Board and advisers

Thave Govender

Thava Govender, Spiritual warrior and world citizen “I am African of Indian decent (54 yrs) and have lived 40 years of my life in the apartheid system. Due to my life’s path I naturally became an activist in my teens. I have been blessed in this lifetime to have experienced freedom and liberation of my soul in the healing soil of South Africa. I am a world citizen and believer of a religion of compassion. As a Futurist it’s an opportunity to engage and weave our tapestry of peace and hope for our future and our future’s future. I undertake that responsibility.”

Thava Govender is the Executive Director and managing agent of a human, organization, social development consultancy called The Ripple Effect. She has her Masters degree in Commerce (Economist, Educationist and Industrial psychologist) including a Masters in Philosophy in Futures Thinking (as Futurist and Strategist). This educational journey kept her mindful to the unfolding possibilities of human engagement in co-creating a sustainable futures future for all.

Thava has extensive international work experience with the UN, Corporate, Government, and Non–Government organizations in global social transformation and change, Leadership coaching and mentoring for the Packard –Gates Leadership Development in Asia Pacific. She has 25 years invaluable corporate experience in human and organisational development .

She is an internationally accredited process facilitator. Thava has a proven track record of innovative delivery using circle methodology and ethnocentric dialogue. She was design and lead facilitator for many international gatherings, including:The Worlds Aids Day conference, South Africa (2002); co-lead facilitator for The World Parliament of Religions in Kenya, Montserrat and Barcelona in Spain (2004); Reconcilation Dialogue between India and Pakistan in Amristar (2005); World Summit YMCA (2006); Reproductive and Child Health Care Summit, Lucknow India (2007). Further, she was appointed to, the design and execution of a participative and collaborative summit on Eco-agriculture Partners (UNEP and IUCN) in Sept.2004.

Thava is currently documenting her process of leading large group dialogue because of the proven success with the Interfaith gatherings worldwide. She promotes the nurturing of the African women in leadership both in corporate and NGO’s. Currently working closely with WHEAT-Woman’s hope and education trust which is linked to the Peace x Peace and Gather the Women initiatives. She works internationally in alliance with Peerspirit Inc.in service to the Circle and The Millionth Circle – seeding and nurturing women circles. She is a member of the Berkana Institute of Life affirming leadership with Margaret Wheatley and promotes nurturing diversity as a critical leadership competency for this millennium.

Gia Combs-Ramirez

“My vision for a whole and healthy Earth is one with organizational structures that honors each individual as well as the group dynamic. For humanity to thrive it must begin at the individual level, fostering in an atmosphere of community support, abundant sustenance, and human rights’ freedoms. I believe and know through my work that transformation can occur more quickly with the benefit of energy healing. I envision a world one day, where every community once again has a person or people who tend to and monitor the energetic health of his or her area. “

gia combs-ramirez is an energy healer and reader, writer, speaker, and teacher, with an advanced degree in metaphysics. She is cofounder and developer of Crystalline Consciousness Technique, a unique transformational protocol that works equally well for individuals as it does for groups. She works with individuals and organizations internationally to promote rapid transformation and growth. gia’s family is bicultural, and bilingual with deep connections to Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica. To learn more about gia and her amazing work, please visit her websites: http://scienceofenergyhealing.com and Crystalline Consciousness Technique http://ccthealing.com

Martha Llanos

Peace Pilgrim, Human Development Artist and Child Rights Advocator. She is a Peruvian Psychologist devoted to research and policy for early childhood care, development and education. Since her childhood she was interested in knowing and sharing with people from different cultures, she has been traveling extensively and cooperating with children, family and teachers matters worldwide. She studied Psychology at the Catholic University in Peru and her Masters at Strathclyde University in Scotland, Doctorate from Catholic University Nijmegen, Netherlands with specialization in Developmental and Social Psychology. Her permanent life mission is to contribute to the understanding and flourishing of children.

Dr. Llanos has pioneer work in the field of early childhood development and was the first UNICEF Regional Advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean. Her extensive contribution to the well-being of children and families worldwide was recognized with the world Nathalie Masse award from the International Children Centre in France and currently as Honorary Professor and Extraordinary Researcher from the Sacred Heart University in Peru.

