Joanna Macy, PhD is a scholar of Buddhism, general systems theory, and deep ecology. A respected voice in the movements for peace, justice, and the environment, she interweaves her scholarship with five decades of activism. In recent years, Joanna has made a commitment to offer trainings in the Work That Reconnects to young adults and people of color. Her students describe her teaching presence as captivating, clear, and compassionate, and many credit her with creating the conditions for their radical shift in outlook — from despairing to inspired. She lives in Berkeley, California.
Aravinda Ananda completed a Masters in Environmental Management at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies in 2006 with a focus on social ecology. She has since been exploring a fundamental shift in humans’ relationship with life and has been writing about this shift in her forthcoming book, Living rEvolution as well as developing experiential workshops to share this content. A member of the Interhelp Council, she has been facilitating the Work That Reconnects for several years. She has a deep love for the land at Starseed Healing Sanctuary in western MA where she is a partner and is helping to develop a center for healing our relationship with all life.
Markie Babbott is a clinical psychologist in Northampton, MA where she lives with her partner and two teenagers. Following her interests in mindfulness, creativity, Buddhism, and nature-based ritual, she pursued a master’s degree in Ecopsychology from Naropa University through the Transpersonal Psychology Department (2011). Her master’s project studied the BP Oil Disaster through an eco-centric lens and included a process group based on The Work That Reconnects. She has been fortunate to study with Joanna Macy four times since 2007. Ecopsychological theory and practice – relational, spiritual, and systems-based – inform her clinical work as well as form the foundation for experiential workshops and consultations. More recently, she volunteers with the Connecticut Watershed branch of River of Words, a place-based educational approach that integrates poetry and visual art for k-12 students.
Joseph Rotella is a small business owner and has been active in business sustainability and relocalization efforts. He has been vocal on various social justice and environmental issues and has had letters to the editor published, spoken on the radio, and testified at the MA statehouse. In 2012, his business was certified as a Sustainable Business Leader, and in 2013 he helped to found Waltham Local First. As part of the Climate Action Liaison Coalition he employs someone to work on climate advocacy. He is a member of the Interhelp Council and has been facilitating the Work that Reconnects for several years.