Today's speaker was Daniel Katz, the co-founder of Rainforest Alliance in 1986 and the current Programs Director for The Overbrook Foundation. He started his work almost 30 years ago at a time where there were very few organizations dedicated to the protection of rainforests and very few people actually knew of the growing problem of deforestation. In fact, he was laughed at by family and friends and generally known as a tree-hugger. However, through pursuing his passion, he co-founded what was at the time known as the New York Rainforest Alliance (which later went international) and started a nonprofit that would grow to become one of the leaders of change for tropical forests. Rainforest Alliance worked very differently than other nonprofits. They strictly stayed away from policy making and simple boycotts. Instead, they tried to find solutions to problems for all parties involved. They worked with the corporations to try to ensure their products were following guidelines and worked with the farmers and workers in these rainforests to ensure that their livelihoods were still in place. Rainforest Alliance's main attraction for companies was the frog symbol that companies could place on their products should they meet all standards required. Doing so insures a stronger rainforest which leads to a healthier planet as well as helps bring in new customers who support the frog for the companies. Katz hopes to continue growing the support for the protection of rainforests throughout the world and dreams that maybe one day many nonprofits can group together to find a shared vision and accomplish great tasks much more quickly and efficiently.