About Us

Our Team

Julie Solomon: President/CEO

A native of Florida, Julie Solomon got her start in the world of environmental educational outreach while working in Los Angeles as a marketing representative for a national green hardware company. With a background in marketing and media, she is active in the “green” community of Los Angeles where she strives to educate people on how they can live a more sustainable life. In March 2008 she saved a 94-year-old home from demolition and chose to remodel and showcase it with all ecologically sound products and processes. Her eco-renovation was filmed for Discovery's new channel, Planet Green and airing on their flagship show called "Greenovate.”

Julie founded the  Green Beacon Foundation (GBF) to serve as a community resource for the public to have tactile experiences of "going green," by facilitating on-going workshops, lectures, tours and educational events on the property.



She also serves as the Marketing & Festival Coordinator in her community with the Silver Lake Health and Wellness Association (www.silverlakehealthwellness.com) since 2005 and is an artist representative with her company Visionary Media House (www.visionarymediahouse.com).

Kim Smith: Treasurer 

Kim E. Smith, a Southern California native born in Granada Hills, has been employed as the Sales Manager for the educational corporation, Three In One Concepts, in Burbank, CA for the past 12 years. This organization conducts classes worldwide on how to release stress and overcome personal obstacles in life.  

With her extensive managerial background, Ms. Smith is an officer and avid supporter of the Green Beacon Foundation and works closely with its President & CEO, Julie Solomon. Kim strives to support and encourage ‘living green’ by example. GBF is a hands-on site educating the community on the advantages of utilizing “green” products and practices in real estate restoration as well as recycling and promoting food security via sustainable gardening practices. Kim believes that with continued proper support, the Green Beacon Foundation has the power to improve the quality of life in Los Angeles and within our planet. 

Chris Reilly: Secretary 

Chris Reilly brings his diverse experience from a career in television production and marketing in the building industry. He has been working in the green sector for several years. Chris comes to the Green Beacon Foundation after returning to his native Southern California from the Bay Area, which preceded a brief spell overseas. Living abroad was the catalyst for his renewed interest in greening L.A. and working to educate retailers in the eco-friendly side of the hardware industry. He is excited to be on the Board of GBF and looks forward to continuing making a positive impact on the local community through education and community outreach through this grass-roots movement. 

 

Board of Advisors
 
Nancy Astrid Lindo 

Nancy is an artist, designer, a lifelong environmentalist and a Principal of Astrid Design Studio, functioning as an Eco Interior Designer and Green Consultant. She received her Interior Design degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, a Green Building Certificate from Sonoma State, and is LEED accredited.    

In addition, Nancy is a Permaculturist; a philosophy that has fostered a new sense of understanding and awareness of the natural world founded by microbiologist Bill Mollison’s Permaculture Research Institute in New South Wales, Australia. Permaculture is both a holistic design system and philosophy of living that works with nature to create harmonious living systems that can be applied to personal. urban and rural settings. In addition to educating the public though lectures, workshops and panels, Nancy is currently working on two books, as well as writing and publishing articles on sustainable living.
 
Jinni Richards 

With a background in regenerative economics, Jinni functions as a business advisor to the public and private sector. She has served as President of Essence Economics Institute, implementing over thirty projects in thirteen countries within an interdisciplinary, educational context through creating synergy amongst artistic, scientific, technologic, financial and philanthropic domains. Currently Jinni is piloting projects in Ghana, Cameroun, Peru and Australia to demonstrate environmental & systemic designs in economics that foster mutual benefit between local and international stakeholders.  

She is also President of Ultimate Health Group (www.uhgroup.com) that serves as a speakers’ bureau to accomplished authors in the health & wellness arenas. Jinni is Executive Director of Human Health Project (www.humanhealthproject.org): a nonprofit organization that is building a “trusted” interactive online database for healthcare solutions from around the world. She is inspired by the local-to-global example GBF is setting in creating a practical balance in one’s life, home, community and environment. Jinni enjoys biking around L.A., playing tennis and not taking herself too seriously. 

Sara Shewey 

Sarah is the owner of Pink Cloud Events, a full-service event production company specializing in promoting fine artists and eco-friendly resources. After graduating from USC with a degree in Communication & Film/Television Production, Sarah has coordinated hundreds of events around the world - calling Los Angeles and Barcelona "home.” As an active member of Los Angeles' green networking community and beyond, Sarah contributes to yourdailythread.com, ecorazzi.com and is a Young Ambassador for the TED conference. Her favorite things to do in Los Angeles include cruising on her Schwinn "Pea Picker,” playing fetch with her cat Sakura Chan, staying up late in the private karaoke rooms of Koreatown, taking the Metro with no destination, and of course throwing a killer party.