From the Classroom to the Silver Screen: My Journey from the Kroc School of Peace Studies to Impact Production with Turtle Walker

As I look back on my journey since graduating from the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies in 2013, I am reminded of the profound impact my time at Kroc has had on me. Today, I am thrilled to share how the values and skills honed during my MA helped influence my role as the Impact Producer for the documentary film Turtle Walker and how now this journey is coming full circle with our upcoming World Premiere.

Embracing Sustainable Development Through Storytelling

During my studies at the IPJ, I delved deep into the principles of human rights, development, and the power of storytelling as a catalyst for change. These lessons were not confined to the classroom; they became the foundation upon which I built my career. When the opportunity arose to work on Turtle Walker, a documentary that tells the story of one man’s passion and commitment and how his legacy has had a ripple effect throughout India for marine conservation, I knew it was the perfect avenue to apply my education and learnings to this collaborative project. 

As the Impact Producer, I am tasked with ensuring that the film not only reaches audiences but also inspires action and fosters dialogue around its central themes. The strategic planning, ethical considerations, and community engagement strategies I learned at Kroc have been instrumental in shaping my approach to designing the film’s impact strategy and various campaigns. 

The Kroc School’s Influence on My Work 

Decision-making in impact production, especially in a project as meaningful as Turtle Walker, requires a delicate balance of creativity, practicality, and ethical responsibility with a focus on collaborative engagement for system-level change. The Kroc School instilled in me a strong sense of ethical leadership and the importance of inclusive, participatory processes. These principles guided me in collaborating with the director, producers, and community stakeholders to ensure that every decision aligned with our mission to honor Satish’s legacy of marine conservation in India.

When designing our Impact Strategy, the first thing I did was have everyone on the team take a survey to tell me what they would like to see woven into the design of the impact campaign to honor Satish’s legacy. Ensuring everyone on the team was aligned with and excited about what we were setting out to achieve was step one. From there I went out to find impact partners, on-ground thematic experts, and NGOs working in green filmmaking, marine conservation, and the education space to work with for our goals. The success and expansive nature of our impact strategy lies within the skillful and mission-driven collaborative partnerships that have allowed us to fundraise for, plan, and action several impact goals simultaneously. We are now conducting an outreach campaign in partnership with Teach For India, Dakshin Foundation, and Reefwatch Foundation to introduce marine studies into the curriculum of schools across India. We are also working on the designation of a critical Marine Protected Area off the coast of Maharashtra. Now we are starting a ghost net retrieval and upcycling program in partnership with local fishermen. And thus far we have already raised over $300,000 in India for the creation of a marine mammal stranding network across the west coast, from Karnataka up to Gujarat. You can read in more detail about our various impact campaigns and see our impact partners through our website https://turtlewalker.com/. 

Celebrating the Turtle Walker: World Premiere Details

I am excited to announce that Turtle Walker is set to premiere on November 17th at DOC NYC, an event that has already sold out, reflecting the growing excitement and support for the film. This milestone is a testament to the hard work and passion of our dedicated team and community of supporters. This project has truly been a labor of love for us all.

For those who will miss the initial screening, we are pleased to host a second showing on November 19th at 9 PM at the IFC Center. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience the film’s powerful narrative and engage with its themes of resilience and hope. You can also buy an online screener link from DOC NYC through the 21st of November.  

Looking Ahead

As I prepare for the World Premiere, I am filled with gratitude for the education and experiences I gained at the Kroc School of Peace Studies. The skills and values I developed there continue to guide me in making impactful decisions and striving for meaningful change through all my work.

I invite my fellow Kroc alumni, current students, and supporters to join us in celebrating this achievement. Together, we can continue to harness the power of storytelling to inspire change and make a lasting impact on the world.

Thank you, Kroc School, for being the cornerstone of my journey. Here’s to many more stories that bridge gaps, heal wounds, and build a more peaceful and sustainable future for all.

The film can be rented online through DOC NYC through the 1st of December.

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