HPI Interview Series

We have been interviewing people who work with vulnerable populations during this current Corona Virus crisis. Dr. Gladys works with a population you may not have considered - the Gorillas. In this interview, she shares with us the work she is doing in Uganda with her organization Conservation Through Public Health. BIO: In the legacy of the late Dian Fossey, Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka has become one of the leading conservationists and scientists working to save the critically endangered mountain gorillas of East Africa. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), a 16-year old nonprofit organization that promotes conservation by improving the quality of life of people and wildlife to enable them to coexist in and around protected areas in Africa. Dr. Gladys became an Ashoka Fellow in 2007 for merging Uganda’s wildlife management and rural public health programs to create common resources for both people and animals. She trained as a veterinarian at the University of London’s Royal Veterinary College. Between 1996 and 2000, she set up the first Veterinary Unit at the Uganda Wildlife Authority. From 2000 to 2003, she completed a zoological medicine residency and masters in specialized veterinary medicine at North Carolina State University and North Carolina Zoological Park. Prior to setting up CTPH she also did a certificate in Non-profit management from Duke University. Most recently in 2016, she completed an MBA in Global Business and Sustainability – Social Entrepreneurship Track. Her most recent awards include the 2017 World Wildlife Day Award from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA) for outstanding contribution to conservation in Uganda and 2017 Golden Jubilee Award from the President of Uganda for distinguished service to the nation as a veterinarian and conservationist on International Women’s Day. Other awards include San Diego Zoo’s 2008 “Conservation in Action Award,” the 2009 Whitley Gold Award for outstanding leadership in grassroots nature conservation; 2011 Wings World Quest Women of Discovery Humanitarian Award, and 2014 CEO Communications Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government Award in Medicine and Veterinary category. Dr. Gladys recently became a National Geographic Explorer and winner of the Sierra Club’s 2018 EarthCare Award. Under her leadership, Conservation Through Public Health won the Global Development Network 2012 Japanese Most Innovative Development Project Award for scaling social service delivery. To learn more: CTPH.org Facebook - CTPH, Gorilla Conversation Coffee Twitter - @CTPHUganda Instagram - gorillaconservation_coffee 

Guido Masé is a clinical herbalist, herbal educator, and garden steward specializing in holistic Western herbalism, though his approach is eclectic and draws upon many influences. Guido works clinically and teaches at the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism and is a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild. He is the author of The Wild Medicine Solution: Healing with Aromatic, Bitter and Tonic Plants.  In this episode, Part 2, Gudio gives a tour of the Railyard Apothecary and Burlington Herb Clinic, followed by a tour of his home, medicinal herb garden.  Books Wild Medicine Solution DIY Bitters   Other Links Urban Moonshine Vermont School for Integrative Herbalism Burlington Herb Clinic Railyard Apothecary Photo: Guido Masè, Home Garden

Guido Masé is a clinical herbalist, herbal educator, and garden steward specializing in holistic Western herbalism, though his approach is eclectic and draws upon many influences. Guido works clinically and teaches at the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism and is a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild. He is the author of The Wild Medicine Solution: Healing with Aromatic, Bitter and Tonic Plants.    In this episode, Part 1, Cina sits down with Guido for an interview at his home in Burlington. After the interview, Guido guides a local herb walk in the downtown area where he shares stories and insights about the various wild, edible, and medicinal herbs found all around the city.    Books Wild Medicine Solution DIY Bitters   Other Links American Herbalist Guild Urban Moonshine Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism Burlington Herb Clinic Railyard Apothecary

Curtis Millsap has always enjoyed the outdoors, especially canoeing, rafting, and backpacking. When he met his wife Sarah, he began to dream of raising kids on a farm where they could enjoy the outdoors with their kids daily.   Curtis had little farm experience but worked tirelessly to grow in his abilities to farm. He and his farm manager Kimby now grow 2.5 acres of organic veggies and cut flowers year round. They also run a 150 member summer CSA and a 70 member winter CSA, maintain a weekly year-round farmers market stand and on-farm market, provide produce to local restaurants and help Sarah pull off a weekly wood-fired pizza and music night all summer long.   Curtis enjoys sharing his passion for organic farming and speaks at conferences, leads tour groups, invests in his internship program, and is generally working to shepherd in the next generation of farmers. He especially enjoys the days when his children are out in the fields helping and experiencing God’s wonderful creation with him.  LINKS Millsapfarms Millsap Facebook

Sarah Millsap is mother to 10 amazing kids ages 31-6 years old. She and her husband of 19 years, Curtis, also sustain an organic farm that serves the Springfield, MO community.   She is thrilled to be alongside her husband to support the farm operations by being in charge of the farm's weekly wood-fired pizza and music feasts. She loves providing the broader 417 community this time and space to meet and enjoy time with family, neighbors, and maybe even new friends. She also helps with the year-round, weekly farmer's market stand.    Sarah is intent on shepherding her kids into being engaged, dynamic and conscientious young people. She homeschools her children as well as manages all of their appointments and extracurricular involvements. She has always been passionate for orphans and children being raised in foster care and 5 of her hers and Curtis' kids were adopted through the foster care system, four being from the same sibling group.   She loves time in the natural world and is invigorated when she gets to play her beloved sport of soccer, or is floating down the Ozarkian creeks with her family. Her soul is refreshed when she waits upon the Lord and spends time laying her burdens at His feet, and following His lead. LINKS Millsapfarms Millsap Facebook  

Richard Herman is the sort of human you want to glean values from. His perspectives on life and care of the earth and people are timely and important.  His background is varied, rich and inspiring. Trained from childhood on conventional Ozarks farms, Richard went on to devote his life’s work to sustainable agriculture. That journey has taken him on adventures on three continents working in animal husbandry and medical care, permaculture, the Peace Corp, Heifer International, guiding youth in wilderness and education with Outward Bound, he's worked as a veterinary assistant and physicians assistant, is a certified Master Naturalist and permaculture consultant, and Richard teaches at community colleges and other organizations. Richard has spent many years living completely off the grid on his 30 acre permaculture farm, harvesting water from rooftops, collecting water in ponds and the soil, creating food forests and no-till kitchen gardens, working with intensive grazing systems, creating a sustainably harvested forest, growing rishi and shitake mushrooms, and creating a genetic library for food trees through grafting. Richard is a natural teacher with a passion to inspire others to invest in our future, even if we aren't here to see the long term results.   

Kari Hoggard is a humanitarian development consultant specializing in community development and refugee resettlement program management. She actively works to contribute a broader influence in international development, migration issues and humanitarian intelligence and international policy. She recently left her position as Director of a governmental refugee resettlement agency and is now with Convoy of Hope as a Migration Specialist.

Dave McGee is a husband, father of two, and the Director of Partnership Development and Communications at ENLACE, a thriving community development organization working in El Salvador, Guatemala, Nepal and the United States. Dave is also the Co-Founder of COMO Rocks, the first full service rock climbing gym in Columbia, MO working to elevate the community. 

Shawn Askinosie is a former criminal defense lawyer turned small batch chocolate maker, and the Founder and CEO of Askinosie Chocolate. His commitment to transparency, living purpose and finding and doing meaningful work is a true inspiration. You can also read his personal blog at https://shawnaskinosie.com.