Bios

Amber Arbucci -- Founder

Amber Arbucci has led an inspired life. Whether it be her experiences traveling the world, or her vast body of work in front of (or behind) the camera as model and photographer, her zest for life and commitment to her beliefs cannot be denied. Her photography documents the natural world few people see on a regular basis. Specifically, her work focuses on the many endangered and threatened species in peril across the globe, which she has encountered on her travels. According to Amber, she doesn't just want the viewer to enjoy her photos, she wants them to 'experience them;' to be drawn into the natural world, the undeniable beauty of this planet we live on. In turn, hopefully we will appreciate it, and our small place within it, in a more thoughtful way. Amber is a committed advocate of children's rights, animal welfare and poverty related issues. Most recently Amber worked with 'Saving a Child's Heart,' a local charity in Africa.

Doyle Leeding -- Founder / President

Doyle Leeding 3 was fascinated with photography and inspired by his grandfather as early as he could remember; one memory included his grandfather laying on the floor to get the photographic perspective of a child. Doyle went on to take as many art classes throughout his early education while continuing on to Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara to obtain a BA in Multimedia with minors in Underwater photography and Photojournalism. Upon graduating in 97 he was submersed in the Fashion industry due to the opportunities that came his way. After traveling to some of the most naturally beautiful locations around the world his passion has come full circle. That passion is for the animals which are essentially 'modern day dinosaurs' and the ecosystems needed to sustain their lives. This passion led him to found Identify Foundation - which to him means our ability to Identify our common desire to make a difference - with a specific cause. Doyle has decided to exit the Fashion industry of photography and commit the remainder of his life to this foundation and traveling to as many places not yet seen.

Scott Ryan -- Founder / Executive Director

Scott began his professional career as a performer and quickly realized that his desire to make films went way beyond the need to tell a story. He wanted to make films that inspired people. This need was cemented while working in the environmental movement since he was a teen. That vision came to fruition when Scott began directing documentaries. Many of these films were produced for the national TV shows “PLAYGROUND EARTH” and “HIP HOP NATION." Recently he supervised edits of the 2008 Olympics and Paralympics for NBC/Universal. Scott's social justice work spans environmental, animal welfare, & civil rights issues, having worked on behalf of Greenpeace, The Sierra Club, NRDC, and Rhapsody in Green among others. He discovered a missing element in television a couple of years ago: the desires and dreams, the very manifestoes (or missions) of everyday people were not being represented. His background intertwined with this deficit & inspired the project & show known as the 'Manifesto’ project. Most recently he’s been working with Friends of the Los Angeles River and Karen Dawn on several animal campaigns. Scott is a panelist for the Twyman Creative Conference and hosts fundraisers for Sphere Magazine and others whenever he has time. He sees the unique mission management structure of Identify as the future of fundraising and movement building.

Brandon Schwartz -- Director of Finance