Laura van Dernoot Lipsky

Laura van Dernoot Lipsky is the founding director of the Trauma Stewardship Institute and author of the best-selling book Trauma Stewardship . Widely recognized as a pioneer in the field of trauma exposure, she has worked with individuals, systems, and communities around the world for more than three decades. Laura became one of the first to speak publicly on the connection between environmental science and trauma and the toll exacted on individuals and organizations as they witness mass extinction, irreversible ecological losses, or other forms of human encroachment. Simultaneously, she has long been an activist engaged in movements for social and environmental justice, and has taught on issues surrounding systematic oppression and liberation theory. Her TED Talk--distilling some of the themes she shares to help people who have experienced human and environmental trauma find their way through--was one of the first to be delivered inside a women's correctional facility. Laura is an advisor for several nonprofit boards, an associate producer of the award-winning film A Lot Like You , and was given a Yo! Mama award in recognition of her work as a community-activist mother.