Why did you want to work for Thousand Currents? What made you apply to the organization?

Sarah at her Master’s Graduation with her two brothers.

As a former grassroots environmental activist, I’ve been aware of Thousand Currents’ work for several years. When I saw they were hiring on their website, I knew it would be an amazing growth opportunity to work for an organization whose values are so closely aligned with my own. I read the Seeing Through the Illusion of American Exceptionalism blog post while I was in the middle of the application process, and was struck because it said everything I felt needed to be said in that moment. A lot of folks were talking about how the insurrection ‘wasn’t American,’ but that piece was a timely and great reflection of what’s actually wrong with our entire system. Reading it from the organization’s leader really cemented my enthusiasm for joining Thousand Currents.

What will be your new role at Thousand Currents?

My new role as Executive Assistant will be to support the central operations and internal processes of Thousand Currents, as well as to be a bridge between senior leadership and our expanding team. I was initially hesitant about philanthropy because so many organizations are colonialist in their approaches, but Thousand Currents really does things differently. This position is a growth and learning opportunity for me, and I’m excited to learn more about our partners and our grantmaking.

What gifts do you hope to share in your new role?

Into this role, I bring my gifts as an administrative professional, and my experience as an environmental activist and advocate. When I was a teacher, I learned about media literacy and how racism unintentionally happens in the classroom. My parents also instilled in me practices that encourage me to be a good person, be respectful, and think about my own privilege. So in everything I do, I work to bring my commitment to practicing solidarity, anti-racism, and anti-colonialism. I feel really lucky to have chance to work on these issues here at Thousand Currents, and hope to share my unique sense of humor and collaborative spirit.

What is your vision or hope for the communities you work with and the work you’re doing?

In the work I do at Thousand Currents, I hope to build bridges between the different communities, partners, and funders that I will interact with, and support the work of my colleagues with kindness, and generosity of spirit. From my brief encounters with the board, I am already experiencing a refreshing kind of accessibility that showed me what is possible. It’s just really important to me to make the world a better and compassionate place, and I’m excited to bring that spirit to everyone I work with at Thousand Currents.

What do you do when you are not working at Thousand Currents?

When I’m not at work, I enjoy hiking, getting some sunshine, seeing new places, cooking something spicy, yoga, reading,
making a playlist, and spending time with the people closest to me.