We Outside

Season One Guest Bios

Learn more about our Season One guests and what they are up to in their lives.

We encourage you to explore, share and resource their work in the world.

Episode 1

Tina Lopes

Tina's Bio: For thirty-four years Tina Lopes has leaned into human rights, justice and liberation work professionally inside organizations, and personally in extended and chosen families and collectives. She has attempted system change in both large public spheres as well as in communities stretched thin trying to shelter people thrown away by those systems.

More recently Lopes has been devoted to learning how to do this same work from a radical place: rooting in self-worth, relying on the natural flow of wisdom that comes from trusting our bodies, inner voices, our collective knowing, mutual healing and innate brilliance when we reclaim abundance as our birthright.

Learn more about Tina Lopes at www.tinalopes.com

Episode 2

Elissa Sloan Perry

Elissa's Bio: Elissa Sloan Perry (any pronouns) is of African and Mississippi Choctaw descent, hails from Missouri (Osage homelands), and is a 35-year resident of California (Miwok and Tongva homelands).

She supports people with a vision for an interdependently thriving planet to be better in what they do. Director, Prefiguring Futures, at Change Elemental—Elissa supports and accompanies Change Elemental clients with liberatory leadership development deepening in “be-how” and know-how for advancing change in chaos and complexity.

In addition to her work with Change Elemental, Elissa teaches in the MA in Leadership Program at Saint Mary’s College where she facilitates diverse, cross-sector learning communities in developing a holistic leadership practice. You can also find Elissa writing, tap dancing, exploring other art forms, and spending time with trees.

Learn more about Elissa Sloan Perry at changeelemental.org

Episode 3

Ellina Yin

Ellina's Bio: Ellina is a Cambodian American multidisciplinary social practice artist, filmmaker, journalist, and entrepreneur. They work at the intersection of art, technology, and lawmaking to create and explore new forms of civic participation.

Through podcasting, in depth oral history research, and multiple artistic mediums Ellina threads together art and technology to democratize the process of lawmaking and re-imagine the way we practice democracy at a local level. Website: www.ellinayin.com.

Learn more about Ellina Yin at www.ellinayin.com | Socials: IG/TikTok/Bluesky: @ellinayin

Ellina's projects and podcasts

Episode 4

Kirsten Scobie

Kirsten's Bio: Kirsten Scobie is the founder of Persimmon Consulting Company, where she partners with donors, foundations, and institutions to design philanthropic strategies rooted in trust, humility, and justice.

With over two decades of experience, Kirsten brings a rare blend of strategic rigor, emotional intelligence, and deep listening to help clients move resources in ways that truly build power in under-resourced communities.

Learn more about Kirsten Scobie at www.persimmonco.com

Episode 5

Vanessa Hatakeyama

Vanessa's Bio: Bay Area born and raised, Vanessa Hatakeyama is the Executive Director of the Japanese American Museum of San Jose (JAMsj). A San Jose Japantown resident for over a decade, Vanessa is deeply rooted in the local community and has fostered collaborations with artists and arts organizations to showcase and celebrate the vibrant creativity, abundant diversity, and rich cultures that thrive in the historic Japantown neighborhood.

As committed to her work and community endeavors as she is, they all come second to her beautiful blended and extended family and her passion for the Hawaiian art of Hula. When she has free time she is an avid listener of podcasts, reader of books, writer of poetry and prose, and enjoys throwing inconsistently shaped mugs, bowls and plates on the pottery wheel.

Connect with Vanessa at vanessa@jamsj.org

Episode 6

Aldita Amaru Gallardo

Aldita's Bio: Aldita Amaru Gallardo (she/her/ella) is a philanthropic consultant, donor organizer, and founding director of the Action for Transformation Fund, a rapid response fund resourcing trans-led organizing, healing, and power-building efforts in the United States.

She is a disabled, Indigiqueer trans woman from Lima, Perú, and has called Oakland, California, on unceded Ohlone Land, home for over a decade. She is committed to resourcing generative movements working toward collective liberation and transforming philanthropy, and society writ large, so that no one is left behind.

Learn more about Aldita Amaru Gallardo at @ladycaucau

Episode 7

Lystra Germaine Sam

Lystra's Bio: Lystra Germaine Same is a sister, an orphan, an Aunty Supreme and a dedicated practicing "good ancestor". A cultural futurist, travel architect and global experience designer who works and lives at the intersection of justice, healing, equity, decolonization, and belonging.

The founder of Qmooniti Travel & Lifestyle - an award winning B Corp Certified travel company, and Sisters Leading Sisters, a community leadership container rooted in the Afrikan philosophy of UBUNTU: "I am because we are". My next chapter is devoted to legacy work - what can I leave behind that is truly meaningful?

Learn more about Lystra Germaine Sam at @sistersleadingsisters and @qmooniti and LinkedIn

Village Circle