by Deepak Chopra to lead an Orisha workshop in the 1st Alliance for a New Humanity Conference in Porto Rico. She also was the founder of an internet dating service in Brazil designed to provide trust for women. In 2015 she created the non-profit project Sustainable Food Basket, to protect Brazil’s biodiversity through food consumption. The project was exhibited during the EXPO Milan in 2015. Anna is now launching a new book “Brazilian Secrets for a Joyful Life” and making the teachings available through an on-line course on how to use joy to make magic happen. Joy is miraculous! The Totally Joyful course makes a shift happen in your mood and in your luck. The course starts by setting a goal to achieve in 4 weeks for whatever your heart craves for: love, freedom, pleasure, courage, health, recognition, creativity or joy! www.annapenido.com
Anna Cummins
She will lead a discussion titled: Kick climate paralysis: some first steps!
Navigating today's political and environmental climate can be paralyzing. But there are immediate and easy steps we can take to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and single use plastics! Join Anna Cummins & Juli Schulz to discuss easy steps we can take towards climate change, plastic free living, soil regeneration, and food systems - vote with your dollar and your choices!
Anna's bio: With more than 20 years experience in environmental non-profit work—including marine conservation, coastal watershed management, and sustainability education—Anna Cummins is an expert in the field. Her “Synthetic Sea, Synthetic Me” TEDx talk has been viewed and shared by thousands. In 2016, Cummins announced 5 Gyres’ partnership with EPA at the State Department’s “Our Oceans” summit.
In 2007, Cummins joined the Algalita Marine Research Foundation as an education advisor, conducting school outreach and giving public presentations on plastic marine pollution. Through Algalita, she experienced first-hand the Great Pacific Gyre, a massive vortex fueled by oceanic currents that sweeps plastic pollution from land and out of sight, shredding and concentrating it in the middle of the ocean. On that voyage, she also met Marcus Eriksen, with whom she would go on to found The 5 Gyres Institute in 2009.
Beginning in 2010, 5 Gyres spearheaded a series of scientific firsts by researching plastic in all five subtropical gyres, as well as the Great Lakes and Antarctica—sailing a total of 50,000 miles in the process. In 2014, the organization convened eight scientists around the world to publish the first global estimate of plastic pollution in our ocean: 5.25 trillion particles weighing in at 270,000 tons of “plastic smog” worldwide. 5 Gyres work on plastic microbead pollution in the Great Lakes that inspired a two-year campaign that culminated in a federal ban on microbeads, which President Obama signed into law in 2015.
Cummins was elected a fellow of the Wings World Quest in 2011, and received a Golden Goody Award in 2013. More information is at www.5gyres.org.
She will lead a discussion titled: Kick climate paralysis: some first steps!
Navigating today's political and environmental climate can be paralyzing. But there are immediate and easy steps we can take to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and single use plastics! Join Anna Cummins & Juli Schulz to discuss easy steps we can take towards climate change, plastic free living, soil regeneration, and food systems - vote with your dollar and your choices!
Anna's bio: With more than 20 years experience in environmental non-profit work—including marine conservation, coastal watershed management, and sustainability education—Anna Cummins is an expert in the field. Her “Synthetic Sea, Synthetic Me” TEDx talk has been viewed and shared by thousands. In 2016, Cummins announced 5 Gyres’ partnership with EPA at the State Department’s “Our Oceans” summit.
In 2007, Cummins joined the Algalita Marine Research Foundation as an education advisor, conducting school outreach and giving public presentations on plastic marine pollution. Through Algalita, she experienced first-hand the Great Pacific Gyre, a massive vortex fueled by oceanic currents that sweeps plastic pollution from land and out of sight, shredding and concentrating it in the middle of the ocean. On that voyage, she also met Marcus Eriksen, with whom she would go on to found The 5 Gyres Institute in 2009.
Beginning in 2010, 5 Gyres spearheaded a series of scientific firsts by researching plastic in all five subtropical gyres, as well as the Great Lakes and Antarctica—sailing a total of 50,000 miles in the process. In 2014, the organization convened eight scientists around the world to publish the first global estimate of plastic pollution in our ocean: 5.25 trillion particles weighing in at 270,000 tons of “plastic smog” worldwide. 5 Gyres work on plastic microbead pollution in the Great Lakes that inspired a two-year campaign that culminated in a federal ban on microbeads, which President Obama signed into law in 2015.
Cummins was elected a fellow of the Wings World Quest in 2011, and received a Golden Goody Award in 2013. More information is at www.5gyres.org.
Happy to announce one of our Afinity Group Leaders, Dr. Erica Wohldmann.
Description of Erica’s Offering: It is impossible to deny that the world as we know it is changing. The most recent Living Planet Report published by the World Wildlife Fund found that nearly 60 percent of all vertebrate species have gone extinct in less than 50 years. A 2006 U.S. geological survey found that more than 90 percent of all rivers and streams test positive for agricultural pesticides. Plastic islands of garbage litter the sea and fill the bellies of the fish we over-harvest. An obituary for the Great Barrier Reef was published in late 2016. Scientists say it is officially dead. At the same time, the next team of American leadership includes climate-change deniers, those who don’t support minimum wage increases, and white nationalists. There is no doubt that things need to change, but how do we find hope and courage in a time of crisis and division? Without hope, we are truly doomed.
In this discussion group, Erica will describe some of the most important findings from research on the science of happiness and hope, including simple strategies for maintaining optimism. In addition, she has worked closely with Joanna Macy and has been trained to facilitate Joanna’s teachings, including the Work that Reconnects. This process involves learning and practicing gratitude, honoring our ecological grief and pain for the world, and helps us become the most beautiful and inspired version of ourselves.
About Erica: Dr. Erica Wohldmann holds a joint Ph.D. in Psychology and Cognitive Science from the CU, Boulder, and is a Professor at CSU, Northridge where she teaches about ecopsychology, food choices, sustainability, and cognition. Her research has been generously funded by the National Institutes of Health, and has been published in the leading peer-reviewed scientific journals, featured in Psychology Today, and by the National Wildlife Federation. She was also selected to give a TEDx talk at UCLA in 2016. In the community, Erica leads walks and workshops based around traditional edible and medicinal plant wisdom, and teaches plant identification, ethnobotany, cooking and medicine-making. In 2012, she traveled and lived in national forests for 6 months wild-foraging all of her food and medicine, and has a deep connection to the greater web of life.
More about Erica.
Description of Erica’s Offering: It is impossible to deny that the world as we know it is changing. The most recent Living Planet Report published by the World Wildlife Fund found that nearly 60 percent of all vertebrate species have gone extinct in less than 50 years. A 2006 U.S. geological survey found that more than 90 percent of all rivers and streams test positive for agricultural pesticides. Plastic islands of garbage litter the sea and fill the bellies of the fish we over-harvest. An obituary for the Great Barrier Reef was published in late 2016. Scientists say it is officially dead. At the same time, the next team of American leadership includes climate-change deniers, those who don’t support minimum wage increases, and white nationalists. There is no doubt that things need to change, but how do we find hope and courage in a time of crisis and division? Without hope, we are truly doomed.
In this discussion group, Erica will describe some of the most important findings from research on the science of happiness and hope, including simple strategies for maintaining optimism. In addition, she has worked closely with Joanna Macy and has been trained to facilitate Joanna’s teachings, including the Work that Reconnects. This process involves learning and practicing gratitude, honoring our ecological grief and pain for the world, and helps us become the most beautiful and inspired version of ourselves.
About Erica: Dr. Erica Wohldmann holds a joint Ph.D. in Psychology and Cognitive Science from the CU, Boulder, and is a Professor at CSU, Northridge where she teaches about ecopsychology, food choices, sustainability, and cognition. Her research has been generously funded by the National Institutes of Health, and has been published in the leading peer-reviewed scientific journals, featured in Psychology Today, and by the National Wildlife Federation. She was also selected to give a TEDx talk at UCLA in 2016. In the community, Erica leads walks and workshops based around traditional edible and medicinal plant wisdom, and teaches plant identification, ethnobotany, cooking and medicine-making. In 2012, she traveled and lived in national forests for 6 months wild-foraging all of her food and medicine, and has a deep connection to the greater web of life.
More about Erica.
