Our Team

dani leonardo

Director of Equity,
Offers and Needs Market (OANM) Program Manager

Oregon, USA

dani is a biracial, third-gen Ilokano / Filipinx-American facilitator, culture worker, futurist and musician, bringing perspectives from the margins and a grounding in ecological wisdom and anti-oppressive practice. With a background in youth mentoring, grief tending and community organizing, dani’s work centers on decolonial practice and systems change to advance libratory frameworks, building on their studies and praxis in ‘Permaculture’ design (with a focus on social permaculture, direct action, and ‘invisible structures’) / Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), abolition, and re-membering / reclamation of queer, ancestral, life-affirming and earth-based traditions. A devoted lover of the color purple and a nerd for plants, polyrhythms, and Hayao Miyazaki movies, you can find dani in their free time at the piano or exploring wild places in the west of Turtle Island where they were born and raised.

Robert Wanalo Onono

Research Fellow

Nairobi, Kenya

Robert Wanalo is a patchworker, absorbed in the practice of weaving ideas, relationships and information into fabrics of possibility. Having spent a good couple of years learning about the new economy, he began to work with the Post Growth Institute in 2018. He is currently serving as the Resident Fellow, as he was the first Fellows in the first PGI Fellowship cohort. He is a sucker for good conversation, and could be anything from an instigator of depth, to a catalyst for humor and mischief. He lives in Kisumu, Kenya, where the quiet moments of dawn and dusk are his favorite times for hot beverages and solitude.

Donnie Maclurcan

Director of Strategy

Netherlands

Beginning as a professional singer at age nine, Donnie’s unusual career has included working as a freelance journalist, documentary producer, maths teacher, refugee and Indigenous rights activist, telephone counselor, homelessness support worker, property manager, exercise physiologist, and consultant for 500+ social enterprise projects, across 38 countries. Along the way he completed a PhD assessing nanotechnology’s global implications, coached the Fijian sailing team, held the Guinness World Record for the fastest run across Australia, and became an affiliate professor of economics at Southern Oregon University and adjunct professor with the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology, Sydney. Establishing the Post Growth Institute in 2010, his professional focus is designing frameworks, methodologies and experiences for creative collaboration and collective liberation, including the Offers and Needs Market, the Post Growth Fellowship, the Post Growth Alliance, and Free Money Day, along with an intuitive model for a post-capitalist market economy that builds on what’s already working. He loves writing birthday songs for friends, exploring the deep psyche, and performing improvisational theatre.

Natalie Holmes

Managing Editor

Berlin, Germany

Natalie is a British writer and editor based in Berlin, Germany. She holds a BA in Social Anthropology and a Master’s in Environment & Development, and has been a professional wordsmith for over six years. Passionate about the environment, social justice and actively challenging the cult of (over)work, Natalie is cofounder of Mind the Gap, a nonprofit working to close the gender wealth gap by hosting inspiring educational events across Germany; and DangerousTech, an events and content platform focused on digital rights and the intersection of technology and society. Natalie is convinced that post-growth offers a way of thinking about the world – and each other – that is more sustainable, mindful and just than our current system, and that the PGI provides a practical set of steps to get us there. A hatha yoga teacher and avid traveler, she enjoys long train journeys with her ever-adventurous dog, Squirrel.

Dien Vo

Board Member

USA

Dien is an independent filmmaker and Assistant Professor at Bard College at Simon’s Rock. He has interests in community media, sustainability, and experimental art movements. Dien previously taught at the University at Buffalo (SUNY) and Virginia Tech, where he co-developed the filmmaking program. Dien became interested in post-growth economics through his interests in sociology, philosophy, and ecological wisdom. He lives in Great Barrington, Massachusetts and New York City, where he is most happy experiencing the colorful diversity of Jackson Heights. http://www.dienvo.info

Jessica Lavelle

Director of Research,
Post Growth Fellowship Manager

South Africa

Jessica, born and raised in South Africa, is passionate about our (one) Earth and all things nature. With a background in conservation, she has a PhD in environmental governance and is currently based at the University of Cape Town. Observing the devastating effects of industrial agriculture, resource extraction and fossil fuels on nature and the gross inequity hegemonic, neo-colonial capitalism has wrought on the Global South, has led her to seek a radical revolution in economics to a post-growth world. Jessica loves being in nature away from the city where the wild things are.

Tyler Harris

Director of Operations

USA

Tyler is a non-profit administrator based out of Portland, Oregon. Holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Population Health Management, Tyler applies a systems-thinking mindset to implement sustainable programming within his community. His education, experience directing teams and projects, and passion for organizational development support his drive to support likeminded leaders making an impact with their neighbors. He also focuses on individual health and wellness through his personal training business, Harris Fitness. Tyler enjoys hiking in the sunshine, having fun with positive people, and learning how to better himself and his environment.

Lina Lefstad

General Volunteer

Lund, Sweden

Lina is just about to graduate from an MSc in Ecological Economics at the University of Leeds, having obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a major in Circular Economies. She is passionate about the evolution of climate justice and strongly believes that a thriving and healthy society that fits within ecological limits is possible. She was born in Norway but has lived all over Europe since the age of 12, currently residing in Berlin. When not reading and engaging with post-growth ideas, she can be found at the stables or out in nature with her horse, Atlas.

