Since 2017, iBme has been engaged in shifting our organizational structure, moving away from a typical hierarchical, top-down power structure which ultimately ends with the Executive Director being the primary decision-maker, and managers making decisions and having their reporting staff carry out those decisions. iBme has instead shifted to a Collaborative Leadership System with shared decision-making, meaning that staff distributes decisions based on each person’s roles and responsibilities, willingness, and resources. This collaborative decision making also extends to a network of committees and the Board, that work with the staff to set strategies and make decisions. This process is supported by robust systems of feedback, resource, and information flows, which also extends out to include retreat staff and volunteers.
Staff
David Macek Development & Business Strategy
Since 2007, David has led dynamic organizations dedicated to personal and social transformation. His diverse experience has spanned retreat and spiritual centers, online action platforms, and various educational settings. In his most recent role, David was Executive Director of Ecochallenge.org, a digital nonprofit that activates sustainability solutions in schools, communities, and businesses. From middle schools to Fortune 100 companies, 4,500+ organizations in 139 countries have taken 2+ million actions through the Ecochallenge Platform.Prior to Ecochallenge.org, he worked with PassageWorks Institute, a leader in supporting school communities to become places of connection, compassion, equity, and excellence. PassageWorks’ professional learning programs include a suite of evidenced-based mindfulness programs designed specifically for faculty and staff working in ECE-12 settings. David holds a BS in Mathematics and Economics from Stonehill College and an MA in Environmental Leadership from Naropa University, an interdisciplinary, contemplative-based program. He is a “retired” yoga instructor and a meditation practitioner of 15+ years. David lives with his wife and daughter in the beautiful Chagrin Valley outside of Cleveland, Ohio.
Frances Ku Brand, Marketing, & Content
For the last 10 years, Frances has dedicated her career to serving mission-based organizations ranging in social justice, wellness, and sustainability causes. Joining the iBme Collaborative Leadership team in the Brand, Marketing, Content role further intensifies her passion to make the world not just a better place, but a more mindful and compassionate home for all. She holds Bachelors in Design and Business Management from Juniata College and a Certificate in Communication Design from Pacific Northwest College of Art, contributing her skills in graphic design, content marketing, and brand strategy to every workplace she enters. Outside of her professional world, Frances likes to spend her time with her husband/BFFL, Chris, and pup/BFFL, Barry, in both England and the States. She devotes her life also to being close to her family, learning about her heritage, cooking Chinese + Taiwanese food, practicing sustainable habits, growing tiny vegetable gardens, fostering animals, and, most recently, running for fun. Her 10-year plan includes building an Earthship with her own two hands and starting an animal sanctuary.
Jennifer Heitel Operations & Finance
Jen feels grateful to have been involved with iBme since 2015, serving as a retreat manager, mentor, and Health Coordinator for Northeast and online retreats. Jen is a passionate public health leader with 18 years experience in policy, advocacy, and project management in the non-profit sector and academia. She has spent her career focused on sexual and reproductive health, justice, and rights and adolescent health and wellbeing. As an independent consultant, Jen is the Coordinating Consultant for the Future of Sex Education initiative and for the Sex Education Collaborative. Previously, Jen was Director of Special Projects in the Department of Population and Family Health at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Prior to that, Jen served as Director of Public Policy at SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change and State Policy Coordinator at Advocates for Youth.Ms. Heitel holds an MPH from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, with a certificate in Sexuality, Sexual and Reproductive Health, and a BA in International Affairs and a concentration in International Women’s Studies from George Washington University. A resident of Harlem in New York City, Jen regularly volunteers at Community League of The Heights’ Food Pantry.
Sarah Wrean Programs & Registration
Sarah is currently responsible for management of all program activities and logistics, and works with Tonya on program strategy and new program development. Sarah works with retreat centers, staff teams, and families to ensure retreats run smoothly and is grateful to be able to contribute to this work. Sarah truly believes that the best way to prepare humanity for the challenges ahead is to help teens discover compassion, inner wisdom, and authentic connection. Sarah has spent the past 11 years working in administration and fundraising for mission-driven nonprofits. Sarah received a BA and MA in Government and Comparative Politics from Connecticut College and then Northeastern University, and focused her studies on the intersection of politics and gender through a feminist lens. Sarah spent formative time as a teen in the White Mountains at an outdoors and wilderness camp, which was the catalyst for wanting to join a similar organization. When Sarah isn’t planning retreats, she can be found singing, gardening, snuggling her four fur babies, hiking with her wife, and devouring all the live music she can!
Tom Rocco Outreach, Marketing & Communications
Tom is a career marketing professional possessing rich and varied experience with top-notch organizations, many in the non-profit arena. Immediately prior to joining iBme, Tom spent almost five years leading Marketing for Rhode Island School of Design’s Continuing Education Division. Prior to that, Tom was the first Vice President of Marketing for Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, participating in re-branding the center, as well as, establishing many of the marketing processes and systems that are still being used today. In addition to Kripalu, Tom has consulted with a wide range of retreat centers, both domestic and international. He has an MBA in Marketing from Adelphi University. At iBme, he is responsible for recruitment for program participant growth and retention for all programs; building strong and authentic relationships with strategic partners; creating impactful and authentic communications and marketing campaigns; and managing regional outreach coordinators, consultants and vendors. As a decades-long practitioner of yoga and meditation, Tom embraces iBme’s mission and is dedicated to making a positive impact.
