FOUNDERS and OFFICERS
Llyn Cedar Roberts, MA Founder & Core Advisor
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Llyn "Cedar" Roberts has been working in the nonprofit sector since 1997 and has facilitated experiential educational seminars for thousands of people at world class holistic venues, educational institutes, colleges, and universities. Her programs have been taught at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck NY for over two decades. She is is a mentor for the Transformational Travel Council, was a consultant to the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth Sustainability Initiative and the non-profit, Earth Train, of Panama dedicated to preserve indigenous culture and the rainforest. She collaborated with Omega to produce indigenous shamanic gatherings; served as adjunct faculty for Union Graduate School and the Graduate Institute and for over a decade directed the non-profit Dream Change founded by NY Times best selling author, John Perkins, with whom she co-facilitated transformational programs for nearly 17 years. She is a member of the Evolutionary Leaders Circle, founded by Deepak Chopra and holds a masters degree in Buddhist and Western Psychology from Naropa University - completing a graduate internship in a Mexican-American community, working alongside a curandera. She studied at the School for International Training, completing an internship in India. The celebrated author of multiple award winning books, including Speaking with Nature, co-authored with Sandra Ingerman, she has worked with ancient shamanic peoples since 1997, including in the Amazon and Andes of Ecuador, Siberia, Panama, and Guatemala. Llyn is also the founder of Shamanic Reiki Worldwide. Her newest book coauthored with Sandra Ingerman - Walking Through Darkness: A Nature-Based Path to Navigating Suffering and Loss - will be released by Union Square & Co. in 2023.
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Jeff Eissfeldt, MBA, President & Finance Director
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Jeff Eissfeldt is a founding member of Shamanic Reiki Worldwide and a graduate of its Shamanic Reiki Master-Teacher, EV1 and Ev2 programs. He holds certifications in Qi Gong healing and Integrated Energy Therapy, graduated from Maharishi University of Management in 1990 with a BA in Literature and has practiced Transcendental Meditation and the TM-Sidhi Program for over 30 years. Jeff holds an MA in Clinical Psychology from John F. Kennedy University in CA and an MBA from Michigan State University. He has worked in corporate finance for over 15 years. He has dedicated his time and expertise to OMEC for many years, as a board of directors member, subsequently as Vice President, and in 2023 taking on the role of board President. In addition to his Presidential tasks Jeff is honored to offer his business acumen to the nonprofit. As Finance Director he oversees the executive aspects of OMEC’s financial operations. Jeff is the director of several OMEC projects including the Johnny Moses Project, the Mayan Sacred Fire Fund, the Women Weavers and the Siberian Film Projects.
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Lori Ferry', President
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Lori Ferry', a core faculty member of Shamanic Reiki Worldwide is also a Traditional Reiki Master, Reiki Crystal and Core Shamanism practitioner. She is the director of OMEC's Pillar Point project and facilitates Hoh River Valley and Rainforest Retreats on the Olympic Peninsula. She has facilitated Mindfulness Based Meditation workshops for University of Washington Nursing student and an addiction recovery program for John Volken Academy. She studied abroad working on her BA in Early Childhood Psychological Development. She is a registered yoga teacher with a mindful & restorative approach and a Registered Yoga Continuing Education Provider. She is Adjunct Faculty for Shamanic Reiki Worldwide and a member of the Guatemala trip Sacred Travel Team, supporting OMEC's Maya projects. In addition to her presidential role, she is the director and host of OMEC HEARTH Circles.
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Lis Traphagen, MSW, LCSW Vice President
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Lis Traphagen has been a board officer and has been intimately engaged with OMEC's projects and operations for many years. She is a licensed clinical social worker and practicing psychotherapist for over 30 years. She received a BA from Brandeis University and a masters degree from the Wurzweiller School of social work at Yeshiva University. She is a core faculty member for Shamanic Reiki Worldwide. Lis is certified as an End of Life Doula and she is also certified as an SBEM empowerment coach and therapist. In addition to her involvement as director of the Mayan Women Weavers Project, overseeing relations with Mayan Women Weavers and textile purchases as well as the weaver's visits to the United States, Lis is the director of the Sacred Travel Team for the annual Guatemala trip.
