Hello, I’m Clara and welcome to my website! I was born in Shanghai, China, and immigrated to the United States when I was nine years old. My parents and I settled in Washington DC, where I fell in love with the old growth forests of Rock Creek Park and the rich ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay. I went to Smith College and eventually got my master’s in environmental management from Yale University and a PhD in environmental studies from Antioch University. 

Entering the environmental workforce as a young Asian woman was a challenging and often isolating experience. I am grateful to the many mentors who helped me along the way. Learning about systemic racism was empowering in that it enabled me to understand my experience in the context of societal structures, which helped me feel less confused and inadequate. As a consultant, I am motivated to help evolve our institutions and systems so that we can all thrive while working to make the world a better place.

Our logo is inspired by Green Tara, the Tibetan goddess of wisdom and compassion. In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Green Tara is depicted seated on a lotus blossom which symbolizes enlightenment. Her right foot and right hand are extended, meaning she is ready to jump into action to aid those in need. In her left hand she holds a blue lotus, a symbol of liberation.

Outside of Buddhist tradition, green is associated with the environmental movement, and Tara is similar to the Latin word for Earth—terra.

Green is also associated with the heart chakra, the source of universal love, compassion, and healing.

Unknown artist. 14th Century Tibet. Rubin Museum of Art. New York, NY