Cohort 6
Riley Spielman
EDUCATION • Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy University of Utah • B.S. in Community Psychology and Chemical Dependency St. Cloud State University
ENROLLED • Cohort 6
LOCATION • St. Paul, Minn.
Riley (they/them) has always felt an innate connection with nature and holds a deep love of learning with and from others as well as the land. Embarking on this journey of learning how to better intuit the earth within their body, they wish to explore how body is related to emotions, cognition, and transformation towards living more sustainably. Their hope is to use knowledge gained from their nature- human connection as a tool for change for a more sustainable world. Riley has been privileged to obtain degrees in Community Psychology and Educational Leadership and Policy, leading to an understanding of and appreciation for learning as a way of leading, and the power of systems thinking. Their passion for intersectional equity is met only in intensity by their passion for learning with and from others, which led them to a carrier in Higher Education, where they supported, advocated, and taught within the realm of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. They entered state government to develop a better understanding of the power of a systems thinking approach to public policy impacting people and the planet. In alignment with their commitment to the never-ending journey of cultural humility and anti-racism, they work as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultant at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). They uphold the agency’s equity vision to cultivate a workplace culture that is of, by and for all MPCA staff so that employees may bring their authentic selves to work and contribute to protecting and improving the environment and health of all Minnesotans. They aspire to use their personality trait as a highly sensitive person and empath to empower others through eco-somatics, and the development of eco-consciousness. This eco-consciousness is an embodied understanding of the mutual destiny of nature and human life. They understand eco-somatics as the inseparability between the lived experience of the body, ecosystems, and the land. Using eco-somatics, they anticipate inspiring a strong sense of being, knowing, and moving consciously through intricate relationship networks. They are beyond thrilled to be a part of this transformational program!
UW-Stevens Point
68
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