Revision International is both an ideal and an organization. We are inspired by the idea of ‘Re’ meaning "again, anew" in changing our world. This simple prefix is the heart of our philosophy - in order to change the world, we must rethink and redefine the world.  We must change the way we live together and the way we live with nature. As an organization, Revision International is a collection of impassioned people dedicated to serving our mission and our community. We operate out of Denver, Colorado, and are organized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Our Purpose

Our purpose is to promote an alternative social contract based upon principles and practices of wisdom that improve the quality of life for all people - both current and future generations - and for all life on the planet.  We will do this by creating a network of sustainability projects on a community level around the world. Each project is the initiative of the community- yet ignited through our work - and supported by a network of people striving to develop sustainable communities. 

Our Vision

Revision International envisions a world of self-sufficient, localized communities that are part of an interdependent global system, where individuals act as stewards and live with respect towards their local environmental, economic, and social systems. The sum of these communities' efforts contributes to a shift in societal values and ultimately a world that lives within the ecological limits of the planet.

Revision International was born out of the need for solutions that address the root cause of global climate change, resource depletion, and extreme poverty, not the symptoms.

Co-founders Eric Kornacki and Joseph Teipel met at the University of Denver, and developed not only a friendship, but a shared vision for a sustainable and just world. Traveling through Nicaragua together on a service learning project, they were deeply impacted by the environmental degradation, poverty, and economic exploitation that they witnessed. They were also deeply moved by the hospitality, warmth, and humanity of people that were caught in a systematic cycle of poverty and injustice. Through this shared experience, Eric and Joseph began discussing ideas for changing the world by developing relationships with people, and inspiring them to create a movement. These passionate conversations were the beginning seeds of Revision International.

Upon graduation in 2007, Joseph took a job with Americorps building houses for Habitat for Humanity. Eric was offered a job with Teach for America; however, he felt a strong conviction that the threat of climate change was so severe that he couldn't wait, and he decided to take a chance and start his own organization. Starting an organization was only the beginning though; realizing the enormity of the global problem he was tackling, he believed that the solution would have to be equally bold. He turned to Joseph to share his vision: an 18,000 mile bicycle trip from the top of Alaska to the bottom of Argentina to raise awareness about global warming, and to document how local communities were responding the the threat on their livelihood and way of life. Joseph committed on one condition - he wanted to be involved with the nonprofit organization, not just the bike trip.

In defining the organization, they continually gravitated to the prefix 're' which means both 'do again' and 'anew.' Revision embodied the founding belief that we need to revise the elements of society that are at the root cause of our sustainability problems and replace them with a new vision for a better world. They settled on Revision Network as the first name, returning to their vision for a network of relationships, resources, and initiatives that would usher in a sustainable world. Not long after, however, they rebranded the organization as Revision International.
Carrying all of their gear and supplies by bicycle from Alaska to Argentina, was an ambitious feat that only few had accomplished. A journey of such magnitude was exactly what they had in mind to raise awareness about the urgency to take action and change our society to prevent climate change and the destruction and pollution of the planet's ecosystems before reaching a point of no-return. They launched the program as the Revolution Campaign, and not only did they begin training, planning and fundraising, but they began to recruit a group of supporters, many who would later form the first Board of Directors.

Joseph Teipel, Co-founder

Joseph Teipel was born in the small, Colorado mountain town of Buena Vista. Since he was young, Joseph has had a strong desire to see justice done in the world. To this end, he graduated with a criminology degree from the University of Denver. Through life-shaping travel experiences provided through DU, Joseph’s drive for justice transformed into what it is today: a passion to help people rethink the way they live, so as to take into account their impact on each other and the environment. In addition to co-founding Revision International, Joseph served in the Americorps building houses for Habit for Humanity. He and his wife are currently serving in the Peace Corps, living in a village in Moldova, work as an Agribusiness and Rural Business Development volunteer. Joseph continually models his compassion for humanity and passion for the environment through his actions.

Don Leach

Don Leach was born and raised in Englewood. After high school, he worked as a mill wright, assembler, plater, surveyor, technician and inspector. In 1965 Don began night school at Tramway Tech (CU Denver) graduating with a BSME in 1970. Don spent his entire career in engineering, construction, and process industries, employed by Bechtel, Gulf Oil, M.W. Kellogg, Gates Rubber Co., and others. He worked in engineering contracting for power plants (both fossil and nuclear), petrochemical plants, environmental remediation, research facilities, and operations.