Arnaud Diemer

General Volunteer

Clermont-Ferrand, France

Arnaud received his PhD in Prospective and Economic Modelling from Paris Dauphine University, where he designed new programs for Economics Studies. Working for the Scientific Mission of the French Consulate, he undertook a study on GMO in the United States for the European Parliament. At the same time, he became involved in the social and solidarity economy and degrowth projects. Since 2000, he has supported sustainable development education programs in Bénin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Togo, and the Republic of the Congo. Recently, he developed research at the local level, helping citizens in rural areas to produce their own energy, organic food systems, and soft mobility.

Saloni Goel

Post Growth Alliance Partnerships Specialist

India

Saloni is a serial volunteer and development sector professional with a BA Honors in Economics from Delhi University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Liberal Studies. Passionate about authenticity, inclusion, and equity, she explored post-growth paradigms during her research on Indigenous cultures in India. Her travels to tribal regions reinforced her belief in reimagining growth and success for a diverse and resilient world. Saloni actively contributes to agroecology projects and entrepreneurship for resilience frameworks. Born and raised in a huge joint family setting in New Delhi, India, she shares travel insights and thoughts on Instagram & Linkedin and finds joy in flow yoga and crazy freestyle dancing.

Marianna Coulentianos

Research Lead

UK

Marianna is a mechanical engineer turned design researcher. She holds multiple degrees in engineering, economics, and design, including a PhD in Design Science, and is currently a postdoctoral researcher working on making field trials more participatory, with the goal of working towards decolonizing the field of engineering for global development. After finishing her PhD and finally having some time to think about something other than her thesis, she became fascinated with degrowth and low-tech approaches as a path towards justice. Born in France, Marianna can be found in the UK, Michigan, Greece, and France, depending on the time of year.

Kialyn Rubias

Operational Specialist

Guimaras, Philippines

Kia holds a BSc in Information Technology. A tech-savvy person who always craves learning, she chose to become a Virtual Assistant and has been pursuing that career passion for almost six years. Just through observing the current situation, she developed an interest in post-growth economics and an understanding of the importance of improving our economy. She was born on a suburban island in the Philippines, where the sweetest mangoes are to be found, and enjoys listening to Christian music in her quiet times.

Priscilla Trinh

Director of Communications

Minnesota, USA

Priscilla is a communicator and food sovereignty advocate. Grounded in the energetic underpinnings of globalized societies, she is involved wtih decolonial, regenerative, and intersectional community organizing. Priscilla currently serves as the Post Growth Institute’s Director of Communication. She is also an editorial board member of the Minnesota Women’s Press, a founding member of The Overstory Alliance, editor at the Blue Marble Review, and a former Council of Advisors member at the World Food Prize Foundation. Priscilla holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sustainable Systems Management from the University of Minnesota, with an emphasis on food systems and business management. When not working, she can be found near a body of water, in the kitchen, or bopping to music. Priscilla currently resides on Očhéthi Šakówiŋ lands, also known as Minnesota, US.

Elisa Favaro

Director of Personnel

Italy

Elisa holds an MSc in International Development Studies and Global Studies. She researched post growth during her studies and became passionate about civilizational transition discourses and human flourishing. She is now eager to build her professional path. After two years in Denmark, she returned to Italy where she was born and raised. There, she spends part of her time growing veggies and cooking with love. Elisa likes to do and learn all sorts of things, especially those related to food and nature. She likes taking care of her plants, spraying them patiently to keep them happy and hydrated.

Jasmine Co

Communication and Development Specialist

Portland, Oregon, USA

Jasmine holds a MSc in Climate Change, Development, & Policy from the University of Sussex and is currently furthering her journey as a myofascial and craniosacral therapist. They discovered post-growth literature during their master’s dissertation and is excited to help cultivate a regenerative economy that truly serves the wellbeing of both human and natural ecosystems. Jasmine is an artist (jasminecoart.com) and lover of movement of all kinds.

Vera Kozak

Director of Movement Building,
Post Growth Alliance Manager

Hungary

Vera enjoys learning more than anything: she holds a Master’s degree in Human Ecology in Sweden, where she had the opportunity to research Indigenous food systems in Latin America. She is most interested in finding connection points and bridges between traditional knowledge around the world and Western scientific knowledge about sustainability. Over the past five years, she worked and volunteered for various youth-led organizations, with whom she organized conferences, facilitated youth peace talks, and created sustainability workshops for schools in Eastern Europe. Currently she is based in Oaxaca, México, where she enjoys salsa dancing and exploring the mountains and waterfalls of the region.

Julia Inés Roitman

Post Growth Co-Lab Team Member

Seattle, Washington, USA

Julia is a lawyer specialized in public international law, having graduated from the University of Buenos Aires. She is passionate about gender and climate justice, with an emphasis on the Global South perspective of class and inequality. She became interested in post-growth theory through academia and people in her life. She is passionate about youth leadership and participation, and believes it’s the key for the bold transformations we’ll need in years to come. Julia lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina with her family, and can be found often in Ottawa, Canada with her partner. She enjoys reading, crafting and watching fútbol (go Boca Juniors!).

