At Nature For Justice, we work with Indigenous Nations, farmers, organizations, and businesses to deliver nature-based solutions that support frontline communities confronting the climate crisis. Across every initiative, we focus on equitable outcomes for communities, financially viable models, and lasting benefits for both people and nature.
Our approach centers on three priorities:
- Advancing climate resilience in close partnership with local communities;
- Mobilizing blended finance to unlock high-impact, community-driven projects; and
- Originating and co-creating nature-based initiatives that channel long-term, sustainable capital to frontline communities.
Central to this work is a commitment to authentic leadership—ensuring that those closest to the challenges are shaping the solutions.
In Canada, Steven Nitah, former Chief of the ŁuTsël K’e Dene Nation, leads our First 30×30 program in partnership with the IISAAK OLAM Foundation and Nature Focus Development. In the United States, Patrick Brown and Ray Jeffers lead our Growing American Farmer Prosperity Program. Patrick is a sixth-generation farmer, and Ray represents the fourth generation on his family’s farm—bringing lived experience and credibility to this work. In Africa, Michael O’Brien Onyeka and Nicci Mander have historically led the N4J Africa program. While that portfolio has been scaled back in the near term, we are confident it will expand again in 2026.
Strong leadership is matched by strong teams. We intentionally surround our program leaders with multidisciplinary expertise to ensure effective execution and long-term success. Nature For Justice is a highly matrixed and culturally diverse organization, and we consider that diversity a strategic advantage. Our Team page reflects the breadth of experience supporting this work.
We are also pleased to have established an Advisory Council to provide strategic guidance to our Board and executive leadership. We are grateful for the service of Mary Kelly, Anne Bodnar, Greg Hoogkamp, and Jeff Davidson in this role. In the coming months, we will announce a new initiative—Leadership in African Parks (LeAP)—led by Nancy Gelman and Amy Mathews Amos. We are also strengthening our impact measurement through the addition of Alina Kumekbayeva as Lead – Resilience Monitoring and Evaluation, following her recent first of a four-part blog series on resilience. Finally, our storytelling is enhanced by the exceptional wildlife and landscape photography of Anette Mossbacher.
Nature For Justice operates as a collaborative network of peers. I have long believed that the most effective teams bring “T-shaped” skills (not my concept) —broad perspective and knowledge across disciplines, paired with deep expertise in one or more key areas—and a willingness to listen, learn, and adapt. This model underpins our ability to deliver durable outcomes at scale.
Just over five years ago, Frank Hicks and I recognized the need for an organization like Nature For Justice, a vision I described in my first blog, Help People Where They Are. As we enter 2026, we are seeing that vision take shape—through trusted partnerships, growing leadership capacity, and measurable impact on the ground.
Thank you for being part of this journey, and for your continued support.
