The Storytelling Team
Dr. Arthur Sherwood
Social Scientist, Explorer, Storyteller
Western EIC Explorer Team Leader
He/Him
Who am I? I am a storyteller, explorer, tinkerer and tender. These are my gifts and I share them with the world in many ways. Here I will describe a little of what this looks like at Western Washington University. Back in 2014, I was named the first Cole Professor of Entrepreneurship...a cool university title and set of resources that was in search of a purpose and design. Prior to this, I was a university professor at Indiana State University...a wonderful place and set of people. Yet, I felt I had reached a plateau and felt called to explore new paths. (and in there, was a lot of work with the the local food movement and food cooperatives).
I arrived at WWU full of energy and excitement to work with students and to help support them in their search for self and how they might find their part in this world through entrepreneurship, innovation and changemaking. The primary way I shared my gifts in this position was through working for students. I focused on collaborative program design, super cool curriculum and pressing the edges of what and how we learned at the university about ourselves, the world and the relationship between the two. I also was invited to become a WWU Community Engagement Fellow and Sustainability Fellow...both of which were critical to my own learning of self and the opportunities to identify and share my gifts with the world. I am so grateful for all the people that have been part of this journey.
Gwen Fluhr
Western EIC Explorer
Camera Storyteller
They/Them
Gwen has been taking photos all their life...and as technology advanced, videos became a love as well. Just take a walk with them, and you will experience the capturing of so many stories happening around us.
From the interaction of coal-black raven couples in the PNW to the jungle crows on the Andaman Sea Coast; from a mallard ducks navigating an icy stream at Padden Creek in Bellingham to green sea turtles navigating the reefs of Mabul Island in Borneo; from local Salish Sea orcas to sloths in Costa Rica. And don't forget those ninja squirrel shenanigans! And humans too...of all sorts and in all sorts of stories. With degrees in outdoor recreation and herbal medicine and extensive experience in creative arts, world travel and healing,
Gwen has a broad range of nature based interests including the interaction of humans and our more than human world. A perfect fit for the camerahuman that travels the world to capture the moments related to the Sustainable Development Goals. With multiple ESP Global expeditions already in their backpack, the excitement continues to tell the stories of entrepreneurs, innovators and changemaker's' as they engage with the issues related to the SDGs.
Kurtis Johnston
Western EIC Explorer
Team Tender & Releaser
Kurtis is a senior at Western Washington University studying Recreation Management and Entrepreneurship. He is passionate about creating spaces that inspire happiness, connection, and longevity through dance, sailing, and a wide range of outdoor activities. An avid skier, backpacker, sailor, and photographer, Kurtis is always exploring new ways to bring people together through movement, adventure, and creativity. Entering his last quarter at WWU, he’s been thrilled to be a part of the ESP’s impact. As one of the first members of the ESP team, he’s helped set the foundation for the future of storytelling and changemaking — cheers to discovery, curiosity, and collaboration!
Syd Carver
Western EIC Explorer
Team Tender & Weaver
My name is Syd and I started at Western in Fall 2023 after taking a gap year to travel and volunteer on sustainable farms through the Workaway program. Some of my passions are mycology, gardening, art, dance, and going on adventures. I am currently planning on majoring in Biology while also designing a Fairhaven Interdisciplinary Major and completing the Honors minor.
I hope to discover more about the science of the natural world and our place in it in order to build relationships of reciprocity and healing with the environment and people around me. I love hearing people's stories and I am excited to be a part of the ESP team!
Emily Budd
Western EIC Explorer
Hi! My name is Emily Budd and I am a senior at Western majoring in English Literature and minoring in Entrepreneurship. Some things that I enjoy doing are going on hikes, playing volleyball, and doing fun crafts!
I have always had a passion for finding ways to create sustainable alternatives for everyday needs. Through this project I hope to help find stories of individuals who have passions like mine, while being able to convey how these businesses emerged and what helped them become successful. I’m looking forward to being apart of the ESP team!
Carter Nelson
Western EIC Explorer
Hi! I'm Carter, a senior at Western Washington University’s Fairhaven College with a concentration in Entrepreneurship, International Business, Language, and Political Economy. I'm a deeply curious person and love learning about urban planning, clothing design, history, languages, craftsmanship, exercise science, traveling and much much more!
I’m drawn to storytelling and sustainability because I believe every person’s journey matters and that real change starts with understanding people. Sustainability gives me hope for a brighter future built by entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers. I joined this project to learn from passionate people who are shaping our world and to discover how I can do the same. My curiosities include sustainable clothing, better recycling systems, more sustainable materials and how entrepreneurship, innovation and changemaking can shape the physical and political shape of our world.
EV Chase-Pelton
Western EIC Explorer
Hello! My name is EV Chase-Pelton and I am a freshman at Western Washington University, hoping to enter a career in women’s sports. I have lived in Washington my entire life and don’t plan on moving. Being surrounded by such diverse natural beauty, from Mt. Rainier to the Salish Sea, I have always been passionate about sustainability in order to preserve the amazing Earth we have the privilege of living on.
The Seattle Storm is my favorite sports team ever and I follow all of Seattle’s professional sports pretty closely, except soccer—sorry Reign and Sounders! I am extremely passionate about women’s sports, particularly basketball, and recently, hockey so I love going to Climate Pledge Arena! I have been skiing since I was 2 and can’t wait to spend time at Baker, enjoying the amazing snow and the adorable lodge cats. I am very artistic and love upcycling trash into treasure. I buy everything I can secondhand and enjoy adding my personal touch to my clothing. I am a pirate at heart and could talk about historical and fictional portrayals for hours. Because of this I spend hours tressure hunting (beach combing) and have an extensive collection of booty (sea glass, shells, bone, agate, and more!). If I’m not watching women’s basketball, you can find me binging crime shows like Dexter, Criminal Minds, Psych, Brooklyn 99, etc, etc. I have watched The Office probably 10 times now, along with Finding Bigfoot, Ghost Adventures, South Park, Supernatural, I could go on for hours, like when I watch these shows.
I am extremely excited to be an ESP Storyteller to continue doing my part to uplift my community, global changemakers, and the mission of the ESP!
Maverick Sunshine
Western EIC Explorer
Hi, my name is Maverick Sunshine! I joined the ESP to help share stories of change that will inspire more stories of change! If you ever see me, feel free to ask about creative writing and my favorite card games!
Art & Gwen
Flags flying at UPEACE in the Central Valley of Costa Rica