Hej hej! My name is Amber Collins, I have just returned to my hometown after spending a yeare in Sweden. You may be asking "What on earth were you doing in Sweden?!" Well, I'll tell you . I was part of an innoovative Master's in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability (MSLS) that brought together 60+ eager, intelligent minds around the topic of (you guessed it) sustainability. My thesis research centered on the Social Dimension of Sustainable Development which inspired thought on what it actually might mean to be 'socially sustainable' and what people can do to get there.

This year has really gotten the hampster in my head spinning around his wheel  and started the creative juices flowing, leading me to realize... there's a lot of work to be done. However, through the people I've been lucky enough to meet and the existence of organizations such as Wiser Earth, I am confident that there are people that I can work with to co-create some very positive changes in our society.

As I settle into work in the Heartland, I gain motivation from the fact that, though they might not describe it in my words, we share the same values of caring for futrue generations, appreciation of this beautiful world, and a love and desire to help, protect and preserve this country. I'm not sure exactly what the next few months will bring, but I'm really interested in putting my research skills aside to focus more on helping real people meet their needs.  I realize that there are lots of barriers to break down, and that there are some great non-profits out there doing the important work.  I find it inspiring to see people-based orgs, like the Ella Baker Center, achieve tangible results.  They recognize problems affecting people's needs, and work hard to fix them.

I appreciate having been born during 'interesting times' and I look forward to tackling the challenges that present themselves.