Meet the people building bridges for people and planet.
Earth Rights Institute, co-founded by Annie Goeke, is powered by a global community of leaders, practitioners, educators, advisors, board members, legal counsel, volunteers, and regional partners working together to advance justice, equity, ecological harmony, and community-led change.
Our work is rooted in relationships. Across continents and disciplines, ERI brings together people who believe that sustainable change happens through collaboration, trust, and a shared commitment to communities and the Earth.
Our community
A global network of practitioners, partners, and changemakers.
Co-founded by Annie Goeke, ERI is more than an organization — it is a bridge-building platform that connects people, ideas, resources, and communities into living systems of collaboration. Our community includes staff, board members, legal counsel, regional teams, volunteers, educators, researchers, and partners who help transform vision into action.
Together, we support community-led development, regenerative solutions, leadership pathways, and cross-sector partnerships designed to strengthen people, ecosystems, and local economies.
Core team
ERI Core Team
Annie Goeke (de la Bouillerie)
Executive Director & Co-Founder
Annie Goeke is a professional ‘green’ entrepreneur and internationally recognized consultant who integrates decades of hands-on local experience into her global sustainability and policy work.
She represents her non-profit Earth Rights Institute, leading a green consultant program that applies sustainable, holistic approaches to social enterprises and community-building worldwide. With years of direct involvement in local initiatives—ranging from waste management and urban youth programs to organic farming and climate action—Annie understands the challenges and solutions required to implement effective sustainability practices. Her grassroots experience has shaped her expertise in advising governments, dignitaries, organizations, and citizen groups on achieving real-world environmental impact.
Nola Force
Executive Coach & Living Labs Mentor
Nola Force serves as an Executive Coach and Living Labs Mentor within ERI’s Global Regenerative Immersion Program. She supports participants and Living Lab teams in navigating complexity, strengthening leadership capacity, questioning assumptions, and aligning projects within broader social, ecological, and economic systems. Her work also helps participants build financial literacy and understand regenerative economic models.
Tania Saldivar
Graphic Designer
Tania Saldivar is a bilingual graphic designer who supports mission-driven organizations through clear, engaging design and storytelling. At Earth Rights Institute, she applies her experience in graphic design to help communicate and promote programs while collaborating on the organization’s visual communication and design needs.
She is inspired and motivated by opportunities to contribute to meaningful causes that create lasting impact.
Juliana Stricklen
Program Director, Global Regenerative Immersion Program
Juliana Stricklen is an educator, program director, and curriculum designer with over a decade of experience in education, community organizing, and global program leadership. She creates immersive learning programs that foster equitable partnerships, connect student learning with real-world impact.
Giuliana Guaglianono
Social Media & Digital Communications
Giuliana is an International Relations graduate and a polyglot who speaks six languages: Spanish, English, Italian, Portuguese, French, and Korean. Originally from Argentina, she moved to the United States to continue her work in global advocacy, peacebuilding, and diplomacy. Her background includes grassroots digital communications for Women Cross DMZ and Korea Peace Now!, recognition as a “30 Under 30 Korea Peace Specialist,” and collaboration with the United Nations Association – Los Angeles Chapter. At ERI, she brings this international perspective and digital expertise to strengthen the organization’s online presence and global communications.
Jeff Godek
Web Designer and Project Manager
Jeff Godek is an experienced web designer and project manager with a strong background in digital marketing, UX, and analytics.
He creates user-friendly websites that balance business goals, strong design, and measurable results.
With 30 years of agency experience, Jeff brings creativity, technical knowledge, and dependable leadership to every project.
Niki Faldemolaei
Program Director
Niki Faldemolaei is Program Director for the Earth Rights Institute and a Partner to ERI's Joy Fest LA and Metamorphosis Web3, and C3.0x sustainability initiatives. She also produces event and marketing communications for BlueOakNx, a science-based, heart led, nutraceutical company. As co-founder, board advisor and Community Experience Officer (CXO), Niki helps startups and companies build the communities and experiences that carry them through exponential growth. Niki's earlier media work placed clients in USA Today, The New York Times, The Washington Post and Newsweek, at Cannes and Toronto, and on National Geographic Channel and Showtime, earning agency, publishing and New York Times interactive awards.
