sunrise collab

cultivating equity and thriving communities—together

what we do

Sunrise Collab designs approaches to social challenges that enable environments and communities to flourish.

Our partnerships connect nature’s genius with people’s wisdom to create regenerative systems.

We need regenerative systems

Inequitable systems harm our communities and our planet. 

The challenges are interconnected.

So we need regenerative systems to address them.

regenerative systems are

interdependent

adaptive 

self-renewing

resilient

moving us beyond sustainability

our approach

  • We believe that nature and communities hold the best models for regenerative systems. That’s why we respect their wisdom and follow their lead to move us all forward.

  • They are interdependent, resilient, and capable of evolving over time.

  • That means:

    • Prioritizing equity

    • Integrating community experience through co-creation

    • Applying nature’s designs with biomimicry

    • Implementing systems-level thinking

    • Amplifying voices in human-centered communications

    • Inviting creativity

  • And we see:

    connection as alchemy

    complexity as inspiration

    nature as teacher

    discomfort as learning

    creativity as practice

    regeneration as compass

Our Services

    • Regenerative design + impact frameworks

    • Participatory design processes

    • Community knowledge integration

    • Leadership coaching

    • Empathetic teambuilding

    • Strategic planning + fund development

    • Trust- based grantmaking

    • Adaptive impact measurement + evaluation

    • Grantee capacity strengthening

    • Human-centered story ideation + development

    • Impact communications

    • Content contribution systems to help others tell their stories

for teams

Going Beyond

Sustainability

We partner with:

  • Foundations

  • Grassroots movements

  • Nonprofits + NGOs

  • Social enterprises + entrepreneurs

  • Social impact + public sector innovators

  • Companies

  • Multilateral institutions

Our team

Meet the leaders of our growing team

sandrina da cruz: headshot of a smiling woman with long brown hair, wearing turquoise earrings and a black top, with green leaves background.
sandrina da cruz: headshot of a smiling woman with long brown hair, wearing turquoise earrings and a black top, with green leaves background.

sandrina da cruz

Co-Executive Director

  • sandrina spent the last two decades leading and advising teams across philanthropy, social impact, humanitarian response, climate adaptation, and peacekeeping. 

    She’s led portfolios around the world that include managing more than $100 million spanning grantmaking funds, and corporate and philanthropic partnerships. 

    Inspired by deep curiosity, sandrina thrives in guiding teams toward their full potential to design clear and imaginative pathways through complexity.

    sandrina continues to hone her biomimicry skills and apply nature’s tested strategies to complex social impact challenges.

merinda valley: headshot of a smiling woman with long curly black hair, wearing a white top and hoop earrings, standing outdoors with a background of green trees and dappled sunlight.
merinda valley: headshot of a smiling woman with long curly black hair, wearing a white top and hoop earrings, standing outdoors with a background of green trees and dappled sunlight.

merinda valley

Co-Executive Director

  • Merinda believes that words shape our world. Her experience spans writing, editing, and creating in several formats and languages.

    From U.S. newsrooms to Solomon Islands development projects, Merinda has worked with teams to translate complex concepts into clear ideas. 

    By crafting compelling content, Merinda has raised awareness and funding for nonprofits around the world. 

    Clients and colleagues say she’s highly skilled at helping them tell their stories and develop their narrative voice.

    Merinda approaches all collaborations with empathy and loves developing materials that let incredible initiatives shine.

Ready for regeneration?

Let’s unleash our imaginations, harness nature and community wisdom, and cultivate regenerative systems—together.

Mangrove trees growing in shallow water