about us: a few words

Over twelve months and 100 climate lectures, after listening to thousands of people voice questions and concerns, the platform for a different way to address climate change awareness was born - Planet Partnership™.

Planet Partnership™ focuses on the most frequently overlooked but most critical needs in moving the people of this planet towards solutions: education, the sharing of ideas, and meaningful action.

Roberta recognized the needs and the limitations she faced in conveying the message and reaching the masses. David had some creative ideas. After a chance meeting at one of her lectures December 2007, they started brainstorming the answers to these questions:

• How can we reach the most people in the quickest,
  most efficient manner?
• How can we educate people not only about climate change,
  but about how important they are in the solutions?
• How can we empower them to make a difference and
  take meaningful action?
• How can we get as many stake holders involved as possible?

Over the next few months ideas were exchanged, plans formulated, torn up and started over - then, finally, the business model that effectively answered all of these questions was perfected. They gave careful thought to each word in the mission and vision of Planet Partnership™ and would like to share them with you:

mission statement:
As humans, our footprints on this planet have had many unintended consequences. The issue of climate change is bringing some of these consequences to the forefront, and we recognize that we can no longer ignore them. Planet Partnership™ offers training programs and management seminars to educate individuals and organizations about these issues we face. We teach how to partner creatively with others to problem solve and become more sustainable. Planet Partnership™ believes that when we understand how the repercussions of our behavior impacts our own lives and livelihoods, we become empowered to generate meaningful change in our personal lives and at our workplace.

vision statement:
We believe that climate change is real and that it is the greatest issue of our age. We must first understand that we are all in this together. Solutions will come from big strategies and thousands of small steps, but they must begin today in order to create a more ideal planet. There is no time to waste. We must widen the discussion to include the millions of people whose way of life could be forever altered. By meeting this challenge as one, we will not only address our climate, but we can forever change the way we work together. It is only in partnership that we will be able to realize this opportunity to pass on a balanced and sustainable planet for future generations.

the founders:
Though Roberta and David have very different backgrounds and are separated by hundreds of miles (She's in Florida and he's in Toronto), they share a common interest: Passing on a sustainable planet to future generations. Though the planet our children and grandchildren inherit may be different from the one they grew up on, they believe future generations are entitled and can still experience the fullness of what our planet has to offer - and can be done in a more sustainable way.

Roberta Fernandez is recognized as a leading and passionate voice for environmental change through education, personal responsibility and action. As President and Founder of Planet Partnership, Roberta's unique mix of focus, knowledge and "can do" energy has created an important vehicle for social change and a prominent platform for her unique, yet universal message.

Always concerned about how our collective actions impact the environment, Roberta transformed her "concern" into "advocacy" by starting her consulting firm, Environmental Advocacy in 2006 and by becoming one of the first 50 volunteers to be selected and personally trained by Al Gore to present his acclaimed climate change message to the public. Roberta has also helped train over 1,000 additional presenters in her role as Senior Mentor for the Climate Project.

Before starting Planet Partnership, Roberta's accomplishments in education and business were many, with each playing a major role in preparing her for the important work she is doing today. From her first position in high school as head cashier with Winn Dixie Stores in 1974 to her career defining decision to found The Montessori Children's House of Hyde Park in 1996, serving as Director and Owner until early 2007, Roberta's career choices have always involved service and making a difference.

Roberta believes that real and lasting change comes through education and dialogue, and by organizations and individuals making the commitment to take one step forward each day. That is her message through Planet Partnership and the signature of her career.

Prior to establishing his own strategic consulting firm 8 years go, (now Flex Communications), David McEwan served for six years as Vice President of Marketing, Retail and New Development for Brookfield Management Services (now Brookfield Properties) in Toronto, Canada. Prior to his tenure at Brookfield, David worked in the Toronto real estate industry for 15 years holding a number of management positions with prominent Canadian based firms. Raised in the United Stares but educated at Queen's University in Ontario, David received his BA in economics in 1975.

David says that "Creating Planet Partnership™ with Roberta has allowed me to use my creative and strategic experience to present practical, step-by-step solutions to address the greatest issue facing our generation. Each and every one of us has an important role to play if we are to first take responsibility for climate change and then take action to reverse our self-destructive momentum. Attainable steps every day add up to miles each year."