Global Purpose Group – Team

With a background including social entrepreneurship, community organizing, and disaster relief, Bodhi Garrett’s ongoing passion has been to develop grassroots solutions to global issues. After growing up in Kathmandu, and studying at UC Berkeley, Bodhi founded North Andaman Tsunami Relief when the 2004 disaster claimed his job and home in Thailand. The $5 million recovery effort spawned several ongoing projects, including the North Andaman Network Foundation, and Andaman Discoveries, an award-winning social enterprise focused on sustainable tourism.

In 2011, Bodhi moved from the coast of Thailand to the jungles, where he and his wife started an eco-resort, Khao Sok Riverside Cottages, along with a bakery and hostel that continue to welcome visitors today. With support from the “Invoking the Pause” grant program, Bodhi began developing the “Clim-Act” platform to empower peer-to-peer relief in the aftermath of a disaster. This culminated in creation of We Help Nepal after an earthquake struck the small Himalayan nation in 2014. Working as part of a collective, Bodhi helped mobilize resources that fed over 11,000 people before the first government or international aid had even arrived.

Recent side-projects include environmental education camps, guide training, and executive producing a movie. Bodhi has been honored to share his project experience with global audiences including the Bioneers Conference, ITB Berlin, and through the Paul Harris Rotary Fellowship. Bodhi spends his time between California and Khao Sok, end enjoys mountain biking, being a dad, and fundraising for the Andaman Center for Migrant Education.

Christine Kolisch is committed to education as the means to a better future for the whole planet. After graduating from Scripps College in California, she taught special education for several years in Oregon before traveling the world and ending up in Nepal. She lived there for 13 years running an art gallery, working for UNICEF, and running scholarship programs for motivated students.

For many years, Christine’s business Cheppu from Himalaya worked with Nepalese artisans to bring sustainable handmade goods to the US market. She continues to love teaching, and is a yoga and meditation teacher. ​ After the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, Christine was one of the founders of We Help Nepal relief organization. Her experience and language abilities were essential in setting up grassroots projects. Christine is also actively involved in Global Purpose’s Thailand projects, particularly helping the Andaman Center for Migrant Education. Her mission is to create solidarity around the globe, to help all people see the earth as a sphere of unity, and realize that there is strength in our diversity.

Craig Lovell launched Eagle Visions Photography upon his graduation from Brooks Institute of Photography in 1980.  His artistic sensitivity, observation of light and technical expertise combined with his passion for service create stunning images from around the world.  Craig’s photographs have supported Global Purpose on many of its projects over the last twenty years.  ​

After the 2004 tsunami hit southeast Asia, Craig traveled to Thailand and used his skills to help North Andaman Tsunami Relief with their visual content. He returned to help as Andaman Discoveries was formed to promote sustainable community-based tourism in Southern Thailand.  Craig’s travels in Mexico, Asia, Africa & Latin America have allowed him to bring images of landscapes, Indigenous cultures, and natural history to his audience in the form of exhibitions, magazine articles, calendars, and books.  Through his images, his writing, and his work with Global Purpose Group, he endeavors to make the world a more peaceful and cooperative place through increased cultural understanding.  You can view his work www.eagle-visions.com.

Lilia is a lifelong student of organizing, helping to build and harness movements.

Her skills include community building, project management, and Digital Engagement.

Previous work experience includes Dream Corps and Bernie Sanders’ campaign. She also spent 2 weeks at Standing Rock in North Dakota.

Her work with Global Purpose includes volunteering at Andaman Discoveries, and co-founding We Help Nepal (including building the website and the digital strategy).

Martha Davis is a psychotherapist in Santa Fe, New Mexico who believes we need to give the next generation all the help we can.

Martha is a major supporter of the Andaman Center for Migrant Education.

Her wisdom, wit, and enthusiasm are cherished by her fellow board members.