Paul [paulo] Wegenast, Co-founder
A person deeply motivated by his passion for justice, faith, equity and rough hockey, Paulo is committed to the idea that we can create a better world through consciously considering every action we take. With a background in both charitable and business, Paulo established and developed encounter earth as a vehicle to transform the usual producer-consumer profit-at-any-cost model into something more fair, fulfilling, and ultimately worldchanging.

Corey Wegenast, Co-founder
Corey’s love for nature and community is a driving force behind the ethics of Encounter Earth. Having run a family Bed and Breakfast with Paulo that has become a temporary home to many, Corey is convinced that the connections we make with people across the globe can help us all to grow, and to find solutions for the problems that are facing our world. For Corey, Fair Trade goes way beyond the important concepts of economic justice, fairness or transparency to also include the creating and maintaining of new connections, dialogues and pathways to understanding.

Bernie Willock
A former Olympian, Bernie is an avid cyclist with a passion for growing businesses that serve the interests of all stakeholders. (Suppliers, producers, clients, employees, shareholders and the global human family) A long time supporter of Opportunity International, Bernie continues to work through strategic alliances of retailers in the North and the entrepreneurial poor in the South. Inspired by Paulo and Corey’s vision for Encounter Earth, he joined them in January 2008, with wife Marlene. He believes that business may be the most influential forum for change in the global village. Every day provides an opportunity to create change by how we conduct ourselves in the marketplace.

Marlene Willock
A family trip with Opportunity International to meet some of the world’s poorest entrepreneurs in Lima, Peru; ignited a fire in Marlene’s heart. Her new friends in the barrios of Lima had skill, talent, ambition and passion, but lacked the one thing in abundance in Canada: opportunity. Marlene sees her partnership with Paulo and Corey at Encounter Earth as a practical way to bring hope and dignity to many impoverished families in the south. Encounter Earth provides a vehicle for many of us to establish lasting mutually beneficial relationships across economic, political and cultural barriers in the spirit of love and respect.

Leah Barley
This young woman walked into the shop in early August trying to find some organic clothing and before she had time to really think about it joined the ee team in sales and merchandising. Leah loves people and is passionate about helping others understand how they can make a difference. She comes to encounter earth with years of retail experience and a lot of laughter. She also loves making music, hanging with friends and impacting the lives of special needs children.