Terri Rutty (she/her/they)

I was born on the traditional lands of the Taino people, now known as Jamaica. Growing up with island vibes and values, my family always centered sharing in community and respecting the environment and others, including our furry, feathered, scaled, or stemmed friends. My deep connection to community and the planet led me to study marine biology and environmental management. I have held leadership roles at various non-profit organizations as well as at academic institutions and local governments. All of this has led me to my passion for connecting the dots on how acting locally can have great impacts globally. In my spare time, I love to make bespoke, heirloom, scrappy quilts for friends and family, and I am a member of the PNW African American Quilters Guild. My vision is to live in a world of abundance where everyone, everywhere, has access to everything they need to not only survive but to thrive.