Today we’d like to introduce you to Madeleine MacGillivray.

Hi Madeleine, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I had a very unique upbringing, whereby my nonprofit environmental justice lawyer single mother took me starting at age 8 to meet and work with the communities that she was collaboratively working with. These communities by and large were deeply impacted by fossil fuel extraction, and in these communities there were heroes, leaders, and I had the great privilege of meeting getting to know, and in some cases, being mentored by these real life heroes.

I met Larry Gibson, the son of a coal miner, who died fighting a massive mountain-top removal corporation that wanted his $65 million mountain. I met New Orleanian fishermen who shed heavy tears as I watched them clutch oil-soaked bird carcasses after the historic Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. I met Melina Laboucan-Massimo who solemnly led us through 14 kilometers of barren, bleak tar oil sands in her tribal community in Alberta, Canada. I met Chief Arvol Lookinghorse of the Lakota put out the last fire at Standing Rock.

So I had a very global perspective of crises in very different parts of the world, by age 8, 9 or 10. And I think in many ways that contributed to a general life perspective that revolves around the knowledge of how deeply we connected we all are and how deeply capable we all are.

Out of that came Superheroes Needed, my first nonprofit at age 9. I’ve worked in many sectors under climate: water issues, fossil fuels, microplastics, plastics, sustainable fashion, circular economy, social justice. I’m so excited to revive Superheroes Needed, to be able to bring to students and people of all walks of life who are craving to find their climate superpowers and lessen their anxiety.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Aside from the constant struggle of authenticity and alignment in the context of financially supporting oneself in late-stage capitalism, I’ve had my fair share of personal traumas — all of which, through much ongoing healing, have deepened my empathy, patience, self-possession, joy, and have 100% made me better at life, which is so intimately reflected in work. Everything is circular and nothing really starts or ends — I find comfort in this truth of the universe.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Officially, I do the following: 1. I am the Climate Communications and Policy Coordinator for the nonprofit, Seeding Sovereignty.
2. I am the Communications Specialist for CiCLO® Technology, a biodegradable polyester technology.
3. I am the founder of Superheroes Needed, where I speak and facilitate workshops on Finding Your Climate Superpowers!

I love delivering my workshop to all kinds of audiences — please feel free to reach out to connect and bring Superheroes Needed to your community!

My big skill is using both sides of my brain to say the right thing to the right audience. My extensive microplastics research background (and two enviro science degrees) plus my expertise in clear and effective communications together equip me with the unique ability to communicate technical information to non-technically trained audiences. I liaise between scientists/tech founders, and confused comms/PR teams. I advocate and organize on the grassroots level for climate justice policies and regulatory measures. I host a climate action podcast called Superseed. And so on.

What matters most to you? Why?
Lateral connections and resilience through biodiverse community. To me, the most essential starting point for cultivating these things is knowing our neighbors. I believe that knowing — really knowing — your neighbors, is the baseline for people and communities thriving. It feels really good to be in community, and really everything comes back to community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://superheroes-needed.webflow.io/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madeleinemacgillivray/
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/superseed/id1686635381?i=1000663690170