Clockwise from bottom left, Cesar Almeida, Riley Brennan, Christy Smith-Hall, and Huan Song
By Laurie Casey
Join One Earth in offering a warm welcome to our new teammates. They are jumping in with both feet, ready to make our 2023 fest season the best one ever. They’ll be writing our communications, planning our programs and engaging donors and members. Join our social media accounts and engage with them there.
Marketing Manager Cesar Almeida
CESAR ALMEIDA began last week as Marketing Manager. Cesar likes to spend time DJing in local green spaces across Chicago. He believes that the definition of environment is not limited to the birds, trees, bees, and leaves but expands to the places where we eat, live, learn, and sleep.
What are your responsibilities?
As the new marketing manager for One Earth Collective, I am responsible for updating our amazing viewers, filmmakers, and members on social media and via e-newsletters. I will also be responsible for designing the film festival's program. HOW EXCITING!
What about One Earth's mission speaks to you?
Film is such an impactful art that has the ability to create "aha" moments that spark change. I love that One Earth uses this artistic medium to inspire environmental action.
What do you look forward to the most about this upcoming One Earth season?
I look forward to connecting with our environmental and filmmaking community on our communication platforms. I am especially excited to watch this year's selection of films!
How do you keep hope alive while working on behalf of the planet?
I keep hope alive by keeping my reps up! This means that I go to the gym to train my mind and body everyday. This means that I make time to make beats for the soul. And this means that I continue to invest in my retirement accounts every month!
Development Coordinator Riley Brennan
RILEY BRENNAN joins One Earth as Development Coordinator. Riley (she/they) is passionate about being outdoors! She believes being in nature benefits all aspects of life for everyone and is dedicated to preserving Earth for a healthy future.
What are your responsibilities?
As the new Development Coordinator, I will be working on communications with donors, coordinating Membership benefits and securing sponsors.
What about One Earth's mission speaks to you?
I love the creative and multidisciplinary approach of One Earth. I believe everyone can be involved in sustainability efforts, and One Earth’s diverse programming for many audiences encourages participation from people of all ages, abilities and interests. I think this is crucial for the environmental movement!
What do you look forward to the most about this upcoming One Earth season?
I am so excited for my first season with One Earth! I look forward to meeting our Members and engaging in the One Earth community.
How do you keep hope alive while working on behalf of the planet?
I keep hope alive through community. Being involved in communities that support a healthy planet inspires me to keep doing my part even when it feels small. When we combine our efforts and work for social and political change, we can make more happen for Earth!
Director of Development Christy Smith-Hall
CHRISTY SMITH-HALL is joining us as Director of Development. Christy believes that we are jeopardizing the livelihood of future generations if we don’t take care of our planet today.
What are your responsibilities?
I am a fundraiser. It's my job to maintain relationships with individual donors and encourage them increase their annual gifts. I work with marketing to sync our public messages.
What about One Earth's mission speaks to you?
Encouraging others to be good stewards of our planet's resources.
What do you look forward to the most about this upcoming One Earth season?
For the upcoming Earth season, I look forward to learning more about the ways I can be a better partner to our planet.
How do you keep hope alive while working on behalf of the planet?
I celebrate the small successes. Any new donors, small increase in attendance, continued partnerships are affirmations that the work OEC does is not in vain.
Program and Venue Partnership Manager Huan Song
HUAN SONG is the new Program and Venue Partnership Manager. Huan believes in slow food and slow travel and has walked across England and Spain on foot.
What are your responsibilities?
My role is to activate tangible action and empower our participants to be a part of the climate solution. I will be developing our programs and working with environmental advocates, filmmakers, and venues to curate a top-notch festival experience.
What about One Earth's mission speaks to you?
I'm particularly inspired by One Earth's focus on solution-oriented sustainable actions. I worked in disaster relief for many years where I witnessed the dire effects of climate change on coastal communities around the world. We need decisive and immediate change to tackle the root cause of these environmental risks and save lives and livelihoods.
What do you look forward to the most about this upcoming One Earth season?
The arts are such a powerful medium for advocacy. I'm most looking forward to rallying like-minded and passionate people around this year's films and themes.
How do you keep hope alive while working on behalf of the planet?
I try to take time to marvel at the wonders of nature—be it as grand as a sunset over the ocean or as small as a seedling.