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Christina Burress, MFA,
Vice President
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Christina Burress offers Nature-Inspired Writing programs and facilitates Hoh River Valley and Rainforest retreats, in addition to her Vice Presidential role. She been teaching writing since 2007 to students of all ages. She has designed and implemented both in-person and online courses whose aim is to increase confidence, inspire creativity, and encourage artistic collaboration with the natural world. She currently teaches at the University of California at San Diego Extension’s Creative Writing Certificate Program and the School of Education’s Arts in the Curriculum Masters degree at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Christina is a Shamanic Reiki practitioner. She holds a BA in Rhetoric from the University of California at Berkeley, and a MFA in Creative Writing from Naropa University. She earned an Expressive Arts Certificate from Sky Mountain Institute and a Certificate in Indigenous Cultural Awareness from First Nations Technical Institute.
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Eben Herrick, Managing Director
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Eben Herrick is an award-winning artist who currently resides in the greater Seattle, WA area. He serves as OMEC's overall strategist. Originally from New England, he obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston, where he lived for many years. He created the Olympic Mountain EarthWisdom Circle logo and its banner, and he has designed and produced postcards for the Guatemala trip and the Wild Wisdom Hoh Retreat and produced signage and media products for OMEC indigenous and land projects. In addition to his directorship role, which spans all aspects of the nonprofit organization he manages the website and all graphic design and social media presence. He grew up in nature, and since he was young he has enjoyed friendships with indigenous Quechua and Maya peoples who visited his childhood New England home.
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Sayre Herrick, Treasurer
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Sayre Allyn Herrick holds a B.A. from The Evergreen State College and has trained in wilderness therapy, Ayurveda, creative writing, and Vipassana meditation. She has worked on land restoration sites, permaculture projects, and organic gardens in WA and OR. She is a copywriting editor and administrative support person for Shamanic Reiki Worldwide. In addition to her Treasurer duties she volunteers her copywriting skills to OMEC. Sayre studied for 2-years in the Understanding Personal Energy program, in Seattle, WA, and is completing a reflexology certificate at the Seattle Reflexology and Massage Center. She has been exposed to shamanic orientations and enjoyed friendships with indigenous peoples hosted in her home since a very young age, then later on journeys in Ecuador.
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Nadine Majano, M.Ed., Secretary
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Nadine Majano is a graduate of the SRW Evolving Shamanic Reiki Master Teacher program EV2. She works closely with the OMEC’s Mayan Women Weavers project and assists the Sacred Travel Team on annual Guatemala trips. She holds a BS in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Rhode Island and an M.Ed. from the University of Georgia, where she worked as a Graduate Assistant with Multicultural Services and as a Challenge Course Facilitator for outdoor recreation. Nadine is TEFL/TESOL certified and fluent in Spanish. She has volunteered for AmeriCorps and Hug it Forward, coordinating projects and building bottle schools alongside community members in rural Guatemala. Nadine attended Mayan sacred fire ceremonies while living in Guatemala in 2012, drawing her closer to her calling as a healer. She has a private healing practice in NJ.
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Rob Murphy, Honorary Officer
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Rob Murphy is an initiated in Brazilian and Ecuadorian and Celtic shamanic traditions and an ordained minister. He is a core teaching faculty member for Shamanic Reiki Worldwide. Rob founded the Richmond, VA Shamanic Meetup and Drum Circle and is a core member of the NY Shamanic Circle. He offers earth-based programs in the United States and abroad, and for many years led sacred journeys to indigenous elders in South America. Trained in regression therapy Rob is a graduate of the Shift Network’s Peace Ambassador Training program. We are grateful for Rob's past contributions as Vice President of the board, to the officer's circle and for his facilitation of online HEARTH Circles, proceeds donated to OMEC.
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Marilyn Dexter, Co-Founder
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Marilyn Dexter is the cofounder of OMEC. She is a previous board member and secretary since the organization's inception in 2012 through 2018. She played a pivotal role in OMEC's vision and its 501C3 status attainment. Marilyn holds a Bachelor's degree in Religion and Philosophy. In addition to a diverse business background, she was a logistical director for transformational programs facilitated by Llyn Cedar Roberts (and John Perkins), spanning more than 15 years. She has co-facilitated immersions with indigenous shamanic cultures in Ecuador and Peru - and assisted for many years on the Guatemala trip to Maya wisdom keepers. With Llyn, Marilyn held the vision for the OMEC's Mayan Women Weavers Project that led to its inception.
