“Especially in these darkest of times, coming together in community is medicine. And as in nature, although there are amazing soloists, at the end of the day it’s all about the symphony. Thank you for playing your unique part.”
Dear Bioneer!
First off, we are not a robot. This is untouched by AI hands. And because you participated in the 2025 Bioneers conference, we know you’re not a robot either. So far, so good.
Especially in these darkest of times, coming together in community is medicine. And as in nature, although there are amazing soloists, at the end of the day it’s all about the symphony. Thank you for playing your unique part.
Thanks to your generosity, we’re very much still sending out that beam—across the airwaves, among other platforms. We invite you to check out a couple of our newest radio podcasts—the rousing tour-de-force keynote from comedian and producer Baratunde Thurston that’s a “story of storytelling” and a vision of interdependence; and a powerful piece of reportage called “When No News Is Bad News” on the critical importance of developing innovative business models to sustain a truly free local press—the cornerstone of democracy. Stay tuned for lots more enlivening Bioneers media sourced from talks you might have missed at the conference.
These are the kinds of stories we need to be telling far and wide, and your generosity is directly helping us spread the word ever more widely. When stories change, the world changes. From the visionary to the practical, Bioneers is a reliable source that helps make sense of what’s going on, while shedding bright light on effective responses and authentic systemic solutions grounded in justice, love and generosity.
Although Bioneers is perhaps best known for our annual conference, we do a ton of other work year-round, from our formidable media and communications output to our unique Indigeneity program led by First People. So to thank you, we put together a 35th Anniversary report—Everything Breathes Together—highlighting the scope of our dynamic programs. It’s a natural antidepressant.
For many people, Bioneers is a gift—and it’s a gift to support Bioneers. By supporting Bioneers, you’re elevating an entire community of leadership. It’s not an overnight sensation. With your partnership, we’ve been patiently growing this fertile community for over three-and-a-half decades. At this epic existential moment, we’re more committed than ever to making a difference that really makes a difference.
It’s all hands on deck in a time we’re all called upon to be leaders. Thank you for taking the journey with us. As the saying goes, “We make the road by walking.”
Keep the faith—
Kenny Ausubel
Co-founder and CEO
“As I walked into the 2025 Bioneers conference in Berkeley, I sensed a palpable yearning in the packed theater—for connection, for hope and for community . . . Soon, the room was pulsing with a collective field of connection and uplift.”
Dear Bioneer,
As I walked into the 2025 Bioneers conference in Berkeley, I sensed a palpable yearning in the packed theater—for connection, for hope and for community. I was nervous, as I’d never felt this level of trauma, reactivity and polarization in our social ecosystem before.
My concerns melted away as the opening drumming, welcome and ceremonies landed gently in the tender, receptive space. I could feel people tuning in with curiosity and rapt attention. Soon, the room was pulsing with a collective field of connection and uplift.
As Chief Relationship Officer at Bioneers, I pay exquisite attention to the relational field at Bioneers. It starts with having “the right people in the room.” With your generous support, we provide scholarships for hundreds of the right people – worthy change-makers and activists across a broad range of disciplines, issues, geographies and walks of life.
Nature teaches us that the greater the diversity of species in an ecosystem, the greater its health, fertility and resilience. The same is true among people. Diverse cultures and ideas enrich society’s capacity to survive and thrive.
Now in our third year at Berkeley, the conference sold out with about 3,000 attendees, and the participants were the youngest and most diverse ever. Hundreds of Indigenous people attended, representing over 165 Tribal Nations. The Indigenous Forum was bursting at the seams—making it clear that it’s time to move to an even bigger space next year. BIPOC participation was the highest ever at over 40%.
Remarkably, over 70% of participants were first-timers. We saw a continued spike in younger participants, with a whopping 70% under 55, a dramatic shift. People came from 45 states, and at least 15 countries. The youth program flourished with over 353 young leaders receiving scholarships, and educators coming from about 50 colleges and universities, and 35 K-12 schools nationwide. In fact, it was the most intergenerational event I’ve ever seen—ranging from 14 to 85 years old, including three generations of several families!
Hundreds of nonprofits and frontline organizations participated, along with a full spectrum of professions, including: public servants and officials, wildlife biologists, water protectors, journalists, justice workers, artists, healers, donor activists, and mycologists.
Your big-hearted giving supported hundreds of scholarships to many great people who couldn’t otherwise have been there. Countless important connections occurred. Collaborations emerged. With synchronicities and synergies abounding, magic happened.
I hope you enjoy reading our 35th Anniversary report about all that our small and mighty team is creating and sharing widely in the world, reaching millions, now.
My heart swells with thanks to you, friend, for your part in helping us to grow the Bioneers community of leadership to meet this existential moment by offering an abundance of purpose, connection, vision and healing.
And I invite you to support this community of leadership.
With enduring love and well wishes to you and your loved ones as we navigate this perilous time, together.
Nina Simons
Co-founder and Chief Relationship Officer
By supporting Bioneers, you’re supporting an entire community of diverse leadership who are realizing breakthrough solutions.
Please explore our 2024 Organizational and Indigeneity reports below.
If you’d like a hardcopy of either report, get in touch and we’d be happy to mail one to you.