We envision a human society that honors the interdependence of all life, and is harmlessly integrated into the natural world.
Our mission is to co-create a family of Intentional Communities that are unified around a common value system and experiment with new models for human society.
Art by Maisie Richards @roundwaterdesign with Lokotah Sanborn and #CreativeWildfire
Avi Kruley - President
Ambassador of Love
&
Cheerleader of Hope
Greetings! I’m Avi (she/her) - a mighty force in a tiny package.
I co-founded The Next Big Step in 2022 with a vision to one day co-create a new intentional community (at least one!). That dream lives on in the work I do today consulting with individuals and organizations that strive to put intention into practice.
I have been a passionate player in the world of Intentional Community for over a decade when I first discovered the transformative power of this unique intersection of people, place, and purpose. I studied how to effectively infuse our values into the systems that govern us for my dual degree MBA/MPA in Sustainable Management from Presidio Graduate School.
I live in the mini-intentional community I initiated in Oakland called The Sanctuary, focused on sacred living. You can often find us landmates hanging on the front porch, talking about life and cackling our joy.
“She’s a master of process and presence, with tremendous sparkle and verve. She embodies a creative “yes, and” ethos that’s also always looking out for the whole group’s well-being. If the moment calls for a delicate conflict resolution conversation or a spontaneous dance party, she’s on it.”
—Christopher Peck, Trust Steward, Natural Investments
Collaborations
Collaborations are key!
You can find me jamming with:
Let’s See Labs Team
UFacilitate Team
More Matriarchy Team
Non-Discrimination Statement
We believe that the future we’re co-creating must be one where anyone accountable to community agreements can belong. We are committed to building a world — and a community — that honors the interdependence of all life. That work begins here.
The Next Big Step does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities, operations, or consultations.
We are an intentional organization in an ongoing evolution of learning, unlearning, and growing. We welcome collaborators, community members, and dreamers of all backgrounds to join us on the porch, in the work, and in the vision of a more just and connected world.