On Sunday, September 21st, 2014 (Cross Pollinate 4) for an extraordinary women's networking event. We join in circle with no hierarchy and instead utilize the feminine way. Everyone's voices are heard, resources/skills are shared and life-changing collaborations are formed!
We begin our gathering ceremoniously and in ritual together in one big circle so that all have the opportunity to speak and then we break off into small circles based on the topics lead by the incredibly talented wise-women of Los Angeles. Music, food, dance and beautiful connections are made on this day and beyond.
We begin our gathering ceremoniously and in ritual together in one big circle so that all have the opportunity to speak and then we break off into small circles based on the topics lead by the incredibly talented wise-women of Los Angeles. Music, food, dance and beautiful connections are made on this day and beyond.
We're happy to announce Mayra McCullough as an Affinity Group Leader.
Mayra will be leading a group on 3D Fitness: Integrating Body, Mind and Spirit Practices in your own Home for Supernatural Production.
Assess what you’re doing in your personal care practice and let’s make the space to improve these systems during this cross-pollinating discussion. Our objective will be to set up a weekly program that will keep you aligned with your highest frequency in order to tap into what Mayra calls Supernatural Production (SP). SP is when we’re fully supported by the Universe and connect with a FLOW which makes work feel like play and synchronicities are the rule that support all your dreams and visions. We will have the opportunity to cross pollinate your favorite practices that bring out the goddess in you, and brainstorm on how to make a realistic plan for applying these principles in your day to day life, without missing too many beats. Mayra will share her tricks with her Self Optimization Sanctuary (SOS) system and show you how to overcome the recurring stop-and-go cycles that get in the way of consistent FLOW in our lives.
Mayra McCullough, Coach2Edify’s Founder and President, is both a nine-year veteran of the Hollywood film industry and an elite Personal Trainer. Her passion and skill have brought her much success in both the film and fitness industries. Mayra takes education seriously: after acquiring her Bachelor’s from UCLA with a focus on film and television, she worked as an Assistant Director on feature films prior to working at the exclusive Equinox gym for over five years as a Tier 3+ Trainer and Master Instructor. She has since earned over 15 certifications in fitness training, various modalities of movement and nutrition, as well as Certificate of Distinction from the National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association (NESTA) for having demonstrated a commitment to education beyond standard requirements. She has well over 8,700 physical training hours to date and champions fitness in all its forms. Mayra’s desire to assist people from all walks of life in experiencing Three-Dimensional (3D) fitness in body, mind and spirit; as well as her desire to give to her community are the foundation for the C2E’s landmark of success. Mayra@coach2edify.org
Coach2Edify.org and MayraMcCullough.com
We're excited to have Rommi Wolk join us this Sunday as another amazing Affinity Group Leader.
Topic: Come experience sacred circle with your sisters. Sharing our stories heals, connects and inspires us to live our best lives. Council is a practice of listening and speaking from the heart. We will explore the wisdom of our menstrual cycles and come away with tools to form a deeper connection with our selves, our rhythms and our communities.
Rommi Wolk is a Birth and Postpartum Doula, Wellness Advocate for doTerra, Council Facilitator and mom of 4 thriving unschooled kiddos ages 5, 11, 16 and 17. She has personal experience birthing in both hospital and home, breastfeeding, tandem nursing, baby wearing, cloth diapering and elimination communication. She has been supporting families in the South Bay for 11 years through moms groups, women’s circles and her homeschooling community.
On her journey through motherhood she discovered other women shared her thirst for connection, community and honoring of their cycles, pregnancy, birth, motherhood, menopause, death and divorce. She holds coming of age ceremonies and blessing ways for her community. Rommi is currently studying with DeAnna Lam of Red Moon School of Empowerment for Women and Girls and shares a vision for community red tents where women and girls have the opportunity to heal and connect with self, each other and the innate wisdom we all hold.
Rommi has a deep sense of respect for the earth and the bountiful gifts available to us for healing, nurturing and learning. She enjoys honoring the cycles of the moon and our bodies, celebrating the wheel of the year, co-creating community, gardening, cooking, reading, supporting families and spending time discovering, learning and laughing alongside her kiddos. Other passions include plant wisdom, permaculture, storytelling, music, holistic healing and essential oils. rommilynn@gmail.com
Topic: Come experience sacred circle with your sisters. Sharing our stories heals, connects and inspires us to live our best lives. Council is a practice of listening and speaking from the heart. We will explore the wisdom of our menstrual cycles and come away with tools to form a deeper connection with our selves, our rhythms and our communities.
Rommi Wolk is a Birth and Postpartum Doula, Wellness Advocate for doTerra, Council Facilitator and mom of 4 thriving unschooled kiddos ages 5, 11, 16 and 17. She has personal experience birthing in both hospital and home, breastfeeding, tandem nursing, baby wearing, cloth diapering and elimination communication. She has been supporting families in the South Bay for 11 years through moms groups, women’s circles and her homeschooling community.
On her journey through motherhood she discovered other women shared her thirst for connection, community and honoring of their cycles, pregnancy, birth, motherhood, menopause, death and divorce. She holds coming of age ceremonies and blessing ways for her community. Rommi is currently studying with DeAnna Lam of Red Moon School of Empowerment for Women and Girls and shares a vision for community red tents where women and girls have the opportunity to heal and connect with self, each other and the innate wisdom we all hold.
Rommi has a deep sense of respect for the earth and the bountiful gifts available to us for healing, nurturing and learning. She enjoys honoring the cycles of the moon and our bodies, celebrating the wheel of the year, co-creating community, gardening, cooking, reading, supporting families and spending time discovering, learning and laughing alongside her kiddos. Other passions include plant wisdom, permaculture, storytelling, music, holistic healing and essential oils. rommilynn@gmail.com
Marcia Lopez will be leading a group in discussing: The basics of ritual and ceremonies for tapping into the divine feminine.
The divine feminine, what is it?
And how do you connect?
Learn how to use rituals and ceremony for enhancing your connection to yourself, your environment, and the feminine, as well masculine aspects of creation.
Marcia Lopez is a Womb Healer, Massage Therapist, Yoga Instructor, Somatic Sex Educator, and a modern day Urban Curandera. She is a Mayan Abdominal Healer through the Arvigo Institute and a Pompamesayoq of the Quechua Shamanic Lineage of Peru under Rev. Esther Jenkins. She holds Yogic study of mantra and meditation under Atma Degeyndt, Kundalini Tantra under Psalm Isadora, and asana and sutras under the American School of Yoga. Marcia has specialized in women’s health and healing for most of her practice working with high risk pregnancies, labor preparation, post-partum care, and helping men and women heal from reproductive dysfunction. She facilitates women’s circles and has given lectures on Conscious Sexuality. She has shared her knowledge at festivals and universities and has worked with an extensive list of clientele from all walks of life and backgrounds. For more information and to contact Marcia for healing, workshops, or speaking engagements please visit www.truehealingbodywork.com In La’ kech
The divine feminine, what is it?
And how do you connect?
Learn how to use rituals and ceremony for enhancing your connection to yourself, your environment, and the feminine, as well masculine aspects of creation.
Marcia Lopez is a Womb Healer, Massage Therapist, Yoga Instructor, Somatic Sex Educator, and a modern day Urban Curandera. She is a Mayan Abdominal Healer through the Arvigo Institute and a Pompamesayoq of the Quechua Shamanic Lineage of Peru under Rev. Esther Jenkins. She holds Yogic study of mantra and meditation under Atma Degeyndt, Kundalini Tantra under Psalm Isadora, and asana and sutras under the American School of Yoga. Marcia has specialized in women’s health and healing for most of her practice working with high risk pregnancies, labor preparation, post-partum care, and helping men and women heal from reproductive dysfunction. She facilitates women’s circles and has given lectures on Conscious Sexuality. She has shared her knowledge at festivals and universities and has worked with an extensive list of clientele from all walks of life and backgrounds. For more information and to contact Marcia for healing, workshops, or speaking engagements please visit www.truehealingbodywork.com In La’ kech
Michelle Berc
Shifting Frequencies and Leading with your Heart
Upon arrival at Cross Pollinate, Michelle was asked if she would be up for being an Affinity Group Leader after a cancellation by another. She had about twenty minutes to wrangle together her topic but the thing is, is that she has a lot of experience in more than one field. The fact that she would dive into this role so last minute led to the most appropriate topic of shifting Frequencies and going with the flow!
