| Your Name | Shannen Henry |
|---|---|
| Email Address | Email hidden; Javascript is required. |
| Cohort Assignment | Hybrid In-Person/Online with Intensive in Lisbon, Winter-Spring 2025 |
| 1. What do you see as your primary work at this stage of your life? | My primary work at this stage is to pioneer regenerative systems within the materials and fashion industry. I do this through three main avenues: as a consultant helping brands transition to circular business models, as the founder of a start-up that transforms agricultural waste into innovative textiles, and through my non-profit organization that educates emerging creatives about circularity and sustainability within the creative and material industries. My focus is on not only reducing environmental impact but also creating value-added products that enhance local economies, especially in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). |
| 2. What role do you see as yours to play? | My role is multifaceted—advisor, implementer, and inspirer. As a practitioner deeply involved in the field, I lead by example through hands-on work, whether I’m guiding brands toward sustainability or developing new materials. Unlike representatives of large corporations with set CSR mandates, my role is rooted in vision and execution, bridging strategy with real-world impact. I see myself as a catalyst for change, bringing innovative solutions to life while inspiring others to think differently about materials and sustainability. |
| 3. What goals or aims do you have in regard to the above? | My goals are to enhance my leadership skills to better guide teams and organizations through complex sustainability challenges. I aim to communicate my vision more coherently, ensuring that my strategic direction is clear and impactful. Additionally, I want to amplify the reach of my work by scaling regenerative systems and influencing industry standards in circularity and sustainable innovation. |
| 4. Where do you feel your next arenas for personal growth are? | My next arenas for personal growth involve embracing vulnerability by sharing my ideas more openly and trusting my instincts. I also want to strengthen my confidence in the value of my unique life experiences, recognizing their potential to inspire and drive change. Improving my delegation skills will allow me to focus on strategic visioning while empowering others to contribute meaningfully to our shared goals. |
| 5. And for professional growth? | For professional growth, I aim to lead larger, more complex organizations and initiatives, expanding my influence within the sustainability and creative industries. I also seek to deepen my expertise in systems thinking and regenerative design, applying these concepts at scale to accelerate circularity and material innovation. |
| 6. What have you invested in to get you where you are? | I have invested deeply in reconnecting with my roots on the island where my grandparents are from, which has shaped my understanding of nature, complexity, and community. Academically, I invested in my education as a biologist and pursued graduate studies that focused on industrial ecology and complexity theory. Professionally, I established an ecosystem and presence in Italy’s prestigious textile region, enhancing my industry knowledge and network. I have also invested in personal wellness, recognizing its importance for sustainable leadership. |
| 7. What fields of learning and which thinkers have been important in your life? | Industrial Ecology has been foundational, particularly its focus on waste transformation and circular systems. Complexity Theory and Object-Oriented Ontology influenced my graduate research, shaping my approach to systems thinking and material innovation. Sociology sparked my interest in sustainable development and motivated me to explore unconventional career paths. Thinkers like Timothy Morton-- and the concept of 'hyperobjects", who challenge traditional views on ecology, and pioneers in regenerative design have greatly inspired my philosophy and work. |
| 8. Can you frame your philosophy or cosmology of life? What role(s) do humans play in it? | I believe human beings have an inherent responsibility to contribute positively to a thriving ecosystem. I reject the deterministic view of the Anthropocene, instead seeing humans as capable of restoring harmony with the environment through intentional, regenerative actions. My philosophy draws from a blend of Christian creation ideals and scientific perspectives on evolution, reflecting a worldview that sees opportunity for coexistence and co-evolution with the natural world. I believe humans play the role of stewards, innovators, and collaborators within the interconnected systems of life on Earth. |
| Date Created | February 19, 2025 |
