HARBERS STUDIOS - Key Persons
Geoff Cowper was raised on the outskirts of Calgary, Alberta, chasing gophers and twisters across neighboring farms, and bringing home any birds or animals he could catch along the way. He attended the University of British Columbia to study ornithology, but got sidetracked on a bird walk and ended up graduating with a degree in law. He has since become one of Canada's leading trial lawyers. Geoff is the Chair of Litigation for Fasken Martineau, an international law firm based in Canada.
He received his QC (Queen's Counsel) in 1997, and is a Fellow of The American College of Trial Lawyers. In addition to his role as a Director for the Harbers Family Foundation, Geoff has served on several charitable boards in British Columbia, and currently sits on the board of Streetohome, a Vancouver-based foundation focused on creating sustainable, innovative solutions to the homelessness crisis. More broadly, Geoff is passionate about environmental conservation, economic development and the rule of law, and education. He believes bringing people and nature together in a way that benefits both is one of the most urgent tasks of our time.
Geoff lives with his family on Bowen Island, B.C., and is an avid birder and natural historian.
Mark Kroese has been exploring and photographing the high-and-wild for more than 40 years. He thrives in the confluence of outdoor adventure, visual storytelling and environmental conservation. Mark has travelled extensively, from Madagascar to Monaco, and considers himself lucky to have seen some of this planet's most exotic and pristine places. His idea of a good time - and a good story - is a well-planned adventure gone awry.
Mark began his career in the ad agency business and has spent more than 20 years working at Microsoft. He is currently the General Manager of Microsoft's Sustainability Solutions Group, leading a diverse team of scientists, policy experts, marketing managers, carbon accountants and investment professionals to help deliver on Microsoft's industry-leading sustainability commitments: carbon negative, water positive, and zero waste. Mark is also an Advanced Leadership Fellow at Harvard University, with a focus on combating climate change.
Mark has climbed a lot of mountains, written a book on climbing mountains, and recently completed a term as President of the American Alpine Club, an organization that promotes the climbing and conservation of mountains. During that time, he has witnessed alarming levels of glacial recession, and watching the planet literally melt before his eyes continues to fuel Mark's determination to tackle climate change and make the world a more equitable place.
Mark believes we are at a unique point in history, one in which we have unprecedented tools to develop creative and innovative solutions to the world's biggest problems. He believes visual storytelling is a critical part of this effort and is thrilled to serve as a Director of the Harbers Family Foundation.
Mark resides in Bellevue, Washington with his wife Lisa, but he spends as much time as he can - wait for it - in the mountains.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Founder
- Executive Vice President of the Board of Trustees for the International Center of Photography
- Founder and CEO of the Harbers Family Foundation
Renee Harbers Liddell is the Founder and CEO of the Harbers Family Foundation and Harbers Studios, where she has brought together her passion for visual storytelling and call to philanthropy.
Renee holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Massachusetts. She joined Microsoft in 1988 as one of the first 2000 employees of the company, where she applied her technical and marketing talent to the Microsoft Excel and Office teams. She is a vocal advocate for young women in STEM, both nationally and internationally.
In addition to her philanthropic work with the foundation, Renee serves as Executive Vice President of the Board of Trustees for the International Center of Photography, and on the Photography Acquisition Committees for both the Whitney Museum and National Gallery of Art.
An award-winning photographer herself, Renee is also currently an MFA candidate in fine-art photography at the University of Hartford, where she's exploring the relationship between motherhood and masculinity, as well as alternative narratives around the aging process.
Beautiful and historic Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland has survived thousands of winters (top), but temperature fluctuation and dampness have taken their toll on the stone walls and carvings within. In the ongoing effort to maintain and restore the chapel, Foundation founder Renee Harbers suggested creating a children's book to tell the story of the chapel and help underwrite its preservation. And so we did. The result, illustrated by Rosie Wellesley, and written by Helen, Countess of Rosslyn (above) is a delightful tale of how William, a cat who fancies himself as the guardian of the chapel, saves the day.