She has lived with indigenous people in Peru, Nepal, Lesotho and nomads from Sudan. She initiated her professional life as researcher in the field of poverty and human development, patterns of child rearing, family and school values and interactions. Currently she is an International Consultant devoted to the development of policies for the fulfillment of children’s rights with special emphasis on indigenous children intercultural bilingual programmes, nature and values education for peace.

As a Biodancer, Storyteller and Theater of the Oppressed practitioner, she is devoted to environmental protection of physical and human pollution and uses Arts for Personal and social transformation, she connects children and adults with inner and outer nature and has created as a Peace Artivist, the Peace Ambassadors workshops for development of children leadership and a joyful adults and children intergenerational interaction.

She has worked for UNICEF in different Continents and currently promotes children and adults development and empowerment through art and nature connection

Ann Smith

“We, the two-leggeds, have finally realized we have made a mess of things and now is the time to engage our children in finding solutions and actions that will bring lasting peace and prosperity for all creation. I pledge to work with people of all ages in waking them up to the problems and inspiring them to act both locally and globally. When we truly listen to the children and engage them in finding solutions and actions that make dreams a reality, we will succeed. Earth Child Institute is the heart and soul of bringing us together in harmony with the four-leggeds, winged, scaled and leaves.”

Ann Smith is co-director of Circle Connections, Inc and Chair of International Connections for the Sophia Women’s World Conference, in Sofia, Bulgaria, 2010. She serves locally and globally as a community and global organizer, mentor, coach, facilitator, educator, consultant, professional speaker, director of worldwide transformational leadership programs & author. Her website is www.circleconnections.com.

Robert S. Goodman, Treasurer

Bob Goodman has been and continues to be a successful leader of business and community affairs for more than fifty years. He is the President of Porcelen/Specrail, an environmentally responsible company working in the field of architectural metals and aluminum railings and fences. Mr. Goodman has served as President of the UConn Club, Camp Laurelwood, Congregation B’nai Jacob and other community service and philanthropic endeavors. At the age of 75, he is an avid runner, golfer and sports fan as well as a devoted husband, father of three and grandfather of four.

Advisory Board:

Maaike Teunissen-Jansen

Maaike Teunissen-Jansen is a Programme Officer in UNEP’s New York Office, working on inter-agency cooperation and coordination within the UN system in the field of environment. She is also charged with furthering understanding and awareness of the linkages between children’s health and the environment. She spearheads UNEP’s substantive initiatives in this specific area, working with partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the International Pediatric Association and a range of NGOs and academic institutions.

Maaike is from the Netherlands and undertook her studies at the London School of Economics (LSE), earning a Bachelors degree in International Relations, followed by a Masters degree in Politics of the World Economy, with a focus on environment and development.

Maaike started her work with the UN in 1993, initially working for a UNEP-affiliated working group at the University of Amsterdam on sustainable product development, and later for UNEP at its headquarters in Nairobi on inter-agency affairs. Since 1995, she has worked for the UN in New York, including for UNICEF’s Water, Environment and Sanitation section. She has been in her current function in UNEP’s New York Office since 1998. Last year she was seconded by UNEP to work on the Secretariat of the Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on System-Wide Coherence in the Areas of Development, Humanitarian Assistance and the Environment, and was particularly involved in supporting the work of the Panel with regard to its reform recommendations on environment and sustainable development.

Maaike was instrumental in developing the UNEP-WHO-UNICEF publication Children in the New Millennium: Environmental Impact on Health in 2002 and has contributed to a number of other publications on environmental health issues. She participated in the establishment of the Healthy Environments for Children Alliance as a World Summit on Sustainable Development partnership initiative, produced the Alliance’s monthly newsletter (HECANET), and co-organized a training workshop for African Pediatricians and other health care professionals on children’s environmental health. Currently, WHO, UNICEF and UNEP are updating Children in the New Millennium. The book is being written in plain language to provide information to decision makers, community leaders, parents, and other caregivers to promote better environments for children, using practical examples and listing resources.

Maaike is married and the mother of three small girls.

Betsy Ratner

Betsy Ratner is a US national award-winning educator. She facilitates innovative, interactive, sensorial programs to help individuals of all ages relieve stress and foster creative productivity. Her strategies are taught using multiple learning styles to assist participants in integrating new skills. Experiential learning partnering emotion and imagination are integral elements to her mindful teaching techniques for passionate productivity. Betsy guides people towards healthier, happier, more fulfilling lives. For more information about Betsy’s extraordinary work, please visit www.BetsyRatner.com