Michelle has led an adventurous career path and in all cases, she has allowed her heart to lead the way. Most of her successes arrived through tapping into "flow" and simply being open to the journey. Learning how to shift frequencies is the key to allowing what the universe has to offer in order for us to successfully complete our achievements. Her group's conversation will run the gamut with topics ranging from consulting emerging artists, running a nonprofit, and creating community. She will also teach sound healing techniques and share how to use it as a tool to stay balanced and be present in order to allow and accept the magic of the journey we are all on.
Michelle Berc is the founder, art curator, and most importantly, the creative energy behind all things fueling the Create:Fixate Foundation, LA’s most respected nonprofit arts organization supporting emerging artists for the past thirteen years. C:F’s highly anticipated art events that happen quarterly each year have supported close to a 1,000 Angeleno, national, and international artists through the process of building their artistic careers. C:F is known for giving artists the experience of making their first art sale and with its large patron base, has also cultivated many new art collectors. Michelle is always excited to talk about how the organization is impacting the community further with its “Young Creatives Program" which inspires at-risk youth to find their voice through creativity.
"Art Angeles” is Michelle’s boutique art consulting agency where she works with private art collectors, interior designers, and real estate agents. She has termed herself as an 'Art Stylist,' specializing in finding the perfect artistic energy to accent the decor of any interior that may need it.
Michelle’s most recent passion and hobby for the past six years has been exploring the world of sound healing. She is currently earning a certification in the field and has welcomed this new skill set as she expands her career path of elevating lives with art and music. Several times a month, she hosts the Sonic Being Signature Chakra Balancing Sound Bath. Similar to how she started Create:Fixate over a decade ago, it’s all word of mouth to find out where and when it’s happening.
Who knew Michelle’s background from working in the music video and commercial industry would lead to all this, but now looking back, it all kind of makes sense. It's all about the journey isn't it? ;)
This may be the longest short bio and Michelle refuses to call it an identity crisis. She would rather take full ownership of all her elevating endeavors that have no other motivation but to inspire lives and encourage people to find all the answers from within.
To learn more, feel free to visit one or all of her websites:
http://www.createfixate.com
http://www.sonicbeing.com
http://www.art-angeles.com
Shifting Frequencies and Leading with your Heart
Upon arrival at Cross Pollinate, Michelle was asked if she would be up for being an Affinity Group Leader after a cancellation by another. She had about twenty minutes to wrangle together her topic but the thing is, is that she has a lot of experience in more than one field. The fact that she would dive into this role so last minute led to the most appropriate topic of shifting Frequencies and going with the flow!
Michelle has led an adventurous career path and in all cases, she has allowed her heart to lead the way. Most of her successes arrived through tapping into "flow" and simply being open to the journey. Learning how to shift frequencies is the key to allowing what the universe has to offer in order for us to successfully complete our achievements. Her group's conversation will run the gamut with topics ranging from consulting emerging artists, running a nonprofit, and creating community. She will also teach sound healing techniques and share how to use it as a tool to stay balanced and be present in order to allow and accept the magic of the journey we are all on.
Michelle Berc is the founder, art curator, and most importantly, the creative energy behind all things fueling the Create:Fixate Foundation, LA’s most respected nonprofit arts organization supporting emerging artists for the past thirteen years. C:F’s highly anticipated art events that happen quarterly each year have supported close to a 1,000 Angeleno, national, and international artists through the process of building their artistic careers. C:F is known for giving artists the experience of making their first art sale and with its large patron base, has also cultivated many new art collectors. Michelle is always excited to talk about how the organization is impacting the community further with its “Young Creatives Program" which inspires at-risk youth to find their voice through creativity.
"Art Angeles” is Michelle’s boutique art consulting agency where she works with private art collectors, interior designers, and real estate agents. She has termed herself as an 'Art Stylist,' specializing in finding the perfect artistic energy to accent the decor of any interior that may need it.
Michelle’s most recent passion and hobby for the past six years has been exploring the world of sound healing. She is currently earning a certification in the field and has welcomed this new skill set as she expands her career path of elevating lives with art and music. Several times a month, she hosts the Sonic Being Signature Chakra Balancing Sound Bath. Similar to how she started Create:Fixate over a decade ago, it’s all word of mouth to find out where and when it’s happening.
Who knew Michelle’s background from working in the music video and commercial industry would lead to all this, but now looking back, it all kind of makes sense. It's all about the journey isn't it? ;)
This may be the longest short bio and Michelle refuses to call it an identity crisis. She would rather take full ownership of all her elevating endeavors that have no other motivation but to inspire lives and encourage people to find all the answers from within.
To learn more, feel free to visit one or all of her websites:
http://www.createfixate.com
http://www.sonicbeing.com
http://www.art-angeles.com
We gathered on Sunday, June 8, 2014 (Cross Pollinate 3) for an extraordinary women's networking event. We join in circle with no hierarchy and instead utilize the feminine way. Everyone's voices are heard and resources/skills are shared and life-changing collaborations are formed!
We began our gathering ceremoniously and in ritual together in one big circle so that all have the opportunity to speak and then we break off into small circles based on the topics lead by the incredibly talented women below. Below are our beautiful Affinity Group Leaders and a sampling of what topics we discussed.
Clare Fox: Love and Leadership
This affinity group will explore how we can create social, economic, government and community change from a love-centered paradigm of leadership. How do we engage with civic, political and policy spaces and stay rooted in our authentic experience and voice? Considering our engagement both "inside" and "outside" of systems and institutions, we will support each other in fortifying our own innate leadership qualities so that we may shine brightly in our work to transform ourselves and the world.
Clare is the Director of Policy and Innovation for the Los Angeles Food Policy Council (LAFPC), an independent non-profit created by the City of Los Angeles to advance food systems policy. She collaborates closely with a large network of food advocate, public and private sector representatives to catalyze projects and build leadership capacity for a sustainable and equitable food system in Southern California. Her policy areas focus on food access and equity, urban agriculture, street food vending, and food-anchored community economic development. Clare directs the Healthy Neighborhood Market Network, an initiative to bring business and leadership development opportunities and consulting to neighborhood markets in low-income communities who wish to sell more fresh and healthy food. In 2011, Clare co-created the Community Market Conversion Program at the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles, and coordinated a four store pilot in South Los Angeles in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Previously, Clare worked on a wide range of community, environmental and labor organizations as a research, strategic planning and facilitation consultant, including projects for the UCLA Labor Center, the Los Angeles Community Garden Council and Green for All. For several years, Clare produced and taught radio production to young people throughout Los Angeles and the U.S. for Youth Radio and National Public Radio. Clare has a bachelor's degree from Mount Holyoke College and a Masters in urban planning from UCLA. All her work is informed by over a decade participating in grassroots movements for social and racial justice.
This affinity group will explore how we can create social, economic, government and community change from a love-centered paradigm of leadership. How do we engage with civic, political and policy spaces and stay rooted in our authentic experience and voice? Considering our engagement both "inside" and "outside" of systems and institutions, we will support each other in fortifying our own innate leadership qualities so that we may shine brightly in our work to transform ourselves and the world.
Clare is the Director of Policy and Innovation for the Los Angeles Food Policy Council (LAFPC), an independent non-profit created by the City of Los Angeles to advance food systems policy. She collaborates closely with a large network of food advocate, public and private sector representatives to catalyze projects and build leadership capacity for a sustainable and equitable food system in Southern California. Her policy areas focus on food access and equity, urban agriculture, street food vending, and food-anchored community economic development. Clare directs the Healthy Neighborhood Market Network, an initiative to bring business and leadership development opportunities and consulting to neighborhood markets in low-income communities who wish to sell more fresh and healthy food. In 2011, Clare co-created the Community Market Conversion Program at the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles, and coordinated a four store pilot in South Los Angeles in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Previously, Clare worked on a wide range of community, environmental and labor organizations as a research, strategic planning and facilitation consultant, including projects for the UCLA Labor Center, the Los Angeles Community Garden Council and Green for All. For several years, Clare produced and taught radio production to young people throughout Los Angeles and the U.S. for Youth Radio and National Public Radio. Clare has a bachelor's degree from Mount Holyoke College and a Masters in urban planning from UCLA. All her work is informed by over a decade participating in grassroots movements for social and racial justice.
