From Rural Ohio to Global Impact and Back: A Builder's Journey RELATIONSHIPS = SUSTAINABLE IMPACT

Sustained development of our communities is only possible through human connection. Relationships are best grown through the practice of love-based leadership principles (http://bit.ly/3lysOmP). I first saw this truth when studying moral psychology and African American change movements while in undergraduate school.

This truth became more clear after Uni with anti-poverty work in Cleveland, Ohio, ten years in the law most of which was for global firms in DC, and using virtual reality tech to help companies engage customers across boundaries. But, 70-100+ hr work weeks clouded all.

I jumped.

The great recession was the opportunity to go forward by stepping back. I left six figure salaries for a DC-based sabbatical to explore what academics and practitioners say about economic and political rights, sustainable development and technology, how to solve wicked challenges like inequality.

The sabbatical was complicated by unplanned dying and death. I was primary caregiver for my grandfather and fell into an Episcopalian community. It became clear that successful human problem-solving sits at the intersection of multiple sectors, including theology. I was accepted for a Master of Arts (M.A.) from Union Theological Seminary in NYC to study religion and social-and neurosciences with the aim to harness the generative cycle between growing consciousness (mind), the brain, and relationships (Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB)), the key to sustainable problem-solving.

Declining acceptance to avoid $50k in debt, I innovated the role of “Special Assistant to the Director” with American University's Key Public Sector Executive Leadership Program. This work deepened understanding of adult leadership development while strengthening experience in strategic planning and developing new programs.

At the same time, I was inspired by the rector of the Episcopalian community to develop a curriculum for an adult learning workshop structure for love-based leadership discipline strengthening. I believe that this is a key to mobilizing impact-making alliances creating solutions in “The Americas.”

I jumped again. I became a social entrepreneur in Mexico serving a grassroots nonprofit to innovate three replicable paradigm changing models to sustainably confront inequality.

Ten years later, I jumped again. In late-2023, I headed back to the USA to handle family matters, transition to a new role with the Mexican nonprofit, executive produce a feature documentary, while building a cross-sector, 25-year sustainable development initiative for the de-industrialized US.

CREATED BY

Damon Taylor

Credits:

Created with images by Andrii Yalanskyi - "Chain of people figurines connected by white lines. Cooperation and interaction between people and employees. Dissemination of information in society, rumors. Communication. social contacts" • MintBlak - "3D rendering Sustainable Development Wheel Illustration inside an organic leaf for Corporate social responsibility project. Sustainable Development for a better world. 3D Illustration." • Gajus - "Businessman building a graph or ladder of success" • alphaspirit - "Goldfish leaps out of the aquarium to throw itself into the sea" • blacksalmon - "Motivation and Success Concept. Top View of Male with Leather Shoes satnding on the Crossroad to Making Decision to Steps or Stop. Forward Arrow on the Floor as background" • Oleksii Sergieiev - "reflection in water ripples" • Prostock-studio - "Blue paper boat leading among white ships" • 4Max - "woman writing in a notebook" • Zerophoto - "Location Mexico. Green pin on the map."