Governance
Board of Directors & Legal Counsel
ERI's Board provides governance, guidance, oversight, and strategic support for the organization's mission, programs, partnerships, and long-term growth.
David Sonnenschein
Board Member
David Sonnenschein is a creative technologist, educator, author and entrepreneur whose work centers on listening, sound, learning and human potential. He is associated with iQsonics and Sing and Speak 4 Kids, developing music- and sound-based tools that support communication and learning. His interdisciplinary background brings a strong perspective on innovation, education and the creative use of technology to ERI.
Gina Smallwood
Board Member
Gina Smallwood serves on the Earth Rights Institute Board, contributing her professional experience and perspective to ERI’s governance and mission. Her board profile can link directly to her LinkedIn page for current professional information.
Zachary Towne-Smith
Board Member
Zachary Townesmith is a facilitator, educator and regenerative-development practitioner with extensive experience working across cultures and communities. His work emphasizes intercultural relations, creative problem-solving, education and regenerative well-being. A Harvard graduate, he has worked throughout the Americas engaging diverse stakeholders in strategic planning, social innovation and community-centered initiatives.
Tamara Muruetagoiena
Board Member
Tamara Muruetagoiena is a sustainability leader with extensive international experience across agriculture, natural resources and regenerative systems. She serves as Vice President of Sustainability at the International Fresh Produce Association, where her work includes regenerative agriculture, sustainability frameworks, circularity and industry collaboration. She has served on the Earth Rights Institute Board for many years.
Jeffrey Sklar
Legal Counsel
Jeffrey A. Sklar is an attorney based in Los Angeles and principal of the Law Offices of Jeffrey Alan Sklar. As Legal Counsel to Earth Rights Institute, he provides legal guidance supporting ERI’s governance and organizational work.
regional partner · africa
Meet Our ERI Africa Team
ERI Africa, based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, brings together experts in climate change, remote sensing, urban resilience, finance, development, and community leadership. The team supports ERI’s regional vision by connecting research, local knowledge, partnerships, and implementation capacity across Africa.
Kan Jean Kouame
Climate Change Expert
Jan Jean Kouame is a climate change expert dedicated to advancing sustainable environmental strategies and climate resilience. His work with Earth Rights Institute focuses on developing high-impact initiatives to address socio-environmental challenges and support sustainable community development.
Dame Coulibaly Sian
Director General
Coulibaly Dialiya is an Ivorian businesswoman and urban development specialist with experience in transport, logistics, real estate, sanitation, and geographic information systems. As General Coordinator at Earth Right Institute Africa, she works to promote peace, climate action, and sustainable development with a focus on women, children, and youth.
Dr. Armand Kablan
ERI Africa Team
Dr. Armand Kablan is a senior expert in climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and urban resilience, with experience advising public institutions and international organizations on climate risk, sanitation resilience, flood early warning systems, and urban planning in West Africa.
Harounan Bamba
Director of Development & Financing
Harounan Bamba is a specialist in administrative, financial, and accounting management of development programs, with experience across national and international organizations including WWF International, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, and the World Agroforestry Centre. His work supports structuring high-impact development projects and navigating donor procedures.
regional partner · africa
East Africa Office - Nairobi
Dr. Joyce Misoi
Director, ERI East Africa Office - Nairobi
Dr. Joyce Misoi is a Kenya-based sustainability and mining policy specialist focusing on responsible resource development, community engagement, and environmental stewardship. As Director of ERI’s East Africa Office in Nairobi, she leads regional partnerships to advance community-centered sustainability and regenerative development across Africa.
Regional partner · Senegal
REDES Senegal
Dr. Ousmane Aly Pame
International Education Director
Dr. Ousmane Aly Pame is an educator and ecovillage practitioner specializing in community-based learning, regenerative development, and intercultural exchange across the Sahel. He is the founder and President of REDES and a former Mayor of Guédé Chantier. As ERI’s International Education Director, he leads experiential learning partnerships that connect universities, students, and rural communities in West Africa.
Join us
Join the ERI community.
ERI welcomes partners, volunteers, researchers, educators, students, community leaders, and funders who want to help build regenerative solutions rooted in justice, equity, and ecological harmony.