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Board-AT-LARGE
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OMEC-Shamanic Reiki Worldwide Liaison
Stacey Gibbons Stacey is a prominent teacher of healing and shamanism. The co-founder with Llyn Roberts, MA, of Shamanic Reiki Worldwide she has studied extensively with shamanic teachers of diverse backgrounds and has practiced and taught Shamanic Reiki training intensives and year-long Shamanic Reiki Master Teacher apprenticeship programs alongside Llyn Roberts, since studying with her in the 1990s. She is certified in Peruvian shamanic approaches, as a Traditional and Karuna Reiki Master, in Advanced Kolaimni Healing, and Forrest Yoga. She teaches multiple forms of yoga at world-class holistic venues, and developed a holistic multi-disciplinary program for teens at New Hampshire’s Mountain Valley Treatment Center. Stacey has been teaching Shamanic Reiki training programs at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY for over a decade. As an OMEC board member, she introduces the work and mission of "OMEC" to Shamanic Reiki workshop participants and apprentices, helps to raise funds to support its indigenous projects, and supports textile sales for Mayan Women Weavers at the annual Shamanic Reiki Master Practitioner program at Omega. Stacey oversees the integration of SRW programs with OMEC's Earth-honoring values. |
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Special OMEC Video HEARTH Circles
Jonathan Hammond Jonathan is an Interfaith Minister and a healing practitioner in private practice in Maui, Hawaii. He is a core faculty member of Shamanic Reiki Worldwide and a graduate of the Foundation For Shamanic Studies. He teaches Earth-honoring workshops privately and at through One Spirit Learning Alliance, facilitates spiritual retreats all over the world and has been a frequent guest on Huffington Post Live. He is a graduate of the Harvard ART Institute, holds a BFA from the University of Michigan and is an award-winning actor. For many years Jonathan, with Emily Wallace, facilitated the popular monthly shamanic gathering, co-sponsored by OMEC and One Spirit. Both organizations are supported by donations from the well-attended circle. Jonathan is the author of The Shaman's Mind. |
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Director of the Vernooykill Living Land Project
Christopher Franza, RN Christopher has been a Registered Nurse since 1994 and a Traditional Reiki Master since 1998. He is a core faculty member of Shamanic Reiki Worldwide. He has completed the Heart of Warriorship, The Sacred Path, and the Shambhala School of Buddhist studies programs and attended Warriors Assembly in 2010. He has studied Wilderness and Primitive skills at The Jack Mountain Bushcraft school, the Mountain Scout school, and WildEarth where he completed the yearlong apprenticeship and intern program focusing on nature awareness for children. He has also completed the yearlong Ancient Art of Awareness program under Michael Ridolfo at New Paltz Wilderness Mind. An avid outdoors person, he loves his “dirt time” and enjoys exploring the Catskill, Shawangunk, and Adirondack mountain areas. |
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Director of OMEC's HEARTH Projects
Debbie Philp Debbie is the owner and director of True North Yoga, with two locations in New York’s Adirondack Park. She trains and mentors yoga teachers. Debbie is a graduate of the Shamanic Reiki Master Teacher and Life Empowerment (SRMT) program and is a graduate of the advanced course of study, the Evolving Master Teacher (EV2) program with Shamanic Reiki Worldwide. She holds a certification in holistic wellness coaching from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and is an Usui Reiki Master. Debbie received a bachelors degree in accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She facilitates online HEARTH Circles that donates all proceeds to OMEC. |
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Assisting Manager of the Vernooykill Living Land Project
Karen Franza Karen is a Licensed Clinical Laboratory Technologist who holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She lives with her husband Christopher Franza in the Catskill mountains in the State of New York where her family has lived and befriended the land for six generations. An avid hiker, Karen finds every footstep on these lands to be a blessing. A traditional Reiki Master since 1998 she has been enriching her path through Shamanic Reiki Worldwide yearlong programs. She is currently enrolled in the Shamanic Reiki Worldwide Evolving Master Teacher program, EV2. Karen is trained in the Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies where she took her Refuge Vows. An ardent nature lover, digging in the garden in the company of Honeybee sisters is a space of great joy for Karen. |
advisors & cONTRIBUTOrs
