STAFF

Gloria Hage, Executive Director, holds a master’s degree in international relations from New York University, and an undergraduate degree in business and marketing. With Wagner Graduate School for Public Service, she studied international health policies and prospects at the World Health Organization in Geneva Switzerland, and conflict and development in The Netherlands. She has tenure in the biotechnology industry, as well as extensive non-profit experience. While executive director of Life Through Dance, Inc, she received the New York Foundation for the Arts’ Emerging Leader Award, and spearheaded the documentary film INTO SUNLIGHT, which explores how a non-fiction book about war and protest, inspired a dance-work that profoundly impacted audiences world wide. Her articles have appeared in the African Anthropologist, published by the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa, and the World Policy Institute’s Arts-Policy Nexus Publication.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Father Michael Lapsley, Founder  Michael Lapsley, born in New Zealand, joined the Society of the Sacred Mission and was sent to South Africa in 1973. There he became active in the anti-apartheid movement, ultimately joining the African National Congress. After surviving an assassination attempt, he returned from exile to found the Institute for Healing of Memories in Cape Town.

Linda L. Rich, Chairperson Linda Rich, DCSW, LSW, CSAC makes her home in Honolulu, has been on the board for four years, is a HOM facilitator, and coordinates IHOM-NA’s work in Hawaii. Her social work career of 35 years has included clinical and administrative roles in mental health and substance abuse treatment.  Linda is a member of a Just Peace, Open and Affirming United Church of Christ congregation, Church of the Crossroads.

Paul Feuerstein, Treasurer is the President/CEO of Barrier Free Living.  Paul was instrumental not only in creating a partnership between Healing of Memories and Barrier Free Living.  He was also the founding chair of the board of the Institute for Healing of Memories-NA.

Bob Coen is an award-winning filmmaker and journalist who has spent more than 30 years bringing attention to the global struggles for social justice. Growing up in Zimbabwe he began documenting the post-colonial and anti-apartheid struggles of southern Africa and went on to become CNN’s roaming Africa correspondent for more than a decade, covering conflicts across the continent. In 1997 he was awarded the Prix Bayeux for best television war correspondent for his coverage of the Liberian civil war. Since 2001 he has concentrated on investigative documentaries focusing on the geo-politics of the 21st Century which have been screened internationally by the world’s leading broadcasters and recognized with several awards. Bob also works as a communications consultant and media advisor for UNICEF and other UN agencies in their humanitarian and emergency efforts around the world

Annalisa Jackson works as the United Nations office coordinator for the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, an organization working toward more inclusive and sustainable practices in international peace and reconciliation. Though originally from the United States, she spent the majority of her life in Macedonia and now resides in New York City. Annalisa holds a Master’s degree in Muslim studies and advocates for intercultural and inter-religious understanding within her community. She also organizes dance and fitness workshops that bring diverse women together to promote health and wellness in their communities.

James Lewis is a fund and grant development professional for non-profit organizations and higher education institutions.  He served as the first Executive Director of the Minnesota 4-H Foundation.

Mayowa Obasaju, PhD is a trauma and healing focused, clinical and community psychologist, trainer, and educator who was born in Nigeria and currently lives in NYC. She works as an Assistant Adjunct Faculty member at John Jay School of Criminal Justice and serves a supervisor at Wediko Children’s Services-NY Based programs. Mayowa works with community based organizations to integrate spirituality with healing from various forms and levels of trauma, develop programs and curriculum, name and oppose intersectional oppression, and to develop anti-oppressive, social justice oriented interventions, centering the lived experiences of woman of color.

EMERITUS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mary Lanning is a founding member of our Board of Directors. She is President of ML&G Associates, a lobbying and government relations firm, and is a regulatory consultant and compliance advisor in the U.S. commercial insurance and financial sectors. She is Vice-Chair of Boys Hope Girls Hope New York and President of YES!Solutions, Inc., a grassroots community-building charity based in Harlem.

Margaret Fell is the Regional Coordinator for the Institute for Healing of Memories in Minnesota. She has worked with Fr. Michael Lapsley and the Institute for Healing of Memories since 2007. She was one of the founding members of a working group of the Minnesota’s Warrior to Citizen Campaign, which has offered Healing of Memories workshops for veterans since 2009.  She served as Chair of the Institute for Healing of Memories-North America from 2011- 2014 and has been a Healing of Memories workshop facilitator since 2011, and Lead Facilitator since 2014. Margaret is an Episcopal priest. She holds a BA degree from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary/Seabury Western Theological Seminary. The focus of her ministry is working with Healing of Memories workshops.

 Stephen Karakashian

After her son, Greg, died in the attacks on the World Trade Center, Phyllis Rodriguez and her husband wrote an open letter, “Not In Our Son’s Name,” opposing military retaliation. They became founders of September 11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows. A documentary about the Rodríguezes, “In Our Son’s Name,” has screened nationally. After attending a workshop in 2006, Phyllis became a Healing of Memories coordinator.

Ruby Sprott

In Memory

Jerry V. Diller is Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychology at The Wright Institute, Berkeley, California where he has taught courses on cultural diversity, cross-cultural service delivery, and the history of psychology. He has lectured and written extensively including Ancient Roots and Modern Meanings, Freud’s Jewish Identity about Freud, Jews, and psychology, and Cultural Diversity: A Primer for the Human Services.