Melanie St.James
Chief Inspiration Officer | Executive Director (Italy|USA)
Melanie's passion to make a difference began with her 1994 semester in China. Soon after, through experiences with indigenous social entrepreneurs across Africa she saw the systemic failure of top-down development as those affected only looked to the outside, missing the rich opportunities under their feet.
In identifying the local asset building 7 Stages to Sustainability (7SS) approach Melanie set out with Empowerment Works (EW) to help shift
global development from linear/neo-colonial to holistic and locally-led.
Since founding EW in 2001 Melanie started the social enterprise BioNova Health, co-founded the Coalition for a Sustainable Africa, and in 2008 began producing The Global Summit every other year, building it into an 8 day impact extravaganza which culminated in a truly worldwide virtual gathering with its Tokyo 2020 edition.
Now on a mission to be the change she wishes to see, from her home base in the foothills of Liguria, Italy, Melanie is thriving in a role supporting the remarkable leaders behind EW Fiscally Sponsored Projects.
Degrees: BA in International Relations & Diplomacy from Schiller International, Madrid, Spain; Masters in Public Administration from the Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS) Graduate School of International Policy Studies. Languages: French, Spanish, Italian, Loves: Curiosity, Humor, Yoga, Tango, & all animals, especially her Jordanian cat, Katia.
[email protected] } LinkedIn...
In identifying the local asset building 7 Stages to Sustainability (7SS) approach Melanie set out with Empowerment Works (EW) to help shift
global development from linear/neo-colonial to holistic and locally-led.
Since founding EW in 2001 Melanie started the social enterprise BioNova Health, co-founded the Coalition for a Sustainable Africa, and in 2008 began producing The Global Summit every other year, building it into an 8 day impact extravaganza which culminated in a truly worldwide virtual gathering with its Tokyo 2020 edition.
Now on a mission to be the change she wishes to see, from her home base in the foothills of Liguria, Italy, Melanie is thriving in a role supporting the remarkable leaders behind EW Fiscally Sponsored Projects.
Degrees: BA in International Relations & Diplomacy from Schiller International, Madrid, Spain; Masters in Public Administration from the Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS) Graduate School of International Policy Studies. Languages: French, Spanish, Italian, Loves: Curiosity, Humor, Yoga, Tango, & all animals, especially her Jordanian cat, Katia.
[email protected] } LinkedIn...
US Board of Directors
Dana Arak-Eng, Board Member
Chair, Legal & Artists In Action Lead
Dana is a passionate Human Rights activist, mother of two, and corporate attorney with past clients including Live Nation and Roku.
Having served on Empowerment Works Board in Los Angeles CA 2007-2010 stewarding The Global Summit launch, we're thrilled to have her back and bringing the Artists In Action benefit series back to life in the Bay Area.
[email protected] | LinkedIn...
Chair, Legal & Artists In Action Lead
Dana is a passionate Human Rights activist, mother of two, and corporate attorney with past clients including Live Nation and Roku.
Having served on Empowerment Works Board in Los Angeles CA 2007-2010 stewarding The Global Summit launch, we're thrilled to have her back and bringing the Artists In Action benefit series back to life in the Bay Area.
[email protected] | LinkedIn...
Jay Markert ("Jay Ma"), Board Member
Fiscal Sponsorship Co-Chair | Founder & CEO at Living Earth Technologies
Earning his first Permaculture Design Certificate in 2001, Jay started his degree program in performing Arts Production Management at Naropa University, received a B.S. through New College of California in Culture, Ecology, and Sustainable Community in 2005. He is a two-time graduate of Regenerative Design & Nature Awareness training through the Regenerative Design Institute.
Supporting EW's Pulse of the Movement Webcasts, The Global Summit, and 7SS Education Programs, Jay works with holistic educators, businesses, communities and institutions organizing, and promoting trainings, and initiatives for personal, ecological and social transformation in the Unites States and internationally.
Jay is the founder of Living Mandala, fire walk instructor (through Sundoor International), and a seasoned producer of educational programs, retreats, workshops, conferences and community development projects, with Regenerative Design Institute, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Gaia University, Omega Institute, Harmony Festival, and many others. He is the lead producer of the Northern California Building Resilient Communities Convergence, the largest permaculture event in North America. [email protected] | LinkedIn...
Marc Thibault, Board Member
Community Inclusion Chair | CEO of Ideal Convergence
Marc is an entrepreneur and a catalyst for transformational change. He brings 25 years of experience from start-ups and new technologies to sustainable initiatives and policies with a particular emphasis on growth opportunities, building mutually beneficial relationships, environmental and social benefits.
Dual Citizenships: US & French, fluent in both languages, working knowledge of Spanish.
Specialties: Sustainable Development/ Start-ups/ Business Development/ Management/ Sales and Marketing/ Green and Clean Technologies/ Sustainable Agriculture & Aquaculture/ Water treatment/ Soil remediation/ Household & Personal Care Products/ Internet Products and Services / Film, Entertainment, Event & Media Producer.