Sandra Rivasplata

Post Growth Encyclopedia Team Member

Lima, Peru

Sandra is a dedicated community economic development specialist on a mission to foster sustainable, human-centered growth. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Administration and a Master’s Degree in Social Development Management, blending academic expertise with a deep passion for grassroots empowerment. Sandra specializes in designing collaborative learning environments that drive financial literacy, community savings, youth entrepreneurship, and women’s empowerment. She became interested in post-growth economics as the best strategy to incorporate a new point of view and promote community economic development. Outside of her professional work, Sandra embraces life with curiosity and energy—whether she is traveling, cycling, trekking, dancing, or simply continuing her lifelong journey of learning.

Aviva Argote

Board Member

Cambridge, Massachusettes, USA

Aviva focuses her work at the intersection of her passions for healthy social sector leadership, adaptive strategy, and inclusive culture. As an independent consultant to nonprofit, government, and philanthropic entities, and formerly as the Director of Harvard’s Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations, she uses her experience to deepen organizational leadership capacity and design justice-centered curricula. Having witnessed many organizations lose their grounding in response to pressure towards conventional growth, she grew increasingly interested in post-growth culture and thinking. As an urban homesteader, she facilitates place-based home-learning for her children in Cambridge, MA

Svenja Hitzemann

Post Growth Alliance Assistant

Ghent, Belgium

Svenja holds a Master’s degree in Globals Studies and Development Studies with an interest in Food System Governance, particularly concerning food and seed sovereignty. She currently pursuing a Phd in rural radicalism. She was introduced to post-growth, post-development, and post-colonial perspectives in her studies and is passionate about translating academic knowledge into lived practice. Svenja grew up in a small town in northwest Germany, but she has a deep appreciation for learning with people from other backgrounds as she studied and volunteered in the USA, India, and various European countries. She is currently based in Ghent, Belgium, and loves biking, cooking, and sharing food and conversations.

Aynur Yilmaz

Director of Finance, Offers and Needs Market Data Manager

Turkey

Aynur developed a keen interest in the adverse effects of growth-oriented policies on society and the environment, in her university years. While working in export finance, her enthusiasm for research and learning helped her further her studies, and she earned her PhD in Economics with a thesis on Türkiye’s energy consumption structure. She hopes that growth-oriented economic policies will evolve into “alternative” models that consider planetary boundaries and human values, and is exploring ways she can contribute to this transition.

Originally from Türkiye, she now lives in Norfolk, UK. Her family is at the center of her life, and she has a particular soft spot for animals, especially her cats. She strives to balance her overactive mind, soul, and body through yoga and aikido, while always remaining curious about exploring new things.

Charmaine

Offers and Needs Market Outreach & Accessibility Associate

Scotland

Charmaine is co-founder of Women of Colour Scotland and has a PhD in Health Care Management. A solutions-driven professional across multiple disciplines in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors, Charmiane is passionate about justice, equality, and fairness and this is what has motivated her to become an Offers and Needs Market Certified Facilitator, a certified business and life coach, as well as working alongside the PGI. She is originally from the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago, a land of festivals and infinite possibilities! For the past 15 years she has lived in Scotland, where she juggles growing up her teenager, curating Caribbean cultural festivals, and volunteering for the Hwupenyu Health & Wellbeing Project.

Anna Scaramal

Post Growth Co-Lab Assistant

Konstanz, Germany

Anna holds a BSc in International Relations and Organisations and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree. She developed an interest in Post Growth as she was writing her thesis on climate politics, and she hopes to bring its values into action to help build a more sustainable future. She grew up in a beautiful alpine valley in Northern Italy, and is currently based in Barcelona where she is continuing her studies. She enjoys biking, modern dancing, yoga and all sorts of teas.

Felipe Cortines

Operational Specialist

Argentina

Felipe is an Industrial Engineer with a Diploma in Social and Cultural Anthropology who’s been professionally involved in a broad spectrum of approaches to tackle the worst effects of the climate and ecological crisis: organizational, business, academia, and activism. There’s multiple conceptions of what reality is or means, and Felipe advocates to understand and value them all in their diverse richness. He became obsessed with the concept of degrowth at Extinction Rebellion’s 2019 KlimaCamp near Leipzig in Germany. Originally from Chile, he’s lived in South America, Europe, and Asia, is a bread enthusiast, and loves live music, mountains, and clouds.

Heira Hardiyanti

Post Growth Fellowship Team Member

Indonesia

Heira is an enthusiastic co-operator, she spent more than 25 years working with cooperatives whether as an employee, in management or board of directors. She is highly skilled in non-profits organization, cooperatives and social enterprises, women empowerment and youth development. With her expertise, she works on various projects with the government, NGOs and the community. She is a co-founder of MyCoolClass.com a teacher-owned learning platform coop based in the UK, staying at home and cuddling with her family is her favorite moment.