Who we are and how we came about
At JuntoVenture, we use digital media to inspire, educate, and empower people to live a more sustainable lifestyle. JuntoVenture produces entertaining and informative media pieces to establish an on-line eco-community and also to make eco-friendly living super hip, easy, affordable and convenient.
The people behind JuntoVenture are media content creators, online community facilitators, environmental educators, and new age explorers. We produce web-episodes that feature helpful eco-living tips, green technology, and raise environmental awareness. We write blogs, send e-newsletters, and sometimes launch publications to inform people of developments and products for eco-friendly living.
Since 2003, we have pro-actively encouraged outdoor participation to help others appreciate our natural surroundings and increase the desire to live a more sustainable, active, and healthy life. We are a federally recognized, 501©(3), non profit organization, evolved from a five year old outdoor club at UCSB.
Where does the name come from?
In 1727, Benjamin Franklin compiled together a group of diverse people in the hopes of developing innovative solutions to the problems facing society at the time. This group was deemed the “Junto.” For more information, check out Wikipedia’s definition of junto. Now, over 280 years later, our team is striving for a similar purpose; inspiring and educating the world to live sustainable and develop a deeper appreciation for the environment. Venture stands for a risky undertaking. We consider it a fulfilling venture to inspire and educate the world to live sustainable. Fortunately, more people are starting to wake up and realize that each person makes a significant difference in this world everyday, intentionally or unintentionally.
JuntoVenture Media Creators
Producers, story tellers, and master-minds behind JuntoVenture’s media content.
JJ Yoshihara
Executive Director & Host of Earth-Savers
Born and raised in California…got a phone call at 2 that my mission was to help the environment. So…I went to
UCSB, and studied Chemical Engineering, picking the most challenging route, when i realized I could live my life without doing that…I stopped…and simplified. Now you often find me atop a beautiful mountain peak, scribbling down thousands of ideas to implement next in JuntoVenture, and just enjoying the finer things in life such as, Blue Grass Concerts, Amazing Foods, Adventure Racing, listening to audio book tapes, and of course the Great Outdoors!
Justin Link
Public Relations
My background is in Mechanical Engineer with an emphasis in Environmental Engineering and Roller Skating! From a young age, my dad encouraged outdoor activities, which lead to my appreciation for nature and jumping out of planes. I love to go on hikes and do work from mountaintops, which
i’m thankful for the technology to do such a thing. A jack of all trades, adventurous, and i’ll try just about anything once. Yes anything, except what you’re thinking!
Dan Moses
Media Production Manager
My passion for telling a story with film is rivaled only by my love for adventure. An accomplished mountaineer and filmmaker, I am working on ticking a few more ski descents off my list as well as producing my 5th internationally distributed action sports film. As the head of the production arm of JuntoVenture, I bring not only a strong background and a vision towards the future, but also the very important ability to carry tremendous amounts of video gear to locations well off the beaten path and still have the energy to use them.
Nevin Freeman
Web Master
I like to ride bikes. I am originally from Ashland, Oregon, but these days I am studying Transportation Planning at Portland State University. I met up with JJ and friends to start a
PSU Excursion Club chapter, and have been on board ever since. When I am not riding my bike, I can be found trying to get out of a tangle of nondescript electrical wires, staring glassy-eyed at the broken code for my latest web project, and wandering around in the woods.
Concept Contributors
Contributors of topic research, project inspiration, and idea input.
Sarah Larimore
Advisor & Advocate
I was raised in California, but have also lived in New Jersey, Tennessee, and England… which are pretty diverse homesteads! I graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara with a degree in how to balance a social life, work, and high grade expectations in school. I currently live in Newbury Park and work as the Vice President of Sales & Marketing for a pharmaceutical distribution company, where I hope to someday visit some of the countries we export to. I absolutely love the outdoors and traveling, taking as many pictures as I can along the way. I have gone as far as to scrapbook many of those pictures. My partner in crime is my dog Baxter, who beats any guy in the world in the cuddling department.
James Chang
Member Projects Coordinator
My name is James, and I was born in Monterey Park in Los Angeles County. I am a currently a third year undergraduate college student in the
University of California, Davis. My major is Environmental Resource Science with an emphasis on hydrobiology. I love the outdoors and I love studying
it. I feel that knowing about how environment functions helps me and others appreciate for more than just the view. I am also very environmentally
conscience as my main source of transportation is my bicycle. As an environmentalist, I am quite proud of saying that. As a boyfriend to a
beautiful girl, it ruins my ego. But either way it makes keeps me happy when I look at the money I have left in my bank. My long term goals are to gain as much as I can from what education has to offer me and to apply it by helping our society become more sustainable, especially in water quality issues.
Steve Nosov
Sustainable Living Coordinator
I was born in Russia when it was still under communist rule and moved to San Diego, California when I was six years old. Currently I go to San Diego State University and am studying Hospitality in hopes of one day managing a group of people in a well known hotel or cruise line. I enjoy long walks on the beach and candle lit dinners atop mountains. I used to like snorkeling until I got back to the dark, cold, and murky waters of San Diego. I don’t watch much TV but do enjoy movies and I have an annoying parakeet who speaks Russian.
Michal Rosenoer
Communication Coordinator
Hi! I’m a UC Berkeley undergrad pursuing a double major in Psychology and Conservation and Resource Studies with an emphasis in agroecology and
sustainability.I grew up in the Bay Area with two of the least outdoorsy parents on earth; I am rebelling against my upbringing by spending the
rest of my life travelling the globe and exploring every nook and cranny. I love to rock climb, backpack, and hike; someday I hope to work for
SAR and
NOLS, and I already have my
WFR.I laugh loudly, eat extravagantly, use lots of acronyms,and love where my life is headed!
Haley Larine Nielsen
Policy Information Coordinator
I am currently attending UC Santa Cruz with a double major in history and environmental studies. I grew up hiking in the riparian forests along the Santa Barbara hillsides. My family was involved in many community activities, sparking a civic-mindedness that contributes to my search for sustainability. My father was a chef and taught me well; I now follow in his footsteps preparing organic gourmet meals, sometimes in the wilderness. History has always been a passion for mine and I hope to study in Egypt and enter graduate school for Middle Eastern Studies. Someday, I will change the world!
JuntoVenture Board Members
Advisors of organization’s finances, prospective programs, and internal affairs.
Brandi Bennitt
Board’s Advisor
Brandi is the
CEO of
ARIA Global and is working, through her role in
ARIA Global, to bring another dimension to business. She believes that business can be used as a tool for destroying societies and the natural environment, or as a tool to preserve the environment and establish social justice. It is her goal to turn the tide of business practices towards socially and environmentally responsible practices. She joins JuntoVenture as an enthusiastic (but not very skilled) surfer, as well as a rock climber, snow boarder, hiker, and back packer.
Caris Cassady
Board’s Secretary
Caris Cassady graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in Cultural Anthropology and Socio-cultural Linguistics. She has traveled extensively throughout Southern Africa, Central America, and Europe and has participated in many outdoor adventures along the way. She signed on with the JuntoVenture team in 2006 and hopes with her international volunteer experience to motivate JuntoVenture members to actively participate in the humanitarian and environmental sector of the club.
