Who We Are
The Visionaries is a distributed network of educators working with young people across the UK to develop a deep connection with nature and are equipped to lead change.
Through experiential nature-based learning, peer learning journeys, education consultancy, rites of passage retreats, meetups, and through a supportive peer community, we enable young people across the UK to develop a strong connection to nature, positive self-identity and the courage to lead change.
Our Stewarding Team
Max Girardaeu
Director
Max Girardeau is a radical educator and facilitator creating powerful encounters for eco-centric learning. He is Co-Founder of The Visionaries – an educational community and learning platform for educators and young people to learn to lead change with nature. Max’s work draws on Eco psychotherapy, embodiment practices, cultivating imagination and deep nature connection. He is a trauma-informed practitioner, wilderness rites of passage guide and qualified Mountain Leader
Faiqa Amreen
Education Lead
Faiqa is an educator, historian and lover of the wilderness. After spending over a decade working in schools in New York City and London, Faiqa transitioned to working collaboratively with schools, educators and young people. She is proud to be working towards increasing intersectionality in natural spaces and is currently the Education Lead at The Visionaries. She enjoys working with young people and their communities in order to examine, question and facilitate change in the world we live in.
Paloma Martinez
Community Catalyst
Hailing from Colombia, Paloma is deeply connected to her indigenous roots through nature, music and movement. She’s worked in education for eight years and alongside her work supporting our community, she is the CEO of Colidérate, an NGO that works and connects with the struggle for peace and justice from the individual to the collective level exploring new strategies of holistic well-being with communities that defend human rights, women’s groups, community leaders, migrants, refugees and anyone who raises their voice to demand social equity.
Trustees
Stella McKenna
Sean Khaya Andrew
Zahabiya Husain
Bethany Koby-Hirschmann
Michael Norton
Our Guide Network
Meet our network of guides who bring our work to life across the UK.
Nikki Levitan
Co-Founder, Brighton
Sola Adebiyi
London
Natalie Vickers
Oxford
Amy Cooper
London
Jenna Blencowe
Devon