OUR PEOPLE

He is a global communicator, board member and advisor to start-ups in North America, Europe, and India and hosts a podcast called “Climate+ | Purpose & Prosperity in an Unprecedented World.”

Tom grew up on a farm in Wisconsin and moved to California in 2009 to serve as the Executive Director of Stanford University’s Haas Center for Public Service, where he oversaw Cardinal Service and other efforts to connect the campus to the community in ethical and effective ways. In 2022, he helped launch the Stanford Democracy Initiative and he currently serves as the Assistant Director of the new Center for Revitalizing American Institutions at the Hoover Institution. He is a champion of experiential learning, serves as a docent at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, and in each of his professional roles he seeks to connect people with themselves, with each other, and with the natural world in ways that contribute to the common good and build a more perfect union.

After living with undergraduate students for 12 years while serving as a Resident Fellow in Branner Hall, Stanford’s public service theme dorm, he, his wife Mary Esther, and their dog Murphy moved to a quiet neighborhood in Menlo Park. Tom enjoys playing guitar and banjo (or at least attempting to), restoring air-cooled VWs, brewing beer, and just about any activity that doesn’t include walls or a ceiling.

Kanika finds inspiration in nature and in the way time outdoors restores balance and perspective. As a parent and community leader, she believes in sparking curiosity and a love for nature in children by letting them learn and discover through real, hands-on experiences. Whether hiking Bay Area trails with her family or volunteering with youth programs, she sees fostering environmental stewardship as one of the most meaningful gifts we can pass to the next generation.

Peggy graduated from Stanford with a degree in Mathematical Sciences. She worked in start-up tech and medical device industries prior to co-founding and subsequently becoming the first Executive Director of Hands On Bay Area (formerly Community Impact). She created the Schneider Fellowship program, providing Stanford students sustainable energy fellowships with top-in-the-field non-governmental organizations. In her current work, Peggy partners with alumni and individuals throughout Stanford campus to inspire, inform, and support students in their service journeys. She co-created the Stanford Award for the Advancement of the Common Good and led the campus-wide initiative What do you StandFor? exploring values through service. She also mentors first-gen students, low-income students in their college journeys.

Peggy lives with her husband, Jonathan, and is delighted her 3 sons have joined the “family business” of sustainability. She is passionate about instigating local change in the hopes of far-reaching positive impact. Outside work, you are likely to find Peggy hiking, reading, playing water polo or taking photos.

Cristina’s love of the natural world began in childhood, exploring the trails of Mount Baldy in Marin County. Unstructured play fostered a lifelong curiosity about nature and a deep appreciation for the environment – an appreciation that continues to shape both her personal and professional life.

After earning her degree in English from Saint Anselm College, Cristina served for two years as a Water Sanitation Agent with the Peace Corps in Mali, West Africa. There, she wrote grants and led fundraising efforts to support the refurbishment of community water pumps, helping improve access to clean water for local villages. She also taught English, building meaningful connections through education and cultural exchange.

Cristina is passionate about organizations that enrich communities through education, creativity, and service. In addition to serving on the Board of Enviornmental Volunteers, she is President of the Palo Alto Art Center Foundation. She believes that art and science are deeply interconnected- each inspiring descovery, expanding perspectives, and fueling innovation. Together, they help people better understand the world around them and imagine new possibilities for the future.