Strategic Initiatives: Action-oriented projects I have conceptualized and facilitated.

Strategic initiatives focus on igniting momentum and getting results and always involve mobilizing a team of collaborators. These initiatives tend to emerge organically, after deep probing and listening with others.

Igniting and Supporting Leadership Networks

Strategic Initiatives Case Studies
Volgenau Climate Initiative
Volgenau Climate Initiative

In a world of extreme change, achieving impact almost always depends on a network of collaborators

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Young Leaders Climate Network
Young Leaders Climate Network

I designed and led a program for diverse leaders working for equitable and enduring climate solutions.

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Political Donors for Climate Solutions
Political Donors for Climate Solutions

From 2011 - 2016, I led an informal swarm of over 150 high-dollar donors who had and continued to financially support the candidacy of President Obama.

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Supporting Emergent Fields of Work

Strategic Initiatives Case Studies
Promoting Regenerative Agriculture
Promoting Regenerative Agriculture

In partnership with others, I have focused significant attention and resources on the potential to transform industrial agriculture and build healthy soils.

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Advancing Ecological Restoration
Advancing Ecological Restoration

This comparatively new initiative is an effort to identify and communicate place-based restoration and conservation programs that have led to tangible positive impacts for the climate, biodiversity, and local communities.

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Advancing New Economic Models
Advancing New Economic Models

Since the release of The Limits to Growth in 1972 (attacked at the time from the Right and the Left), we have known that our model of economic wealth-building assumes no planetary boundaries.

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Climate Communications

Strategic Initiatives Case Studies
How Do We Talk About Climate Change
How Do We Talk About Climate Change

We assembled climate communications experts and developed a guide and communications training program to help candidates for local and federal office as well as private and public sector leaders effectively talk about the threat of climate change and the promise of clean energy.

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“I wasn’t sure exactly what to make of the Young Climate Leaders Network initially. I wanted a specific agenda, and action plan. Betsy very patiently explained to me the power of networks. My participation in this leadership network is not only essential to my work in climate and climate tech, but essential to my entire life. Years later, I still talk with my colleagues weekly, and we help each other as fellow travelers along the path on the awesome task of saving the planet for the human race.”

–Donnel Baird, CEO & Founder, BlocPower