Chella Diaz
Chella will share her 3 step approach to practical money management. It's not about how much money you make that counts it's how much money you save. She will share saving tips, how keeping track of your money and save you money.
At 9 years old, Chella used to go to farmers market and found the vendors that had the best quality products at the lowest price. Bargain shopping was something that was natural for her. At age 15 ½ she got her first summer job saved most of her money and bought her first car at 17 and her house at 23 years old.
After years in the lending industry, Chella realized that her practical real life strategies should go beyond family and friends. She started working with people that wanted to be the director of their money.
Today, she equips women with the money knowledge they need for a wealthy life. Chella published her first book “Money Boot Camp” in November 2013
Chella will share her 3 step approach to practical money management. It's not about how much money you make that counts it's how much money you save. She will share saving tips, how keeping track of your money and save you money.
At 9 years old, Chella used to go to farmers market and found the vendors that had the best quality products at the lowest price. Bargain shopping was something that was natural for her. At age 15 ½ she got her first summer job saved most of her money and bought her first car at 17 and her house at 23 years old.
After years in the lending industry, Chella realized that her practical real life strategies should go beyond family and friends. She started working with people that wanted to be the director of their money.
Today, she equips women with the money knowledge they need for a wealthy life. Chella published her first book “Money Boot Camp” in November 2013
Marysia Miernowska: Herbal Medicine for Daily Life- Connecting to your inner medicine woman
Join Herbalist Marysia on a spiritual journey with some medicinal plants and a practical hands on teaching of how to incorporate herbs in your daily life. Participants will connect to their inner medicine woman and to the lineage of healers through the Wise Woman Tradition of healing. An introduction to using plants for health, vitality, transformation, energy and wholeness, participants will leave inspired, connected and full of tips and ideas on different ways to use plant medicine in daily life and common ailments.
Marysia Miernowska is an Herbalist, gardener and Plant Spirit Medicine Practitioner trained in the Wise Woman Tradition of healing. She teaches workshops in plant shamanism, holds ceremonies, and is opening the California branch of the Gaia School of Healing and Earth Education. Martsua designs and cares for biodynamic medicinal gardens and makes herbal medicine and sacred plant elixirs. She shares her passion for wellness of the earth and her people with her clients, in workshops, in the gardens she tends, and as the Wellness Expert on the TV show At Home with Didiayer. For more information on the apprenticeship in herbal healing and plant magic, visit www.thegreenwoman.com
Join Herbalist Marysia on a spiritual journey with some medicinal plants and a practical hands on teaching of how to incorporate herbs in your daily life. Participants will connect to their inner medicine woman and to the lineage of healers through the Wise Woman Tradition of healing. An introduction to using plants for health, vitality, transformation, energy and wholeness, participants will leave inspired, connected and full of tips and ideas on different ways to use plant medicine in daily life and common ailments.
Marysia Miernowska is an Herbalist, gardener and Plant Spirit Medicine Practitioner trained in the Wise Woman Tradition of healing. She teaches workshops in plant shamanism, holds ceremonies, and is opening the California branch of the Gaia School of Healing and Earth Education. Martsua designs and cares for biodynamic medicinal gardens and makes herbal medicine and sacred plant elixirs. She shares her passion for wellness of the earth and her people with her clients, in workshops, in the gardens she tends, and as the Wellness Expert on the TV show At Home with Didiayer. For more information on the apprenticeship in herbal healing and plant magic, visit www.thegreenwoman.com
Onna Young
Onna leads and guides people to their own mastery, in a supportive, graceful way that helps them positively change the trajectory of their lives and businesses, effortlessly.
She is the President of the Board of Nourish America, a disaster relief company (2014-2015).
Onna teaches “life matters” mastery courses on relationships, money, happiness and business, at the Gateway in Los Angeles, CA and offers private coaching. She brings 20 years of sales, marketing, and strategic marketing implementation to her business clients and is a certified success coach able to help catapult her clients quickly toward their goals or away from what no longer serves them. info@onnayoung.com
Onna leads and guides people to their own mastery, in a supportive, graceful way that helps them positively change the trajectory of their lives and businesses, effortlessly.
She is the President of the Board of Nourish America, a disaster relief company (2014-2015).
Onna teaches “life matters” mastery courses on relationships, money, happiness and business, at the Gateway in Los Angeles, CA and offers private coaching. She brings 20 years of sales, marketing, and strategic marketing implementation to her business clients and is a certified success coach able to help catapult her clients quickly toward their goals or away from what no longer serves them. info@onnayoung.com
Jessica Viola will be discussing Living Landscapes.
The highest generalization of “permaculture design” is, simply, relationship. Understanding how different elements in a system, any system, exist and function in relationship to every other element in that system is one core aspect of permaculture design. Everything is relationship. In this talk, we will explore the core principles of permaculture design in the garden and landscape, and the patterns that govern and guide natural systems so we can learn to use these patterns as a models for personal growth, community reliance and better relationship in our personal and professional lives.
Jessica is a botanical designer and the founder of Viola Living Jewels and Viola Gardens, Jessica has spent the past 15 years cultivating her design portfolio based on sustainability, whole-system solutions and artistic vision. With a background in organic, permaculture-based botanical design and a strong passion for plants, ecology, culture and creative expression, Jessica has traveled extensively throughout Peru and Mexico, deepening her understanding of plant wisdom and natural design by spending time in the Amazon, the Andes and the mountains of Mexico learning from people of authentic traditions. Years of exploring sustainable living, traveling, playing music, singing, gardening, writing, teaching, meditating and making art with plants have culminated in the creation of Viola Living Jewels and Viola Gardens.
Over the past 15 years, Jessica has built a portfolio in residential and small-business landscape design where she has specialized in habitat restoration, native and medicinal plants, food forestry and organic garden care and fine garden maintenance. Jessica began her studies in Northern California in 2001, working with Golden Gate Park and Rec and O'Donnell's Fairfax Nursery where she managed the native plant nursery and began installing restorative native landscapes throughout west marin. Jessica went on to take the Permaculture Design Course in 2007 with Larry Santoyo and later, again, in Cuayocan, Mexico before going on to receive her teacher training in Permaculture at the Permaculture Institute in New Mexico with Scott Pittman and Larry Santoyo in it's flagship year. Jessica also has extensive training in natural building and received her certification at the world-renowned Cal Earth Institute, studying the principles of earth architecture and construction of ceramic houses which she has used in her practice through the years.
Viola Gardens has designed and cared for a wide variety of landscapes for a wide variety of clients, both residential and commercial, as well as with several schools, small businesses and restaurants. Designs have ranged from Native Plant Gardens to drought-tolerant Tropical Oasis, from Succulent Artscapes to Edible Wonderlands, always employing an organic and sustainable approach. Commercial clients include Roseark, Environmental Charter High School, La Loma Development, Silver Lake Farms and the Natural History Museum.
Viola Gardens has received positive press throughout the years, including write ups in The San Francisco Chronicle, LA Yoga Magazine, as well as radio interviews on KDNK (listen via link on homepage). Jessica has taught Introduction to Permaculture Design at Santa Monica College, as well as lectured at various schools and institutes, including Environmental Charter High School, Crossroads and Pepperdine University.
Viola Gardens was born in 2006 and has since been cultivating an awareness of the environment, sustainable living, health and ecology through design and education, inspiring people and creating art by employing a modern approach to natural design in the landscape.
For more information, please visit: www.violagardens.com and violalivingjewels.com
The highest generalization of “permaculture design” is, simply, relationship. Understanding how different elements in a system, any system, exist and function in relationship to every other element in that system is one core aspect of permaculture design. Everything is relationship. In this talk, we will explore the core principles of permaculture design in the garden and landscape, and the patterns that govern and guide natural systems so we can learn to use these patterns as a models for personal growth, community reliance and better relationship in our personal and professional lives.
Jessica is a botanical designer and the founder of Viola Living Jewels and Viola Gardens, Jessica has spent the past 15 years cultivating her design portfolio based on sustainability, whole-system solutions and artistic vision. With a background in organic, permaculture-based botanical design and a strong passion for plants, ecology, culture and creative expression, Jessica has traveled extensively throughout Peru and Mexico, deepening her understanding of plant wisdom and natural design by spending time in the Amazon, the Andes and the mountains of Mexico learning from people of authentic traditions. Years of exploring sustainable living, traveling, playing music, singing, gardening, writing, teaching, meditating and making art with plants have culminated in the creation of Viola Living Jewels and Viola Gardens.
