Ben Schick
Director of Programs
Ben was formerly a board member and now serves on staff as its Director of Programs.
“Working for the Pachamama Alliance is a convergence of my business and media experience, my spiritual path, and my commitment to a life of service. But just saying that doesn’t capture the depth of feeling I have about arriving here. I feel like I’ve found the job of my dreams where I can do my best work while deepening my life’s work. Does it get better than that?”
Ben came on to the staff of the Pachamama Alliance in summer 2012. Prior to joining Pachamama, Ben was the first Executive Director of Challenge Day, the critically acclaimed international anti-violence youth program, and, most recently, CEO of MediaOne, a digital broadcast and production services company.
ben@pachamama.org
(415) 561-4522 x120
Jon Symes
Program Director – International and Alliances
Jon is accountable for the success of the Awakening the Dreamer Program, inspiring citizens to become active in fulfilling its mission, bringing forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, socially just human presence on this planet.
“I was at the first Symposium in the UK in 2006 and saw immediately how this message aligned with my just-published book, Your Planet Needs You. I dived in, as a volunteer in the UK, and was surprised, delighted and challenged by the invitation to join the Pachamama Alliance team here in San Francisco. There is no more fulfilling place for me to provide my energy and skills than this world-changing work.”
Jon set up and ran a number of companies in the UK, including a training and development consultancy working with major blue-chip corporations across Europe, and in so doing gained valuable experience in consultancy, training, coaching and public speaking. His own awakening had him step away from that work, finding in its stead a call to communicate the problems and opportunities of this time.
jon.symes@pachamama.org
(415) 561-4522 x117
Liz Crampton
Online Engagement Coordinator
Originally from London, Liz came over to experience life on the West Coast in early 2011. She is the team Online Engagement Coordinator and is responsible for updating our Awakening the Dreamer social media, newsletter content, tracking program metrics and generally providing support to the busy ATD team.
“I am extremely excited to join the ATD team at Pachamama. It’s been a busy but great couple of weeks so far and I’m glad to be making a contribution to all of our big events coming up very soon from the annual luncheon to the super symposium in November! I am looking forward to working alongside you all in the future and am very happy to be a part of this great movement for change.”
Liz joined the Pachamama Alliance after attending a Pachamama monthly meet up and Awakening the Dreamer symposium. Having studied anthropology, Liz has an interest in indigenous cultures as well as non-profit background in sustainability. Prior to this Liz was working in the learning and development sector and has been actively volunteering for the last 10 years in various museums, galleries and youth work initiatives.
liz@pachamama.org
(415) 561-4522 x 126
Tracy Apple
Director – Educational Programs Research, Development & Training; Founding Board Member
Tracy has been involved since the inception, and was one of the primary people responsible for bringing the Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium into being, as well as for creating and leading the Facilitator training program in the US and abroad. She is overall responsible for the content and message of Pachamama educational programs and for the effectiveness of the training programs. She also participates as a founding member of the Pachamama Board of Directors.
“One of my favorite things is traveling and finding that the message of Awakening the Dreamer totally resonates in people in so many different areas, countries, cultures and
languages. People light up no matter where they are—it’s just amazing! It is such a joy to be a carrier of this work.”
Tracy received an MA in Curriculum Development from UC Berkeley School of Education and taught gifted elementary school children in Richmond, CA. She was a founding member of The Hunger Project and a family oral historian for many years. She has been a camp counselor for kids from NYC slums, led youth hostel bicycle trips around Europe, led to donor trips to Africa and Bangladesh, and guided spiritual adventure travels in Tibet, Mongolia, Bhutan, Peru, Ethiopia, Morocco, Cuba. All roads have led to the same place: the majesty of the human heart, spirit and the natural world; an exploration of grace; and a living inquiry into what it means to live life for the benefit of all.
Ruel Walker
Manager of Program Development
Ruel has responsibility for the various training programs that participants can take after the Awakening the Dreamer Symposium: the Getting Into Action Workshop, the Symposium Facilitator Training, and the Facilitator Training Leaders’ Program.
“The message of the Awakening the Dreamer Symposium brings together all of the most important perspectives on the world that have guided my life to this point: love of the Earth, respect for all of humanity, depth of spirit, and the essential role of community and collective wisdom in helping us find our way home.”
Beginning in 2005, Ruel helped design and implement the training program for facilitators of the Awakening the Dreamer Symposium, based on his studies of psychology, indigenous cultures, shamanism, and spirituality. He is also a practicing attorney (specializing in handling cases before state and federal courts of appeal) and a licensed psychotherapist, with degrees in law from The University of Texas Law School and in counseling psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco.
ruel@pachamama.org
(510) 653-3099
Maisa Arias
Engagement Coordinator
Born and raised in Lima, Perú, Maisa holds a degree in Journalism and Social Communication.
“I decided to get into action by volunteering at an organization that was directly working towards my goal, the goal of changing the ways we are accustomed to and that take away any opportunity for a brighter future and for a more just world. I knocked on the door of the Pachamama Alliance as an intern and simply fell in love with the mission and the people involved. I kept my eyes open for any job opportunity with them and when it did I was so thrilled. I am filled with gratitude for this opportunity.”
Maisa comes from a family dedicated to social change and equality. Influenced by her family’s vision, she came to discover her true passion while working in the nonprofit field and with children for 10 years in San Francisco. During that time, it became evident to her that the younger generation needed and deserved a just world; the world that her own parents envisioned for all.
maisa@pachamama.org
(415) 561-4522 x132
Ana Toepel
U.S. Engagement Coordinator
Ana is responsible for engaging new and existing members of the US volunteer community in the various elements of Pachamama’s engagement strategy, and for serving as a liaison to the community, including communications and support structures.
“I am so jazzed to be a part of the Pachamama team, where the mission and vision that has been living in my heart and soul is now aligned. I feel so fortunate, too, for the opportunity to collaborate with a community of incredibly talented, compassionate and proactive volunteers to be in service of the planet together. ”
Prior to joining the Pachamama team, Ana had a career in public education, working as a teacher and leader to bring an environmental focus to classrooms and schools and to serve culturally and linguistically diverse students and their families. More recently, she has been working on an MBA in Sustainable Enterprise and held several positions doing sustainability work, engaging people in implementing sustainable practices in their homes and workplaces.
ana@pachamama.org
(415) 561-4522 Ext. 116