Regeneration & Resilience

‘The Evolving Expression of Essence:’ A Tribute to Carol Sanford

Carol was one of the most important thinkers, writers and teachers on the topic of regenerative systems — which, as she describes it, involve building conditions and practices that support the ‘evolving expression of essence.’ I am deeply grateful to have experienced her support of my ability to evolve my own expression of essence, and that of Sustainable Brands’ organization and community.

By KoAnn Vikoren Skrzyniarz | Published 1 year ago | About a 3 minute read

Image: Carol Sanford speaks at an event in 2015 | Ricardo Lujan

Sometime in 2010, as Sustainable Brands® was regaining its footing post the 2008 stock market meltdown and had moved into office space in 'the City' (San Francisco), I received a note from someone named Carol Sanford — who had been watching what we'd been doing, was in the city, and wanted to meet up. She came to meet me in our humble neighborhood; and what followed was the most generous, instructive, energizing and encouraging conversation I had had in several years. From that moment on, I began to become familiar with Carol's background — her familial connections to Native American wisdom traditions and the depth of her compelling intelligence on the importance of moving beyond sustainability to regenerative systems.

Over the course of her lifetime, Carol became one of the most important thinkers, writers and teachers on this topic — which, as she described it, involves building conditions and practices that support the "evolving expression of essence.” From that first meeting and through the years since, I watched Carol practice what it's like to show up in life seeking to help those around her — whether individuals, communities of practice, or multinational organizations such as Google — 'evolve their expression of essence.’ And I have been deeply fortunate to experience her support of my ability to evolve my own expression of essence, and that of Sustainable Brands’ organization and community.

Carol Sanford in 2023 | Image credit: John Crawford/Babson Thought & Action

It is with deep gratitude and sadness that I share today that Carol has passed away. Her life was a model of one well-lived — one that contributed to the evolution of humanity, and helped prepare us for the uncertain time in which we find ourselves and point the way forward.

Below, I share a note from her family sent to friends of Carol on the afternoon of November 24th. Also below are links to some of the introductory articles she wrote for Sustainable Brands — which remain an invaluable resource for individuals and organizations seeking to understand the principles and advantages of regenerative systems. I encourage all who read this to follow Carol's wishes, and to consider adding her books to your library and knowledge base — so together, we can ensure her legacy and expertise in building regenerative businesses and systems live on for generations.

We send her and her family love and peace during this time. And I ask that all of us take this time to remember all we have to be thankful for, and to find some small moments over this week to consider how we can each help create the conditions for fostering more regenerative thinking and being in the world.

Carol and her family have asked all who are able to do daily readings directed toward her from The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying *to help with her transition. For 49 days after her passing, please make readings from any part of the book, keeping her in your heart.