Over the past 15 years, Jessica has built a portfolio in residential and small-business landscape design where she has specialized in habitat restoration, native and medicinal plants, food forestry and organic garden care and fine garden maintenance. Jessica began her studies in Northern California in 2001, working with Golden Gate Park and Rec and O'Donnell's Fairfax Nursery where she managed the native plant nursery and began installing restorative native landscapes throughout west marin. Jessica went on to take the Permaculture Design Course in 2007 with Larry Santoyo and later, again, in Cuayocan, Mexico before going on to receive her teacher training in Permaculture at the Permaculture Institute in New Mexico with Scott Pittman and Larry Santoyo in it's flagship year. Jessica also has extensive training in natural building and received her certification at the world-renowned Cal Earth Institute, studying the principles of earth architecture and construction of ceramic houses which she has used in her practice through the years.
Viola Gardens has designed and cared for a wide variety of landscapes for a wide variety of clients, both residential and commercial, as well as with several schools, small businesses and restaurants. Designs have ranged from Native Plant Gardens to drought-tolerant Tropical Oasis, from Succulent Artscapes to Edible Wonderlands, always employing an organic and sustainable approach. Commercial clients include Roseark, Environmental Charter High School, La Loma Development, Silver Lake Farms and the Natural History Museum.
Viola Gardens has received positive press throughout the years, including write ups in The San Francisco Chronicle, LA Yoga Magazine, as well as radio interviews on KDNK (listen via link on homepage). Jessica has taught Introduction to Permaculture Design at Santa Monica College, as well as lectured at various schools and institutes, including Environmental Charter High School, Crossroads and Pepperdine University.
Viola Gardens was born in 2006 and has since been cultivating an awareness of the environment, sustainable living, health and ecology through design and education, inspiring people and creating art by employing a modern approach to natural design in the landscape.
For more information, please visit: www.violagardens.com and violalivingjewels.com
Ami Mariscal will be discussing Rock Out Your Sales and Marketing Systems.
Assess what you are doing in sales and marketing that is working and work on improving your systems during the workshop. Take a look at adding things you may not have tried such as Video, a specific Social Media Channel and/or Event Marketing. Recombine everything in a way that inspires and delights your audience so they keep spreading your story.
Ami is currently starting up the marketing and media company Good+WOW. They create WOW experiences that result in more sales and/or more investors for their clients. Good+WOW’s clients include businesses and filmmakers that are doing GOOD in the world. In 2013 Ami created Howhap, as in “how to make it happen”. Howhap simplifies the process of starting a meaningful business with programs that move entrepreneurs from one stage of starting a business to the next.
Taking it back to 2003... Ami traveled the world creating art and exhibiting across the country in galleries in NYC, Las Vegas and LA. In 2007 she was named one of “25 under 25: Up and Coming American Photographers”. Ami also taught Art and Art History at the Guggenheim and the MOCA. Upon moving to Los Angeles in 2006, she started working on camera crews for movies such as “Don't Mess With the Zohan", "Little Fockers", and the hit TV show "Rizzoli & Isles".
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amimariscal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amimariscal
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amimariscal
Assess what you are doing in sales and marketing that is working and work on improving your systems during the workshop. Take a look at adding things you may not have tried such as Video, a specific Social Media Channel and/or Event Marketing. Recombine everything in a way that inspires and delights your audience so they keep spreading your story.
Ami is currently starting up the marketing and media company Good+WOW. They create WOW experiences that result in more sales and/or more investors for their clients. Good+WOW’s clients include businesses and filmmakers that are doing GOOD in the world. In 2013 Ami created Howhap, as in “how to make it happen”. Howhap simplifies the process of starting a meaningful business with programs that move entrepreneurs from one stage of starting a business to the next.
Taking it back to 2003... Ami traveled the world creating art and exhibiting across the country in galleries in NYC, Las Vegas and LA. In 2007 she was named one of “25 under 25: Up and Coming American Photographers”. Ami also taught Art and Art History at the Guggenheim and the MOCA. Upon moving to Los Angeles in 2006, she started working on camera crews for movies such as “Don't Mess With the Zohan", "Little Fockers", and the hit TV show "Rizzoli & Isles".
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amimariscal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amimariscal
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amimariscal
Nisha Vida will be leading a group on Living Natural: The Art of Homemade Beauty Products
This affinity group will teach you recipes for homemade hair wash, facial scrubs and cleansers, moisturizers, and other tips for how beautify your body without synthetic chemicals. Bring a small container or two for samples.
Nisha is a researcher, writer, consultant and teacher. Born in South Africa during the apartheid regime and raised in Los Angeles, Vida's research has focused on colonial legacy in the modern era. Vida is recipient of a Fulbright research fellowship to Brazil. Vida has been deeply involved in the food justice and no GMO movement. She is organizer of Vandana Shiva's project Seed Freedom LA, and has significant nonprofit and grassroots organizing work in the LA area. She is also an LA County Master Gardener, and has helped start school gardens and teach gardening to youth in low income neighborhoods. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in international relations and just finished her first year of law school at UCLA.
This affinity group will teach you recipes for homemade hair wash, facial scrubs and cleansers, moisturizers, and other tips for how beautify your body without synthetic chemicals. Bring a small container or two for samples.
Nisha is a researcher, writer, consultant and teacher. Born in South Africa during the apartheid regime and raised in Los Angeles, Vida's research has focused on colonial legacy in the modern era. Vida is recipient of a Fulbright research fellowship to Brazil. Vida has been deeply involved in the food justice and no GMO movement. She is organizer of Vandana Shiva's project Seed Freedom LA, and has significant nonprofit and grassroots organizing work in the LA area. She is also an LA County Master Gardener, and has helped start school gardens and teach gardening to youth in low income neighborhoods. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in international relations and just finished her first year of law school at UCLA.
Hannah Ransom will be leading a group on Fertility Awareness.
This group will be covering an effective natural birth control method called fertility awareness. You will learn how it works and the other benefits to using the method. This includes optimizing your work and creativity at different times in your cycles, guaging your hormonal health, and empowering you with your reproductive health.
Hannah Ransom is a certified fertility awareness educator and has her background in nutrition. After a terrible two years using a copper IUD she decided to try fertility awareness and feel in love. She enjoys teaching women and girls about their bodies and their choices when it comes to their reproductive health and empowering them to make the best decision for their life.
This group will be covering an effective natural birth control method called fertility awareness. You will learn how it works and the other benefits to using the method. This includes optimizing your work and creativity at different times in your cycles, guaging your hormonal health, and empowering you with your reproductive health.
Hannah Ransom is a certified fertility awareness educator and has her background in nutrition. After a terrible two years using a copper IUD she decided to try fertility awareness and feel in love. She enjoys teaching women and girls about their bodies and their choices when it comes to their reproductive health and empowering them to make the best decision for their life.
So pleased to have Jennie Cook back leading an affinity group: The Pie of Life
How do you want to feel at the end of the day?
By creating a simple pie of life drawing we’ll look at where we are, and where we want to be.
It’s an individual, introspective and intuitive exploration into our daily happenings and happiness.
All will be revealed quickly working organically and intimately with yourself.
Feel free to bring a journal or your own writing implements and paper.
Jeannie is the chairman of the Board at RootDown LA and Boss Lady at Plant Based Parties (Jennie Cooks Catering) www.jenniecooks.com
How do you want to feel at the end of the day?
By creating a simple pie of life drawing we’ll look at where we are, and where we want to be.
It’s an individual, introspective and intuitive exploration into our daily happenings and happiness.
All will be revealed quickly working organically and intimately with yourself.
Feel free to bring a journal or your own writing implements and paper.
