Who We Are

Earth Wind Fire and Water (EWFandW) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Ambler, Pennsylvania, USA. Operating with a grass-roots perspective, we are committed to teaching environmental sustainability and stewardship through our partnership with Ndabibi Environmental Conservation Centre (NECC), a Kenyan NGO (non-governmental organization). The lessons and field work developed and taught at NECC are applicable to any environmentally ravaged and disadvantaged area in the world.

We are heartened by the enthusiasm and support of all our visionary friends for the ongoing work at NECC, where the future holds boundless promise. Expanding partnerships (locally and abroad) and increasing programming will broaden employment opportunities, improve quality of life, inspire young leaders, and safeguard the environment for future generations in Kenya and beyond.

Our Mission

Our mission – to foster improved living standards, poverty reduction, and environmental respect in disadvantaged communities through education, self-help, and practical grassroots projects. – reflects that of NECC.

Board of Directors

Vivian Gast

President and Treasurer

Vivian was principal of Vivian Gast Graphic Design in Philadelphia for 28 years where she specialized in design of marketing and development materials for non-profit organizations. Transferring that expertise from the drawing board to the volunteer board she served as a trustee and board president at both Woodmere Art Museum and the Wagner Free Institute of Science, in Philadelphia. Presently she serves on the board of EQ&JS Foundation, a nonprofit focused on improving the quality of life for underserved Liberians. Vivian channels her interest in alternative energy, environmental conservation, and sustainability into constructing a way forward for peoples in underserved, distressed communities. She and her husband Bill, both passionate about the people and landscapes of Kenya, East Africa, live in suburban Philadelphia.

William Gast

Vice President and Secretary

Now happily retired, Bill spends much of his time “giving back”. He currently serves on the boards of the University of the Arts, Philadelphia (his alma mater), EQ&JS Foundation, focused on improving the quality of life for underserved Liberians, Chamounix Mansion, the first urban youth hostel in the USA, and Penllyn Club, an “alternative” country club in suburban Philadelphia where he is president. With a background in visual arts, Bill originally worked as a graphic designer and art director. After attending the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, he became a product manager in the pharmaceutical industry. Most recently, Bill owned Mangos, the boutique branding and marketing firm in Conshohocken, PA where he served as its President and CEO for 30 years. A self-described renaissance man, Bill is acutely aware that there are just as many ways to teach as there are to learn.

Gabriella Wagner

Assistant Secretary

Gabby grew up in the Philadelphia area, graduated from the University of Virginia with a BS in Chemistry and later graduated magna cum laude from Seattle University School of Law where she served on Law Review. She is a partner with Wilson Smith Cochran Dickerson in Seattle. As a public health volunteer with the U.S. Peace Corps in Kenya, East Africa for two years, she taught HIV/AIDS and infectious disease prevention in local schools, hospitals and community centers, while also specializing in water harvesting and preservation. She inspired Kenyan communities to conserve resources by promoting zero-grazing for livestock and bio-gas as a fuel source; mediated tribal disputes over resources; and wrote grant proposals requesting funds for community projects. Gabby lives in Seattle with her husband and their two daughters.

Victoria Shobe

Assistant Treasurer

A native of suburban Philadelphia, Tory and her husband Mike live in New York with their daughter and son. Tory graduated with a BFA in Advertising and Graphic Design from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Well versed in digital media and branding, she is currently Vice President of Creative at the New York Post. Prior to that she worked as Digital Art Director at Time, Inc., as well as Director of Design and Publications of the Tribeca Film Festival. During the pandemic, Tory and Mike started their own organic vegetable garden applying only sustainable methods.

Michael Shobe

Director

Mike is the Podcast Curation Lead at Amazon Music. Previously he served as Program Director of Classical New York WQXR where he was responsible for the radio station's on-air content and oversaw the talent and creative staff. Prior to joining WQXR, Mike worked in music programming at Sirius/XM Satellite Radio and held positions at L’Oreal and Epic Records. He is an accomplished composer and musician with award-winning film and television credits and several independently released albums. Working as a musician he has traveled throughout the U.S., Europe, South America and Japan. Born in San Francisco, Mike holds degrees in both music business & management, and music performance, from Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Our Volunteers

Integral to our operations and fundraising capability are the expertise and generosity of our professional volunteers. Without their care and passion we would not function. Our heartfelt thanks go to:

Joseph Clement, Esq., Wisler Pearlstine, LLP – for his legal expertise, thoughtful advice, tireless support and timely answers

Gregory E. Eger, CPA, The Tax Advisors – for his accounting tutelage and assistance with all things financial – www.thetaxadvisors.org

Natalie Greene – for her invaluable help with database management and social media

Phil Wagner – for his command of the English language, editorial-proofreading acumen and community service passion

Thom Goertel – for his expert eye, photographic expertise, and photo-editing assistance – http://www.thomgoertel.com