Sami Aaron, Chair, Executive Director

Sami is a retired software developer, meditation & yoga teacher, Extension Master Naturalist, and Climate Reality Leader.

Learn more about our founder.

The Resilient Activist organization was a gift that emerged through my studies in meditation, Yoga Nidra (yoga sleep), yoga for trauma, nature-connected teachings, and the benefits of time spent in nature. I have a heartfelt desire to share these gifts with others and to build a community that will nurture, uplift, and support those who strive to live in conscious harmony with Earth.

Anne Melia, Vice Chair, Treasurer

Anne is an environmental scientist with experience working in environmental compliance and site assessment. She is active in a number of environmental and sustainability-focused organizations including The Resilient Activist, the Green Business Network, and the Metropolitan Energy Center. She is currently re-evaluating her life goals and actions towards a path of deeper self-discovery and increased environmental and social activism. 

The challenges of 2020 crystallized in my mind both the desire to become more actively involved in efforts to address climate change and social equity issues, but also the need for a nurturing community to provide safety and respite. Through the Resilient Activist, I have found opportunities for activism as well as connectedness and community. I am excited for the opportunity to join with Sami and others to further the vision and mission of the organization.

Anna Graether, Secretary

Anna is a lifelong learner and leader, currently working to create and encourage landscapes that are not only beautiful but sustain life, sequester carbon, feed pollinators and manage water. She is completing her Kansas Master Naturalist training and internship. Trained in commercial interior design, Anna worked at the intersection of design, facilities and sustainability for corporate, non-profit and government employers for thirty years. In this, she was happiest when focused on good design that supports people in the workplace while reducing the impact of buildings on the environment. Anna has been on the boards of Burroughs Audubon, Kansas City Community Gardens and MainCor.

As a human drained by daily news of the onslaught to our planet and wondering if anything I do will make a single bit of difference, I was heartened to learn about the creation of The Resilient Activist – a toolkit and resource for those who are discouraged, yet not wanting to give up. Thanks Sami, for creating such a community. “When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” –Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac

Briana Anderson

Briana Anderson is on a journey to find her place in environmental activism. Wildlife has been her passion since childhood, and she is on a continuous quest to learn everything she can about plants, animals, fungi, microbes, and the environment. She has researched best practices for coral reef conservation in Belize, pioneered non-harmful methods of researching bats with white-nose syndrome, and the relationship between the microbiome and cancer. She currently works as a veterinary technician at her local animal shelter and a teacher who gets to talk about wildlife all day. In her free time, she loves hiking, kayaking, cooking, drawing, and finding new ways to be plastic-free/zero-waste.

Sarah Mayerhofer

Environmental Stewardship has always been important to Sarah. As a young girl she
attended every Girl Scout meeting and took the lessons and wisdom to heart. However, it
wasn’t until a trip to the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador during her university days that
changed the trajectory of her life. After graduating with a Bachelors in Travel and
Tourism Sarah worked in the industry for a few years before deciding she had to get
involved in conservation and environmental justice. She graduated with her Master’s in
Sustainability Leadership during the pandemic and moved from Long Island to KC to
gain new experiences in Sustainability and has fallen in love with the community. She
currently works as the Director of Sustainable Community Engagement for a local recycling management company. Sarah is passionate about gardening (particularly flowers this year), reading, crafts, yoga, and overall wellness.

“The greatest danger to our future is apathy.” — Jane Goodall

Megan Mulvaney

Megan is a Public Health PhD student at Indiana University – Bloomington and her research focuses on community responses to climate change using both qualitative and quantitative methods, with a focus on projects that utilize a community-engaged framework and honor lived experience. Over the past twenty years, her professional career has spanned the fields of corporate finance, academic research, and professional baking.

Trevor Lies, M.A.

Trevor Lies is a Social Psychology Ph.D. Student at the University of Kansas, Department of Psychology. He is the Principal Investigator for the True Power for Climate Resilience and Recovery Focus Group Research Discussions, in collaboration with The Resilient Activist.

The Resilient Activist offers me a space to engage in work related to the climate crisis and other environmental problems with an eye toward applied, community work. The research that I do means nothing if it is not also in conversation with the real, lived experiences of people at the forefront of these issues. I appreciate the variety of educational and engagement opportunities that The Resilient Activist offers. It is very important that our communities are in conversation with one another.

Michelle Y. Merrill, Ph.D.

Michelle Y. Merrill, Ph.D., is a passionate climate activist, currently serving as a coordinator for Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island. She has a background in anthropology, evolutionary science and sustainability education. She studied the social behavior of wild bonobos in the rainforests of Congo and orangutans in Indonesia in the late 1990s, gaining a recognition of the importance of social affiliation and cultural learning in all of us apes, while witnessing the loss of rainforests, their inhabitants and indigenous cultures. Michelle is also a meditation instructor, and the founder of Novasutras, an organization at the intersection of ecospirituality and activism.

We long to reawaken our deepest connection with our living world, to reclaim our joy, honor our pain, grow trusted relationships, and take meaningful action in service to all life.

Asuquo Udofia, Ph.D.

Asuquo Udofia (Ph.D.) is a lead Consultant at L’AINE HR Services where he is involved in innovating the world of work in Africa. He is an affiliated faculty at Central University and Daniel Institute Ghana, where he is involved in the training of graduate and undergraduate students, and research in health / social psychology.
He is also a Managing Partner at Quality Trust where he offers consultancy in strategic leadership, executive coaching, corporate governance in businesses, succession planning, and business development. He is a Trainer and a Mentor with over 20 years of professional experience in diverse industries.
He is a multidisciplinary scholar with a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, a Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling, a Master’s degree in Business Administration, and a Master’s degree in Biochemistry. He is a Licensed Counseling Psychologist, a Member of the Ghana Psychological Association, and a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing of Ghana among others.

I am passionate about promoting awareness of climate change, sustainable strategies, and resilience through psychoeducation aimed at creating a better everyday life experience for people and businesses.

Debra Box

Debra Box has been a leader in the Kansas City nonprofit community for over 20 years. She led Support KC for 17 years, working closely with nonprofits to help them define their missions and communicate how their missions’ impact those they serve. During her leadership, SKC became a recognized national model for nonprofit shared services. 

I am impressed with the innovative work and mission of the Resilient Activist.  It’s rewarding to me to be able to be a part of the mission as well as sharing my nonprofit expertise.

Christine Julian

Christine is the owner/senior designer of CJI Design Group. She helps busy homeowners navigate the process of remodeling and furnishing their home, by creating a truly unique look through a stress-free process of achieving it. 

At my core I believe every space should function well for you, promote good health, and spark joy. The Resilient Activist has been the key to achieving all of those three things in a very sustainable way. It started personally at home, and the positive effects of conscious living and connecting with nature are finding themselves at the core of every project I now design. 

Dena Klein

Dena is the retired CEO of a niche PR company responsible for the day-to-day leadership and strategic direction in sales, operations, and marketing. She worked with owners and employees to build the company and develop client and media relationships over 28 years of employment.

I am inspired to be part of TRA to help preserve, protect, and regenerate our environment for current and future generations through positive steps and specific measurable actions that support environmental activists as well as “lay” people like myself who are greatly concerned about protecting and nurturing our Earth. And also to learn more about environmental issues,  actions/steps I can incorporate into my activities, and teach my grandchildren.