Hidden Leaf Foundation announced the appointment of Alta Starr to its Board of Directors in January 2022. Alta’s appointment comes as Hidden Leaf affirms its commitment to electing a more inclusive board that centers community voices. Alta will be the second person of color and non-family member to join the board — Hidden Leaf’s Executive Director Supriya Lopez Pillai being the first. Alta’s passion for social change and personal transformation, along with her lived experience as a Black woman will help guide the foundation in its commitment to center the leadership, including the experiences and voices of Black, Indigenous, and other people of color as fundamental to the pursuit of a more just, ecologically healthy, and compassionate society.
“Alta embodies the social justice leadership and pursuit of personal transformation at the heart of Hidden Leaf’s approach,” said Karie Brown, chair of the board. “She is widely recognized and respected as a leader in philanthropy, and as a gifted somatic trainer and coach who helps many people bring greater embodied awareness, as well as presence and wholeness to their work building movements for social justice. Her passion and perspective will be an incredible asset to Hidden Leaf and in our efforts to exponentially advance our mission and vision within social change organizations that enhance the effectiveness of the progressive movement. We are humbled and grateful to have her join our board.”
As the current Director of Training at BOLD (Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity), Starr is a somatics practitioner offering coaching and bodywork to individuals, and an organizational consultant skilled in building high-performing teams and partnerships. A former teacher, counselor, and radio news producer, for 25 years, Starr also worked as a program officer and grantmaker at the New World and Ford Foundations, funding community organizing, capacity-building, and leadership development. She has served on many boards, among them the Progressive Technology Project, the Peace Development and Needmor Funds, the Seasons Fund for Social Transformation, and the National Domestic Workers Alliance.
“There are many different roles to play in the work of transforming society towards justice. I’m excited to be asked to support Hidden Leaf in doing its part,” said Starr.