The ESP: Global Changemaker Stories

Sustainability entrepreneurs, innovators and changemakers need support and tending as they explore, discover, develop and share their gifts while simultaneously imagining, designing, building and living a way of life they love.

Julia Delafield currently serves as the Director of the Centre for Executive Education at the United Nations Established University for Peace and has tended and supported hundreds (perhaps thousands?) over her lifetime.  The world is so much better off because she shares her gifts with us all.

We sat down and received her story in May, 2025 at the beautiful UPEACE campus.

Julia is an amazing human being who has long worked for the good of the world at the intersection of humanity and our natural environment.  She shares her story of growing up as a shy kid who had the opportunity to open her eyes to the world through a Rotary club exchange program and then never looked back from a cross-cultural life taking her from a small town in New York to Brazil, Bolivia, Mexico, and ultimately to Ciudad Colon where UPEACE is located.

Julia shares her perspective on how she finds well-being in her work and why it is important. She also discusses how wellbeing can lead to flourishing, and shares times in her life that she has felt high or low wellbeing in her work.

Learn more about Julia's story at eicstoryprojects.org and on our social media(s) @eicstoryprojects.org

In this episode we learn about Native Discovery, created by Daniel Teoh and his Orang Asli partners. Native Discovery facilitates relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous communities in Malaysia. Through guided visits and dialogues, Native Discovery aims to foster understanding, support, and unity so Malaysians can become meaningful allies to the Orang Asli. Native also works to empower indigenous entrepreneurs to “harness their heritage, knowledge, and natural resources to shape the future they desire” (discovernative.org).

Want to learn more? Visit us at eicstoryprojects.org and check out our social media @eicstoryprojects.org on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out Daniel Teoh and Native Discovery on discovernative.org

In this podcast we dive deep into Navin's journey from his middle class background, to facilitating leadership classes in areas that are often over looked. All the way to founding his very own school for a sustainable and just future in that very same community. As well as a surprise visit from Charu, as she shares her journey and sustainable teaching lifestyle. Including why it's not only important to her, but important for all.

For more information check out our website: eicstoryprojects.org and our social medias @eicstoryprojects

COPROT is a sea turtle conservation project located on the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica that prioritizes community involvement, education, and activism.

In our podcast, “Turtle Tales with Laura Exley”, the founder of @Coprot shares her incredible journey. From graduating high school to singing in Thailand, working at a stray dog rescue, then learning Spanish while becoming a research assistant in Mexico. In this episode Laura shares her many, exciting and enticing adventures meant to inspire and bring hope to those who listen.

Listen to “Turtle Tales with Laura Exley” for the full conversation, out now on most podcast platforms! 

For more information visit our website eicstoryprojects.org and our social media(s) @eicstoryprojects on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.

Paul and Jeanne Johnson are the co-founders of Caribeans, a bold and community-rooted chocolate venture based in the Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica. What started as a small café evolved into something much more: a regenerative chocolate company grounded in justice, sustainability, and a deep commitment to local community. Their journey is equal parts entrepreneurial, ecological, and deeply personal. Along the way, they've learned what it means to build with-not for

—a place and its people.

Check out our video with Caribeans on the EICStoryProjects youtube! https://youtu.be/fLPUFgJ4pow

To find out more about Caribeans go to caribeanschocolate.com

For more of this story and the rest of the ESP go to our website eicstoryprojects.org

Rachel Thompson, a former criminal defense lawyer turned conservationist and professional diver, discusses her role in protecting the local environment of Mabul Island, Malaysia.

Now working for Scuba Junkie, one of the most highly rated dive-center resorts in the world, with an accompanying nonprofit organization, Rachel teaches the joys of scuba diving and helps conserve local marine life.

To learn more about Scuba Junkie, visit https://www.scuba-junkie.com/ 

For more about this story, and the rest of the Entrepreneur-Innovator-Changemakers' Story Projects, go to eicstoryprojects.org.

Also, follow us on Instagram and YouTube at EICStoryProjects!

In this podcast we sit down with Esteban Araya Chaves, the CEO of Florex. Florex is a Costa Rica based manufacturer of toxin-free cleaning supplies. From the origin of Esteban’s father, Don Carlos, starting a business for women and mothers in Costa Rica to support themselves, he noticed the negative health implications of working with toxic cleaners for hours on end. Because of this Don Carlos and Doña Silvia started Florex, a company to manufacture human and environmentally-friendly, high-performance biodegradable cleaning products right in their home country of Costa Rica. We dive into Esteban’s past, future and present as he explains the journey of not only himself and his family, but the journey of Florex and its impact for Costa Rica and beyond! Interested in more?

Check out our website and social media(s)!

eicstoryprojects.org

@eicstoryprojects

Mare Blu is a passionate team in Costa Rica led by Gero and Paula, dedicated to ocean conservation and community health. In this episode, we take you on a "story tour" to their new center in Guacolio to see how they are turning ocean plastic into building blocks for houses. The conversation explores their messy and inspiring journey of creating local jobs, protecting sea turtles, and finding a deep sense of purpose in the face of big challenges.

To learn more about Mare Blu, check out their website at mareblucr.org or follow them on Instagram @mareblucostarica.

For more about this story, and the rest of the Entrepreneur-Innovator-Changemakers’ Story Projects, go to eicstoryprojects.org. Also follow us on Instagram and YouTube at EICStoryProjects!

Arthur revisits Veronica Carrera, 2015 Best Executive MBA winner, avid triathlete, and author, at her holistic mountain retreat in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
In this episode, Arthur catches up with Veronica and her life and business partner, Angélica Coronilla, on their journey to help the people of our modern world heal and grow. They reflect on the blessings that can come from destruction and finding magic within and around us.

To learn more about Ater Tumti and Veronica Carrera's journey, visit https://www.atertumticostarica.com/about.
For more about this story, and the rest of the Entrepreneur-Innovator-Changemakers' Story Projects, go to eicstoryprojects.org.
Also follow us on Instagram and YouTube at EICStoryProjects!

Flor is part of our ongoing storytelling, starting from when we met her last year when she worked with Bean Voyage. 

While still close with Bean Voyage and the community, Flor shares how she has gone full time as an entrepreneur who clearly cares for life on land, sustainable communities, and gender equality. Her farm, Finca Las Piedritas, is alive with so much of what Flor values: healthy soil, family, community, and amazing coffee.

To learn more check out her instagram @laspiedritascr and our website eicstoryprojects.org!