CHELS MARSHALL

A Gumbaynggirr woman and Knowledge Keeper, Chels is a leading Indigenous systems ecologist and with extensive experience in marine ecology, cultural landscape management and regenerative design. She has over 27 years of professional experience in cultural ecology, environmental planning, design and land management within, government agencies, research institutes, Indigenous communities, and consulting firms. Chels is currently the Director for Flying Fish Blue, an Indigenous-owned company that specialises in socio-cultural and ecological assessment and advisory services. Chels works to embed Indigenous knowledge systems, principles and governance models into business and project planning for regenerative ecological, social, economic and spiritual outcomes. 

Jason and Chels met at the Australia Museum in 2017 where she was giving a lecture entitled Sea Country, Hear Country. Listening to her talk, Jason knew he found in Chels the mentor he had been searching for in Australia to help him see and understand the world through an Indigenous lens and the two have developed a deep kinship in the ensuing years. In 2019, Jason and Chels formalised their partnership through a new consulting arm of their respective businesses called Guunu Gangaa where they are pioneers of Life-centred Design, a revolutionary new methodology for ecologically and culturally-inspired development.

Bill Reed

Bill is an internationally recognized planning consultant, design process facilitator, lecturer, and author in sustainability and regeneration. He is a principal of Regenesis, Inc. – a regenerative design, living systems integrator, and education organization. His work centers on creating the framework for and managing an integrative, whole and living system design process. This work is known as Regenerative Development. Bill is an author of many technical articles and contributor to many books including co-authorship of the seminal work, The Integrative Design Guide to Green Building. He is a founding Board of Director of the US Green Building Council and one of the co-founders of the LEED Green Building Rating System. In addition to being considered one of the leading thinkers in this field, Bill has also consulted on over two hundred green design commissions – buildings and city master plans – the majority which are LEED Gold and Platinum and Living Building Challenge projects. He is also a keynote speaker at major building and design events as well as a guest lecturer to universities throughout Europe and North America including Harvard, MIT, Princeton and UPenn.

Jason and Bill while having dinner on a rainy night in Seattle in 2007. The two had a deep discussion about systems thinking, sustainability and world change. Bill has been a great friend and mentor to Jason in the ensuing years since that first conversation with Jason finding himself often calling upon Bill to troubleshoot a challenge he would be facing at work or on development projects. The pair collaborated on the development of the ANSI Integrative Process Standard in 2012 which became adopted as a LEED credit and have partnered on numerous projects seeking regenerative outcomes. Most currently, Jason and Bill are bringing regenerative development into the sports world through Jason role with the Green Sports Alliance.

LOUISE CRABTREE

Louise is a Principal Research Fellow in the Institute for Culture and Society at Western Sydney University. Louise’s training is in physical and social sciences and she uses these to undertake engaged and practical research in cities as complex adaptive systems. Much of this work focuses on governance and tenure systems that decommodify and steward land as a common legacy and as the basis for flourishing and regenerative livelihoods.  Louise has published numerous academic journals and reports and is one of the world’s leading authorities on Community Land Trusts. 

Jason and Louise formed a partnership in 2017 to support the advancement of community-led housing and land management models within Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.  They are currently working on a Metropolitan Policy Framework for Alternative Housing for the City of Sydney, including a pilot development project, as well as application of community-led housing and land management models for Aboriginal communities.

JASON MCLENNAN

Considered one of the world’s most influential individuals in the field of architecture and the green building movement today, Jason is a highly sought out designer, consultant, and thought leader.  Jason is the creator of the Living Building Challenge — the most stringent and progressive green building program in existence. He was a primary contributor to the WELL Building Standard and the author of six books on sustainability and design — including The Philosophy of Sustainable Design. As CEO of McLennan Design, Jason leads an architectural and planning practice focused on designing some of the world’s most advanced green buildings. 

Jason and Jason have been collaborating together for over a decade,  initially when Jason joined the board of the Cascadia Green Building Council and subsequently became a founding board member and past chair of the International Living Future Institute where McLennan served as CEO. The pair now actively collaborate on projects seeking Living Building or Living Community Certification and more generally in pursuit of fostering a world that is socially just, culturally rich and ecologically restorative.

STUART COWAN

Stuart is Director of Regenerative Development at the Capital Institute and Systems Convener for the global Regenerative Communities Network.  He previously served as Chief Scientist for the International Smart Cities Council where he developed knowledge frameworks and tools supporting the integration of smart technologies with urban sustainability and resilience. Stuart is Co-Founder of Autopoiesis LLC, which applies complex living systems models and frameworks to regenerate communities, ecosystems, and organizations. He is the co-author with Sim Van der Ryn of Ecological Design.  

In 2006, Jason and Stuart were introduced to one another through Christopher Alexander and the two have been collaborating ever since.  The pair have been advancing the field of regenerative economics for the past decade starting with their ground-breaking project The Economics of Change. Most recently, Stuart and Jason have been working with The Commonwealth leading the Regenerative Finance Committee for the Common Earth initiative.

