Ari Simon (they/them) is a facilitator, community engagement specialist, climate policy convener, grief guide, coach, speaker, and spiritual care practitioner. Through their practice, Ari equips people, organizations, and communities to spur wellbeing and thrive best in change-embracing, climate-conscious, and identity-honoring ways. Their landmark program, Grief at Work, trains and supports staff in grief & loss competency and care, spurring greater resiliency in the workplace and in communities. 

Ari weaves a background in climate policy, planning, and management with training in contemplative care, coaching, and end-of-life and loss support. They make navigating loss & change the centerpiece of their work – applying it to a myriad of personal, professional, and policy realms. Ari’s work is centered in California and has reached participants across North America, moving thousands of leaders, communities, and teams forward on issues such as climate action & adaptation, mental health & wellbeing, queerness & gender inclusivity, and grief & loss.  Ari has held leadership roles in California’s Alliance of Regional Collaboratives for Climate Adaptation (ARCCA), has directed climate collaboration across Los Angeles, Riverside, & San Bernardino Counties, and has trained and supported SF MUNI staff in grief care and loss competency.

Most recently, Ari has been working with San Mateo County’s Flood and Resilience District, Stanford University, Rise South City, and the San Bruno community in imagining grief care as ground-truthing, spurring new conversations and collective actions towards addressing flooding-related challenges along the San Francisco Bay.