Who We Are

OBA is an initiative of the Cultural Innovations Agency, Inc. (CIA), a 501c3 nonprofit corporation with the mission to engage ordinary people in sustainability and social change through the cultural arts, information communication technology, and individual and community initiatives that emphasize conviviality, arts, conversations and actions. The ethical framework for the CIA recognizes the interdependence of all life on this planet and therefore, the interconnection of economic justice, human rights, respect for nature and a culture of peace.

Most important to the OBA initiative are Culinary Agents, volunteers around the country, who host OBA Dinner Parties in their homes to make a positive difference in their lives and communities.

What We Do

Operation Bon Appetit is an initiative to achieve societal change by providing interactive online forums and resources to volunteers around the country,who join us in Changing the World One Dinner Party at a Time.The World Factbook on Conviviality provides Operation Bon Appetit Dinner Party Themes, recipes, tablescapes, conversational guide and information about community initiatives to improve quality of life in communities around the country. The themes recognize the interdependence of all life on this planet and therefore, the interconnection of economic justice, human rights, respect for nature and a culture of peace.

In addition, we are in the process of creating Operation Bon Appetit TV Series(hopefully airing Spring 2013)  that will feature cooking and preparation of indigenous dishes in cities around the country along with convivial conversations with individuals who are creatively solving community and/or societal problems.

OBA TV audience is an emerging subculture of 60 million Americans—Cultural Creatives–who value healthier communities, corporate social responsibility and ecological sustainability and believe they need to be involved in making that happen. The show will also capitalize on growth in the U.S. of TV cooking shows, cookbook sales and wine consumption that has passed that of Italy.

Meet the Team

Jan Roberts

Cultural Innovations Agency (CIA) Founder and Creator of Operation Bon Appétit Initiative. A thread of unconventionality has woven consistently throughout Jan’s life but rests on a solid foundation of creative social change, beginning with the “Boy Scout Troop for Girls” that she started at the age of 10, using her father’s manual from Great Britain, because it offered girls a more exciting time than did the Brownies.

Jan is founder of Earth Charter U.S.in 2005 – a national organization for human rights, respect for nature, economic justice and a culture of peace. She was recognized at the international launch of the Earth Charter (EC) at The Hague Peace Palace in 2000 as leading the major effort in the US. In 2006 she created Earth Scouts, a scouting program for boys and girls from 3 to 13 years, with badges based on EC principles. In 2008 she created ECUS Sustainable Business Awards to recognize Tampa Bay businesses engaging with the triple bottom line—people, planet and profit. In 2009, she launched the ECUS Sustainable Business Coalition to provide networking for sustainable businesses and educational forums on best practices. Her newest ECUS creation is National Earth Charter Cultural Arts Fest planned for 2013 that will link together Fests around the country via web-streaming that feature local cultural artists in music, art, film ,photography, spoken word, etc who are embodying the EC principles in their works.

Jan also served on the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development’s education caucus and is adjunct professor at University of Tampa’s College of Business where she teaches MBA course on Sustainability: The Triple Bottom Line.

Jan’s free spirit has led her to live on her sailboat for 6 years, become a licensed “6-Pack” Coast Guard Captain, rappel down a cliff during an Outward Bound venture to face her fear of heights, fly an office chair attached to an Air Boat propeller engine over the Green Swamp and call Mikhail Gorbachev’s cell phone to invite him to her Earth Charter Community Summits.

Andrea Floyd

Andrea is Senior Manager – Project Management Office for Raymond James Financial Services, a national firm. Previously, she was Information Technology Program Manager of eight international projects with 65+ project team members for Jeppesen, a subsidiary of Boeing that develops Aviation software programs. Andrea brings over 20 years experience as an IT leader to Cultural Innovations Agency (CIA). She is a member of the Krewe of the Nautilus, which promotes Florida’s environmental awareness and conservation through friendship and association, education, charitable sponsorship and community service.

Genie Skypek, Ph.D.

Genie is a clinical psychologist, former board of directors’ officer for Earth Charter US and former volunteer coordinator of Earth Scouts program. She is on staff and provides evaluations for the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Hospitals and Treatment Programs. Her interest in Cultural Innovations Agency is rooted in her belief that people’s behaviors can be changed through awareness, sharing of information and stories with others in conjunction with education about positive solutions. Her knowledge of people’s cognitive and personal behaviors is helpful in the development of CIA programs.

Judy Ryan

Judy is a retired Information Technology Executive for Tampa Energy Company. She has a long history of board leadership including past President of Athena Society, a networking and social organization for women leaders in Tampa. Judy has also served as treasurer of Earth Charter US and as a long time volunteer for Earth Charter activities. Her interest in Cultural Innovations Agency springs naturally from her dedication to sustainability but also from her rich experiences in organizing and hosting social events.

Susan Edwards

Susan Edwards is an award-winning writer, editor and former journalist, covering everything from arts, architecture and historic preservation to transportation, social services and other community issues. As chief operations officer of an ebook publishing company, she is currently riding the wild wave of the digital publishing revolution. In her spare time, she is a compulsive gardener who is happiest when digging in the dirt. Hot Mama Spices, which she created with a friend, benefits from her fresh herbs and forays to spice markets in Mexico and other exotic locales.

Kassie Monsees

Kassie Monsees has been knee-deep in the creative industry since she was nine-years-old. After starting as an A/V Technician at her church, she quickly developed her passion for photography, graphic design, video production, and web development. She graduated from the University of Tampa in 2011 with a BA in Electronic Media Art & Production/New Media Production and minors in Communication and Advertising. Kassie has been working at Automotive Video in Fort Myers, FL, for the past four years and is currently the Assistant Creative Director. Kassie spends her free time learning to cook, spending time with her family, and doing freelance work. You can check out her portfolio at www.kassieloo.com.