Heidi Rickard. Director
Heidi spent 14 years as a High School Social Studies teacher, and she was known for out of the box teaching methods and a classroom centered on connectedness. Over her years of teaching, she created many innovative programs that fostered connectedness and authenticity in her students. She co-created a global awareness documentary film screening series and also co-created a student leadership program: Life 101, mentoring teens for ten years through leadership retreats and weekly programs. Being passionate about global issues, she also served on the State Board of Directors for the Colorado AIDS Project, created and installed exhibits on the issue, and she still speaks on the topic of HIV and AIDS awareness. She also the creator of The Rice Experience, a program to inspire hearts and motivate people to use their influence to bring about positive! In January of 2011, after a film screening and conversation with a few bold mentors, Heidi embarked on a journey to challenge her own heart to live a life that no longer allowed fear and apathy to define her decisions. Over a few good cups of coffee, and more great conversation, The Authenticity Project was born. Heidi lives in Berkeley, California.
Contact Heidi at mailto:authenticityheidi@gmail.com
Jennifer Anderson. Contributor
Jennifer is passionate about people and their stories. After encouragement from the Life 101 leadership program she took a leap and moved to Seattle to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Ministry. She is always looking to learn something new which led her to discover amazing organizations impacting the world. She has worked with Habitat for Humanity which took her on an adventure across the world where she met others with entirely different, yet valuable, perspectives on life and community. She believes each person has the ability to impact someone each and every day and it is vital to choose to make a positive difference. Jennifer fell in love with the Northwest and currently lives in Seattle, WA with her husband.
Contact Jenn at TheAuthenticityProject@gmail.com
Erik Ewing. Contributor
Erik is a 20 year veteran of youth and young adult leadership and is the Co-Founder and Director of The Definition Collective, a non-profit organization that seeks to further community involvement, open and honest spiritual exploration and authentic conversation. Erik is a regular speaker at retreats, camps and conferences and has been working on his first book "I Was Here" for way too long. In 2010 Erik went to Milot, Haiti with a team of medical professionals to help in the aftermath of the Earthquake and Cholera epidemic, during his time in Haiti he came to realize how truly connected we are as humans and the need to share support and love with all of humanity and made the decision to spend the rest of his life devoted to sharing the message of honest love and unbridled compassion. Erik lives in Lancaster Pennsylvania with his wife Christy and their two kids Addison and Riley.
Contact Erik at TheAuthenticityProject@gmail.com
Stephanie Zeller. Contributor
Stephanie is a lover of all things outdoors including blue skies, mountain biking, snowboarding, hiking, camping and just plain adventure. What's even better is getting to share those wonderful things with old friends and new friends around the world while dreaming about how to make our world a better place where justice and love reign. Stephanie graduated from The University of Colorado in Boulder with a degree in Architectural Engineering before working as a middle school educator. As she worked with youth, her passion to ignite change and bring about a more positive world led her heart down a path of authenticity. This past spring, she decided to take her love of humanity further and begin her dream to serve in the non-profit world. She is also passionate about creating ways to connect students with programs that foster positive change and education around global issues. She is very involved in community programs and serving those in need. You can find her most weekends soaking up the natural world and creating waves of positive change! She now lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband Kory.
Contact Steph at TheAuthenticityProject@gmail.com
Ben Heydt. Contributor
Ben was born and raised in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and realizing this wasn’t quite where he wanted to be he took a bold step to follow his passion. He is now continuing his education and pursuing journalism and broadcasting. He is always looking for new ways to connect with people and believes that it is important to be happy (and being entertained on the journey is always a bonus!). You’ll find him sharing and living his personal motto: “Memories make you who you are, so make good memories”.
Contact Ben at TheAuthenticityProject@gmail.com
Adam Rae. Contributor
Adam did not swim across the English Channel, nor has he made a snow angel naked on top of a 14,000 ft mountain (although it is on his bucket list). He hasn’t been to Dubai. But he does believe anything worth doing, can be done while sharing amazing food.
Adam has been starting businesses since his childhood, even selling donuts door to door. His life goal, besides eating at every Michelin Guide 3 Star Restaurant on the planet, is to make a positive impact on people’s lives. This goal has led him to work with some of the largest non-profit organizations over the past 4 years. He is deeply committed to family, community, authenticity, teamwork, and great food. Currently, he is living in Colorado with his co-adventurer and wife Kristi.No matter who you are, he wants to be friends with you. Better yet, I know he’d want to share a meal with you. So make a reservation and let’s all go eat!
Contact Adam at TheAuthenticityProject@gmail.com