My Journey in Peacebuilding, Regenerative Agriculture, and Global Leadership
By Patrick Dunn | Paxaterra Global
What Does It Mean to Be a Peacebuilder in Today’s World?
In a world facing growing polarization, environmental degradation, and humanitarian crises, peace can feel like an abstract goal—reserved for diplomats or distant negotiations. But my experience tells a different story:
🕊️ Peace is not a theory. It’s something we grow—through relationships, purpose, and the land itself.
As a Rotary Peace Chair, global nonprofit leader, and founder of Paxaterra Global, I’ve had the honor of contributing to peacebuilding efforts that restore communities from the ground up. This is more than mission work—it’s a model for sustainable leadership and resilient systems.
🌱 My Roots: Agriculture, Stewardship & Purpose
I grew up in rural Maine, surrounded by farms, forests, and hard-working people who understood what it meant to live in rhythm with the land. Long before the term regenerative agriculture was popularized, I saw it in action—rotating crops, rebuilding soil, and nurturing ecosystems as part of daily life.
My academic journey at the University of Maine included a degree in Recreation and Park Management with a focus on environmental interpretation and land stewardship. It gave me a scientific and practical lens for understanding how sustainable practices serve both communities and the planet.
Those early experiences shaped my lifelong belief: healthy land is the foundation for healthy people—and lasting peace.
🔧 Building Peace Through Rotary, Roots of Peace & Paxaterra
Over the past several years, I’ve transitioned from corporate resilience consulting into purpose-driven global partnerships focused on peace and regeneration. Today, I serve in several leadership roles:
- Peace Chair, Rotary District 5190
- Global Partnership Chair, Roots of Peace (a nonprofit led by World Food Prize Laureate Heidi Kuhn)
- Member, Rotary Peacebuilder Network & Rotary Action Group for Peace
- Member, United Nations Association of the United States (UNA-USA)
- Founder, Paxaterra Global, a consulting and travel platform focused on peace, sustainability, and community regeneration
While I have not yet personally visited all of the countries we serve, I’ve had the privilege of supporting initiatives in Vietnam, Colombia, Croatia, and other post-conflict regions where healing the land is directly tied to healing the people.
These are places where:
- Landmines are cleared to make way for vineyards
- Cacao and pepper crops replace war remnants
- Farmers and families regain dignity through regenerative farming
🎙️ Speaking on Peace, Sustainability, and Leadership with Soul
Through Paxaterra Global and partnerships with Rotary and Roots of Peace, I now speak nationally and internationally on topics such as:
- Peace Through Agriculture
- Regenerative Futures and Post-Conflict Recovery
- Sustainable Leadership in Times of Change
- Leading with Soul: Bringing Humanity Back to Leadership
- How Travel, Service & Storytelling Can Rebuild Community
Whether I’m on stage at a Rotary conference, leading a small group journey, or advising a nonprofit on strategy, my goal is always the same: to plant ideas, grow hope, and connect people around a shared purpose.
🤝 Let’s Build Peace Together
If you’re a Rotary leader, nonprofit organization, university program, or corporate team looking to explore sustainable leadership, peacebuilding strategy, or regenerative agriculture—I’d love to collaborate.
Ways we can work together:
- Keynote speaking engagements on peace, purpose, and leadership
- Workshops on regenerative systems and community resilience
- Paxaterra Peace Journeys to post-conflict regions (Vietnam, Colombia, Croatia, and more)
- Strategic consulting for organizations focused on global impact, sustainability, or humanitarian development
🌿 Peace is not passive—it’s participatory. It begins with the courage to plant something that will outlive us.
Let’s grow that future—together.
Patrick Dunn
Founder, Paxaterra Global
Partnership Director Roots of Peace
Peace Chair, Rotary District 5190