Jen
In the 8 years she co-led the Green Team at Walt Disney Animation Studios, Jen spearheaded workshops for composting, textile drives, and piloted efforts for single-use plastics reduction in the workplace. Jen also enjoys the act of getting her hands dirty outside of work; she has been a long time volunteer in the restoration and biodiversity conservation efforts with organizations like TreePeople and FOLAR.
Having worked 15 years in Animation production, Jen has been a producer on films great and small. She is proficient in mobilizing teams to hit seemingly impossible deadlines with very little resources - skills that have well prepared her for the work that needs to be done in the climate action space. Jen is a leader and a do-er.
The way Jen feels CONNECTED is finding like-minded people and sharing the joy in the collective desire to be stewards of our planet and collaborating on ways to help each other reach our green goals while engaging with communities so people can be proud of their work together.
Maria
Remember that kid growing up who was always doing a recycling drive? Yep, that was Maria. Volunteering to move desert tortoises from new construction sites to safe habitat, trash clean ups in the mountains, writing to government officials about plastics in our oceans and rainforest destruction…Totally Maria. Maria grew up in Las Vegas and seeing the desert valley and surrounding mountains transform as the city grew made a big impression on her.
Maria has a background as a filmmaker, producer, teacher, and curriculum designer. Within the realms of reducing consumption and ecological footprint, Maria is interested in how seemingly minor changes to everyday routines can add up to a major impact. Maria’s specialty is making lifestyle adjustments doable and enjoyable.
As a parent, Maria is also interested in how to model eco-conscious living for her daughter and living that is CONNECTED - to food and water sources, to simplicity and slowness, to our local community, and to our planet.
Links we’re sending each other this week