Founding Member Spotlight
Amanda Soskin
Amanda isn’t interested in maintaining the status quo. She is well aware of the fragmentation in the fields and sectors of social systems change. Sometimes the work just doesn’t add up to have the kind of field-changing impact we need and want it to. Whether organizing internally, cross-sector approaches, or with organizations and movements who come together in partnership – most operate in silos. Amanda’s intersectional skills and expertise are exactly what’s required to build a thriving circular economy. Amanda made her mark on Philadelphia working for the Philadelphia Department of Planning and Development where she focused on the activation of vacant land, and we’re excited for her to bring that perspective to Circular Philadelphia’s work.
Why did you join Circular Philadelphia?
Primarily, to support an extremely capable team to do this important work!
I care about what is woven into the fabric of our futures – literally and figuratively. However impossible it sometimes might seem to shift existing structures and systems, doing something to put society on a trajectory towards social and ecological thriving is the work that needs doing.
What kind of work do you do and/or interests do you have?
Currently, I am an independent consultant working with municipal governments, philanthropies, and not-for-profit organizations to operationalize their theory of change. I operationalize strategies that call on organizations, networks, and alliances seeking greater, field-building impact.
Of many interests, I am an avid and perhaps aspiring textile mender, and will mend just about any forlorn textile that finds its way to me. I like to show my creative side by mending visibly, using brightly colored or contrasting threads and materials, where the mend itself becomes a feature of the item itself.
And, I love to travel and sail!
What does a circular economy mean to you?
Where to begin!
As a citizen, it means borrowing, sharing, giving, and showing up for my community. Buying quality over quantity, such that items retain their value, and remain in circulation through multiple owners and uses. It means not throwing materials away, because there is no away, by placing them on a path for alternate use. On a systemic level, it means doing away with consumer culture, advocating for the right to repair and policies that mandate extended producer responsibility, and pushing back on planned obsolescence.
I see a world in which material excess or waste from production gets passed on, becoming inputs in some other process, and inventing new ways to break materials down into usable materials. I want to see new business models and financing structures and incentives emerge, and ways to support industries, businesses, and individuals alike to think about their material stocks and flows differently, etc.
What advice would you give to someone to help move the circular economy forward?
Start! Consider ways that you, your business, or organization can participate, that is meaningful to you, your staff, or your customers. Collaborate, for fun, new ideas, mutual accountability, and access to additional resources. We can always do more together, than each alone!