The work of the School of Life Project is promoted through the Media Curriculum developed by School of Life Productions. These films and videos feature SLP “Ambassadors,” brave kids who have chosen to step forward and share their stories with other kids. The School of Life develops fundraising initiatives through The Human Library Initiative, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Your donations will help:

• Edit participant stories into films highlighting issues and challenges facing youth today.
• Create an expanded web project and social media campaign to carry the stories to as many people as possible.
• Expand the Video Journal Project to more schoolchildren in more countries.
• Provide cameras for the Cameras for Kids program to facilitate the recording of day-to-day events in the lives of project participants.

Thank you! Your contribution in any amount is greatly appreciated.

Donor Advisory Board

Mike Doherty oversees client strategy and agency operations as the President of Cole & Weber. His passion lies in exploring new ways to push the boundaries of traditional advertising to drive business for clients.  Since joining Cole & Weber, the agency has produced a TV show for Pabst, built a line of furniture for Gallo, developed a media player to syndicate live content for Microsoft, and produced a lead management tool that enables clients to track the effectiveness of their marketing all the way to the media placement. Mike is inspired by traveling, curious people, things he notices while running, and learning anything new.

Petra Franklin is the Managing Director of Vault Capital, a firm that invests in early stage technology companies, and a General Partner of Vault Capital II.  Ms. Franklin serves on the board of the National Science Foundation’s Science Technology Center for Information Technology.    She attended Harvard University, and Bennington College, where she received her undergraduate degree. She also attended Stanford University and the University of Washington.

Peter Horton has established himself as a writer, director, actor and producer since his breakthrough role on the hit ABC series thirtysomething. From his success as executive producer and director of Grey’s Anatomy, Horton was also asked to be an executive producer on the ABC series Six Degrees. Horton’s latest projects are The Philanthropist and Reconstruction, both on NBC. He is currently developing multiple projects through his Pico Creek Productions. Horton dedicates his time and resources to environmental causes and currently sits on the Action Team for Environment California.

Bruce Hosford’s business career has been primarily in the development of investment in commercial real estate. His nonprofit interests include a number of conservation organizations including Cascade Land Conservancy, Woodland Park Zoo, and Conservation International. In addition, Bruce has served for a number of years on the international board of Young Life.

Jacquelyn Jaech, an entrepreneur herself, consults with start-up companies to help develop their business and marketing strategies. Jacquelyn has dedicated time to a number of non-profits in the Seattle area including the University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and the Pacific Northwest Ballet where she uses her expertise to help solve business issues. Jacquelyn has a BA in Business Administration from the UW.

As a Senior VP for CB Richard Ellis, Russ Johnson focused on large scale corporate consolidations, build-to-suits and change-in-use renovation development and dispositions. Russ also pioneered Global Industry Practice Groups and co-founded the Structured Finance Group. Between 2010 and 2013, Russ was engaged as President / CEO and equity partner of Fuse Networks. Russ continues to explore new ventures while serving in his capacities as co-managing member of Cana’s Feast Winery in Oregon.

Jay C. Leon is the founder and CEO of CSG Channels where, since 1997, he has been helping large technology companies develop and execute go-to-market strategies that generate increased revenues through better partner relationship management. He is a partner at Social Venture Partners, and Past President of the Emerald City Rotary Club. Through New Trade Routes, Jay helps companies large and small develop strategies for generating more revenue, and through the New Trade Routes Foundation, applies the same capabilities to contribute to the not for profit community in the areas of education reform and the sustainable environment.

Dr. John Medina is a developmental molecular biologist with special research interests in the isolation and characterization of genes involved in human brain development and the genetics of psychiatric disorders. Medina has spent most of his professional life as a private research consultant, working primarily in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries on research issues related to mental health. He is an award-winning teacher and author of books and articles related to brain development.

Molly Nordstrom is an active community volunteer with a passion for women, children, and health and human services. She has served on the board of United Way of King County, was Co-Chair of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society with her husband Blake, and most recently served as Board Chair. She is also on the board of Seattle Children's Hospital Foundation and is a member of Washington Women’s Foundation.

Deborah Person has been involved with the Seattle International Film Festival for 33 years. She joined the SIFF Group Board of Directors in 1999 and served as Board President for four years. She took on the role of Managing Director in 2005, and runs the organization in partnership with Artistic Director Carl Spence. She has worked in non-profit arts administration in Seattle for the last 15 years. She has recently completed her Master’s degree in nonprofit leadership at Seattle University.

Tom Skerrit’s earliest acting role in Robert Altman’s classic comedy M*A*S*H was only the first of several notable roles in film classics, including The Turning Point, Alien, A River Runs Through It, Steel Magnolias, Top Gun, and Contact. He received Best Actor Emmy for his series Picket Fences. Skerritt has become one of film’s noted educators and co-founded TheFilmSchool in Seattle, a mecca for learning and engaging the art of story-telling.

John Stanton is a wireless industry pioneer, co-founding three top-10 wireless operators in the United States in the last 25 years. His involvement in the wireless industry began in 1982 when John helped found McCaw Cellular Communications, where he served as Chief Operating Officer and Vice Chairman. He is a founding member of Trilogy Partnership, a private equity fund that invests in early stage growth opportunities in the wireless ecosystem, and Trilogy International Partners, a wireless operator in Central and South America and New Zealand.

Bill Way graduated from Whitman College with a Bsc in Economics and minor in Art History in 1980. Bill then obtained an Msc in Economics from the London School of Economics. Since retiring from Accenture after 26 years, Bill has focused on business-driven solutions to global poverty and is actively involved in the microcredit industry as a part time pro bono executive and board member with MicroCredit Enterprises. In addition to microcredit, Bill is involved in several organizations as a funder, board member and mentor in identifying and implementing business driven solutions to global poverty.