Bridget has a master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management from the Bren School at the UC Santa Barbara. Prior to working for SAFSF, she led a collaborative network at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary focused on agriculture’s role in improving water quality along the central coast of California. She also spent three field seasons working for the National Park Service and Forest Service as a biological science technician. She is forever grateful that she got paid to hike and camp in such inspirational environments. Bridget was raised in Montana and Ohio and now resides in Santa Barbara, CA with her partner, where she spends her time doing yoga, fixing things around the house, sewing, riding her electric bike, and enjoying the local wineries.

Founder and Prinicipal, Sacred Futures

Charity May is the Founder and Principal of Sacred Futures, an advisory practice that guides partners in the reimagining, designing and implementing of governance, leadership and ownership models, sustainable growth strategies, and financing vehicles to cultivate renewal and reciprocity between human and more-than-human worlds.

Before launching Sacred Futures, Charity was directly involved in the management of real estate private equity investments and debt capital markets. She has directed, led and supported the investment, structure and development of over $575 million of project value for education facilities across the country, serving over 40,000 students. In her time in investment banking, she conducted the underwriting, analysis, origination and structuring for over $3.8 billion of leveraged finance transactions across multiple sectors including technology, consumer goods, industrial, and energy. Charity also managed a portfolio of middle-market companies totaling $134 million in debt commitments and served on the sell side and project finance functions for companies administering renewable energy resources. She has worked with various non-profits and NGOs on local and global economic development initiatives.

Charity is a systems designer, writer and advisor, supporting the governance and strategic development of funds, projects and businesses committed to building towards a regenerative economy.

When not designing or experimenting with new ways of being, you can find Charity occupied in some form of body movement in nature, exploring food and nature scenes with husband and friends, reading, or writing.

Ellen Martin is Chief Impact Officer of Circulate Capital, an investment firm focused on circular economy infrastructure and innovations in emerging markets. Circulate's Ocean Fund launched in 2019 and was the first dedicated exclusively to addressing the ocean plastics challenge in Asia and first circular economy fund to qualify for the 2X Challenge, committed to increasing gender lens investment. In her role, Ellen is responsible for driving impact and insights for Circulate Capital and managing ESG through the investment process. As a member of Circulate’s leadership and investment teams, Ellen is focused on ensuring the firm’s collective strategies, assets, and relationships deliver impact as it grows. She is also a senior advisor to Circulate Capital’s mission-aligned non-profit, The Circulate Initiative.

Ellen grew up in the apparel industry. Her mother emigrated from Taiwan to the US and became an entrepreneur and small business owner, working in retail and representing independent designers. This early education has led to a lifelong appreciation for the entrepreneurial experience, as well as for textiles, costume design and crafts of all kinds.

Her work in Denim has won her industry accolades including a feature in VOGUE & other global recognition. The CEO of CFDA, Stephen Kolb, recommended Miko as WGSN Future Designer 2021.  And she was voted as one of the most influential people in denim for the Rivet 50 2021, an annual index of the most influential people in denim globally.  Miko is also the 2021 WINNER of RIVET + PROJECT AWARDS: Best Men Collection. She garnered support from fashion organizations like Harlem's Fashion Row, RAISEfashion & is a CFDA / Bethann Hardison Designer Hub Grant Recipient and Designer Hub Founding Member.

OAK & ACORN was one of 6 brands featured in Nordstrom NYC’s Black Founders x Center Stage Pop-Up in February 2020. The brand made history in Nordstrom as the first Black Designer Brand on the Designer 4th Floor in their New York City Flagship. OAK & ACORN ~ Only for the Rebelles has been listed as “Label to Watch” by The SPINOFF, HIGHSNOBIETY and most recently by HYPEBAE.

Aside from design, Miko founded BLDG 357, Inc. a boutique multimedia design consultancy with global clients in the U.S., China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, New Zealand & West Africa to aid fashion companies in the areas of team, brand development & brand diversification. She is also the consulting creative director for We Got Us Now, Inc. a non-profit that focuses on identifying & amplifying the voices of children and young adults impacted by parental incarceration & active voice for those who share her personal story in the fashion community.

In 2020, Miko founded The Denim Collective, an educational initiative to highlight the Black Community's contributions to the origins of American fashion - beginning with denim. She's also co-authored articles on the history of denim for the Zoe Report, two articles on Juneteenth for the Council of Fashion Designers of America & was featured in the Business of Fashion, Essence, Fashionista, Heddels, Refinery 29 , Levi's & Patagonia for her work.

Sharlene has served on the Board of Directors of Croatan Institute and Women Advancing Microfinance (WAM) International and as an advisory board member for the Coalition for Green Capital. She holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a BA in Economics & Africana Studies from Wellesley College. She has also earned certificates in Digital Money and Negotiation Techniques from Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and Harvard University, respectively.