Just who are we anyway?
For an overview of their quest for the good life, preview their latest books, Edible Earth: Savoring the Good Life with Vegetarian Recipes from Inn Serendipity and Rural Renaissance: Renewing the Quest for the Good Life (New Society Publishers)
Kivirist is the author of Kiss Off Corporate America: A Young Professional's Guide to Independence (Andrews McMeel, 1998), described as "A down-to-earth road map for navigating out of corporate America's clutches" (Booklist). Her writing has appeared in publications ranging from Mother Earth News to Wisconsin Trails to Scottish Life, primarily focusing on rural and sustainable living and livelihood issues. Through a recent project in partnership with the non-profit Renewing the Countryside, the Institute for Trade and Agricultural Policy, and the USDA, Kivirist is profiling various innovative and diversified agricultural enterprises nationwide.
An engaging public speaker and workshop facilitator, Kivirist has conducted presentations and small group sessions on a variety of topics related to rural living, right livelihood and sustainable living issues at a variety of venues, including the Midwest Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Fair, Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference, Earth Month Chicago, Penn State Green Design Conference and the National Audubon Society Conference. She develops and facilitates a range of popular hands-on cooking classes and workshops for Whole Foods Markets and Willy Street Co-op involving contemporary, ecologically-mindful approaches to traditional home economics, including food preservation, eating seasonally and locally, raising healthy babies and children, and creating edible gifts from your kitchen. A strong advocate for attachment parenting and creative educational environments for children, Kivirist has facilitated kids workshops on diversity issues, cultural understanding and creativity for the Monroe Arts Center and is active in organizing local awareness and networks for homeschool-based learning opportunities.
Kivirist started at Leo Burnett Advertising working on the Hallmark account on direct marketing program development and database analysis. As a self-employed event marketing consultant, she worked with a variety of clients, including executing national Scotch tasting programs for Johnnie Walker, event marketing for Earth Day and the Hugh O'Brian Youth Foundation, developing a nationally award-winning leadership seminar for high school sophomores. Most recently, Kivirist has managed several area tourism development projects for the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
John Ivanko is an award-winning photographer, writer, author, entrepreneur and globetrotter. Before joining Leo Burnett Advertising in Chicago in 1989, he was involved in the start-up of two restaurants in Ann Arbor, Michigan. However, on April Fool's Day, 1992, John jumped off the corporate treadmill to journey around the world. One year and 29 countries later, he returned to the U.S. with over 15,000 photographic images and stirring accounts of his up-close understanding of world issues. Then, while serving as an Adjunct Lecturer at Penn State University, he completed the text for his first book, The Least Imperfect Path--A Global Journal for the Future ; the travelogue describes his journey and search for new path which would better conserve our environment as well as lead to a more sustainable, peaceful and just tomorrow.
During this time, Ivanko also continued to develop as a professional photographer and writer, contributing to national and international magazines as a free-lance journalist and photographer. Jaunts to Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Scotland, Guatemala, Belize, St. John (U.S. Virgin Islands) and St. Martin generated additional material. Among his editorial and commercial clients are Mother Earth News, Hobby Farms, BackHome Magazine, Natural Home, Home Power, Hobby Farm Home, Fodor's Gold Guides, Parade Magazine, American Profile, St. Paul Pioneer Press, National Geographic Traveler, Islands, The Earth Times, Wisconsin Trails, Where Chicago, E-The Environmental Magazine, United Parcel Service, Discovery Channel, Rotary International, Mountain Travel*Sobek, Wilderness Travel, and Johnnie Walker brands from Schieffelin & Somerset. John's work is represented by Photo Ink and The 11th Hour Stock Photography Agency in Chicago.
For many years, John has been working with Global Fund for Children, an organization dedicated to helping bridge children's understanding of and respect for the diversity of cultures through books and other outreach initiatives. He is the co-author of and photographic contributor to numerous award-winning multicultural children's photobooks including To Be A Kid, published in partnership between Charlesbrige Publishing and Global Fund for Children Books, proceeds from which help support the Global Fund for Children. Global Fund for Children Books/Charlesbridge's award-winning book, Children from Australia to Zimbabwe: A Photographic Journey Around the World, was released in 1997 and it includes images from John's portfolio--as does their releases Extraordinary Girls, Let the Games Begin. John also co-authored with Maya Ajmera It's a Kid's World: Come Out and Play, It's a Kid's World: Back to School, To Be an Artist, Be My Neighbor, and Animal Friends. John received a M.S. in the area of "ecotourism" and recreation management from Penn State University and a B.B.A. from the University of Michigan School of Business Administration.
Lisa and John have been "cheeseheads" since November, 1996--and they never tire of the sunsets and sunrises over the surrounding hills. They're on a constantly evolving journey toward a more sustainable, peaceful and just tomorrow, leading in both actions and words through the projects they support or help create. For upcoming speaking or workshop engagements, see the Calendar of Events or to learn what keeps them up at night, visit their Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. And last but not least, on October 21, 2001, they welcomed into the world their first (and only) son, Liam Ivanko Kivirist.
Lisa Kivirist is a social and business entrepreneur, author and educator. A leader in the growing rural renaissance and sustainable living movement, Kivirist's work reflects her commitment to and passion for helping people create a more independent livelihood in balance and harmony with the earth and true to personal passions. Diversity is a key ingredient in Kivirist's own livelihood, creating a web of interrelated projects, establishing her as an inspiring example of the mushrooming self-employed and free agent workplace where boundaries between work and leisure are dissolving, giving way to home-based enterprises and working parenthood where the health and well-being of the family overrides strictly economic barometers of happiness.