About Us

Our Mission

To ignite change for a kind humankind

What is Kindling?

Kindling is a 501c3 nonprofit that ignites change by sharing good news and connecting people with opportunities to build a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future for all.

We cultivate the world’s largest database of social change milestones, documenting human progress and moments of genius from prehistory to the present. Our global archive shows that change is not only possible, but happening all around us every day. By reminding the world that humanity is beautiful, we transform cynicism and despair into possibility and action.

Meet The Team

Peter Schulte

Executive Director

Bellingham, WA, USA
he/him

Peter Schulte is the Founder and Executive Director of Kindling. Peter is also Engagement Lead for the Pacific Institute and Senior Advisor for the UN Global Compact, connecting businesses to sustainable water practices. Peter holds a B.S. in Conservation and Resource Studies and a B.A. in Comparative Literature from University of California, Berkeley, and an M.B.A. in Sustainable Systems from Pinchot University. He lives in Bellingham, WA, USA with his wife, son, and cat.

Learn more about Peter and why he founded Kindling

Cecilia Lopez

Finance Director

Ojai, CA, USA
she/her/ella

Cecilia Lopez has been a supporter of Kindling since the beginning and currently serves as Finance Director and as a board member. She has over 16 years of accounting and finance experience, and holds a B.S. from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and a M.B.A. in Sustainable Systems from Pinchot University. Cecilia is also a cofounder of Handprint.io, a career platform connecting people to purpose-driven work at conscious companies. She lives in Ojai, CA with her partner and two dogs.

Jeff Uzzel

Brand Director

Ojai, CA, USA
he/him

Jeff Uzzel is a brand consultant, designer and filmmaker who helps purpose-driven organizations tell their unique stories and connect with people in meaningful ways. He has a B.A. in English from Kennesaw State University and studied Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia before moving to California in 2010. After working in the entertainment industry for several years, he joined a startup media production company as Creative Director and discovered his passion for filmmaking. In addition to serving Kindling as Brand Director, Jeff is an avid singer-songwriter and enjoys producing music videos for the independent record label Underground Sun. He lives with his partner Cecilia and their two dogs in Ojai, California.

Clare Szalay Timbo

Community & Partnerships Director

Seattle, WA, USA
she/her

Clare is a white bodied cis woman living on occupied Duwamish and Coast Salish territory and waters with her family. She believes in putting people first and working to be in right relationship with ourselves, one another and this earth to nurture and build meaningful connections and inspire change. As a basket weaver, she’s happy to support, listen, act and build with others to facilitate and lead behind the scenes. She joined Kindling in 2021 to begin to create a virtual community through Kindling's Change Community, and facilitate the space and ensure opportunities for anyone to show up as the change maker they authentically are. Clare is interested in expanding Kindling’s network of amazing partners to further support and collaborate around igniting change. Reach out to Clare at: clareszalayhowell@gmail.com.