Bio

Ron Milam is a seasoned network developer with a deep commitment to resilient, equitable and regenerative communities. His career is marked by a blend of hands-on experience, collaborative leadership, and a personal passion for bioregionalism.

With a robust background in organization development, Ron has served over 160 nonprofits and networks as a consultant since 2005. His practice spans diverse sectors, reflecting his adeptness in developing leadership, building stronger teams, improving organizational effectiveness and facilitating collaborative change. As a founding member of Pacific Pattern, Ron is part of a cooperative network of strategists and facilitators dedicated to promoting equitable climate resilience across the Pacific region’s ecosystems.

As a consultant for The Funders Network and Southern California Grantmakers, Ron champions community-generated priorities. He shapes strategic capacity building, technical assistance and power building initiatives that advance environmental justice, racial equity, and inclusive communities. Ron coordinates diverse stakeholders, drawing on leadership from the nonprofit, public, and philanthropic sectors.

Drawing on his experience as the founding Executive Director of an environmental nonprofit, BikeLA, he excels in building and nurturing organizations from the ground up, creating lasting impact through community organizing and education. He prioritized leadership development by recruiting, training, empowering, and supporting staff, board members, and volunteers.

Living in an Eco-Village for nearly 10 years enriched Ron’s understanding of sustainable living and community dynamics, providing him with firsthand experience in ecological and consensus-driven practices. His commitment to sustainability is also reflected in his personal life; having once bicycle toured down the Pacific Coast, Ron now enjoys bicycle commuting around Seattle with his family on a cargo bike and coaching his son’s ultimate frisbee team. He  serves on the Board of Directors for the Whidbey Institute and the Lakewood Seward Park Community Club.

Ron holds a Master’s degree in Organization Development from Pepperdine University, where his thesis on collaborative change efforts was published in OD Practitioner. Additionally, his B.S. in Planning, Public Policy, and Management from the University of Oregon, is where is interest in bioregionalism was first ignited.

Through his extensive experience in launching nonprofits, serving diverse clients, living in community, and advocating for sustainability, Ron Milam exemplifies the skills and dedication needed to develop and enhance bioregional networks. His multifaceted approach to organization and network development makes him an invaluable resource in fostering collaborative, resilient, and regenerative bioregional communities.