Jeannie is the chairman of the Board at RootDown LA and Boss Lady at Plant Based Parties (Jennie Cooks Catering) www.jenniecooks.com
These incredible women (below) were the Affinity Group Leaders for Cross Pollinate 2, September 8th, 2013
Clare Fox - Food & Social Justice: Policy Advocacy & Strategy Clare Fox is the Strategic Initiatives Coordinator for the Los Angeles Food Policy Council (LAFPC), an independent non-profit created by the City of Los Angeles. She collaborates closely with a large network of food advocates, government and businesses to catalyze projects and build leadership capacity for a sustainable food system. Her policy advocacy focuses on urban agriculture, street food vending, and community economic development that creates opportunities and equitable access to healthy food in low-income communities. In this work, Clare runs business and leadership trainings and provides one-on-one consulting for neighborhood markets across the city who desire to sell more fresh and healthy food in communities with limited healthy food options, including project managing several corner store “conversion” projects. Clare also is a media and radio artist, dancer, poet and an aspiring holistic health counselor with a focus on healing from addiction and over-working. Clare has a bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College and a Masters in urban planning from UCLA. All her work is informed by over a decade participating in grassroots movements for social and racial justice.
Lara Catone – Reclaiming Feminine Sexual Power * Women are the creative vessels of the universe. When our sensuality and sexuality are repressed we are denied the full expression of our gifts. Let’s explore where we have been wounded or cut off from our uniquely feminine expression and the infinite creative power available to us when we align with embodied sexuality.
Lara Catone is a yoga teacher and somatic sexologist with extensive experience in women’s health. Her mission is to empower radiant health and pleasure through revolutionary education. Lara has dedicated the past 10 years to studies in the healing arts, including certifications as Sexological Bodyworker, birth doula and AcroYoga teacher. In 2011 she began development of the Restore Your Core program a revolutionary approach to changes in the abdomen and pelvic floor during pregnancy and postpartum including pelvic pain and dysfunction. Lara trains fitness, birth and medical professionals in her progressive approach to core health. Lara has a thriving private practice in Venice, CA and teaches workshops and retreats worldwide. Lara is an active blogger and has been featured as an expert in the media. She is the creator of Sexual Wellness TV, a web series about enlightened sexuality and health and author of the e-book, 31 Ways to Keep It Hot. Follow Lara on Twitter: @LaraCatone, Facebook: Lara Catone Yoga & Sexual Wellness and visit http://laracatone.com/ for sexy musings and educational media.
Lara Catone is a yoga teacher and somatic sexologist with extensive experience in women’s health. Her mission is to empower radiant health and pleasure through revolutionary education. Lara has dedicated the past 10 years to studies in the healing arts, including certifications as Sexological Bodyworker, birth doula and AcroYoga teacher. In 2011 she began development of the Restore Your Core program a revolutionary approach to changes in the abdomen and pelvic floor during pregnancy and postpartum including pelvic pain and dysfunction. Lara trains fitness, birth and medical professionals in her progressive approach to core health. Lara has a thriving private practice in Venice, CA and teaches workshops and retreats worldwide. Lara is an active blogger and has been featured as an expert in the media. She is the creator of Sexual Wellness TV, a web series about enlightened sexuality and health and author of the e-book, 31 Ways to Keep It Hot. Follow Lara on Twitter: @LaraCatone, Facebook: Lara Catone Yoga & Sexual Wellness and visit http://laracatone.com/ for sexy musings and educational media.
Jennie Cook – Speaking From the Heart: Voicing Our Passion Our thoughts become actions and our words become reality. Let’s raise our voices and define our destinies. By identifying and declaring our passion to the universe we get closer to our true path. Create it! www.jenniecooks.com
Erica Wohldmann – Sustainable Food Systems: From Harvesting to Selling
Erica Wohldmann received a joint Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Science from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and works as a Professor at California State University, Northridge. She has been teaching classes and community-based workshops for nearly 10 years. As a food activist, Erica has worked to develop and create sustainable food systems in Los Angeles. She has helped to build several food gardens, has worked with policy makers in Los Angeles and other parts of California, and is the founder of the Venice Harvest Xchange—a community-based food bazaar and underground farmers market. Erica will soon launch a new website that provides a venue for Cottage Food Producers and small food businesses to sell their homemade and commercially approved foods online. Erica has also been gardening and wild foraging for more than a decade, and recently returned from a 6-month voyage through 16 states during which time she wild foraged or traded wild foraged foods for all of the food that she consumed. She just completed a book about that journey, which is infused with concepts of Ecopsychology and Sociology, describing alternatives to large-scale industrial agriculture. Erica leads food and medicine walks in Los Angeles, and teaches herbal and medicinal beer-brewing and other primitive food preparation techniques to the community and at gatherings. Erica’s Cottage Food website: http://www.homemade1616.com/ her blog: http://simplyurban-erica.blogspot.com/
Erica Wohldmann received a joint Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Science from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and works as a Professor at California State University, Northridge. She has been teaching classes and community-based workshops for nearly 10 years. As a food activist, Erica has worked to develop and create sustainable food systems in Los Angeles. She has helped to build several food gardens, has worked with policy makers in Los Angeles and other parts of California, and is the founder of the Venice Harvest Xchange—a community-based food bazaar and underground farmers market. Erica will soon launch a new website that provides a venue for Cottage Food Producers and small food businesses to sell their homemade and commercially approved foods online. Erica has also been gardening and wild foraging for more than a decade, and recently returned from a 6-month voyage through 16 states during which time she wild foraged or traded wild foraged foods for all of the food that she consumed. She just completed a book about that journey, which is infused with concepts of Ecopsychology and Sociology, describing alternatives to large-scale industrial agriculture. Erica leads food and medicine walks in Los Angeles, and teaches herbal and medicinal beer-brewing and other primitive food preparation techniques to the community and at gatherings. Erica’s Cottage Food website: http://www.homemade1616.com/ her blog: http://simplyurban-erica.blogspot.com/
Anna Cummins – Women’s Leadership – Challenges, Successes & Support
Do you, or have you ever dreamed of running your own project, organization, managing a team, or leading a movement for the greater good? Leadership is an art form, one we can all improve upon. Come share your stories, feedback, and lets learn from one another!
Anna Cummins has over 15 years of experience in environmental non-profit work, education, writing, and campaign development. She has worked in marine conservation, coastal watershed management, sustainability education, and high school ecology instruction. Anna received her undergraduate in History from Stanford University, and her Masters in International Environmental Policy from the Monterey Institute for International Studies. In 2001, Anna received a fellowship from the Sustainable Communities Leadership Program, to work with Santa Cruz based non-profit Save Our Shores, coordinating bilingual outreach education and community relations. In 2007 Anna joined the Algalita Marine Research Foundation as education adviser, conducting school outreach and giving public presentations on plastic marine pollution. In 2008, Anna completed a month long, 4,000-mile research expedition studying plastic debris in the North Pacific Gyre, during which her now husband Dr. Marcus Eriksen proposed. The two married during a 2,000 mile cycling/speaking tour from Vancouver to Mexico, giving talks about plastic pollution. In 2009, Anna and Marcus co-founded The 5 Gyres Institute, to eliminate plastic pollution in the world’s oceans through research, education, and community engagement. The 5 Gyres Institute completed the first global survey on plastic pollution in 2011, and published the first scientific paper on the South Pacific Garbage Patch in 2013. Anna was elected a fellow of the Wings World Quest in 2011, and received a Golden Goody Award in 2013. Check out her non-profit: http://5gyres.org/
Do you, or have you ever dreamed of running your own project, organization, managing a team, or leading a movement for the greater good? Leadership is an art form, one we can all improve upon. Come share your stories, feedback, and lets learn from one another!