Don retired in 1996, but is trying not to retire his brain. He is a registered Professional Mechanical Engineer in California, a member of the American Chemical Society, and the International Society for Automation (formerly the Instrument Society of America). Don remains a wealth of knowledge, and in punishment for above egregious sins, he is now sentenced to collaborate with a number of cultural and human welfare non-profits, including the Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, the Colorado Symphony, the Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado, the Lamont Society of Music, Vital Ground, St. Joseph's Indian School, the Colorado Chamber Players, the National Taxpayers Union, Englewood Arts, and last but certainly not least, Revision International.

Jon Reiling

Jon Reiling is extensively traveled and a decorated military veteran, serving his country in Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He is also an accomplished conservationist and biologist. With a degree in Biology from the University of Colorado, he worked at the Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key, Florida, and as a volunteer for The Ocean Conservancy, Save the Oceans, and the Marine Mammal Stranding Network. On land, Jon competes in triathlons, leads fitness boot camps, and works to protect the outdoors he loves so much by volunteering for the Environmental Defense Fund and for Outdoors Colorado. To further his professional career, Jon worked for Janus Mutual Funds and Victory Capital Management, where he either improved performance by developing internal communication systems, or improved their environmental footprint by creating a recycling program.

Michele Hart

Michele is the Marketing and Outreach Coordinator for the ReDirect Guide, supporting and promoting businesses that focus on the triple bottom (planet, people, profit) line when making decisions. She loves to do this through connecting individuals who are trying to make conscious buying choices with businesses they can truly stand behind. While she enjoys giving the community a more environmentally sustainable option for the products they buy she fully encourages people to live simpler lives by buying less and to think about how their consumption habits affect our planet. Michele grew up on the lakes of Minnesota and earned BS degrees in Marketing and International Business from Iowa State University. She uses her background in business and her passion for social change to work with social and sustainable businesses on increasing the demand for fair trade products. While Michele contemplates her impact on the world she enjoys the freeing feeling of backpacking, how at home she feels when canoeing, creating stories through her photography, the relaxing affects of knitting, and finding the best deals at thrift stores.

Tina Oster

Tina Oster is passionately working to support the agriculture movement to sustainable local food systems. While this is a more recent commitment she has spent her professional career managing diverse organizations and people playing an integral role in their success. Before moving to Denver in 2008, Tina was Director of Operations for a civil engineering firm in St. Louis, Missouri for eight years overseeing their strategic planning, financial management and operations. Prior to her work with the civil engineering firm, Tina worked in public accounting gaining experience in tax planning and preparation, compilation of financial statements and learning more about the rewards, trials and needs of shareholders. Tina earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Fontbonne University and Master’s in Business Administration from Maryville University. She acquired her CPA license in 2003 and to further her knowledge, Tina became a LEED Accredited Professional in October 2007.

Sarah Haslem

Sarah currently serves as the Associate Director of Programs for the Global Energy Management program at the University of Colorado Denver. In this role she oversees curriculum, recruitment of professors and promotion of the program at industry conferences. Previously, she consulted on corporate sustainability strategy and change management, primarily focusing on energy issues within the oil & gas, utility and paper industries. Sarah is passionate about travel and spends much of her free time exploring. Her travels have taken her through 40 countries, to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro and to the depths of the Pacific Ocean. Her interests include sustainability, social entrepreneurship, and spending time outdoors skiing, biking, playing volleyball and competing in triathlons. Sarah's education includes a B.S. in International Business from Johnson & Wales University as well as her M.S. in International Business from the University of Colorado Denver.

Glenn Fee

Glenn Fee was a founding Board Member of Revision International, and continues to serve in an advisory capacity.  Glenn is the Executive Director of Bluff Lake Nature Center, a 123 acre wildlife refuge in east Denver. Prior to his work at Bluff Lake, Glenn served as Director of the Community Action Program at the University of Denver. He worked closely with student social action groups and the international service learning program, leading the annual Project Dharamsala program in northern India. Glenn was a founding Board member of environmental advocacy group Rock the Earth, and serves on the Board of Directors of The Park People.