James M. Edwards

Experience

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  The Empower Program, Inc

  Jan 1992 - Jan 1999

  Co-Founder & Director

  Co-founded and led this nonprofit educational organization pioneering Social and Emotional Learning programs (before it was even called that!) for middle and high schools throughout the US. Developed and taught curricula in Spanish and English. Developed and implemented instructor and employee training programs. Participated in all areas of organizational development, including oversight of a transition from for-profit to non-profit status and an increase in the operating budget of over 300% in my last three years. Show less

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  Boni Productions

  Jan 1998 - Jan 1999

  Production Manager

  Procured, provided, and supervised video and film crews, equipment, and services for production companies and news agencies in the Washington, DC area.

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  HILLMANN & CARR INC

  Jan 1999 - Jan 2004

  Producer / Project Manager

  Served as Producer, Project Manager & Production Manager for this full service production company specializing in specializing in multi-stakeholder, high-profile media and communications projects, theatrical experiences, and exhibits on society and environment for museums and visitor's centers. Clients included The Smithsonian Museums, The National Park Service, The Carnegie Institution, The National Civil War Museum.

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  RPW Inc.

  Jan 2000 - now

  Director of Communications

  Strategy consulting and production for an educational media and publishing company.Sample Projects:Queen Bees & Wannabees: book by author Rosalind WisemanMasterminds and Wingmen: book by author Rosalind WisemanMean Girls: major motion picture based on Queen Bees & Wannabees by Rosalind Wiseman

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  JME Productions, LLC

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2016

  Owner & Executive Producer

  Boutique media company specializing in nonprofit communications strategy for environmental and social justice.Sample Projects:World Wilderness Congress/WILD Foundation: Executive ProducerLed fourteen-person production team in creating over 150 hours of bilingual media for this international conservation congress hosted in Salamanca, Spain. Inter-American Development Bank: Producer/DirectorCreated centerpiece bilingual (Spanish-English) media and live international conferencing on the IADB’s sustainability campaign.Al-Jazeera International: Producer/DirectorProduced and directed a six-part series of investigative journalism stories highlighting social inequities and their solutions, including teen pregnancy, veteran’s benefits for women, rethinking orphanages, and living with autism. D.C. Promise Neighborhood Initiative: Producer/EditorCreated video media for multi-stakeholder initiative providing cradle-to-career education in Parkside-Kenilworth, the city’s most distressed neighborhood.Boston University Center for Digital Arts: Teacher & Program Designer Established the Center’s documentary program; designed and taught courses such as: Business Basics for Producers, Documentary Production, Advanced Camera & Lighting, and Digital Video Editing. Show less

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  Center for Digital Imaging Arts

  Jan 2009 - Jan 2012

  Adjunct Faculty Instructor

  Designed the Center’s documentary program; created and taught courses such as: Business Basics for Producers, Documentary Production, Advanced Camera & Lighting, and Digital Video Editing.

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  WILD Foundation

  Jan 2014 - Jan 2015

  Executive Producer

  Headed the fourteen-person production unit of the World Wilderness Congress, WILD '10, in creating over 150 hours of bilingual (Spanish/English) media. Hosted in Salamanca, Spain. https://www.wild.org/wild-congress/

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  JME Consulting

  Jan 2016 - Oct 2023

  Sustainable and Regenerative Systems Design & Education

  Sustainability and resilience consultant, designer, and educator for organizations, communities, and individuals working for greater social and environmental well-being and equity. https://www.jamesmedwards.com/Sample Projects:Naropa University – Adjunct Professor Teach courses in Environmental Studies and Ecological Design.Regenerative Communities Network – Organizational Development Collaborate with local and international nonprofit, government, and academic leaders, (including the City of Denver, Regis University, Denver University, City Craft, Natural Capitalism Solutions, and others) on the development of a regional chapter of an international regenerative economy initiative.Navigating Systems – Environmental, Social, and Governance StrategyFacilitated a team of Family Systems experts through a strategic planning process to develop a resilient and equitable business strategy.What Would Nature Do? – Program Design & Lead FacilitatorDeveloped and led this Ecological Design course for community leaders working in climate adaptation and mitigation. Impact Hub Boulder – Program Design & FacilitationHeaded the design and facilitation of a climate action leadership program for thirty local community, government, and university leaders from institutions including CU Boulder, City and County of Boulder, and The Nature Conservancy. Show less

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  Cultures of Dignity

  Jan 2016 - Oct 2022

  Senior Advisor

  Lead strategic planning as part of the executive team and also direct Spanish language product creation for this pioneering Social-Emotional Learning educational organization working in schools globally.

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  Naropa University

  Jan 2021 - Oct 2023

  Adjunct Faculty

  Teach and develop courses on ecological design and systems thinking within the Environmental Studies department.

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  University of Colorado Boulder

  Jul 2021 - Dec 2021

  Educational Consultant & Guest Lecturer

  Teach and develop curricula in the Masters of The Environment (MENV) program.

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  Drylands Agroecology Research

  Oct 2022 - now

  As a senior executive, I work to bring DAR’s mission to life by supervising, developing, and empowering our exceptional team. I ensure that everyone in the organization has the vision, leadership, and support they need to succeed in their roles and contribute to our shared mission and goals of using regenerative design to create a thriving future for all.

  • Executive Director

    Nov 2023 - now

  • Managing Director

    Oct 2022 - Nov 2023