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Nonprofit and Financial Advisor
V. Peter Traphagen Peter, a Certified Public Accountant and Financial Planner, is the co-founder of the New Jersey CPA Help Center and the Financial Literacy Committee. He serves on the Board of Directors of Bergen Community College Foundation, New Jersey World Trade Center Scholarship Fund Board of Trustees, and is President of Share USA, providing benefits to the financially and medically destitute. Peter received the 2004 Medallion Award from the Bergen Community College Foundation recognizing his longstanding commitment to the community. Peter and the New Jersey Help Center received a special award from the Volunteer Center of Bergen County for extraordinary service to families affected by the World Trade Center disaster. |
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Nonprofit Advisor
Bill Pfeiffer Bill is the founder of Sacred Earth Network (SEN) which continues to implement leading edge visions for over 25 years. Bill has traveled to Russia 44 times assisting the environmental and indigenous movements through SEN. This has given him a rare cross-cultural perspective. He has led hundreds of spiritual ecology workshops, has 25 years of experience in Re-evaluation Counseling and Vipassana meditation, and extensive training with Siberian shamans. Bill has partnered with and designed experiential workshops with Joanna Macy, John Seed and other notable teachers. He leads transformational journeys to Siberia and the US Southwest. His book, Wild Earth, Wild Soul: A Manual for an Ecstatic Culture has been met with high acclaim. |
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Filmmaker and Videographer
Mitch Mattraw Mitch is the applauded videographer of cabfare productions in the Pacific Northwest, who has carved a unique niche in the crowded wedding film industry. Known for his wholly original style, as an independent filmmaker of many years, he has also produced award winning branding films for businesses, web films for emerging companies, documentaries and films for non-profit organizations and many narrative shorts. Mitch produced the creative action alert video: The Olympic Peninsula is not for Electromagnetic Warfare Training. He is OMEC's videographer, and has served as Sacred Travel Team member for the Guatemala trip and support team for the Hoh Rainforest Wild Wisdom Retreats with Llyn Cedar Roberts. |
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Pillar Point Project Assisting Manager
Vic Ferry' Vic was raised in the Pacific Northwest. He has owned a floor covering business with green and sustainable design options in his youth. Later, with his beloved, Lori Ferry’ he lived for a time in Costa Rica - among the locals, immersed in community, land and nature. He is Reiki II attuned in the Usui Tradition. He loves to play, cook, to help people and to hold a healing space for others. A charismatic volunteer auctioneer who has raised funds for various charity organizations, he plays in Chef John Howie’s annual ‘The Kick Hunger Challenge Celebrity Poker Event’. Vic finds great joy in nature. He is on the support team for the Wild Wisdom Retreats and advises OMEC on fund raising avenues. |
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Storytelling from the Earth Facilitator
Michelle Adam Michelle is a published author, storyteller, teacher, magazine writer, and healer. Her recent project, a children’s book series, awakens in children the magic of our earth and inspires them to become active lovers and stewards of the earth. Her first series story, Adventures with Duende in the Ocean, was published in 2021 using the Kamishibai storytelling format shared with children in Japanese parks in the 1930s. Her second story, Adventures with Duende in the Forest, was published in 2022. She has presented these stories in multiple storytelling events and has offered storytelling workshops for children and adults. Michelle's novel, Child of Duende: A Journey of the Spirit (2016) was performed by her to Flamenco music internationally, and is published in English as well as Spanish and Portuguese languages. Michelle teaches Spanish in public schools and has studied shamanism, energy healing, Reiki, and indigenous teachings with Martin Prechtel. She has also joined native Kiva ceremonies and offered sacred singing circles in her home of New Mexico. Her passion is to inspire a deep and indigenous connection to ourselves and the earth. |
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Sign up for the Olympic Mountain EarthWisdom Circle "OMEC" newsletter below to receive inspiring monthly essays and news from both us and our sister organization Shamanic Reiki Worldwide. We thank you in advance for your Earth-honoring efforts by offering you a free guided shamanic journey by Llyn Cedar Roberts, when you sign up. From our hearts to yours! The OMEC Team.
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