The Advisory Circle is invited by the Anchor Circle (our leadership team) for its diverse experience and deep insight. Its role is to offer external perspectives, share expertise, and support Umoja Greenlands through dialogue, mentorship, and reflective learning. While the Advisory Circle does not hold decision-making authority, it collaborates closely with the Anchor Circle to serve as a wisdom body—a space for critical thinking, ethical guidance, and systems insight that nourishes the evolution of our collective mission.
Jean-Christophe Lurenbaum
Jean-Christophe decided at an early age to dedicate his life to organising the creation of greater happiness in the world. With this aim, he first trained as an economist and became a key strategist in charge of major projects at France’s largest public corporation, La Poste. He wrote Naître est-il dans l’intérêt de l’enfant? Idéologie de reproduction versus non-souffrance (2011), the result of a decades-long historical exploration of the conflict between the ethic of non-suffering and the ideology of reproduction. In 2013 he co-founded the Algosphere Alliance, a network and direct democracy for the alleviation of suffering.
Sailesh Rao
Dr. Sailesh Rao is a globally respected systems engineer and climate leader whose work bridges ecological science, compassionate ethics, and deep cultural transformation. As the founder of Climate Healers, Dr. Rao advocates for a plant-based ecological civilization and has been a leading voice in recognizing industrial animal agriculture as a central driver of climate and biodiversity collapse. Formerly instrumental in accelerating the Internet's infrastructure, Dr. Rao underwent a personal transformation that led him to devote his life to healing the Earth. He brings to Umoja Greenlands his systems-level insight, bold moral clarity, and an unwavering commitment to ending suffering for all beings. His presence in our Advisory Circle strengthens our alignment with nonviolence, science-based activism, and regenerative worldbuilding.
Roberto Savio
Roberto Savio is a lifelong communicator, educator, and convener with decades of experience fostering dialogue, inclusion, and cooperation across cultures and continents. He is the founder of Inter Press Service (IPS), a global news network dedicated to sharing stories from the Global South and lifting up the voices of underserved communities. Roberto has spent much of his life promoting social and climate justice, helping communities respond to shared challenges with dignity and care. He is also a thoughtful advocate for global cooperation and wise governance, grounded in compassion and respect for all peoples. His work resonates deeply with Umoja Greenlands’ mission to regenerate trust, reduce suffering, and co-create a more compassionate future. We are honored to welcome him as an advisor to Umoja Greenlands.
Rob McNeil
Robert McNeil has been a passionate advocate for animals for over six years, deeply engaged in grassroots activism, government advocacy, direct animal rescue, and many efforts in between. His work is guided by a collaborative spirit and a strong commitment to consensus-building. Rob co-founded a modern and effective political movement dedicated to advancing animal rights, devoting significant time and resources to building a structure capable of real impact. His experience extends across key initiatives, having worked actively with the Animal Save Movement and the Plant-Based Transition Coalition, two organizations deeply aligned with Umoja Greenlands' vision of a compassionate, sustainable future. As an expert in Nonviolent Communication (NVC), Rob brings a powerful skill set for fostering understanding, dialogue, and cooperative action—both within organizations and with the broader public. His guidance helps ensure that Umoja Greenlands remains rooted in empathy, clarity, and collective empowerment as we work toward a regenerative, plant-based future for communities in Africa and beyond.
Dr. Jonathan Leighton
Dr. Jonathan Leighton is an ethics strategist, author, and social change advocate dedicated to alleviating suffering and promoting compassionate systems. He is the founder and Executive Director of the Organisation for the Prevention of Intense Suffering (OPIS), a Swiss-based think-and-do tank established in 2016 that focuses on preventing severe suffering among all sentient beings and advocating for this objective as a global ethical priority . Dr. Leighton holds a PhD in molecular biology from the University of Basel and an AB from Harvard University. His early career in scientific research and industry laid the groundwork for his transition into writing and public speaking on ethics and compassion. He is the author of The Battle for Compassion: Ethics in an Apathetic Universe (2011), which explores the question "What matters?" through a synthesis of science, philosophy, and personal reflection. His latest book, The Tango of Ethics: Intuition, Rationality and the Prevention of Suffering (2023), offers a rigorous reassessment of ethical thinking. It introduces the 'xNU+' framework, which reconciles intuitive human desires with rational strategies to prevent suffering. The book challenges traditional moral assumptions and emphasizes the urgency of addressing intense suffering wherever it occurs. Dr. Leighton's work aligns with Umoja Greenlands' mission to foster sustainable and compassionate practices. His expertise in ethical frameworks and commitment to reducing suffering provide valuable insights into the organization's initiatives.
Nick Osborne
Nick Osborne is a leading expert in self-management, self-organizing systems, and ethical entrepreneurship, bringing over 30 years of cross-sector experience to Umoja Greenlands. He has worked in private, public, and nonprofit sectors — from Shell to the UK National Health Service to Extinction Rebellion — gaining a deep, practical understanding of how organizations succeed or fail in complex, rapidly changing environments. In 2012, Nick founded Evolving Organisation to support a global shift towards more resilient, collaborative ways of working. He was the first Certified Holacracy Coach in the UK and, in 2023, became the country’s first Holacracy Master Coach. For several years, he worked closely with HolacracyOne as their only European-based Partner, contributing to global training, certification, and the development of learning resources for self-organizing systems. Nick’s work is grounded in a commitment to upgrading how we collaborate and organize — not simply for efficiency, but to nurture the conditions for human and ecological flourishing. His management research has been published in Management Models for Corporate Social Responsibility (2006), and he brings a rare combination of scholarly depth, hands-on experience, and a passion for transformative change. Through his advisory role at Umoja Greenlands, Nick helps embed self-organizing principles that are adaptive, inclusive, and regenerative — essential qualities for building resilient communities in the face of 21st-century challenges. Nick lives in Somerset, South West England, where he enjoys surfing, walking in wild places, and sleeping under the stars.
David M. Mwayafu
David Mwayafu is an environmental and climate resilience expert with over 17 years of experience in East Africa. He holds a Master of Science in Forestry and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Management from Makerere University. David has worked extensively in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania on projects focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainable land management, and community empowerment. His expertise spans a wide range of fields including Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES), Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+), regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, improved forest management, and riverbank restoration. He has also led initiatives on renewable energy deployment in refugee settlements, natural resource governance, and environmental justice. Throughout his career, he has designed and managed research, coordination, and advocacy projects aimed at improving rural livelihoods while restoring ecosystems. David currently works as a Senior Consultant at Aidenvironment East Africa, where he advises governments and organizations on sustainable land use and climate-smart strategies. He also plays a key role in the Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development, contributing to national sustainability policy and supporting civil society efforts for ecological and social resilience. At Umoja Greenlands, David brings his deep field experience and policy insight to the advisory committee. He serves as the technical lead for stakeholder and community engagement, guiding the integration of regenerative practices with inclusive, community-led development across our network of villages.
