Marie von Ancken is a Programs Manager for HMI and anti-oppression activist. She is passionate about environmental justice and regenerative farming as a solution to transforming our food system and addressing climate change. She grew up in Corrales, New Mexico and has spent significant time living in Finland, France, and Nicaragua. She has worked closely with the Communitas Foundation, a non-profit providing educational and extracurricular support for at-risk youth in Central America. Marie was a Rotary International Exchange student to Naantali, Finland and continues to work with Rotary’s Youth Exchange Program. She is fluent in Spanish and Finnish, conversational in French, and works as a Spanish interpreter with indigenous artist communities. As Program Manager at Holistic Management International, Marie has spent the last five years developing learning opportunities, both locally and internationally, that aim to educate farmers, ranchers and food advocates. Marie has a bachelor’s degree in International Business Management and Sustainability Studies from the University of New Mexico/College of Charleston/IPAG School of Business – Nice, France. She is an Aldo Leopold Land Ethic Leader and is glad she “will not be young in a future without wilderness.”

Roundtable Facilitator

The Unconference Roundtable

Born and raised in New Mexico, James comes with direct experience working with Tribes and understanding the traditional knowledge as it pertains to their unique values. After working with the government sector, James realized his heart belongs to the nonprofit world.

As Trees, Water & People’s Indigenous Lands Program Director, James provides much needed insight and experience on working with Tribal governments that uphold traditional ethics of governance and leadership. His deep rooted experiences and cultural values strengthens our program by building trust with Tribes, promoting traditional landscape conservation values and over-seeing landscape-scale co-stewardship projects.

James is Director of the Indigenous Lands Program at Trees, Water & People. James engages and works with U.S. Tribal Nations on efforts centered around community-based, Tribal-led stewardship projects that prioritizes Tribal cultural values and protection of resources. In his role, James provides much needed insight and experience on working with Tribal governments that uphold traditional ethics of governance and leadership, while also respecting Tribal sovereignty.

Roundtable Facilitator

Silvopasture Dreams and Challenges

Julie Sullivan, founding mentor of the Quivira Coalition’s New Agrarian Program in 2008, currently serves as Mentor Training and Support for the program. She and her husband, George Whitten have been mentors with the program for 15 years, and own and manage their 3rd-generation, Audubon certified, cow/calf-to-finish cattle ranch in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. The ranch is committed to restorative practices that result in soil health, functioning grassland ecosystems, and viable small scale ranching.

For a decade, Julie was faculty for the field-based Audubon Expedition Institute at Lesley University Environmental Studies and Environmental Education program. She has taught workshops for Colorado State University, Colorado College, Adams State University, Fort Lewis College, Quivira Coalition, Western Colorado Food and Farm Forum, Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, Sandhills Task Force, National FIELD Network, Rogue Farm Corps, among others.

She is fiercely dedicated to the next generation of agrarians, fully functioning ecosystems and creative solutions to the interaction of humans with their planet.

Roundtable Facilitator

“How are you REALLY?” Supporting rancher wellbeing peer to peer

Linda and her husband live on a ranch in Winfield, Kansas, where they raise cattle and sheep. Linda is a certified Holistic Management® International Professional Educator with over 15 years of experience in ranching and agriculture. Her dedication to regenerative agriculture and holistic management practices is truly inspiring. With her extensive expertise, she has gained deep insights into land regeneration, livestock raising, and ecosystem dynamics. Linda takes great joy in sharing her vast knowledge and experiences with fellow regenerative agriculture enthusiasts. Her objective is to establish a harmonious balance between human activities and the natural world, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. Linda’s dynamic presentations and engaging training sessions are not only informative but also transformative. Her goal is to provide her audience with practical tools that enable them to make ecologically sustainable, financially viable, and socially responsible decisions. This approach promotes healthier, more resilient landscapes and flourishing communities, empowering individuals and communities to take charge of their sustainable future.

2024 Roundtable Facilitator

What is Meaningful Regenerative Agriculture Monitoring & Research

2022 Workshop Week Presenter

An introductory Holistic Management course in 1995 inspired Brian to implement his new understanding and knowledge, using grazing as a tool to improve the environment with resultant increased stocking rates, significant pasture improvement and regeneration of water seeps. In 2001 he completed his Holistic Management Certified Educator’s course. As a director of Inside Outside Management, he has worked throughout Australia and New Zealand providing Holistic Management training and consultation to a wide variety of people, businesses and environmental groups. This has included the delivery of full Holistic Management courses, short grazing management courses and the 18-month TAFE Holistic Management diploma.

Brian has much experience working in a team with people from different cultures and backgrounds. This, together with his passion for Holistic Management allows him to create an atmosphere of trust within a group, enabling the diverse participants to actively contribute towards positive outcomes. He is motivated by seeing the positive change that Holistic Management can bring to people’s lives and livelihoods.

Brian is a certified Educator with Holistic Management International and a certified Field Professional with the Savory Institute and a board member of Holistic Management International and is also on the board of the Australian Holistic Management Co-operative. He is also a proud member of HMENZA, Holistic Management Educators of Australia and New Zealand.

2024 Roundtable Facilitator

Regenerative & Conservation Grazing / Grazing for Soil Health

2023 Plenary Panel

Resilience Through Catastrophe: Preparation for and Recovery from Climate Disasters

Hear from panelists about how producers and technical service providers can prepare for and recover from climate disasters like wildfire through building soil health, holistic management, and unique partnerships and collaborations. We’ll hear perspectives from New Mexico, California and Australia, including challenges and success stories, as we address local climate and natural disaster catastrophes via local and global perspectives.

Kelly Sidoryk ranches with her family west of Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada with an additional location near Debden, Sask. Over 30 years ago they were introduced to Holistic Resource Management (as it was known at the time), a decision making/planning process that focusses on finances, land and people. The process had a significant impact on their operation as it transitioned to be a forage based, livestock enterprise. They run a mix of cow-calf, yearling- both owned and custom enterprises.
She completed the degree program through HRM with a focus on the people side. In addition to running their family business, she has worked with many farm families as they work on transitioning to the next generation. She also teaches Holistic Management Whole/Farm Ranch Planning courses and is a certified educator with Holistic Management International(HMI) and sits on the HMI board. Kelly is also a member of the local ALUS (Alternative Land Use) council and serves on the CRSB(Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef) Communications and Marketing committee. She was recently recognized by AFSC as a Community Builder at the Advancing Women in Ag Conference.

Roundtable Facilitator

Is Your Management Team Struggling?: Moving from Conflict to Alignment