Why Field Guide?

I read this book called "Braving the Wilderness" many years ago at a pivotal moment in my personal evolution. The message of the book is that when you walk away from safety into "the wilderness," it can feel very lonely for the first two or ten or forty steps.

But if you keep going, you’re going to find a bonfire in the middle of the forest with people just like you - people who questioned how things were and conquered their fear to go explore and find a better way. You’ll probably find them dancing and uninhibited - free and full of joy - after asking the hard questions and taking the path less traveled.

That’s defined a lot of choices in my life— and it’s the role I’ve come to love playing with families and founders. 

Field Guide is that- stepping in as a partner while you walk through the wilderness - when you know there’s a bonfire out there, but it feels a little scary to leave what’s comfortable. 

From a brand perspective, it means a few other things to me:

1) Nature. I love nature, I crave it, I ache when I haven't seen the ocean in months. I am obsessed with meteor showers and camp for the Perseids most years in August. I have repeatedly found my soul in the desert, and my preferred outfit includes beach hair.

And 2) I love being out in the field. Two of the most meaningful experiences of the last several years were when I went on vision trips to Nepal and Kenya with NGOs to meet with women who are fighting gender norms in their countries, starting businesses, creating micro-lending institutions, caring for their communities and their land.

I didn’t grow up in the world of family offices, carbon offsets, and strategic philanthropy. But as I kept pulling the threads on the issues I care most about — gender equity, racial equity, closing the opportunity gap, protecting the earth — I realized two things: the levers for change are large in these rooms, and I’m well-suited to help operate them.

Field Guide is a manifestation of the role I love most: partnering with people who want to do big, bold things to make the world better.

While our brand, services, and team will inevitably evolve over time, the spirit of the work will stay the same:

Helping people step into the wilderness when they know something better is possible — and walking alongside them until we find the bonfire.