Through the Resilient Foundation, a dynamic network of changemakers, storytellers and experts come together to tell transformative stories that frame and contextualize the world we live in to achieve a common goal — to use stories to drive collective action. Led by Adrian Kawaley-Lathan, a seasoned changemaker with over 10 years of experience in the impact media industry, the team deeply values the expertise of the local communities they partner with to amplify their voices and knowledge. They do this through a variety of audio and visual media strategies to engage audiences across the globe. They uplift and support the creation of documentaries, docu-series, short films and more.
“Audio visual storytelling is a multisensory, immersive experience. You get a window into somebody else’s life. Experiencing different realities can give us the agency to take action and make changes in our own lives.”
executive director
For example, in 2023, Resilient Foundation launched the Plastics Rehab Lab, a project to both redirect capital away from plastic production to the development of new materials and to reduce global plastic production and consumption through the adoption of an ambitious UN Global Plastics Treaty. As part of the project, they produced a mini-documentary series called Scientists Speak Out to inspire policymakers to protect human health from plastic by voting for a treaty that limits the production of plastics.
The first episode, Plastics and Cancer, follows world-renowned pathologist and cancer researcher, Professor Dr. Lukas Kenner and his research into plastic and cancer formation. In the 6 minute portrait, he explains how micro and nano plastics are absorbed by cancer cells, and appear to make the cells more aggressive. After premiering the episode at the 4th negotiation session of the UN Global Plastic Treaty (INC4), Resilient Foundation invited Kenner and other leading scientists for a candid conversation with the audience about their research and addressed two critical questions: “Is plastic making us sick?” and “What can we do about it.” Over 120 attendees including government officials, industry partners, nonprofit leadership and members of the news media joined for the discussion about the latest research and its implications. The event led to coverage of the research in Geographical, Metro, and Packaging Insights.
Breaking down silos and calling the audience to action is at the center of Resilient Foundation’s work. Their projects are reflective of the on-the-ground teams’ perspective, learnings and relationships with the community they serve. Projects always include a call-to-action that empowers the audience and gives them the tools they need to take what they learn and apply them in their communities, however large or small, in real, tangible ways.
The recently-released documentary film, Blue Carbon, follows marine toxicologist Grammy-nominated music producer and DJ, Jayda Guy, as she explores the power of ‘blue carbon’ ecosystems to combat climate change through themes of music, motion, and inspiration. Adrian saw the film at a film festival and knew the Resilient Foundation had an opportunity to further its reach and impact. Like Plastics Rehab Lab, the impact campaign goes beyond traditional distribution by making a specific and unique call-to-action that helps inspire positive change. Not only are they on a mission to make blue carbon a household term and underline the ways people can help conserve these ecosystems, but they are also using the film to lobby governments to prioritize blue carbon ecosystems by creating a place for blue carbon at the global climate policy table. “It’s not enough to have the film, the big question is now what?” explains Adrian. To date, the film has been screened on CNN (its TV premiere) and by the Ocean Born Foundation and has been released on WaterBear in the UK. Conservation International also promoted the project to support the launch of key policy and financial calls to action.
Resilient Foundation partners with creatives and changemakers like Jayda to identify what change they want to see in the world and create a strategy for how to make it happen. Being grounded in the communities and with the individuals they work with is key to the process. “We start the process to figure out what roles are needed. Sometimes we matchmake the project with someone in the impact space or we actually put on the hat of helping them do the impact ourselves,” explains Adrian. Whatever role Resilient Foundation plays, they are mindful of audiences from diverse backgrounds and prioritize amplifying the voices of people with lived experience whose stories too often go untold.
As a newer organization, partnering with Windward Fund as a fiscal sponsor gives Adrian and his team the ability to focus on what they do best: tell great stories to spark change. Windward has also supported the launch of Resilient’s blue carbon work to help make blue carbon science a household term.
