Welcome

WELCOME TO THE GREEN PEN!

It's my personal soapbox, a place for me to express thoughts and feelings, musings and rants, reflections and recollections; to have fun with words -- about things spiritual, environmental, social, political, economic, and, from time to time, personal. And of course about peace. Soapboxes are in public places (as London's legendary Hyde Park) on purpose, and so I invite conversations with you, for it is through civil discourse that we can gain some perspective on the seeming chaos of these changing times and learn together how to shape a positive future for ourselves, our communities, and the generations to come.

About Me

Since 2009, my encore career has focused on establishing and growing the National Peace Academy, first on staff and currently (beginning in 2011) on the Board of Directors. The National Peace Academy serves as connective tissue working in collaboration with peace education and peacebuilding organizations and individuals in civil society, business, and government to build capacity for and establish safe, healthy, and sustainable communities that are based on right relationships in the personal, social, political, institutional, and ecological spheres. We also work to increase public awareness of and support for a culture of peace. For more about the National Peace Academy and our philosophy, strategic priorities, and programs, please see our website.

I previously (2000-2008) served with the Foundation for Global Community, The Peace Alliance and its Campaign for a U.S. Department of Peace, and Peace Partnership International. At FGC, I designed and facilitated courses related to personal and cultural transformation and sustainability, developed a vocational training program in Afghanistan, and was project manager for the Foundation’s program at the 2004 Parliament of the World’s Religions in Barcelona.

Formerly, after receiving my doctorate in systems science at Michigan State University, I enjoyed a 34-year technical career during which I applied systems analysis and simulation modeling for international agricultural development and air transportation, including projects that took me to Nigeria, Korea, Austria, and Venezuela. In addition, I taught high school French and mathematics with the Peace Corps in Nigeria (1966-1968) and have volunteered at home with local nonprofits, city government, and political movements.

For rest, renewal, recreation, and recentering, I enjoy time with family (especially granddaughter Coco!), traveling in the world, walking in nature, and musing in prose and poetry.