Board of Directors
Llyn Cedar Roberts, MA Founder and President
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Llyn Cedar Roberts has over two decades of nonprofit experience and has facilitated experiential educational seminars for thousands of people at prominent holistic educational institutes, colleges, universities, and around the globe. Llyn has taught at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck NY for over twenty years. She is is a mentor for the Transformational Travel Council, was consultant to the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth Sustainability Initiative and the non-profit, Earth Train, dedicated to the preservation of indigenous culture and the rainforests of Panama. 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, interning alongside a curandera in a Mexican-American community. She studied World Issues at the School for International Training, interning in India. The celebrated author of multiple award winning books, including Speaking with Nature, co-authored with Sandra Ingerman, she has facilitated sacred journeys to work with indigenous shamanic people in the Amazon and Andes of Ecuador, in Tuva, Siberia, and in the Maya-lands of Guatemala, for over twenty years. She was initiated into shamanic circles by Andean and Siberian elders and lived in the Hoh Rainforest for two years.
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Marilyn Dexter, Co-Founder
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Marilyn Dexter is the cofounder of OMEC. She is a previous board of director's member and board secretary for six years, since the organization's inception 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 point person and logistical director of Earth honoring transformational programs with Llyn Cedar Roberts (and John Perkins), spanning more than 15 years. She also co-facilitated study 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 years before it was incepted.
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Jeff, Eissfeldt, MBA, Vice President
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Director of Women Weavers Project and Mayan Sacred Fire Fund
Jeff Eissfeldt is a graduate of the Shamanic Reiki Master-Teacher (SRMT) Certification and Life Empowerment Program and its Evolving SRMT programs, EV1 and Ev2. He also holds certifications in Qi Gong healing and Integrated Energy Therapy. He 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 Orinda, CA and an MBA from Michigan State University. He has worked in corporate finance for over 15 years and is honored to bring his business acumen to oversee the executive aspects of OMEC’s financial operations. Jeff is a committee member for the Johnny Moses Project and the Mayan Sacred Fire Project, and is a core team member of Shamanic Reiki Worldwide. |
Lis Traphagen, MA, LCSW Vice President
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Director of Maya Women Weavers Project and Guatemala Sacred Travel Team Director
Lis Traphagen has been a licensed clinical social worker and practicing psychotherapist for 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 graduate of the Shamanic Reiki Master Teacher certification and Life Empowerment program (SRMT) and Shamanic Reiki Worldwide's EV1 and EV2 programs. She is now a faculty team member for SRMT and co-faculty for the EV2 Evolving Master Teacher training program. Lis is certified as an End of Life Doula and certified as an SBEM empowerment coach and therapist. In addition to her involvement as director of the Mayan Women Weavers Project, Lis is on OMEC's website and social media team and she is the director of the Sacred Travel Team for the annual Guatemala trip. |
Lori Ferry', Board Secretary
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Director of Pillar Point and HEARTH Projects, Facilitator of Wild Wisdom Retreats
Lori Ferry' Lori is a Shamanic Reiki Master Teacher (EV2 Level) and a Traditional Reiki Master, Reiki Crystal Practitioner and a Core Shamanism student. She holds deep reverence for the Earth and nature, as well as indigenous based healing approaches. She facilitates Mindfulness Based Meditation workshops for the University of Washington Nursing Students Programs and addiction recovery 2-year 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. She assists Lis Traphagen and supports OMEC’s Maya Women Weavers project and hosts OMEC HEARTH Circles. |
Mary Anne Battaglia, Treasurer
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Mary Anne "Mare" Battaglia, CRMT
Mare is a certified Shamanic Reiki Master Teacher and a teacher with Integrative Life Institute in Naples, Florida. She is also the Human Relations Administrator and Office Manager at James Doorcheck, Inc., an Architectural Door and Hardware distributorship, in Philadelphia, PA. Mare has served on several Boards of Directors, including acting as Vice-President of Fund Raising at St. Joseph's Preparatory School. She enjoys country dancing, hiking in the woods, and travel, most notably to the sacred Mountain of Salkantay in Peru and the highlands of Guatemala where she participated in sacred ceremonies with the Mayan elders. Mare also loves being a grandmother and delights in spending time with her beloved grandchildren Ava and Grant. |
Eben Herrick, Managing Director
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Graphic Design, Website, Social Media, Fund Raising Platforms and Strategist
Eben Herrick Eben is an award-winning artist who currently resides in the greater Seattle, WA area. 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. Eben is a talented graphic designer; 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. Eben is the son of Llyn Cedar Roberts. |
Rob Murphy, Honorary Officer
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Johnny Moses Projects, Wild Wisdom Retreats
Rob Murphy Rob is an initiated shaman in Brazilian and Ecuadorian and Celtic traditions and an ordained minister. As a core teaching faculty member for Shamanic Reiki Worldwide Rob is engaged with the SRMT as well as the Evolving master teacher programs. He founded the Richmond Shamanic Meetup and Drum Circle and is a core member of the NY Shamanic Circle. Rob offers earth-based programs in the United States and abroad, as well as sacred journeys to indigenous elders in South America. Regression therapy is an integral part of Rob’s shamanic healing practice. He is also a graduate of the Shift Network’s Peace Ambassador Training program. We are grateful to Rob for his past contributions as a Vice President of the board and to the officer's circle. |
EXTENDED Board
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Stacey Gibbons
