Guiding Voices

Since its earlier stages, this initiative has committed to engaging and working alongside an expansive and inclusive range of movement leaders, funders, and collaborators. Together, we are working to secure the benefits of environmental learning and equitable access to the outdoors as a human right for all young people — especially for youth and children of color.

Below are the guiding voices currently working to bring ROOT Hub to this launch phase.

Host Organization

Justice Outside has been serving as the initiative’s project manager since 2025. In late 2025, Justice Outside was selected by the Seeding Circle to serve as the interim host organization for ROOT Hub for an 18-month transition period. The Host organization will provide the necessary operational infrastructure for ROOT Hub Activities.

Adam Hassan, National Advocacy Manager, Close-up of a man with short curly hair and a beard, wearing a black shirt and brown coat, standing in front of a colorful mural with leaves and abstract shapes.

Adam Hassan

National Advocacy Manager

Ethan Metzger, Movement Building Coordinator, A smiling man with short dark hair and facial hair wearing a blue denim shirt standing in front of a colorful mural with green, orange, white, and red abstract shapes.

Ethan Metzger

Movement Building Coordinator

Rena Payan, Chief Program Officer, A woman with curly dark hair winks and smiles at the camera, wearing a white shirt, black blazer, and a necklace with colorful pendant, standing against a brick wall.

Rena Payan

Chief Program Officer

Sierra Mathias, Director of Movement Building and Advocacy, A smiling woman with long brown hair wearing a rust-colored sweater outdoors with a background of blurred trees.

Sierra Mathias

Director of Movement Building and Advocacy

Seeding Circle

The Seeding Circle is an 11-member group, inclusive of an informal collective of Blue Sky Funders and a majority of movement leaders, who have established the strategic direction of ROOT Hub and currently serve as its temporary governing body. The Seeding Circle was established in May 2025 and has since worked with Justice Outside and consulting partners to build the foundation of ROOT Hub, define its initial governance structure and strategic direction, and develop branding and visual identity in preparation to launch. Their term will end on June 30, 2026.

Chela Garcia Irlando, Executive Director Next 100 Coalition, A woman smiling outdoors with mountain scenery, trees, and a wooden sign in the background.
Chela Garcia Irlando, Executive Director Next 100 Coalition, A woman smiling outdoors with mountain scenery, trees, and a wooden sign in the background.

Chela Garcia Irlando

Executive Director

Next 100 Coalition

David Beard, Director of Policy & Government Affairs The Children & Nature Network, Man in gray suit and blue shirt smiling, standing in front of wooden staircase.

David Beard

Director of Policy & Government Affairs

The Children & Nature Network

Juan D. Martinez Pineda, Director Fresh Tracks - Aspen Institute, Close-up of a smiling man with dark hair and facial hair, wearing a purple shirt, with blurred autumn trees in the background.

Juan D. Martinez Pineda

Director

Fresh Tracks - Aspen Institute

Kit Harrington, Director of Early Learning Policy Natural Start Alliance, A woman with long curly brown hair smiling outdoors near a river with trees and buildings in the background, sunlight brightening the scene.

Kit Harrington

Director of Early Learning Policy

Natural Start Alliance

Mario Ordoñez-Calderón, Executive Director Un Mar de Colores, Close-up of a smiling person with long dark hair, wearing a light denim shirt, standing against a plain white wall.

Mario Ordoñez-Calderón

Executive Director

Un Mar de Colores

Onika Abraham Lee, Executive Director Blue Sky Funders Forum, A woman with black curly hair and glasses wearing a green sleeveless top, smiling outdoors near a staircase with green plants and a black iron fence in the background.

Onika Abraham Lee

Executive Director

Blue Sky Funders Forum

Wande Okunoren-Meadows, Executive Director Hand, Heart, + Soul Project, A woman with curly, two-toned hair wearing a colorful, patterned dress and multiple gold necklaces, standing indoors near a window.

Wande Okunoren-Meadows

Executive Director

Hand, Heart, + Soul Project

López-Wagner Strategies

López-Wagner Strategies, An Equitable Communications Agency®, has been supporting the Initiative through field listening research, facilitation, strategy guidance and development, along with holistic communications support and services since the fall of 2023.

Betsy López-Wagner, Principal, Lopez-Wagner Strategies, A woman with black hair, glasses, and earrings, smiling, wearing a bright yellow dress with puffed sleeves, standing outdoors in a wooded area with trees and greenery.
Betsy López-Wagner, Principal, Lopez-Wagner Strategies, A woman with black hair, glasses, and earrings, smiling, wearing a bright yellow dress with puffed sleeves, standing outdoors in a wooded area with trees and greenery.

Betsy López-Wagner

Principal

Johana Vicente, Senior Strategist, Lopez-Wagner Strategies, Close-up of a smiling woman with dark curly hair, wearing gold hoop earrings, a black top, and a nose ring, standing against a plain green wall.
Johana Vicente, Senior Strategist, Lopez-Wagner Strategies, Close-up of a smiling woman with dark curly hair, wearing gold hoop earrings, a black top, and a nose ring, standing against a plain green wall.

Johana Vicente

Senior Strategist

Get Involved!

It's going to take continuous field-wide collaboration to ensure ROOT Hub accelerates a movement for youth outdoor access and learning.

Sign up for updates and learn how to become a part of ROOT Hub.

Get involved!
A group of diverse people sitting in a circle in a casual, well-lit room participating in a discussion or meeting. Some are sitting on armchairs and couches, others on chairs. Large windows with blinds are in the backgroundThe room has a wooden table with small plants and a decorative rug.