Anna Cummins has over 15 years of experience in environmental non-profit work, education, writing, and campaign development. She has worked in marine conservation, coastal watershed management, sustainability education, and high school ecology instruction. Anna received her undergraduate in History from Stanford University, and her Masters in International Environmental Policy from the Monterey Institute for International Studies. In 2001, Anna received a fellowship from the Sustainable Communities Leadership Program, to work with Santa Cruz based non-profit Save Our Shores, coordinating bilingual outreach education and community relations. In 2007 Anna joined the Algalita Marine Research Foundation as education adviser, conducting school outreach and giving public presentations on plastic marine pollution. In 2008, Anna completed a month long, 4,000-mile research expedition studying plastic debris in the North Pacific Gyre, during which her now husband Dr. Marcus Eriksen proposed. The two married during a 2,000 mile cycling/speaking tour from Vancouver to Mexico, giving talks about plastic pollution. In 2009, Anna and Marcus co-founded The 5 Gyres Institute, to eliminate plastic pollution in the world’s oceans through research, education, and community engagement. The 5 Gyres Institute completed the first global survey on plastic pollution in 2011, and published the first scientific paper on the South Pacific Garbage Patch in 2013. Anna was elected a fellow of the Wings World Quest in 2011, and received a Golden Goody Award in 2013. Check out her non-profit: http://5gyres.org/
Andrea Adler, The Metaphysical Marketer - The Power of The Word We take our speech and our written words for granted. However, when we begin to focus on the words we say and the words we write, we may realize that we unknowingly create exclusivity, instead inclusivity – without being aware of it. In this session, you will hear stories of how people have lost and won millions of dollars by being conscious of the words they use – in their work and in their lives. Andrea Adler is a Broadway and TV actress, Founder of Holistic PR and author of PR for the Holistic Healer, Creating an Abundant Practice, The Science of Spiritual Marketing, and her breakout novel, Pushing Upward, published by Hay House. www.holisticpr.comwww.pushingupward.com
Mona Holmes, Social Media Mona – Power of Social Media & How To Build Online Community
During the social media ‘dark ages,’ before Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIN, Pinterest, Instagram or Tumblr, the music-friendly MySpace was king. This was perfect while Mona launched an online community of female DJs, vocalists and producers in 2002. With her business partner, they devoted all of their spare hours to create Shejay, an influential worldwide network, online magazine (with user generated content) and a booking agency. They didn’t realize it at the time, but they created a social network before the moniker ever existed. The ladies spent many a late night editing content, coding HTML, finding audiences and building a solid email list. They miss those days, because every success was built by our hard work, innovations and word of mouth. After moving towards food blogging in 2008, it became essential that we learn everything about marketing our new businesses in the newer digital age. After gathering a steady following, she was asked to do the same for another company. Then another. So another business was born: Social Media Mona.
During the social media ‘dark ages,’ before Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIN, Pinterest, Instagram or Tumblr, the music-friendly MySpace was king. This was perfect while Mona launched an online community of female DJs, vocalists and producers in 2002. With her business partner, they devoted all of their spare hours to create Shejay, an influential worldwide network, online magazine (with user generated content) and a booking agency. They didn’t realize it at the time, but they created a social network before the moniker ever existed. The ladies spent many a late night editing content, coding HTML, finding audiences and building a solid email list. They miss those days, because every success was built by our hard work, innovations and word of mouth. After moving towards food blogging in 2008, it became essential that we learn everything about marketing our new businesses in the newer digital age. After gathering a steady following, she was asked to do the same for another company. Then another. So another business was born: Social Media Mona.
Elizabeth Bachner, Gracefull Birthing – Midwifery Support & Conscious Choices in Childbirth
“Conscious Birthing is not attached to “where” one births, or “how” it looks. If you are connected with awareness to what feels safe and true for you at any given moment, and find the space and breath within that moment, then you can birth consciously anywhere – home, hospital or a birthing center.” Elizabeth Bachner grew up in New England and received her B.A. in Child Psychology from the Elliot Pierson School at Tufts University. After 5 years of living and traveling in Africa, Australia & Europe she returned to school and became a Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist. In 2003, Elizabeth received a literal calling to enter the path of midwifery through recurring dreams in which women would squat and birth their baby’s into her out stretched hands. Having attended over 475 births, Elizabeth believes that birthing a baby is a rite of passage for both women and men, containing the ultimate lesson in surrender and trust. She has dedicated herself to serving birth as a midwife because she enjoys creating a safe and supportive space for the starting point of the parenting journey. Elizabeth is both owner and midwife of GraceFull Birthing, Silver Lake’s brand new Environmentally Respectful Birthing Center and Community Space where the Midwifery Model of Care is extended into a parenting philosophy of connection and trust. At GraceFull Birthing families can not only choose to birth at the center or home with a midwife, but anyone, no matter who or where they birth, can receive GraceFull Care by utilizing our Chiropractor, Acupuncturist, Mayan Abdominal Massage Therapist, Lactation Consultant, or any one of our many Childbirth Education Classes and Mommy and Me Groups. http://www.gracefull.com
“Conscious Birthing is not attached to “where” one births, or “how” it looks. If you are connected with awareness to what feels safe and true for you at any given moment, and find the space and breath within that moment, then you can birth consciously anywhere – home, hospital or a birthing center.” Elizabeth Bachner grew up in New England and received her B.A. in Child Psychology from the Elliot Pierson School at Tufts University. After 5 years of living and traveling in Africa, Australia & Europe she returned to school and became a Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist. In 2003, Elizabeth received a literal calling to enter the path of midwifery through recurring dreams in which women would squat and birth their baby’s into her out stretched hands. Having attended over 475 births, Elizabeth believes that birthing a baby is a rite of passage for both women and men, containing the ultimate lesson in surrender and trust. She has dedicated herself to serving birth as a midwife because she enjoys creating a safe and supportive space for the starting point of the parenting journey. Elizabeth is both owner and midwife of GraceFull Birthing, Silver Lake’s brand new Environmentally Respectful Birthing Center and Community Space where the Midwifery Model of Care is extended into a parenting philosophy of connection and trust. At GraceFull Birthing families can not only choose to birth at the center or home with a midwife, but anyone, no matter who or where they birth, can receive GraceFull Care by utilizing our Chiropractor, Acupuncturist, Mayan Abdominal Massage Therapist, Lactation Consultant, or any one of our many Childbirth Education Classes and Mommy and Me Groups. http://www.gracefull.com
Laurie Lovekraft, Reclaiming Los Angeles – Hands-On Vision Boards Workshop
Laurie Lovekraft is a 25-year ritualist and performer who has studied Wicca, Feri, Thelema, Herbalism, and Tibetan Buddhism. She co-founded Reclaiming LA (Southern California’s Reclaiming Collective) and serves as a teacher in that tradition. Laurie’s writings have appeared in Green Egg, Widdershins, and PanGaia Magazine as well as Bitch Goddess: The Spiritual Path of the Dominant Woman. She was featured in the book, Modern Pagans (RE/Search Publications) and is a graduate of the Berkeley Psychic Institute’s Women’s Clairvoyant program. A long-time environmentalist, Laurie was an anti-nukes protestor in the ’80s and worked to save Headwaters Forest and the South Central Farm. She continues to support environmental, labor, and social justice causes and is raising her children in the Goddess tradition. http://reclaimingla.org
Laurie Lovekraft is a 25-year ritualist and performer who has studied Wicca, Feri, Thelema, Herbalism, and Tibetan Buddhism. She co-founded Reclaiming LA (Southern California’s Reclaiming Collective) and serves as a teacher in that tradition. Laurie’s writings have appeared in Green Egg, Widdershins, and PanGaia Magazine as well as Bitch Goddess: The Spiritual Path of the Dominant Woman. She was featured in the book, Modern Pagans (RE/Search Publications) and is a graduate of the Berkeley Psychic Institute’s Women’s Clairvoyant program. A long-time environmentalist, Laurie was an anti-nukes protestor in the ’80s and worked to save Headwaters Forest and the South Central Farm. She continues to support environmental, labor, and social justice causes and is raising her children in the Goddess tradition. http://reclaimingla.org
Marcia Lopez – Womb Wisdom For Peace
The fruit of knowledge lies in the center of woman, for within her is the center of the universe – the womb, the matrix of life, blood, and body. Woman and Womb – Holder and Creatrix. The health of the woman is the health of the tribe, for all her fruit is blessed. Ancient Wisdom is that the Womb is the Cosmic Portal into this 3rd dimensional world of Earth. The Womb is our first physical home in which spirit and matter become one. Our first stopping point to beginning our life journey. Based on this truth one can assume that utmost care has been taken to ensure the health of all wombs and of all women. The health of the womb is the health of the tribe.Can we make a Universal Model of Peace from the correlation of Womb Health and Humanitarian Health?
