Fred Dust
Fred Dust is the founder of Dust&Company and works at the intersection of business, society, and creativity. As a designer, author, educator, consultant, trustee, and advisor to social and business leaders, he is one of the world’s most original thinkers, applying the craft and optimism of human-centered design to the intractable challenges we face today. Dust & Company uses a combination of catalytic convenings, difficult games and micro curriculum to enable large scale change in institutions and across cultural, governmental, philanthropic, non-profit and for-profit organizations and strives to do so for the world at large.
Using the methodology from his book Making Conversation, he also works as the Senior Dialogue Designer with The Rockefeller Foundation to explore the future of pressing global needs; with The School for Advanced Research, The New Museum, The Einhorn Collaborative and other foundations to host constructive dialogue with leaders ranging from David Brooks, Reverend Jenn Bailey, and Vivek Murthy to rebuild human connection in a climate of widespread polarization, cynicism and disruption. He is also proud to be faculty at the Esalen Institute.
As a former Global Managing Partner at the acclaimed international design firm IDEO, Fred works with leaders and change agents to unlock the creative potential of business, government, education, and philanthropic organizations.
Philips McCarty
Philips McCarty is a nationally recognized leader in social impact, brand transformation, and philanthropic consulting, lauded for his innovative, purpose-driven campaigns and turnaround strategies for esteemed nonprofits and corporations. As the visionary founder of Good Scout, a prominent social impact consultancy, he has steered transformative projects with distinguished brands such as UNICEF, International Rescue Committee, Make-A-Wish America, NBCUniversal, Nationwide Insurance, and Brooks Brothers. Before establishing Good Scout, Philips played a pivotal role as the lead executive in launching the highly acclaimed Thanks & Giving campaign for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Additionally, he was the inaugural Executive Managing Director of The Elizabeth Taylor Trust, overseeing the successful rebranding of the organization to House of Taylor to revitalize the iconic brand. Currently, Philips serves as Vice President for Advancement at the Fashion Institute of Technology and Executive Director of the FIT Foundation. In these roles, he spearheads FIT’s advancement initiatives in sustainability, strategic philanthropy, and social impact investment, aligning with the college’s distinctive and unconventional heritage. A fervent advocate for biophilia and sustainability, Philips has earned a certificate in Sustainable Capitalism and ESG from UC Berkeley School of Law and actively contributes as a member of the advisory council for the Biophilic Institute.
Jennifer Walsh
Jennifer Walsh is an acclaimed entrepreneur, author, and media figure who has spent over 25 years working at the intersection of beauty, retail, nature, and neuroscience to help people flourish.
She pioneered America’s first experiential retail brand, Beauty Bar, in the 1990s, integrating biophilic wisdom long before mainstream. Her trailblazing brand earned her regard as a “Beauty Futurist”. That business, ultimately bought by Amazon in 2011.
Jennifer has shared her nature-inspired wellness insights through 25 years in media, including her signature Wellness Walks®, which use mindfulness techniques to reconnect participants to nature’s benefits. As a freelance writer for 27 years, Jennifer continues to cover stories around wellness, travel, fitness, beauty, fashion, and home.
She is the author of the popular wellness journal, Walk Your Way Calm.
As a faculty advisor researching biophilia’s impacts on brain health and performance, Jennifer guides organizations globally on biophilic design. She has helped brands in the US and abroad create holistic/biophilic brick and mortar locations.
Jennifers' works aims to reconnect people to their own creativity, compassion, and the power of experiencing beauty.
Peter Wilderotter
Peter Wilderotter serves as Deputy Director of Philanthropy and External Relations, leading the Museum’s strategic fundraising and communications plans to grow philanthropic and earned revenue. Wilderotter is deeply involved in the engagement, identification, cultivation, and solicitation of major and transformational donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations, including sponsorship and gala activities.
An expert in advancing an organization’s mission, Wilderotter has been a force for change for four decades, raising over $1 billion throughout his career. He comes to the Museum after serving as president & CEO of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation since 2006, expanding research and investment programs.
Wilderotter started his career at the American Cancer Society, then as vice president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. As director of development and public relations at the NAACP’s Legal Defense and Educational Fund, he spearheaded a historic endowment campaign. At WNYC Radio, he served as vice president of development, restructuring membership and doubling the station’s revenue.
Wilderotter is a founding member of the Rattlestick Theatre Company in New York and has served as chairman of the Board of America’s Charities, on the Government Relations Committee of the Independent Sector, and as advisor to The Biophilic Institute in Serenbe, Georgia. Wilderotter is also secretary of the board and chair of the Governance Committee of St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, NJ, his alma mater. He is a devoted father of four.