In January 2025, nearly 20 years after its founding, Gaia U transitioned to new ownership and management under two long-time Gaia U team members and community leaders, Jennifer Morgan and Ava Klinger. As the new stewards of Gaia U, Jennifer and Ava are dedicated to expanding its reach and amplifying the impact of a Gaia U education in transforming our world.
Meet our new leaders!
Jennifer Morgan – CEO & President of Gaia U International
Jennifer is a distinguished author, instructor, facilitator, designer, project manager, coach, and consultant with expertise in regenerative and holistic lifestyles, participatory community, business, and systems design, applied Permaculture, and trauma integration. With 30 years of professional experience, she has effectively led community projects, businesses, and nonprofits within the alternative health, community, and ecological sectors.
Jennifer’s academic credentials include a postgraduate degree in Transition Design, an MSc in Integral Social Systems Design, a Graduate Diploma in Regenerative Enterprise Design and Development, a Natural Health Diploma, a BA in Cultural Anthropology and Environmental Studies, and a Diploma in Wildlife Management.
A career achievement is her involvement in creating Solar Springs, a naturally constructed off-grid lodge and Regenerative Permaculture Farm in Tennessee. With two decades of experience in off-grid living and homesteading, Jennifer has worked closely with local communities to develop an energy descent plan. Solar Springs Lodge is a 2,250 sq. ft. structure on an 84-acre property, fully powered by solar energy and equipped with a 20,000-gallon water catchment system. The site includes 19-year-old orchards, bamboo groves, kitchen gardens, medicinal herb spirals, and essential ecological infrastructure such as greywater ponds, composting toilets, and passive solar greenhouses. Jennifer has also contributed to leading publications, including Permaculture Design Magazine, Communities Magazine, and Permaculture Women’s Magazine.
In 2004, Jennifer was instrumental in founding Gaia University, playing a crucial role in its opening in 2006. During her 13-year tenure, she served as an Advisor and Teacher and as the Director of Advisory, Mentor, and Associate Services for seven years. At Gaia U, she also facilitated and designed the Online Orientation in Transformative Action Learning, developed a Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design, and oversaw Gaia Radio, a student-led webinar series. Additionally, Jennifer developed and delivered training programs for Advisors, Mentors, and Life Coaches, accumulating over 10,000 hours in advising and coaching services, over 12,000 hours in directorship roles, and more than 10,000 hours of facilitating events and webinars.
Simultaneously, Jennifer served as the Executive Director of the Center for Holistic Ecology (CHE) from 2003 to 2014. She co-founded the Financial Permaculture Institute through her work with CHE, established the first Transition Town in the Southeast USA, chaired The Summit for a Sustainable Tennessee, and co-produced the Green Living Journal of Middle Tennessee. She also managed the Climate Action Now project and organized monthly design courses nationally and internationally. Her previous roles include serving as Program Director of the Ecovillage Training Center and Development Director for the Global Village Institute for Appropriate Technology.
As the newly appointed President and CEO of Gaia U International, Jennifer is leading the organization into its next evolution. With her deep experience in action learning, permaculture, regenerative enterprise, and alternative education, she is uniquely positioned to steer Gaia U into a new era. Her history of program development, advising, and community-led initiatives has equipped her with the vision and leadership necessary to expand Gaia U’s reach, enhance its educational offerings, and further its mission of empowering changemakers worldwide.
Her lifelong commitment to regenerative design, social transformation, and trauma-informed learning makes her an ideal leader for Gaia U’s next chapter. She is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, dynamic, and impactful learning environment—one that not only educates but actively contributes to the healing and regeneration of our planet and communities.
Ava Klinger – COO Gaia U International
Ava Klinger is a systems designer, strategist, and storyteller with a deep commitment to regenerative education, ecological stewardship, and community resilience. As Co-Owner and Chief Operating Officer of Gaia U International, she leads operational strategy and organizational systems to support the university’s mission of transformative learning and action.
With over a decade of experience in operations for online education, Ava blends strategy and soul to create systems that not only function but flourish. Prior to returning to Gaia U, she served as Chief Operating Officer of Ventralverse Media, where she guided a company-wide rebrand and helped launch immersive experiences like The Uncanny Lens podcast—infusing operations with storytelling and systems thinking to engage audiences in deeply human ways.
Ava’s work extends beyond education into ecological restoration and community wellness. As a Fire Mimicry Practitioner with Sudden Oak Life, she has worked hands-on in the Bay Area’s oak woodlands, applying regenerative land practices to revitalize ecosystems. She has also played a key role in integrating emotional resilience frameworks into large-scale community projects, including The Temple of Together and The Temple of the Deep at Burning Man, where she developed volunteer support systems rooted in compassion and connection.
During this new chapter of Gaia U’s revitalization, Ava is guiding the institution toward an innovative and sustainable future. By integrating regenerative design, trauma-informed practices, and dynamic learning models, she is cultivating a global network of changemakers equipped to navigate complexity and create lasting impact.
With a passion for systems that support both people and the planet, Ava is dedicated to ensuring Gaia U remains a thriving, accessible, and transformative space for lifelong learners.
Ava currently resides in San Francisco, CA with her partner, their daughter and three dogs.