Austin Watling

Based in Missoula, MT | Joined Biomimicry 3.8 in 2015

JOB SCOPE
Austin administers computer systems, software, and hardware. He responds to technical support inquiries from both internal and external sources, and assists in updates and changes to website content.

HISTORY
Before joining Biomimicry 3.8, Austin worked as an Apple Certified Support Professional in Missoula, where he also attended the University of Montana majoring in physics and mathematics. He brings a deep understanding of most computer systems and processes, as well as an ability to identify and solve almost any problem.

FAVORITE ORGANISM AND WHY
Kingfisher. Kingfishers are a perfect example of beauty and precision

HIDDEN TALENT
Rock Climber

FAVORITE QUOTES
“Natural science does not simply describe and explain nature; it is part of the interplay between nature and ourselves.” – Werner Karl Heisenberg

Dr. Dayna Baumeister

Based in Missoula, MT | Co-founded Biomimicry 3.8 in 1997

JOB SCOPE

As partner and co-founder, Dayna does anything and everything at Biomimicry 3.8, including covering the broad niches of ideation, strategy, and education. She inspires clients as a biologist at the design table, as well as created and runs the professional training programs.

HISTORY
Before Biomimicry 3.8, well…it’s hard to remember a time before Biomimicry 3.8. Janine and I had our first conversation in January 1998, just two months after her book was published. It’s been a wild ride ever since.

FAVORITE ORGANISM AND WHY
You can never ask a biologist their favorite organism—what would all the ones I didn’t mention think of me?

FAVORITE BOOK
Currently reading (multiple times—it’s so rich): “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer

RIVER, LAKE, OR OCEAN?
Ocean, hands down. Floating over a vibrant, thriving coral reef.

FAVORITE QUOTE
I put Einstein’s quote about same thinking = same results, different thinking = change the world on my email signature years ago and have never changed it for a reason.

Read more in Dayna’s bio

Erin Rovalo

Based in Bainbridge Island, WA | Joined Biomimicry 3.8 in 2010

JOB SCOPE
As a Senior Principal at Biomimicry 3.8, Erin weaves an architectural design background with design thinking expertise and biomimicry to create a distinct innovation approach that helps clients achieve truly sustainable solutions. Along with a focus on built environment projects, Erin’s work includes a wide range of design sectors and challenges, such as packaging design and organizational development. Erin also serves as a biomimicry and design instructor to adult learners around the world.

HISTORY
Erin’s sustainability framework experience includes Biomimicry, Living Building Challenge, The Natural Step, and LEED. Prior to joining Biomimicry 3.8, Erin supported over 30 built environment projects working with developers, planners, architects, and engineers to understand and act on their unique opportunity to design, build, and operate resiliently and abundantly within Earth’s operating conditions.

FAVORITE QUOTE
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

FAVORITE BOOK
“Griffin and Sabine” by Nick Bantock. After receiving it as a gift when it was first published in 1991, I’m still fascinated by its mix of art, mystery, storytelling, and tactile format. I read it again every year.

Read more in Erin’s bio

Glenna Tawney

Based in Missoula, MT | Joined Biomimicry 3.8 in 2012

JOB SCOPE
Glenna manages the immersion experiences at B3.8, which includes the Immersion Workshops and the Biomimicry Professional Certification Program. She also provides organizational support for Innovation Services work.

HISTORY
Prior to joining Biomimicry 3.8, Glenna was an elementary school teacher, teaching fourth and fifth grades. She holds a bachelor’s of science in business management and a master’s of education in curriculum and instruction. At the Montana Natural History Center, Glenna was a member of the board of directors and a volunteer instructor for their outdoor education program.

FAVORITE ORGANISM AND WHY
Cheetahs. Their speed and grace have fascinated Glenna since childhood.

COMFORT FOOD
Any and all types of cheese

HIDDEN TALENT
In a former life, Glenna was a Division I soccer player for the University of Montana.

Jamie Dwyer

Based in Helena, MT | Joined Biomimicry 3.8 in 2009

JOB SCOPE
Jamie is a biologist at the design table—she researches biological strategies and brings those strategies to design. She also teaches others about biomimicry and facilitates biomimicry workshops.

