Executive Board of Directors
Rodnina Hallgren
Founder & Executive Director of Vision and Community Development
Rodnina Hallgren brings extensive expertise in nonprofit leadership, program design, and community development to Lucia Hope. With a background directing schools, nonprofits, and entrepreneurial ventures, she has dedicated her career to building sustainable programs that empower women, children, and families. Her experience spans trauma‑informed care, organizational compliance, and strategic planning, all rooted in a deep commitment to fostering resilience and inclusion.
As Founder & Executive Director of Vision and Community Development, Rodnina oversees initiatives that integrate education, housing, wellness, and entrepreneurship into a cohesive model of healing and empowerment. She guides staff development frameworks, builds strategic partnerships, and designs programs that balance mission with financial sustainability. Her entrepreneurial journey, including the creation of Bozz Queen Activewear and leadership roles in REACHH, has equipped her to forge collaborations with nonprofits, funders, and community leaders while expanding resources and opportunities for those she serves.
Rodnina’s gift lies in her ability to inspire teams and align individual strengths with organizational mission. Whether mentoring staff, developing board leadership, or advocating for systemic change, she brings integrity, creativity, and a spirit of collaboration that reflects the heart of Lucia Hope.
Professor Ara Norwood
Executive Director of Leadership, Strategy & External Relations
Professor Ara Norwood brings a dynamic blend of leadership expertise, strategic insight, and community‑building vision to Lucia Hope. With decades of experience as a performance coach, professional speaker, and consultant, he has guided thousands of professionals, managers, and executives across industries ranging from aerospace and technology to education and nonprofit leadership. His ability to translate complex ideas into practical strategies makes him a trusted advisor in shaping organizational culture and driving breakthrough results.
As Executive Director of Leadership, Strategy & External Relations, Professor Norwood oversees initiatives that strengthen Lucia Hope’s strategic direction, cultivate philanthropic partnerships, and expand community engagement. He draws on his background in negotiation, innovation, and critical thinking to foster collaborative relationships with stakeholders, ensuring that programs are both visionary and sustainable. His experience working with global corporations, civic organizations, and educational institutions equips him to balance structure with creativity, aligning Lucia Hope’s mission with actionable strategies for growth.
Professor Norwood’s gift lies in his ability to inspire and empower others through authentic leadership. Whether mentoring emerging leaders, facilitating board development, or representing Lucia Hope in external forums, he brings integrity, wisdom, and a spirit of collaboration that reflects the heart of the organization. His mentorship under Stephen R. Covey and academic training under Peter Drucker further underscore his commitment to principled leadership and long‑term impact.
Regina Drottenmyr Hallgren
Executive Administrator for Community Management
Regina brings a unique blend of creativity, compassion, and organizational strength to Lucia Hope. With a background in teaching, customer service, and arts administration, she has dedicated her career to uplifting others and creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and inspired. Her ability to balance structure with empathy allows her to design programs that are both well‑organized and deeply meaningful, ensuring that every initiative reflects the values of care and inclusion.
As Executive Director of Community Management, Regina oversees initiatives that connect education, wellness, and creativity into a cohesive model of healing and empowerment. She guides community engagement programs, supports youth learning, and leads arts‑based projects that foster self‑expression and resilience. Her experience as a teacher, librarian, and service professional equips her to manage complex operations while ensuring that programs remain accessible, responsive, and impactful. She also plays a key role in coordinating volunteer partnerships, curating resources, and facilitating workshops that strengthen community ties and expand opportunities for growth.
Regina’s gift lies in her ability to listen with empathy and lead with humility. Whether she is mentoring youth, collaborating with families, or designing creative projects, she brings integrity, gratitude, and openness to her work. She is deeply committed to building a culture of belonging, where individuals feel supported as they grow and thrive together. Her leadership strengthens community cohesion and reflects the heart of Lucia Hope, ensuring that every initiative nurtures healing, creativity, and connection while inspiring others to contribute their talents to the mission.
Dr. Willow Hallgren
Executive Director of Climate & Community Resilience.
Dr. Willow Hallgren brings a powerful combination of scientific expertise, sustainability leadership, and community‑centered vision to Lucia Hope. With more than 15 years of experience across CSIRO, MIT, Monash University, and Griffith University, she has dedicated her career to advancing climate resilience, regenerative agriculture, and sustainable land‑use practices that empower vulnerable communities and foster long‑term stability. Her work bridges rigorous research with practical solutions, ensuring that science directly informs community empowerment and policy innovation.
