RYAN VAN LENNING
Oakland, CA 94609 ▪ (510) 219-3349 ▪ vanlenning@hotmail.com
SUMMARY OF KEY QUALIFICATIONS
- 5+ Years as a writer, advocate, and educator
- Communicate effectively and convincingly on a wide range of subjects
- Self-motivated and able to work independently and as part of a team to accomplish program goals on deadlines
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Self-Employed
Writer/Journalist/Editor (2007-2011)
Past outlets: Oakland Local (online community and news hub, winner of J-Lab New Voices grant), EcoLocalizer (former co-editor), Food First, Huffington Post, Terrain: Northern California’s Environmental Magazine, Truthout, Planetsave, Matador Change, Ethical Traveler, The Progressive (photos), Oil Change International (Researcher/Writer for DirtyEnergyMoney.com Project)
Live Local Marin
Communications Coordinator (Contract, Dec. 2010-September 2011)
- Research, write and edit monthly newsletters and action alerts; write original pieces & solicit profiles
- Website design & management (http://livelocalmarin.org)
- Set up and maintain social media and curate relevant news
California Food and Justice Coalition
Communications/Website Coordinator (Part-Time Contract, November 2010-May 2011)
- Newsletter, social media, website design & management
- Designed and configured new CFJC Website (http://cafoodjustice.org)
- Created & conducted tutorials for staff and interns
Planting Justice (Oakland-Based Food Justice Organization)
Board of Directors (2009-current), Communications & Political Action Committees
TransformCA (Formerly Transportation and land use Coalition), Oakland, CA
Community Outreach for TravelChoice Program (2008 – 4 month Project)
- Informed public about Bay Area alternative transit policy and choices
- Conduct surveys on public transportation use
Sinclair Community College, Dayton, OH
Instructor & Program Coordinator (2001-2006), Humanities
- Taught successful introductory courses in the Humanities (Philosophy & Critical Thinking, Comparative Religions, Environmental Ethics)
- Editor Interface: Humanities, Government, and Modern Languages Student Journal
- Interviewed and mentored part-time faculty
- Developed curriculum & increased student enrollment in Humanities classes
- Created department fact sheets & web-pages
- Presentations For Global Awareness Week (2003-2005)
- Faculty Advisor, Sinclair Think Tank
EDUCATION
Regenerative Design Institute — Permaculture Design Certificate (2011)
Miami University — M.A., Humanities (2000) GPA: 3.85
Indiana University — B.A., Philosophy & Comparative Religions (1996) GPA: 3.6
OTHER SKILLS AND WORKSHOPS COMPLETED
- Advanced Climate Change Organizer Training (facilitated by Ecology Center, 350.org, and Bay Localize, March 2011)
- Permaculture Design Certificate (June 2011, Regenerative Design Institute, Bolinas, CA)
- Computer Skills: WordPress, HTML & CSS, Convio, Salesforce, Salsa, Vertical Response, Adobe Acrobat, MS Word, MS Excel, online social media networking, GoogleDocs
- Knight Digital Media Center Independent Journalist Fellow, UC Berkeley (March 2010)
- Salsa’s Democracy In Action Webinars (Summer/Fall 2010)
- Bilingual: Intermediate Spanish Skills
- MAC Workshop (February 2008)
- Grants 101: Proposal Writing (September, 2004)
OTHER ACTIVITIES & INTERESTS
- Volunteer: Hands on Bay Area, TransformCA (Summit Conference), Backyard Food Project, City Car Share, Planting Justice, Walk Oakland Bike Oakland (WOBO), Roots of Change, Courage to Resist, Oxford Citizens For Peace and Justice
- Member: Investigative Reporters & Editors, Society of Professional Journalists, American Philosophical Association (APA)
- Extensive World Travel: Western and Eastern Europe, Mexico, Central America, India, Thailand, Kenya, Turkey
- Hobbies: Re-localization, Sustainable Food/Clean Energy/Environmental Justice Activism, Creative Writing, Social Change and Travel Blogging, Permaculture/Gardening, Scuba diving, Guitar, Camping/Backpacking