Bill BROWNING

Bill Browning is one of the green building and real estate industry’s foremost thinkers and strategists, and an advocate for sustainable design solutions at all levels of business, government, and civil society.  A globally recognised expert in Biophilic Design, Bill has spent much of his career understanding how the interaction of the built and natural environment can support our health wellbeing. In 1991, he founded Green Development Services at the Rocky Mountain Institute and went on to become a founding board member of the United States Green Building Council. At Terrapin Bright Green, Bill leads an environmental strategies research and consulting firm whose clients include Disney, Lucasfilms, Google, and the White House. He is a co-author of Green Development: Integrating Ecology and Real Estate; A Primer on Sustainable Building; Biophilic Design; The Economics of Biophilia, and 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design. 

Jason and Bill while hiking in the woods at The Garrison Institute in 2008 as both are contributors to the Transformational and Contemplative Ecology Program. The two work together regularly to advance the practice of biophilic design and the neuro-science of cities.

LUCIA ATHENS

Lucia is the City of Austin’s first Chief Sustainability Officer. Over her career, she helped to develop Austin Energy’s Green Building program, advised the development of the LEED® Rating System, and led the City of Seattle’s sustainable building initiative. Lucia has served on the boards of the United States Green Building Council, Green Building Certification Institute, EcoDistricts and as a delegate to the C40 Mayors Climate Leadership group.  A licensed Landscape Architect, she has contributed to many green building projects including Austin’s LEED Platinum Library and Seattle City Hall (LEED Gold).  She is a frequent keynote speaker and author of Building an Emerald City: A Guide to Creating Green Building Policies and Programs. 

Jason and Lucia met in 2007 in Seattle and collaborated on numerous projects to advance sustainability and climate resilience within the Pacific Northwest.  Jason works with Lucia to improve mainstream understanding of sustainability and solutions to shape a brighter future for our planet including support for her forthcoming book, The Optimist’s Guide to Sustainability which explores true tales of sustainability heroes who charted a path for today’s practitioners and innovators.

POORAN DESAI

Pooran is the co-founder of the internationally acclaimed environmental group Bioregional and creator of the One Planet Living program.  Whilst at Bioregional, he spearheaded the development of BedZED, a world-renowned eco-village development where he lives and works.  Today, Pooran serves as CEO of revolutionary new digital platform company, Oneplanet.com which is providing tools for cities, companies and communities to create, share and connect plans for building a sustainable future. He has authored several books, including One Planet Communities and is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects and Officer of the Order of the British Empire. 

Pooran and Jason met in 2008 during the One Planet Developers Summit.  This gathering occurred right in the midst of the Global Financial Crisis and prompted the pair to discuss scenarios for world change while strolling through the streets of Brighton and they have been friends and collaborators ever since.  Pooran and Jason frequently partner to advance One Planet Community projects across the globe and Jason is an advisor to Oneplanet.com.

MICHELLE TABET

Passionate about cities, architecture, and the way people interact with the places and spaces around them, Michelle has committed her career to establishing meaningful connections between society and the built environment that surrounds us. An experienced urban   strategist, Michelle works at the intersection of creative strategy and urban planning through her firm Left Bank Co. Having spent her life living in and experiencing some of the world’s most vibrant cities, Michelle understands the important role innovation, design excellence and strategic placemaking play in shaping successful urban environments.

Jason and Michelle met while working at Lendlease in Sydney a few years ago where they found in each other a shared affinity for city making.  Jason formed a partnership with Michelle and her colleague at Left Bank Co., Hahna Bush, to launch the City Makers’ Guild where they channel their global expertise to provide education, advocacy and thought leadership in creating better cities.

BREE NEELY

Bree Neely, MBA, is co-founder and CCO of Direct Object Communications. She has nearly two decades of experience in marketing, PR and editorial strategy leading up both businesses and functional departments.

Bree specializes in developing B2B and B2C messaging strategies and collateral, and is particularly adept at branding, differentiation and executive thought leadership. With experience running agencies as well as directing award-winning marketing efforts for multinationals, she has sat on both sides of the desk and knows precisely how to deliver value in a consulting relationship.

Jason and Bree met in university where they were housemates and subsequently became neighbours in NYC after graduation. Bree has tremendously influenced Jason’s appreciation for art, design, music, literature and pop culture. Bree has impeccable taste, the sharpest of wits and is an extraordinarily skillful writer.

CHRISTIE FEARNS

Graphic designer Christie Fearns has over 20 years experience and has established a diverse portfolio of projects including government reports, boutique identities, promotional material, exhibition design and illustration.

Her work involves making complex information clear, focused, beautiful and engaging to their audience, working efficiently, on time and on budget with a focus on individual client needs. Working closely with clients and industry specialists, her approach is always collaborative. 

Jason met Christie through his partners at Left Bank Co. and the two bonded through their love of design right from the start. Christie really takes the time to understand the needs and aspirations of our clients and creates bespoke design solutions that visually brings our work to life in the most compelling way possible.