Tonya Jones Program Strategy, Equity & Community Engagement
Tonya has spent the past 17 years working in the public sector driven by a strong commitment to social justice and equity, collective healing and building stronger, compassionate communities. Before joining iBme, Tonya was the Los Angeles Director at the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), a national organization that provides transitional work and permanent job services to the formerly incarcerated. At CEO, she was responsible for overseeing and supporting a diverse staff of 20, along with program development and management, community partnerships, fiscal oversight and working collaboratively with national fund and business development teams. Tonya is a certified mindfulness facilitator (UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior). She is a mentor for UCLA’s Intensive Practice Program, teaching assistant for UCLA’s Mindfulness and Theory course, guest teacher at InsightLA’s POC sangha, and has lectured and facilitated at numerous educational institutions and organizations. Tonya holds a BA from Howard University, MFA from Columbia University, and serves on the UC Irvine Advisory Board for the Customer Experience Certificate Program.
Board
Anthony Sartori Equity & Interdependence Committee Board Representative
Anthony strives to bring people together. After earning a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Maryland, Anthony led mindfulness programs at an outpatient clinic for youth with mental health challenges. He is a graduate of Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield’s two-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Program. In March of 2020, he launched Evolving Minds with a purpose: to connect. He’s raised over $20,000, developed impactful mental health programming for students, educators, and businesses, and has graduated over 400 alumni. He currently leads the development of mindfulness content for health care workers with Vitalize, a digital wellness platform, and sits on the Mental Health America Young Adult Leader Council.
David Macek Treasurer, Finance & Legal Committee Board Representative (Interim)
Since 2007, David has led dynamic organizations dedicated to personal and social transformation. His diverse experience has spanned retreat and spiritual centers, online action platforms, and various educational settings. In his most recent role, David was Executive Director of Ecochallenge.org, a digital nonprofit that activates sustainability solutions in schools, communities, and businesses. From middle schools to Fortune 100 companies, 4,500+ organizations in 139 countries have taken 2+ million actions through the Ecochallenge Platform.Prior to Ecochallenge.org, he worked with PassageWorks Institute, a leader in supporting school communities to become places of connection, compassion, equity, and excellence. PassageWorks’ professional learning programs include a suite of evidenced-based mindfulness programs designed specifically for faculty and staff working in ECE-12 settings. David holds a BS in Mathematics and Economics from Stonehill College and an MA in Environmental Leadership from Naropa University, an interdisciplinary, contemplative-based program. He is a “retired” yoga instructor and a meditation practitioner of 15+ years. David lives with his wife and daughter in the beautiful Chagrin Valley outside of Cleveland, Ohio.
Falcon Laina Youth Advisory Committee Board Representative
I attended an iBme retreat in 2018, and experienced such welcoming like I never had before in any place. Since then I have considered the iBme community to be my spiritual family, and I’ll never miss a chance to give back to this community that has done so much for me. I am especially interested in relational mindfulness and the ways it can be employed to foster healthier learning environments, systems of leadership and societal infrastructure.
Jacqui Clay Board President, Systems Committee Board Representative
Board President, Equity and Interdependence Committee Member Photo: Path at Insight Meditation Center
Jennifer Heitel Secretary, Staff Board Representative
Jen feels grateful to have been involved with iBme since 2015, serving as a retreat manager, mentor, and Health Coordinator for Northeast and online retreats. Jen is a passionate public health leader with 18 years experience in policy, advocacy, and project management in the non-profit sector and academia. She has spent her career focused on sexual and reproductive health, justice, and rights and adolescent health and wellbeing. As an independent consultant, Jen is the Coordinating Consultant for the Future of Sex Education initiative and for the Sex Education Collaborative. Previously, Jen was Director of Special Projects in the Department of Population and Family Health at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Prior to that, Jen served as Director of Public Policy at SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change and State Policy Coordinator at Advocates for Youth.Ms. Heitel holds an MPH from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, with a certificate in Sexuality, Sexual and Reproductive Health, and a BA in International Affairs and a concentration in International Women’s Studies from George Washington University. A resident of Harlem in New York City, Jen regularly volunteers at Community League of The Heights’ Food Pantry.
Mark Wax Teacher Advisory Committee Board Representative
Mark Wax is deeply grateful to be working with iBme. Mark has been a sincere student of many meditative arts for the last 15 years. He has worked for Yoga International, The Himalayan Institute, and Spirit Rock Meditation Center. He recently completed his 500-hour yoga teacher certification through Spirit Rock’s Mindful Yoga and Meditation Training.
Taeya Boi-Doku Youth Advisory Committee Board Representative
Taeya first began meditating at 13, her freshman year in high school. After having such an introspective experience, she continued on to take extracurricular workshops on Loving-kindness and Guiding practices. She ventured out to one of iBme’s summer programs and really elevated her practice to a new height. From these experiences blossomed a love for meditation and mindfulness that she incorporates in her daily life. She now helps lead an introductory mindfulness course at her school as well as being a member of the iBme Board.
