Sends and Suffers Podcast: Veronica Baker

Mario Stanley sits down with GCI Executive Director Veronica Baker to discuss the transformative power of climbing

By Isabella Boughalem | May 31, 2023

Find the episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

“The goal of all nonprofit work is to work yourself out of a job because the existing inequalities are solved. So if we have incredibly thriving climbing communities all around the world that are then able to help their neighbors, that will then break down systems of hierarchy in the climbing world, which is the long-term goal.” - Veronica Baker

Earlier this year at the Climbing Wall Association’s annual summit, Veronica Baker, Executive Director of GCI, joined Mario Stanley on the Sends and Suffers podcast to discuss the development of GCI. This wide-ranging conversation allowed Mario to explore and share GCI’s ethos and how Veronica became motivated to begin this nonprofit. Mario delves into Veronica’s origins as a climber and how she developed from climber to climbing leader through co-creating GCI. After growing up in Boulder, Veronica spent most of her 20s living in the Middle East as a researcher examining the growth of democracy and civil society in the region. While living in Jordan, Veronica became part of the small local climbing community. Inspired by the sport’s ability to create positive economic, social, and environmental change, she began to wonder about climbing’s potential to catalyze positive impact around the globe. Veronica shares how conducting research on international climbing development at Yale during graduate school sparked her idea for an organization that would support climbing communities all over the world, and by uniting with others who shared that vision, GCI was formed.

Mario and Veronica discussed many of GCI's upcoming initiatives, including the Global Community Boards project, international gear distributions, and this summer's expedition to Malawi. Mario shares his mutual gratitude and excitement for this opportunity to develop routes and trainings for local climbing leaders in collaboration with Climb Malawi. In association with GCI, Mario aims to facilitate Malawi’s local climbing community on the journey to self-reliance by providing education and a pathway for continued engagement and resources.

This podcast is a testament to the importance of grassroots organizations and how every climber should give what they can to their local and global community. Click below to listen!

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