As Executive Director of Climate & Community Resilience, Dr. Hallgren guides initiatives that integrate environmental stewardship, housing sustainability, and community empowerment. She leads climate‑risk assessments, supports regenerative agriculture programs, and develops strategies that strengthen resilience for women, children, and families. Her contributions include major adaptation projects in the Pacific Islands, ecosystem‑based livelihood programs, and national decision‑support tools such as CSIRO’s My Climate CoPilot. She has also contributed to the Biodiversity and Climate Change Virtual Laboratory, advancing national capacity for climate‑risk modeling and adaptation planning.
Dr. Hallgren’s gift lies in her ability to balance scientific rigor with accessibility and mentorship. Whether teaching at Australian universities, supervising PhD students, advising policymakers, or writing for the Byron Shire Echo, she brings integrity, clarity, and inspiration to her work. She models sustainability in daily life—living off‑grid, maintaining a vegetarian lifestyle, and choosing not to fly to reduce her carbon footprint. As a female scientist working in climate, ecosystem resilience, and sustainable agriculture, she is committed to being a role model for women and girls and to advancing equitable, regenerative futures that reflect the heart of Lucia Hope.
Heal
Every journey begins with healing. We create sacred space for restoration, allowing what's broken to mend and what's wounded to find peace. Here, hope becomes the gentle medicine for the soul.
Learn
Growth lives in discovery. We embrace curiosity, seek wisdom, and open our hearts to new possibilities. Through learning, we transform challenges into stepping stones toward our brightest future.
Thrive
This is where hope blooms into action. We celebrate the fullness of life, embrace our potential, and flourish in community. Together, we don't just survive—we thrive with purpose and joy.
Board of Directors - Dr. Willow Hallgren
Executive Director of Climate & Community Resilience
Dr. Willow Hallgren, Ph.D.
Dr. Willow Hallgren brings to Lucia Hope a powerful combination of scientific
expertise, sustainability leadership, and a commitment to community‑wellbeing. With
more than 20 years of experience across leading research institutions, including MIT
in the United States and CSIRO in Australia, she has dedicated her career to
advancing climate and ecosystem resilience, sustainable agriculture, and land‑use
practices that protect vulnerable communities and foster long‑term stability. Her work
bridges rigorous scientific research with practical, real‑world solutions, ensuring that
science directly informs policy innovation and guides community empowerment.
As Executive Director of Sustainability & Community Resilience, Dr. Hallgren leads
initiatives that integrate environmental stewardship, housing sustainability, and
community empowerment. She oversees climate‑risk assessments, supports
regenerative agriculture programs, and develops strategies that promote sustainable
lifestyles to strengthen resilience for women, children, and families.
Global Contributions
Dr. Hallgren’s career has included myriad projects addressing climate change risk;
for example, her contributions to projects on ecosystem‑based adaptation in the
Pacific Islands, and on maladaptation to climate change in Taiwan, have supported
community resilience and livelihoods in the face of climate change. She has also
contributed to the development of national science‑based decision‑support tools,
such as:
CSIRO’s My Climate CoPilot – an AI tool designed to increase national
capacity for climate‑risk assessment and adaptation planning within the
agriculture industry.
The Biodiversity and Climate Change Virtual Laboratory –a cloud-based
platform enabling researchers and policymakers to integrate climate change
risk modeling into biodiversity conservation and adaptation strategies.
These contributions demonstrate her ability to translate complex science into
accessible tools that empower communities and governments to make informed,
sustainable decisions.
Leadership and Mentorship
Dr. Hallgren’s gift lies in her ability to balance scientific rigor with accessibility and
mentorship. Whether conducting research or teaching at Australian universities,
supervising postgraduate students, consulting, or engaging in broader science
communication and education through her writing for general and science news
outlets, she brings integrity, clarity, and inspiration to her work.
Her leadership style emphasizes collaboration, empathy, inclusivity, and
empowerment. She is committed to ensuring that science not only advances
knowledge but also serves as a catalyst for resilience and empowerment in
communities most affected by climate change.
Living Her Values
Dr. Hallgren models her sustainability values in her own life. She lives off solar
energy, maintains a vegetarian lifestyle, and chooses not to fly in order to reduce her
carbon footprint. These personal commitments reflect her belief that leadership in
sustainability must be demonstrated through both professional impact and personal
practice.
A Role Model for Women and Girls
As a female scientist working in the fields of climate change, ecosystem resilience,
and sustainable agriculture, Dr. Hallgren is dedicated to being a role model for
women and girls. She champions equitable, sustainable futures and embodies the
heart of Lucia Hope’s mission: to create communities where resilience,
empowerment, and sustainability are woven into everyday life.
Board of Directors
Rodnina Hallgren — Founder & Visionary Director
Currently Screening Board Members to join the mission for Lucia Hope.
If you have an interest in our mission and would like to make a difference, please contact us today.
Thank you
Rodnina Hallgren