HISTORY
Before joining Biomimicry 3.8, Jamie was on an architectural career path. Before architecture, she worked as a field biologist. Biomimicry has not only provided a cure for her perpetual student syndrome, but has also brought her seemingly divergent degrees in architecture and biology into perfect harmony.

FAVORITE ORGANISM AND WHY
Right now, hummingbirds. They store enough energy for thousand-mile migrations in their one-ounce bodies, their maneuverability in flight, and have you seen the research on their tongues?!?

FAVORITE BOOK
“A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle

COMFORT FOOD
Dark Chocolate. And baked goods—especially molasses spice cookies, cookie dough brownies, and homemade bread.

Read more in Jamie’s bio

Janine Benyus

Based in Missoula, MT | Co-founded Biomimicry 3.8 in 1997

JOB SCOPE
As co-founder of Biomimicry 3.8, Janine guides the vision of the organization, as well as works to lead research and ideation.
History: Janine is a natural history writer who has published five books, including “Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature,” which popularized the term biomimicry and set the stage for the practice to become an innovation tool used worldwide.

Read more in Janine’s bio

Jenna Cederberg

Based in Helena, MT | Joined Biomimicry 3.8 in 2015

JOB SCOPE
Jenna works to tell the story of B3.8 through compelling content that showcases the company’s inspiring work.

HISTORY
Before joining B3.8, Jenna was the editor of Montana Magazine, where she led the editorial, audience engagement, and business operations. She graduated with a print journalism degree from Washington State University, and began her career in journalism as the editor of the tiny weekly newspaper, the Lake County Leader in Polson, Montana. Jenna also worked as the business reporter for her hometown newspaper, the Missoulian.

FAVORITE ORGANISM AND WHY
Canis lupus familiaris. Dogs (most specifically black Labs named Lulu) are the best adventures partners anyone could ask for.

FAVORITE BOOK
“The Age of Innocence” by Edith Wharton

RIVER, LAKE, OR OCEAN?
River

Jessica Smith

Based in Helena, MT | Joined Biomimicry 3.8 in 2008

JOB SCOPE
Jessica works on visual communications/strategy and branding.

HISTORY
Before working with Biomimicry 3.8, Jessica served as marketing assistant for the University Center at The University of Montana. She was also a naturalist at Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

FAVORITE ORGANISM AND WHY
Sloth. When Jessica saw one in the wild, she was more excited by it than any other animal she’d seen, and it was sleeping nonetheless! If this species were to go extinct, Jessica would be heartbroken.

FANTASY TRAVEL DESTINATION
In her fantasy, she would shrink to the size of a flea and travel through her backyard.

FAVORITE QUOTE
“Nothing in the world is as soft and yielding as water. Yet, for dissolving the hard and inflexible, nothing can surpass it. The soft overcomes the hard, the gentle overcomes the rigid. Everyone knows this is true but few can put it into practice.” – Tao Te Ching

Kali Cook

Based in Missoula, MT | Joined Biomimicry 3.8 in 2016

JOB SCOPE
Kali coordinates the activities of Co-Founder, Janine Benyus, and Managing Director, Nicole Miller. She also helps manage Biomimicry 3.8’s Speakers Bureau.

HISTORY
Before Biomimicry 3.8, Kali worked as an Account Coordinator for Montana Marketing Group. Kali graduated from Villanova University with a bachelor’s degree in Communications and a minor in Japanese. After graduating, she decided to return to her Montana roots where she eventually landed in Missoula, Montana.

FAVORITE ORGANISM AND WHY
Sharks! They are fascinating and have been around for 400 million years!

RIVER, LAKE, OR OCEAN?
Lake AND ocean, but especially Flathead Lake.

FANTASY TRAVEL DESTINATION
Bali

Mark Dorfman

Based in New York, NY | Joined Biomimicry 3.8 in 2007

JOB SCOPE
Mark manages, designs, and conducts research, primarily for projects with a chemistry-related challenge.

HISTORY
Mark spent the past several decades as a research scientist for public-interest, not-for-profit environmental organizations (primarily INFORM, Inc. and the Natural Resources Defense Council) with a focus on green chemistry and clean water issues.