LinkedIn
Community Inclusion Chair | CEO of Ideal Convergence
Marc is an entrepreneur and a catalyst for transformational change. He brings 25 years of experience from start-ups and new technologies to sustainable initiatives and policies with a particular emphasis on growth opportunities, building mutually beneficial relationships, environmental and social benefits.
Dual Citizenships: US & French, fluent in both languages, working knowledge of Spanish.
Specialties: Sustainable Development/ Start-ups/ Business Development/ Management/ Sales and Marketing/ Green and Clean Technologies/ Sustainable Agriculture & Aquaculture/ Water treatment/ Soil remediation/ Household & Personal Care Products/ Internet Products and Services / Film, Entertainment, Event & Media Producer.
Advisory Council
Jan Knippers Black
Community Development & Global Affairs
Professor Black is a specialist in international and grassroots development, international and comparative politics, and US foreign policy. Professor Black has been leading the Middlebury Institute's human rights programs for more than a decade. Professor Black received her PhD from the School of International Service at American University. Professor Black was elected in 2011 and re-elected in 2014 to the national board of directors of Amnesty International USA.
Professor Black is the author of several books that examine global human rights. She is also a member of the Advisory Boards of International Political Science Association's Committee on Civil-Military Affairs; the PHD Fellowship Program of the US Inter-American Foundation; the Global Studies Program of California State University, San Jose. Wikipedia...
Diyana Dobberteen
Co-founder & Development Adviser
Diyana Dobberteen has helped build EW from the ground up, since 2001. She informs our development strategies and brings three decades of nonprofit management and fundraising experience to our team.
Applying her first MA in Anthropology from UC Santa Barbara, Diyana lectured on women in development, community psychology and culture change. She went on to successfully launch multi-agency collaborative programs addressing teen pregnancy in the United States. Working to reduce teen and unintended pregnancies, she worked with United Boys & Girls Clubs. Planned Parenthood, Girls Inc., Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Fatherhood Coalition on a Community Challenge Grant (1997-2011). Inspired by Laura Huxley (wife of Aldous Huxley) and her Teens and Toddlers youth development program for at-risk youth, Diyana worked with EW to secure a grant for Teens and Toddlers and expanded the program to Santa Barbara, CA.
Diyana earned a second M.A. in Organization Development (Fielding Graduate University, 2018), and in the process, she added 'issue framing within social movements' to her base of knowledge. Having recently moved from EW's home town of Santa Barbara to San Fransisco, California, Diyana was hired to an institutional giving role with the organization, Hamilton Families. In this capacity she is working to raise funds to prevent and reduce family homelessness. LinkedIn...
Co-founder & Development Adviser
Diyana Dobberteen has helped build EW from the ground up, since 2001. She informs our development strategies and brings three decades of nonprofit management and fundraising experience to our team.
Applying her first MA in Anthropology from UC Santa Barbara, Diyana lectured on women in development, community psychology and culture change. She went on to successfully launch multi-agency collaborative programs addressing teen pregnancy in the United States. Working to reduce teen and unintended pregnancies, she worked with United Boys & Girls Clubs. Planned Parenthood, Girls Inc., Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Fatherhood Coalition on a Community Challenge Grant (1997-2011). Inspired by Laura Huxley (wife of Aldous Huxley) and her Teens and Toddlers youth development program for at-risk youth, Diyana worked with EW to secure a grant for Teens and Toddlers and expanded the program to Santa Barbara, CA.
Diyana earned a second M.A. in Organization Development (Fielding Graduate University, 2018), and in the process, she added 'issue framing within social movements' to her base of knowledge. Having recently moved from EW's home town of Santa Barbara to San Fransisco, California, Diyana was hired to an institutional giving role with the organization, Hamilton Families. In this capacity she is working to raise funds to prevent and reduce family homelessness. LinkedIn...
LeRoy West
Regenerative Technology Adviser
LerRoy has had successful careers in construction, aviation, computers and software development. He currently manages New West Homes, a leading modular home designer and builder in Northern Los Angeles, and Butterfly Power, an innovative solar and wind energy company providing mobile systems for events, disaster relief and community development. He has also been a leader of the Red Lightning Theme Camp at Burning Man and is involved with Black Rock Labs plans to convert Burning Man to renewable energy. LeRoy has lived in Switzerland, Nigeria, and Peru and speaks Spanish. He has traveled to 41 countries and worked extensively in Europe, Asia, and South America.
LeRoy’s mission is to accelerate the development of regenerative communities and contribute to building the more beautiful world we know in our hearts is possible. LinkedIn...
Regenerative Technology Adviser
LerRoy has had successful careers in construction, aviation, computers and software development. He currently manages New West Homes, a leading modular home designer and builder in Northern Los Angeles, and Butterfly Power, an innovative solar and wind energy company providing mobile systems for events, disaster relief and community development. He has also been a leader of the Red Lightning Theme Camp at Burning Man and is involved with Black Rock Labs plans to convert Burning Man to renewable energy. LeRoy has lived in Switzerland, Nigeria, and Peru and speaks Spanish. He has traveled to 41 countries and worked extensively in Europe, Asia, and South America.
LeRoy’s mission is to accelerate the development of regenerative communities and contribute to building the more beautiful world we know in our hearts is possible. LinkedIn...