We are excited to announce that Jean Tuller will be stepping down from The Cosanti Foundation's Board of Directors and filling the Interim COO role for The Cosanti Foundation and Cosanti Originals.
Jean has been a consultant for several decades in organizational development and systems transformation, focused on the area of long-term services and support for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. She has worked with state government agencies and nonprofits on strategic planning, organizational change, and Medicaid reimbursement. She has extensive experience designing and implementing structures that support the long-term health of governmental and nonprofit organizations.
Jean got involved with Arcosanti in 1977 with everything she owned in her VW bug. At the time, the master of the Ceramics Apse, Richard Johnson (who continues to sell his dragon-handled mugs in the Arcosanti Visitors Center), found her a bed in Camp, and she was a Frank Lloyd Wright Scholar (AKA dishwasher and meal prep) for her first six weeks. She eventually went on to run the Rebar crew and was part of the team that built the Lab Building. Later, the community elected Jean and another resident to represent Arcosanti on a project involving two intentional communities- Findhorn in Scotland and Auroville in India. That was an incredible opportunity for shared learning and networking, which continues to this day.
"The work we do at Cosanti Originals and The Cosanti Foundation is driven by our staff's shared commitment to addressing the ecological and societal crises faced by the global community. We have an important voice in the conversations regarding urban sprawl and reliance on fossil fuels while serving as an educational project for built environments that support residents to live fully and in collaboration with each other," says Jean.
When she's not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and Hamish, their very rowdy border collie. An Arco-mate of hers, dating back to 1977, has a small undeveloped ranch in central California, and she's often there doing the manual labor she learned at Arcosanti all those years ago. In addition, she's a mindfulness teacher and works with people in early substance abuse recovery-helping them build a meditation practice.
"The connection I have to Arcosanti has shaped my entire adult life- both in terms of my career and the people I hold most dear. I am honored and humbled to be able to help out a bit now. Our CEO, Liz Martin-Malikian, is modernizing our business enterprises while creating new and exciting opportunities for us as an educational organization. It's a great time to support our mission and the artisans who make up our community," says Jean.
