The Vision Circle – the Team Behind the Global Earth Repair Convergence
Our growing core team is dedicated to shaping the mission and structure of this event, bringing together expertise in event coordination, ecological restoration, indigenous leadership, and global collaboration. We are seeking additional members, including a youth advisor, grant writer, accountant, and festival coordinator, to help strengthen and expand our efforts as we move forward. To apply for the core organizing team, click here.
Marc Barasch, Author and Filmmaker
Founder of the Green World Campaign, Marc advances global ecosystem restoration through holistic approaches like agroforestry, regenerative enterprises, and innovative initiatives such as complementary currencies and blockchain-based “treeconomy” models. His work exemplifies the intersection of environmental restoration, community development, and media-driven advocacy, making him a pioneer in the regenerative movement.
Phoebe Barnard, Global Evergreening Alliance and Global Restoration Collaborative
Phoebe is regularly contributing to global restoration efforts as well as her regular participation and collaboration with the Global Earth Repair Convergence. She has also been involved with putting on environmental film screenings with our organization here in on the Olympic Peninsula. In concert with her husband John Bowey, she has produced a series of powerful climate restoration films.
Joe Brewer, Design School for Regenerating Earth
Joe integrates his expertise in complexity science, cognitive linguistics, and cultural design to foster planetary-scale regeneration. Focused on bioregional economies and large-scale ecosystem restoration, including a 500,000-hectare project in Barichara, Colombia, he pioneers transformative strategies for a sustainable future.
Stuart Cowan, Buckminster Fuller Institute
Stuart has experience in finance, regenerative design, and systems thinking. As the executive director of the Buckminster Fuller Institute and founding convener of the Regenerative Communities Network, he has galvanized countless organizations, events, and sustainable efforts.
Penny Heiple, Design School for Regenerating Earth
Penny is dedicated to ecosystem restoration and building a regenerative economy in Barichara, Colombia. Combining her expertise in operations with her passion for unified science, integral philosophy, and trauma healing, she fosters bioregional learning and transformative practices to support planetary regeneration.
Rob de Laet, Author, Cooling the Climate
A former eco-tourism operator turned Earth protector, Rob focuses on strategic interventions like growing a “Great Green Wall” for the Amazon to restore the biotic pump functions and revitalize ecosystems. His work emphasizes the urgent need to foster a new ecological civilization and collective consciousness to ensure a sustainable future for all life.
Richard Lukens, United Earth Networks
Richard is a producer specializing in concerts and festivals with causes like world peace, human rights, and environmental protection. A pioneer in communication technologies, he has simulcasted landmark events globally, bridging cultural divides. With connections to leaders, artists, and sponsors, Lukens creates transformative live experiences that foster understanding and connection.
Ilarion Merculieff, Wisdom Weavers of the World and Global Center for Indigenous Leadership and Lifeways
Based in Alaska, serving as the indigenous coordinator and advisor for this event, Ilarion is continuing his role from the first conference and online summit. His wise words and dynamic presence infuse events and meetings with a jovial spirit, reflecting his core message of centering our consciousness in the heart.
George Orbelian, Buckminster Fuller Institute
As a General Partner at Planet Positive Ventures, George champions innovative investments and technologies that foster sustainability and align humanity with nature. Through his work with the Buckminster Fuller Institute and Project Kaisei, he integrates ecological restoration with community and global solutions.
Michael Pilarski, Global Earth Repair Foundation
Michael Pilarski is a farmer, author, educator and advocate for Earth repair. He is overall coordinator for this event and founder of the Friends of the Trees Society (1978) and the Global Earth Repair Foundation (2019). Michael has been a regenerative farmer since 1972 and permaculture design course teacher since 1988. He has organized over 100 large, grassroots gatherings since 1974, as well as hundreds more community events and workshops. His events have a reputation for being meaningful and fun.
Mitch Rawlyk, Mitch.earth
Mitch is an Earth systems scientist, software developer, meteorological data scientist, and organic farmer with experience in regenerative organizing and permaculture. He is a regular and open collaborator with Earth restorers deploying innovative solutions.
Ryan Rising, Permaculture Action Network
Experienced in hosting Permaculture Action Days and deeply connected with youth movements. Currently coordinating Burners Without Borders, Ryan was instrumental in organizing the online Global Earth Repair Summit and will help coordinate the GERC 2 online program.
Jon Schull, EcoRestoration Alliance
Founder of the EcoRestoration Alliance, connecting with many individuals and organizations in the restoration community. Jon was a major participant and collaborator in the 2022 Global Earth Repair Summit, and his support has been invaluable.
The core team plays a vital role in overseeing the mission and language structure of the event.
As we grow, we will need additional staff to manage the many aspects of the event. Some team members will be local to Jefferson County, while others can work remotely. A dedicated funding team is essential, and for now, all core team members are encouraged to contribute to fundraising efforts.
We’ll also need a team of skilled facilitators for the event and international advisors to represent various regions of the world, including Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South/Central America, and Australasia.
Help us expand this team! Let’s gather the right people step by step to bring this vision to life. Again, to apply for the core organizing team, click here.