WTR Facilitators
Root Teacher - Kaia Sven
In the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Kaia Svien, M.S., is the root teacher of the Work That Reconnects. Kaia is a meditation instructor, spiritual guide, community activist, cultural change agent, and novelist. She thrives on co-creating responses to climate change that have a base in Buddhism and Earth-based wisdom traditions. Kaia has retired from teaching WTR, though she remains a mentor and proponent of Twin Cities Work That Reconnects facilitators and affiliates. Inspired by 4 decades of work with Joanna Macy, Kaia has modelled how to honor the emotions that compose grief and, thereby, renew love for all life.
TCWTR Facilitators
The Facilitators listed below have completed certified training in the teaching practices of the Work That Reconnects:
Jean Hammink is a grandmother, meditator, educator, consultant, and social change activist. Since retirement her activism has focused on climate justice and indigenous justice. She has participated in indigenous led protests for treaty rights and the end of fossil fuels. Jean is a facilitator of Joanna Macy’s Active Hope work under the umbrella of the Work That Reconnects (WTR) Network. Being a Buddhist Unitarian, she coordinates and leads workshops and several climate action activities in these and other contexts. Before her retirement, Jean worked in nonprofit, leadership positions, and training leaders in mindfulness-based emotional intelligence.
Beth Cleary is a writer, professor emerita, theater artist and yoga teacher. Beth has offered WTR workshops for writers, artists, activists, health professionals and yoga students, and welcomes the opportunity to craft experiential, Active Hope processes for all groups. As a professor and artist, Beth emphasizes process and discovery over product and wrap-up; this orientation is in direct alignment with the Work That Reconnects. Beth became a WTR facilitator in 2023, having completed Margo van Greta's online course based in the UK. In St. Paul, MN, where she lives, Beth co-founded the East Side Freedom Library in 2013.
Roberta Cassidy, PhD, RN, FNTP, CNFTG is a highly experienced Nursing leader who has served in a variety of capacities. Certified as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Relational Nature and Forest Therapy guide and Work That Reconnects facilitator, Roberta utilizes a variety of holistic and relationship- and nature-centered approaches to wellbeing. Her true passion and path in life is in service to the journey of personal and professional healing and its role in organizational, community and planetary health. Roberta seeks to inspire healing within to transform ourselves and our communities in service to the greater good of the Whole.
TCWTR Affiliate Presenters
Listed below are regular members of the TC WTR Community of Practice, who have co-facilitated workshops with Jean, Beth or Roberta. They also weave WTR practices into their professional work.
Mary Androff, MD is a mother, a lover of nature, a psychiatrist / psychotherapist in the Twin Cities and a faculty member of the AEDP Institute. WTR resonates deeply with her worldview as well as with her professional orientation. In February 2024, she co-facilitated an Active Hope workshop with Kaia Svien. In May 2025, Mary facilitated an Active Hope workshop, designed for mental health professionals, which integrated key components of AEDP into the WTR Spiral Journey.
Lisa Burke is retired from a nursing career at a busy inner-city hospital. Grandmother to two young boys, she is putting her energy into working to protect their future and being of service. Lisa is involved in Unity Church-Unitarian's Act for the Earth community outreach ministry team and in the Active Hope community. Because we find ourselves in absurd and challenging times, Lisa is motivated to engage with others and respond in life-affirming ways. She is studying with Margo van Greta of Heartbeat Findhorn to become a WTR facilitator, and is grateful for the growing cadre of fellow travelers.
Andrea "Dre" Wakely believes the Work That Reconnects is vital for building community resilience and a sense of ecological belonging. Since 2021, she has facilitated these practices for diverse audiences, ranging from Minnesota naturalists to incarcerated students through Metro State’s TREC program. With a Master’s in Environmental Education and a career as a naturalist with Three Rivers Park District, Dre blends scientific observation with soulful inquiry. She embodies Active Hope through her commitment to teaching in non-traditional settings and her use of art-making, herbalism, and storytelling as a healing balm for her community.
Nancy Nieve Nair lives in South Minneapolis and works in her community at South High School as a Dance and English language teacher. She has a Masters degree in Education and is a certified yoga teacher and bodywork practitioner of Thai Yoga Bodywork, supporting restorative alignment and centering for her clients. In her free time she loves to practice dancing, meditating, skiing, gardening, cooking and having fun with her amazing circle of family and friends. She is grateful for the guidance she has received from the teachings of Joanna Macy in weaving the many facets of her life into the sacred spiral.
