Spring Donor Circle
Wednesday, May 19th
4pm PT / 7pm ET (45 minutes)
Learn about iBme’s pandemic response and future plans
March 11, 2020. For many of us, this was the day we realized how severe COVID-19 might be. For iBme, it meant our core programs—residential retreats—were in jeopardy. With school closings, the loss of critical support systems, and the cancellation of so many precious milestone experiences for teens and young adults, it also meant that our primary audience would be the heaviest impacted by the pandemic.
In this 45-minute conversation, you’ll hear from iBme staff leaders about the successes and challenges over the past year, and what’s being planned for a post-pandemic world. Also, you’ll learn about the recent developments in iBme’s Collaborative Leadership System, and how you can get involved. There will also be space for questions and feedback – we want to hear from you!
Presenting Staff
Arielle Pierre Development, Equity & Communications
A child of two Haitian immigrants, Geraldine ‘Arielle’ Pierre plans to draw upon her lived experiences and passion for social equity as she takes on the Development & Communications at iBme. The unmatched teachings of womanhood observed in women like her mother, sister, and neighborhood caretakers remind Arielle to keep community at the core of her sense of collective liberation and holistic wellness. To support iBme’s Development and Communications sectors, Arielle is excited to be a liaison between iBme as it exists today and its infinite potential to impact the lives of teens of color and other underserved communities.
A member of the class of 2019 at Clark University, Arielle holds a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in Ethics and Public Policy. She is continuing her education at Clark in the Masters of Public Administration program with a specialization in Non Profit Leadership.
David Macek Development & Business Strategy
Since 2007, David has led dynamic organizations dedicated to personal and social transformation. His diverse experience has spanned retreat and spiritual centers, online action platforms, and various educational settings. In his most recent role, David was Executive Director of Ecochallenge.org, a digital nonprofit that activates sustainability solutions in schools, communities, and businesses. From middle schools to Fortune 100 companies, 4,500+ organizations in 139 countries have taken 2+ million actions through the Ecochallenge Platform.
Prior to Ecochallenge.org, he worked with PassageWorks Institute, a leader in supporting school communities to become places of connection, compassion, equity, and excellence. PassageWorks’ professional learning programs include a suite of evidenced-based mindfulness programs designed specifically for faculty and staff working in ECE-12 settings. David holds a BS in Mathematics and Economics from Stonehill College and an MA in Environmental Leadership from Naropa University, an interdisciplinary, contemplative-based program. He is a “retired” yoga instructor and a meditation practitioner of 15+ years. David lives with his wife and daughter in the beautiful Chagrin Valley outside of Cleveland, Ohio.
Tonya Jones Program Strategy, Equity & Community Engagement
Tonya has spent the past 17 years working in the public sector driven by a strong commitment to social justice and equity, collective healing and building stronger, compassionate communities. Before joining iBme, Tonya was the Los Angeles Director at the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), a national organization that provides transitional work and permanent job services to the formerly incarcerated. At CEO, she was responsible for overseeing and supporting a diverse staff of 20, along with program development and management, community partnerships, fiscal oversight and working collaboratively with national fund and business development teams. Tonya is a certified mindfulness facilitator (UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior). She is a mentor for UCLA’s Intensive Practice Program, teaching assistant for UCLA’s Mindfulness and Theory course, guest teacher at InsightLA’s POC sangha, and has lectured and facilitated at numerous educational institutions and organizations. Tonya holds a BA from Howard University, MFA from Columbia University, and serves on the UC Irvine Advisory Board for the Customer Experience Certificate Program.
RSVP for the Spring Donor Circle
Wednesday, May 19th | 4pm PT / 7pm ET
We’ll email you a reminder a few days before the event.