My mentors: Dr. Jane Goodall & Judy Wicks

Who are your mentors? I have several, and I consider two extraordinary women to be among them.

Dr. Jane Goodall: When my sons Gabriel and Baird were younger, they loved animals, as do all children. So one day, we took off work and school and traveled to Virgina to meet Dr. Jane Goodall, who was giving a speech in McLean. This meeting resulted in extended personal correspondence (how did she find the time?!) initiated and maintained by this pioneering & impactful woman! Back when postcards amd letters were a thing. What a thrill it was to receive letters and postcards from Dr. Jane. Check out Dr. Jane's children-focused Roots & Shoots program, still going strong.

Judy Wicks: In 2006, as podcast host for a progressive parallel government, I interviewed Philadelphia-based Judy Wicks on her groundbreaking work starting a business for good while advancing the concept of local living, or circular economies. Judy was a nominee for our imagined Department of Labor. Now that I look back, I recognize that I first heard about women leadership in eco-business, local living economies, and local food sources from her. Fast forward to Echotopia: In 2014, Judy mentored me in a lengthy phone call, in the run up to Echotopia's opening farmers market season, offering me great advice and contacts. More recently, 2020, I was thrilled to learn about Judy's new inspiring projects via a second video interview.