Stacey holds a Master Certification in Traditional Reiki and has studied extensively with shamanic teachers of diverse backgrounds. She has taught traditional and Shamanic Reiki since studying with Llyn Roberts in the 1990s. She previously owned and directed a yoga studio, and currently teaches multiple forms of yoga, including Earth Sky and Forrest Yoga. She has taught Shamanic Reiki and other Earth-honoring programs at the Omega Institute, Rhinebeck, NY for many years and is the cofounder of Shamanic Reiki Worldwide, "SRW". Stacey supports and solicits funds for all of OMEC's projects and promotes its mission at her SRW workshops, and she oversees the integration SRW programs with OMEC's Earth-honoring values. |
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Jonathan Hammond
Jonathan is an Interfaith Minister and a healing practitioner in private practice in New York City. 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 the One Spirit Learning Alliance in New York City, 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. Jonathan, with Emily Wallace, facilitates a popular monthly NYC shamanic gathering (HEARTH), co-sponsored by OMEC and One Spirit. Both organizations are supported by donations from the well-attended circle. |
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Director of Land Stewardship Project
Christopher Franza, RN Christopher has been a Registered Nurse since 1994 and a Traditional Reiki Master since 1998. He is a graduate of the Shamanic Reiki Master Teacher and Life Empowerment program and the EV1 and EV2 advanced courses of study. He assists and serves as faculty in SRW programs. 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, Mountain Scout school, and WildEarth where he completed the yearlong apprenticeship/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 currently enrolled in 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. |
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Emily Wallace
Emily is a Shamanic Reiki Master Teacher, Intuitive Energy Healer, and Certified Hypnotherapist in private practice in New York City. In addition to her training in Reiki and Shamanic Healing, Emily also studied Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Ericksonian and Kappasinian Hypnosis, Emotional Freedom Technique, Dream Therapy, Past Life Regression, and Chakra Balancing. She received her B.A. in Education from Manhattanville College and graduated from the HMI College of Hypnotherapy. She facilitates a variety of workshops and trainings, including the monthly One Spirit Shamanic Circle with Jonathan Hammond. As a core faculty member for Shamanic Reiki Worldwide, she teaches all levels fo Shamanic Reiki. |
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Director of the Mayan Healing Book Project
Crystal Hawks Crystal is a Shamanic Reiki practitioner, certified yoga teacher, and communications strategist in Raleigh, NC. She is enrolled in the Shamanic Reiki Master Teacher and Life Empowerment Program (SRMT) and participated in OMEC’s sacred journey to the Guatemala Highlands. She holds an MA in Communication Studies and a BA in English and Communication Studies. Crystal has worked in communication leadership roles across academia and business, and in the community. Her personal healing journey has been greatly influenced by creative expression through writing, a deep connection with nature, and indigenous-based wisdom. She is deeply passionate about sharing the healing power of the natural world and shifting from a materialistic society to one that lives in harmony with the Earth. She and her husband, Matthew Hawks, contribute to this vision by building their urban homestead and supporting the mission of OMEC. |
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Content Co-Writer
Sayre Herrick Sayre is a certified Shamanic Reiki practitioner and has assisted and participated in transformational programs with Llyn Roberts for over 15 years. Since 2008, she has worked on land restoration sites, permaculture projects, and organic gardens in Olympia, WA, Seattle, WA, and Portland, OR. Sayre holds a B.A. from The Evergreen State College and has trained in wilderness therapy, Ayurveda, creative writing, and Vipassana meditation. She completed the 2-year program, Understanding Personal Energy, in Seattle, WA, and is currently a student at the Seattle Reflexology and Massage Center. Sayre is the daughter of Llyn Roberts. |
advisors & committee members
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Nonprofit Advisor and Financial Consultant
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 and Fundraising 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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Film and Videography
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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Mayan Women Weavers Project
Maryan Hoelzer, MSW Maryan is a graduate of the Shamanic Reiki Master Teacher and Life Empowerment Program, a Certified Yoga Teacher, and an ordained minister. She has a private practice as an Intuitive Energy Healer in Nyack NY. She achieved her Bachelors degree in Philosophy and Psychology, and was a Conservator of Art for 20 years, before attending Fordham University Graduate School and becoming a Licensed Master Social Worker. Maryan then received post graduate training at The Gestalt Associates for Psychotherapy in NYC and worked as a psychotherapist. |
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Fundraising Advisor and 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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Mayan Healing and Mayan Culture Book Project Assisting Manager
Matthew Hawks Matthew’s formal training is in structural engineering. As a licensed professional engineer with an M.S. from Georgia Tech, he assisted in opening and growing the first branch office for his firm, which is the largest structural engineering company in the southeast. His participation in the construction industry led him to see a broader, societal-wide pattern of thoughtless consumption and waste at the expense of the planet. His efforts are now focused on his home and land, where he is building an urban homestead with his partner, Crystal Hawks, so that they may create a more sustainable way of life in harmony with the Earth. He has received the Level 1 & 2 Shamanic Reiki attunement and participated in OMEC’s 2020 journey to the Guatemala Highlands. |
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Nature-Inspired Writing Programs
Christina Burress, MFA Christina has 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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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.
