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.
Lucia Hope Board of Directors
Leadership Guiding Our Mission
The Lucia Hope Board of Directors brings together visionary leaders committed to creating transformative desert sanctuaries that address housing, healing, education, sustainable farming, and animal-assisted recovery. Our board provides strategic guidance as we build a replicable model for trauma-informed care and community resilience across the southwestern United States.
Our Board Members
Rodnina Hallgren — Founder & Executive Director of Vision and Community Development
As Founder & Executive Director of Vision and Community Development, Rodnina Hallgren oversees the mission and strategic growth of Lucia Hope. She ensures that programs in education, housing, wellness, and entrepreneurship are designed with trauma‑informed care and community empowerment at their core. With her blend of nonprofit leadership and entrepreneurial expertise, Rodnina provides the vision and guidance that keep Lucia Hope’s work sustainable, inclusive, and deeply impactful.
Learn More about Rodnina Hallgren
Ara Norwood -Executive Director of Leadership, Strategy & External Relations
Professor Norwood contributes deep expertise in education, leadership development, and community-based programming. His guidance helps shape Lucia Hope's approach to healing education and strategic partnerships that expand our reach and impact.
Learn More about Professor Ara Norwood
Regina Drottenmyr Hallgren, Executive Administrator for Community Management
As Executive Administrator for Community Management, Regina oversees all aspects of community coordination and administrative services at Lucia Hope. She ensures that engagement programs, educational initiatives, creative projects, and volunteer partnerships run smoothly and effectively. With her blend of organizational expertise and compassionate leadership, Regina provides the structure and guidance that keep our mission thriving.
Learn More about Regina Drottenmyr - Hallgren
Dr. Willow Hallgren — Executive Director of Climate & Community Resilience
As Executive Director of Climate & Community Resilience, Dr. Willow Hallgren oversees environmental strategy and sustainability initiatives at Lucia Hope. She ensures that climate‑risk assessments, regenerative agriculture programs, and resilience projects are grounded in scientific expertise and community empowerment. With her blend of research experience and values‑driven leadership, Willow provides the vision and guidance that strengthen our mission of building sustainable, just, and resilient communities.
Learn More about Dr. Willow Hallgren
Join Our Board of Directors
Lucia Hope is currently accepting and reviewing applications from qualified individuals who share our commitment to trauma-informed healing, sustainable living, and community resilience. We seek board members who bring:
- Strategic vision and governance experience
- Expertise in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, or community development
- Passion for our mission of creating healing sanctuaries
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and trauma-informed practices
- Professional networks that can advance partnerships and funding opportunities
Board members play a vital role in guiding our expansion, ensuring financial sustainability, and building the collaborative relationships that will help us establish sanctuaries nationwide. If you're interested in joining our leadership team, please contact us to learn more about board responsibilities and the application process.
Our International Board of Directors
Lucia Hope is guided by an international board of executive directors, united by a shared passion for making a difference in the lives of women, children, and families. Each member brings unique expertise, cultural insight, and lived experience that strengthens our mission and expands our impact across communities worldwide.
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Regina – Stockholm, Sweden: Bringing a European perspective and deep commitment to global advocacy.
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Ara – Arizona, USA: Grounded in community development and regional outreach across the American Southwest.
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Willow – Australia: Offering expertise in resilience, empowerment, and international nonprofit collaboration.
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Rodnina – Los Angeles, USA: Founder and Executive Director, leading with vision, strategy, and hands‑on experience in nonprofit leadership.
Together, our international presence allows us to:
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Draw from diverse expertise to design programs that are culturally sensitive and globally informed.
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Build bridges across continents, strengthening partnerships and expanding opportunities for collaboration.
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Bring fresh perspectives to foster care, advocacy, and community empowerment.
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Amplify impact by combining local knowledge with global vision.
As you can see, our board is not only international in geography but also united in purpose. This diversity enriches our ability to build sustainable programs, advocate effectively, and create lasting change for families navigating foster care and beyond.
Our Commitment
Together, our board is building a scalable, replicable sanctuary model that creates diverse funding streams and supports nationwide collaboration. We're dedicated to serving those seeking healing through our unique combination of housing support, educational programs, sustainable agriculture, and animal-assisted therapy, all grounded in trauma-informed care principles.
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
