Advisory Board

Blue Earth's Advisory Board is made up of local, national and international experts from diverse disciplines who both share the interests and goals of Blue Earth Alliance, and have agreed to provide support to our organization and our project photographers.

  • Subhankar Banerjee
    Subhankar Banerjee

    Photographer

    Indian born artist-educator-activist Subhankar Banerjee uses photography to raise awareness about issues that threaten the health and well-being of our planet. Since 2000 he has focused all his efforts on indigenous human rights and land conservation issues in the American Arctic. His Arctic photographs have been exhibited widely and published in over one hundred magazines and newspapers internationally. He has received many awards for his Arctic work.

    Subhankar is a current Blue Earth Alliance sponsored project. www.subhankarbanerjee.org

  • Phil Borges
    Phil Borges

    Photographer

    For over 25 years Phil Borges has lived with and documented indigenous and tribal cultures around the world. Through his work, he strives to create a heightened understanding of the issues faced by people in the developing world. Through his exhibits and award-winning books, Phil attempts to create a relationship between the audience and his photographic subjects.

    Phil is a co-founder of Blue Earth Alliance and is president and founder of Bridges. www.philborges.com

  • Howard Choder
    Howard Choder

    “Taxman”

    In 1982, Howard moved to Seattle from Pittsburgh, PA and fell into a job at the Internal Revenue Service quite by accident. What he thought was going to be a temporary stop turned into 15 years holding various positions in the Downtown Seattle office. He then decided to start his own practice. In addition to providing Tax Accounting, IRS Problem Solving, and other general tax solutions, he also helps with financial planning.

    Howard is a previous BEA Board member. www.taxman.cc

  • Barbara Cox
    Barbara Cox

    Photography Consultant

    For the past 17 years, Barbara Cox has been involved with photography as a consultant to cause-oriented photographers, photojournalists and major photo archives including the New York Times. She acts as a book and licensing agent and works with publishers, museums, galleries and the media to achieve professional recognition for her clients. She is a past exhibitor at Art Basel, Paris Photo, photo la, Frankfurt Art Fair, and more.

  • Julia Geier

    Studio Manager

    Julee Geier has been the studio manager and publicist for Phil Borges for the past 18 years.  As one of the original Blue Earth Alliance Board Members, Julee covered a variety of responsibilities including bookkeeping and publicity.

  • Marita Holdaway
    Marita Holdaway

    Gallery Owner

    Marita Holdaway has owned and operated Benham Gallery in Seattle, WA, since 1987. Dedicated to emerging and mid-career fine art photographers, she reviews over 1,000 portfolios annually. Holdaway consults with artists and presents workshops for organizations nationally and internationally helping them further their careers by developing their professional tools for finding and successfully approaching appropriate venues. www.benhamgallery.com

  • Robert Glenn Ketchum
    Robert Glenn Ketchum

    Photographer

    For 40 years Robert Glenn Ketchum’s imagery and books have helped to define contemporary color photography while at the same time addressing critical national environmental issues, and have made him one of the most successful artist/activists in American history. He is perhaps most recognized for his work in the Tongass, which is credited with helping to pass the Tongass Timber Reform Bill of 1990. Ketchum’s work has been similarly integral to many other diverse environmental struggles. He has received many awards for his work. www.robertglennketchum.com

  • Nadja Masri
    Nadja Masri

    Bureau Chief & Photo Editor

    Nadja Masri is the bureau chief and photo editor of German GEO magazine in its New York City office. Previously she worked for a photo agency in Berlin and different German magazines before she was hired by GEO in fall 2000. Nadja has been a portfolio reviewer, a panelist and juror on numerous occasions and has been teaching at the International Center of Photography since 2005.

  • Mary Virginia Swanson
    Mary Virginia Swanson

    Photography Consultant

    Mary Virginia Swanson’s goal is to teach Photographers how to find the strengths in their work and identify appreciative audiences for their prints, exhibitions, editorial and licensing placement. Swanson is considered and expert in the area of marketing and licensing fine art. She currently works with photographers as a marketing consultant and is a sought-after portfolio reviewer. www.mvswanson.com