Marcia Lopez is a Womb Healer, Massage Therapist, Yoga Instructor, Somatic Sex Educator, and a modern day Urban Curandera. She is a Mayan Abdominal Healer through the Arvigo Institute and a Pompamesayoq of the Quechua Shamanic Lineage of Peru under Rev. Esther Jenkins. She holds Yogic study of mantra and meditation under Atma Degeyndt, Kundalini Tantra under Psalm Isadora, and asana and sutras under the American School of Yoga. Marcia has specialized in women’s health and healing for most of her practice working with high risk pregnancies, labor preparation, post-partum care, and helping men and women heal from reproductive dysfunction. She facilitates women’s circles and has given lectures on Conscious Sexuality. She has shared her knowledge at festivals and universities and has worked with an extensive list of clientele from all walks of life and backgrounds. For more information and to contact Marcia for healing, workshops, or speaking engagements please visit www.truehealingbodywork.com In La’ kech
The fruit of knowledge lies in the center of woman, for within her is the center of the universe – the womb, the matrix of life, blood, and body. Woman and Womb – Holder and Creatrix. The health of the woman is the health of the tribe, for all her fruit is blessed. Ancient Wisdom is that the Womb is the Cosmic Portal into this 3rd dimensional world of Earth. The Womb is our first physical home in which spirit and matter become one. Our first stopping point to beginning our life journey. Based on this truth one can assume that utmost care has been taken to ensure the health of all wombs and of all women. The health of the womb is the health of the tribe.Can we make a Universal Model of Peace from the correlation of Womb Health and Humanitarian Health?
Marcia Lopez is a Womb Healer, Massage Therapist, Yoga Instructor, Somatic Sex Educator, and a modern day Urban Curandera. She is a Mayan Abdominal Healer through the Arvigo Institute and a Pompamesayoq of the Quechua Shamanic Lineage of Peru under Rev. Esther Jenkins. She holds Yogic study of mantra and meditation under Atma Degeyndt, Kundalini Tantra under Psalm Isadora, and asana and sutras under the American School of Yoga. Marcia has specialized in women’s health and healing for most of her practice working with high risk pregnancies, labor preparation, post-partum care, and helping men and women heal from reproductive dysfunction. She facilitates women’s circles and has given lectures on Conscious Sexuality. She has shared her knowledge at festivals and universities and has worked with an extensive list of clientele from all walks of life and backgrounds. For more information and to contact Marcia for healing, workshops, or speaking engagements please visit www.truehealingbodywork.com In La’ kech
Lisa Cianci – Urban Homesteading & Permaculture
Lisa Cianci was born in New York City to parents of Irish, Italian, Puerto Rican, French and Indian Descent. She considers herself a “Mutt” the definition of a true “American”. At the… peak of her career while working for Gensler, the world’s largest architectural and interior design firm for 13 years Lisa appeared to be living the ultimate “American Dream”. She traveled all over the Country and world, as she designed shell and cores and interiors for Rolls Royce’s’, corporate jets, private airplanes & hangers, multi-million dollar corporate campus’ and headquarters’ Practicing domestically as well as internationally for such prestigious clients as Rand, Nikken, Warner Bros. and Herbalife.By the age 38, Lisa had been traveling for close to 10 years. She made more money than she had ever dreamed of. However, she worked 7 days a week 80 hours a week for more than a decade. Basically, she was living a “man’s life”. Denying her feminine power. She needed to reconnect with Mother Earth, her Husband, her Son and the Spirit of God. Her Authentic Self. The Woman, Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife, Mother, and Spiritual Being who withering away. Like a flower longing for sunlight, thirsting for water, she felt suffocated and although she had everything she wanted, she had nothing of true significance that she needed. Lisa’s wake-up call came when she discovered a lump in her breast, at the exact same age as her mother when she experienced her first malignant breast cancer when Lisa was 13. Now, for the past 13 years Lisa has been hosting healing retreats, educational programs, and community and private events on her ranch in Topanga Canyon. CA. The land was originally one of the first farms in the area but has been out of production for several decades. Lisa has been working hard to restore the site’s buildings and infrastructure. In January she began partnering with the Gaian Mind Institute to bring the land back into production using permaculture design methods. Her mission is closely aligned with that of the Gaian Mind Institute regarding the need to create self-sufficient and sustainable sacred space for healing and re-connection to the feminine energy of the Earth.
Lisa Cianci was born in New York City to parents of Irish, Italian, Puerto Rican, French and Indian Descent. She considers herself a “Mutt” the definition of a true “American”. At the… peak of her career while working for Gensler, the world’s largest architectural and interior design firm for 13 years Lisa appeared to be living the ultimate “American Dream”. She traveled all over the Country and world, as she designed shell and cores and interiors for Rolls Royce’s’, corporate jets, private airplanes & hangers, multi-million dollar corporate campus’ and headquarters’ Practicing domestically as well as internationally for such prestigious clients as Rand, Nikken, Warner Bros. and Herbalife.By the age 38, Lisa had been traveling for close to 10 years. She made more money than she had ever dreamed of. However, she worked 7 days a week 80 hours a week for more than a decade. Basically, she was living a “man’s life”. Denying her feminine power. She needed to reconnect with Mother Earth, her Husband, her Son and the Spirit of God. Her Authentic Self. The Woman, Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife, Mother, and Spiritual Being who withering away. Like a flower longing for sunlight, thirsting for water, she felt suffocated and although she had everything she wanted, she had nothing of true significance that she needed. Lisa’s wake-up call came when she discovered a lump in her breast, at the exact same age as her mother when she experienced her first malignant breast cancer when Lisa was 13. Now, for the past 13 years Lisa has been hosting healing retreats, educational programs, and community and private events on her ranch in Topanga Canyon. CA. The land was originally one of the first farms in the area but has been out of production for several decades. Lisa has been working hard to restore the site’s buildings and infrastructure. In January she began partnering with the Gaian Mind Institute to bring the land back into production using permaculture design methods. Her mission is closely aligned with that of the Gaian Mind Institute regarding the need to create self-sufficient and sustainable sacred space for healing and re-connection to the feminine energy of the Earth.
Autumn Rooney & Janine Christiano, CA Time Banks – Time Banking, Families & Childcare: It Takes A Village
Autumn Rooney is a Los Angeles based activist and community builder. She is co-founder of the Echo Park Time Bank formed in March of 2008 and co-director of the Arroyo Sustainable Economies Community Organization. She is also developing the California Federation of Time Banks, a regional information hub and network for Time Banks in California. Autumn’s background includes, coordinating a recurring community-funded micro-grant for emerging artists called, “Artist Bailout”, a grassroots model for funding small creative projects through public meals. She has also organized several Time Bank projects such as, classes on conflict resolution for kids, a community revolving loan fund and local food swaps. Autumn is dedicated to developing community assets in order to build a healthier, safer and more sustainable city. asntb.com Janine Christiano is the founder of the Arroyo Time Bank and co-director of the Arroyo Sustainable Economies Community Organization. Through the Arroyo Time Bank she helped launch the Altadena Urban Farmer’s Market to promote a local and sustainable food economy. She is also developing the California Federation of Time Banks, a regional information hub and network for Time Banks in California. Janine is also Program Coordinator at the Armory Center for the Arts and is a proud resident of Pasadena where she lives with her husband and new baby daughter Paloma.
Janine and Autumn will facilitate a discussion about the joys and challenges of raising children in Los Angeles and how to rebuild the village. Brainstorm ways to develop a network of support for parents by tapping into the resources of the Time Bank. cafederationoftimebanks.com
Megan Hanson – Youth Leadership & Civic Engagement
Once an advertising and marketing executive in New York City, Megan now works as a renegade nutrition educator, cutting through the clutter of confusing nutrition information and mowing down what she terms “Entrenched Veggie Aversions” to get people reconnected to real food. Though she gained invaluable experience toiling for corporations and clients, such as Quaker Oats, Procter & Gamble and TIME Magazine, she knew in her gut she had something to gain outside the corporate structure, so (with TIME’s blessing, and a 10” chef’s knife gifted to her by the head of Marketing) she ran away to sea to cook on sailboats. When on land, Megan completed Masters work in documentary photo studies at the Salt Institute, and earned a certification in Holistic Nutrition Education from Bauman College – all the while, building her business as a photographer, private chef, and nutrition educator. For nine years, she has been facilitating nutrition, cooking and food systems educational experiences for jail inmates and inner city youth in San Francisco and South Central LA. She is a co-founder and Executive Director of ROOT DOWN LA, which is a non-profit venture she co-founded in 2008, training youth in South Los Angeles to build demand for (and now create supplies of) healthy food in their communities. http://rootdownla.org/
