Seed The Change To Honor Women Farmers And Advance Climate Justice

Landesa will host Seed the Change, its signature annual fundraising event, on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Benaroya Hall, located at 200 University Street in Seattle. This year’s program celebrates International Women’s Day and will spotlight the Year of the Woman Farmer while addressing the critical connection between women’s land rights and climate justice.

Seed the Change is more than a fundraiser. It is a gathering that brings together global advocates, local leaders, and committed community members for an evening of inspiration, storytelling, and shared action. The focus of this year’s event centers on the urgent need to recognize women farmers as key agents of climate resilience. Despite being on the front lines of climate change, many women lack secure rights to the land they depend on for survival and livelihood.

The program will feature a dynamic panel discussion led by Karol Boudreaux, Landesa’s Senior Director of Global Programs. With decades of experience in land governance and policy, Karol has helped shape international strategies that promote secure land rights as a foundation for equity, resilience, and sustainable development.

Panelists include Shipra Deo, Landesa’s Global Gender and Land Advisor, who leads global efforts to advance women’s land rights through gender analysis of laws and policies. Esther Mwaura-Muiru, Global Advocacy Director for the Stand for Her Land Campaign, will also join the conversation. A pioneer in women’s land advocacy, Esther brings more than 25 years of experience amplifying grassroots leadership and driving people-centered development across Africa. Rounding out the panel is Juan Jose Robalino Cabrera, Landesa’s Climate Change and Land Tenure Specialist, who works at the intersection of land tenure, green finance, and sustainable policy to help communities mitigate and adapt to climate impacts.

Angela Poe Russell will emcee the evening’s program. A nationally recognized broadcast journalist and Emmy Award winner, Angela brings more than 20 years of experience as a news anchor, reporter, and television host. Known for her warmth and authenticity, Angela will guide the evening’s proceedings and highlight the voices of the advocates and changemakers featured on stage.

Adding an artistic dimension to the evening, Seattle-based Kenyan American musician Naomi Wachira will deliver a live musical performance. Known for her powerful voice and socially conscious songwriting, Naomi’s music reflects the themes of justice, resilience, and connection that define the event’s mission.

Seed the Change offers a rare opportunity to engage with a global movement grounded in Seattle but reaching across continents. Landesa invites guests to listen, learn, and take part in a growing effort to center women in the global response to climate change.

Founded in Seattle and active in eight countries, Landesa is a global nonprofit dedicated to securing land rights for the world’s most vulnerable people, especially women and Indigenous communities. Its mission is to advance economic opportunity, social justice, and environmental sustainability through partnerships with governments and civil society.