FAVORITE ORGANISM AND WHY
Cyanobacteria. They were the first creatures, some 3+ billion years ago, to develop photosynthetic technology. We still haven’t figured out how to completely reproduce it.

FAVORITE BOOK
“Freedom at Midnight” by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins

HIDDEN TALENT
Swing dancing

Read more in Mark’s bio

Melissa Fryday

Based in Missoula, MT | Joined Biomimicry 3.8 in 2012

JOB SCOPE
Melissa assists with finance and accounting.

HISTORY
Melissa was a stay-at-home mom for eight years before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Montana in 2008. Before coming to Biomimicry 3.8, she worked in public accounting.

FAVORITE ORGANISM AND WHY
The bumblebee. Aerodynamically it shouldn’t be able to fly, but nobody told the bumblebee, so it goes on flying anyway.

FAVORITE SPOT
Seeley Lake, Montana, preferably the River Point Campground beach.

FANTASY TRAVEL DESTINATION
Melissa has always wanted to see New York City at Christmas time.

Nicole Hagerman Miller

Based in Missoula, MT | Joined Biomimicry 3.8 in 2012

JOB SCOPE
Nicole is responsible for the strategic direction of the company.  She also works closely with clients and partners to identify the best opportunities to effectively integrate and apply biomimicry.

HISTORY
Prior to joining Biomimicry 3.8, Nicole served as the Managing Director for the Montana World Trade Center, and as the Director of Sourcing for Overstock.com. Her professional experience in sustainability reporting, environmental and social compliance, global supply chains, private label development, social entrepreneurship and economic development supports her efforts to introduce biomimicry as a platform to mitigate risk, build resilience and advance innovation.

FAVORITE ORGANISM AND WHY
Mycelium—it continues to blow my mind there is an entire network of communication below the forest floor working to maintain the health of the ecosystem.

COMFORT FOOD
Pizza—I make it at least once a week. In the summer, I harvest fresh basil, arugula, and veggies from my garden. Delicioso!

RIVER, LAKE, OR OCEAN?
Ocean

Read more in Nicole’s bio

Robyn Klein

Based in Bozeman, MT | Joined Biomimicry 3.8 in 2007

JOB SCOPE
Robyn is Biomimicry 3.8′s fact-finding sleuth who works on project for our Innovation Services clients. Robyn finds the genius in nature, assisting built environment and product industry clients.

HISTORY
Robyn is also an adjunct instructor in the Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology and teaches summer courses in plant identification, biomimicry, and ethnobotany at Montana State University in Bozeman.

FAVORITE ORGANISM AND WHY
Black cottonwood trees. The connection between wolves and cottonwoods has been made in Yellowstone Park. Wolves move the elk around so they don’t browse all the young cottonwoods. This allows the young cottonwoods to grow, which has brought back a healthy riparian ecosystem with songbirds and beaver in the Lamar Valley.

FAVORITE QUOTE
“The answers to how to live sustainably on our planet are all around us.” – Janine Benyus

FAVORITE BOOKS
“Consulting the Genius of Place” by Wes Jackson.

HIDDEN TALENT
30+ years as an herbalist and medical botanist.

Theresa Scott

Based in Helena, MT | Joined Biomimicry 3.8 in 2015

JOB SCOPE
Theresa coordinates the activities of Dayna Baumeister, Partner and Co-Founder of Biomimicry 3.8, and provides project management coordination and support for the Biomimicry 3.8 project team.

HISTORY
Before joining Biomimicry 3.8, Theresa worked for the State of Montana for over 20 years. Her experience with the state includes budgeting, project management, and IT systems support. Theresa graduated from the University of Montana with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a management emphasis and a computer science minor.

FAVORITE SPOT
Her home on the eastern edge of the Helena valley. Not only is it a beautiful spot on the mountain, in the trees, and with a gorgeous view of the valley, it provides a wealth of opportunity to immerse one’s self in any of a myriad of projects and puttering.

FAVORITE FOOD
Nachos, not only are they comforting, they can be a “perfect” meal when they include all of the food groups.

FAVORITE QUOTE
“Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny.” – Mahatma Gandhi

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