Gnisha Bevan
Executive Producer, Black Seeds Network Lead, Nature Rising Partnership Lead
Gnisha co-developed and leads the Black Seeds Environmental Justice Network with Roger Griffith, MBE, showcasing and supporting the work of Global Majority environmentalists in and around Bristol. As a consultant advisor on environmental and social justice projects, she specializes in strategy and brokering equitable partnerships between grassroots communities and mainstream environmental organizations.
🌐linkedin.com/in/gnisha-bevan-23068b74/
Mike Birkin
Head of SW Campaigns, Friends of the Earth, Nature Rising Partnership Lead
Mike has been with Friends of the Earth for 35 years, supporting community groups and activists across the South West. He also served as Head of Friends of the Earth’s Bees campaign during 2017 and was a key organiser of the first Bristol Bee Summit, which gave rise to the Greater Bristol Pollinator Action Strategy and Plan. Mike has been Friends of the Earth’s lead partner for Nature Rising, demonstrating exceptional allyship.
Michelle Pascal
Creative Producer and Founder, Fam Films
A Freelance director with a decade of award winning experience at the BBC, working on such programmes as Countryfile, Antiques Roadshow and DIY SOS, Michelle has directed crews and presenters such as Matt Backer, Fiona Bruce and Nick Knowles.
Fam Films CIC is dedicated to showcasing Black stories and filmmakers and celebrating diverse communities.
Tara Miran
Community Leader and ABCD consultant, Co-Founder St Pauls Community Garden
Tara’s impactful work has earned her prestigious accolades, including the Lord Mayor’s Medal. Her mission centers on fostering systematic change and ensuring equity in processes within organisations and higher education. Tara trains on BSN’s groundbreaking course, Skills for Inclusive Environmentalism bringing the principles of ABCD (Asset-Based Community Development) to the environmental sector.
🌐 linkedin.com/in/tara-miran-kurdm/
Fabia Jeddere-Fisher
School Director – Academic UWE School of Engineering
Fabia has a background in Building Services and Sustainability, with roles including Energy Manager and Senior Lecturer in Energy Engineering UWE Bristol. Now the Academic Director for the School of Engineering, she is a committed educator and award-winning advocate for sustainability and equality in teaching. https://people.uwe.ac.uk/Person/FabiaJeddere-Fisher
🌐 linkedin.com/in/fabia-jeddere-fisher-b6911632/
Roger Griffith
CEO, Creative Connex CIC and Black Seeds Network Advocate
Roger is a writer, cultural historian and diversity consultant. He is the CEO of his social enterprise and community consultancy, Creative Connex CIC which incubates Black Seeds Network and is also a lecturer at UWE Bristol. He has been honoured for his services to diversity, arts and underserved communities with a Bristol Lord Mayor’s medal, an MBE and an honorary doctorate in Arts.
Nicolle Hanselmann
Life Coach, Engineering Masters Student, Volunteer Co-ordinator
Nicolle is currently undertaking a Masters in Engineering specialising in Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering at UWE Bristol. She has particular technical acumen in computer-aided design and has been a skilled volunteer-co-ordinator for Nature Rising. Her commitment to mental well-being shines through in her work as a life coach, nurturing a supportive, growth-oriented environment within scientific and engineering communities.
🌐linkedin.com/in/nicolle-hanselmann-4396511bb/
Chantal Alemai
Summer Intern, Economics Student, UWE Bristol
Chantal is a final year student of Economics at UWE Bristol. She is passionate about sustainability, ESG, and the relationship between the economy and the environment. Her work includes co-founding and co-leading an NGO, ProBono femmes, in Uganda to end period poverty which has supported over 27 schools. She enjoys exploring how businesses and policies can contribute to a more sustainable future.
🌐linkedin.com/in/chantal-alemai-975a84253/
Lynn Ooi
Research Assistant, UWE Bristol, and Interior Architecture Graduate
Passionate about sustainability and affordability, Lynn got involved with Nature Rising as the lead researcher to draw out strengths of the programme to further impact the environmental sector. Her work champions equitable collaboration between grassroots organisations and mainstream institutions, seeking to amplify marginalised communities. She is pursuing further work as a researcher and will be undertaking a MSc in Environmental Health at UWE Bristol.
🌐linkedin.com/in/lynn-ooi-bba5aa258/ runawayatlas.wordpress.com/
Benjamin Junior James
Media Content Producer, Creative Connex
Designer of the NR logo and the Website for Black Seeds Network, Benjamin James is a versatile media producer specializing in brand identity, graphic design, and storytelling through film. Passionate about environmental and diversity-focused projects, he creates impactful visuals and videos to amplify underrepresented people and drive meaningful change.
🌐linkedin.com/in/benjaminjamesjr/ benjamin.creativeconnex@gmail.com
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