REGENERATING    PARADISE

Allen Myers was born and raised in Paradise California as a third generation member of the ridge community. He left Paradise and gained a global perspective. He traveled the world for a number of years, living and working with communities as he documented those stories and lessons in an art project called, Nomadsight. He is a storyteller and founder and director of The Earth Day Film Festival. He cares deeply for his community.

Julian’s goal is to support increased capacity for wellbeing of people and planet. As a community-building facilitator, Julian is helping communities to design ways in which they can capitalize on their potential and develop their future. Among many things, Julian is a 
master planner and designer and a 
active student and practitioner of Vipassana meditation.

Majdi seeks integrative solutions and aspires to understand the interconnectivities between resources, communities, economies and the environment. His passion is in supporting wholistic and regenerative sustainable development efforts that incorporate sustainability’s three pillars (environment, community, economy). As an academician, he developed optimization models and solutions at the nexus between water, energy, and food.

David Leon Zink has an ear for music, business and community.  He works from home as a consultant in the areas of management, marketing and federal grant writing for firms serving both nonprofits and for profits – work that supports his calling as a performing songwriter and recording artist. David serves on the boards of several local orgs active in arts and culture, organic gardening and regenerative practices, and connecting communities with trails.  A Butte County native, David and his soulmate of 38 years live in Magalia, California.

Bob Stilger, PhD, is an activist-scholar who focuses on fostering connection, strengthening leadership and regenerating community. Over the last two decades, Bob’s attention has been drawn to questions of how we create the lives and communities we actually want in times of disaster, crises and collapse. Bob and his nonprofit organization, NewStories  joined us in Paradise in early 2019 to help us discover new ways of working in community which could help to regenerate paradise. Bob’s 2017 Book, “AfterNow: When We Cannot See the Future Where Do We Begin,” provides a roadmap for work in communities after disaster.

Carrie Fritsch is an internationally recognized product and graphic designer, local business owner, wife, mom and CSU Chico graduate with deep Paradise roots. Born and raised in Paradise and being 1 of 5 family homes that were lost in the Camp Fire, she has an immense love for the Town and is very invested in its recovery and success. In addition to being a board member at Regenerating Paradise, she also volunteers for the Rebuild Paradise Foundation and serves as a zone captain for the Camp Fire Zone Project.

Susan Dobra, PhD,  is a writer, editor, and educator who has taught at the university level for over 40 years; served as editorial director of the magazine Magical Blend; and worked as a grant writer and nonprofit consultant. A published writer, she currently teaches in the Philosophy Department at California State University, Chico. Until the Camp Fire, she lived with her partner of 20 years in Paradise, California, where they sang together, grew organic vegetables,  hosted a weekly open mic, and participated in a range of community service organizations. 

Mary Bellefeuille moved to Paradise in 1978. Earning a Business Management degree came in very handy, as she has managed her husband’s construction business since 1980. Raising three children in Paradise, Mary became very involved in the schools, youth sports, church and the community. Over the years, Mary has been involved with Paradise Ridge Youth Soccer, Paradise Little League, and Paradise Piranhas Swim Team, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Youth for Change, California Vocations, Paradise Boys and Girls Club, Rotary Club of Paradise. Mary serves on the Paradise Recreation and Parks District Board of Directors and works at Enloe Medical Center as an Employee Events Planner and Recognition Specialist. Her passion is helping this community become the best that it can be for all the people residing here.