Who We Are

Jody is a founding member of 350Marin, first hearing about the international organization, 350.org in 2012 and then helping to create the Marin local group in March of 2013. She lives in Fairfax and is a long-time community organizer and activist, getting started in response to the Vietnam War at age 16. She loves connecting people, ideas and actions for social change and to make the world the best place possible for all generations here and yet to come. Currently, she spearheads (and adores) the College Student Internship Program and the “Advocating for Climate Leadership” campaign. You might just find her wherever you look!

Silke lives in Novato and has been an active member of the 350 Marin steering committee since 2014. For more than three years, she has been organizing to prevent the building of a Costco Mega Gas Station in Novato with protests and a petition. As a mother and grandmother, Silke is especially concerned about climate justice, the human-made climate emergency, plastic pollution, the sixth mass extinction, and, therefore, a livable future for this generation, the next seven generations, and all life on earth. She is dedicated to raising awareness about the urgent need to end the era of Fossil Fuels and to accelerate a just transition for a green revolution by living sustainably.

Patrick lives in Fairfax and has been a 350Marin steering committee member since 2017. He leads the “Financing a Green Climate Future” campaign which helps community members move away from banks that lend to the fossil fuel industry, learn about low-carbon investment strategies, and explore alternative economic and banking models. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ and the founder of Green River Sustainable Financial Services, serving individuals who wish to lower the carbon footprint of their investments. He is also the author of “Low-Carbon Investing: Defending the Climate/Emphasizing Performance,” published in 2018.

Bella graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Development complemented by a minor in Environmental Systems & Society and a concentration in Professional Writing. By understanding the interconnected social, environmental, and economic issues relevant to the climate crisis, Bella recognizes that this crisis is inherently intersectional. Her academic background and prior experience interning at nonprofits have motivated her to take action toward sustainable development within local communities, leading her to start volunteering with 350 Marin. She became a member of the steering committee in Spring of 2024, and is excited to continue working with 350 Marin to help enable a just energy transition in her own community and beyond.

I grew up in England and moved to California when I was 17, receiving my BA and MS at San Francisco State. I worked briefly as a Juvenile Probation Officer, then as a watercolor and ceramic artist, and landscape contractor. I remain a landscape designer. Through my work life I was also a community organizer and Board member for Marin conservation groups, including my local Planning Group, MCL, Slide Ranch and MoveOn. For nine years I focused on climate, proudly serving on the 350BayArea and 350Marin Steering Committees before retiring in 2022.

My name is Zeinab Benchakroun, I’m from Morocco. After 20 years working as a software engineer, I went back to college to re-orient my career towards the climate crisis. At College of Marin, I met 350Marin who were very supportive of all my “artivist” projects. After my internship, I was invited to be part of the Steering Committee. In addition to their dedication to climate activism, to their knowledge of divestment and environmental policies, I found in 350Marin friends for life.