“It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.” Oriah Mountain Dreamer

Our Team

Kasey Armstrong (she/her)

co-founding Administrator & Consultant

I - like you - am ever unfolding. On my best days, I am wildly excited to exist. I grew up and currently live in the northeast of the so-called United States, and feel deeply tied to the land and seasons of this region. I became a baby adult and fell in love with systems thinking in the Pacific Northwest, where I will someday return. I’ve been a group facilitator and collaboration designer for over a decade. If I wasn’t doing this, I’d be cooking. I’m introverted, playful, grounded, weird, and a big feeler. The tarot cards I most frequently pull for myself are “solitude” and “fractals”. I love - among other things - sandwiches, singing, jigsaw puzzles, and spending time with my people

I love working with anyone who identifies as a changemaker, who is not here for the status quo. As a self-described process guardian, I tend to the how of things and strive to illuminate ways of making change - whether in the world or in our own lives - that honor our humanity, our creativity, our interdependence, and our wellbeing. I nerd out on metaphors that help us understand ourselves and human groups through a living systems lens, and I believe we can look to the Earth for guidance as we experiment our way into the future.

Nothing in life has taught me more than having my hands and feet in the soil.

Sam Novak (she/her)

co-founding Director & Facilitator

I am the daughter of a Montessori school teacher and a salesman, the sister of an anti-human-trafficking badass and the partner of an emotional support wizard. I prefer to express myself in poems, and I’m a recovering “pleasure to have in class.”

I am passionate about practicing our way into a future that is begging us to remember that we are nature. I come alive at the interplay of systems theory, intentional community, spiritual ecology, and transformative justice.

I have worked in diverse fields across networks and nonprofits, education and entrepreneurship. In all my endeavors, I maintain a commitment to cultivating community and transformative change at the intersections of social and environmental justice.

As Graduate Faculty at University of Maryland Baltimore County, Co-Founder of Loam and an evergreen creative, I have the distinct honor of applying my love of learning, divergent dialogue, capturing beauty, and deep listening to foster relationship and radical love for a living.

I would love to hear your story.

Larree Strickland

Facilitator

I've cultivated a multifaceted career spanning education, business management, and community development. Hailing from Bulbancha, also known as New Orleans, I carry with me the rich cultural tapestry and vibrant spirit of my homeland on this ever-unfolding professional journey.  

I'm dedicated to fostering environments that encourage growth, collaboration, and meaningful connection across all contexts . As a self-described process guardian, I'm driven by a commitment to nurturing the how of things, ensuring that change initiatives honor our shared humanity, creativity, and well-being. I value relational approaches and am versed in emergent strategy, recognizing the power of collaboration and adaptability in fostering meaningful change. I thrive on engaging audiences with my playful yet grounded approach, weaving together metaphors and insights drawn from living systems to inspire transformative action. 

I approach my work with an anti-oppressive stance and an anti-racist analytical lens, striving to dismantle systemic barriers and promote equity and justice in all endeavors. And, I infuse all of my work with a deep appreciation for interconnectedness and holistic problem-solving, Currently, I am actively engaged in learning about land rights and data stewardship for Indigenous and displaced African Indigenous persons, recognizing the importance of honoring and preserving traditional knowledge and practices. 

Above all, I find excitement in every facet of existence and I find solace and wisdom in the simple joys of life—be it turning my face toward the nourishing sun, breathing deeply into stillness, or enjoying moments of creativity with cherished loved ones.

Nacoya Villegas (she/her)

Program Operations, Scaling Deep

Nacoya is an Impact-driven project, event, and operations manager with 10+ years of experience in event management, project logistics and facilitation. In a world of specialists she is a generalist who believes that focusing on the “how” will lead us to the best “what” in our work. She has a passion for building flexible and integrated systems that improve the day to day experience of both employees and external stakeholders.