Plenary Faculty and Discussants
Plenary faculty deliver lectures and are available to answer attendee questions throughout the week, often leading breakout sessions and participating in panel discussions. Their lectures expand on the week’s theme, deepening and broadening our shared knowledge from a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and disciplines. The faculty includes scientists, researchers, contemplative practitioners, scholars, changemakers and teachers from a variety of disciplines. ( More to be updated as we confirm faculty soon! )
Natalie Avalos, PhD
Convening Faculty
Natalie Avalos is as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ethnic Studies and Affiliate Faculty in the Religious Studies and Women and Gender Studies Departments at the University of … MORE
sujatha baliga
Restorative Justice Facilitator
Convening Faculty
sujatha baliga’s work is characterized by an equal dedication to people who’ve experienced and caused harm and violence. A former victim advocate and public defender, sujatha is a frequent guest … MORE
Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD
University of Massachusetts
Fellow, Founding Steward
Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D. is Professor of Medicine emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where he founded the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society (in 1995), … MORE
Ann S. Masten, PhD
Convening Faculty
Ann Masten, Ph.D., is a Regents Professor, Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Development and Distinguished McKnight University Professor at the Institute of Child Development in the College of Education … MORE
Lonnie and Sandy Phillips
Survivors Empowered
Convening Faculty
Lonnie and Sandy founded Survivors Empowered after their 24 year old daughter was violently slaughtered in a mass shooting. They have responded to over 23 mass shooting and have worked … MORE
Amit Bernstein, Ph.D.
University of Haifa
Convening Faculty, Grantee, Planning Committee Member, Reviewer
Amit Bernstein (Co-Chair), PhD, is a Professor of Psychology, Director of the Observing Minds Lab at the University of Haifa, and member of the Israel Young Academy. Amit is interested … MORE
Fadel Zeidan, PhD
University of California San Diego
Convening Faculty, Fellow, Grantee, Planning Committee Member, Research and Programs Council Member, Reviewer
Fadel Zeidan (2023 SRI PPC Co-Chair) is an associate professor in the Department of Anesthesiology. He currently holds leadership positions in the UCSD Center for Integrative Health, UCSD Psychedelic Research … MORE
Robin Nusslock, PhD
Northwestern University
Convening Faculty, Fellow, Reviewer
I am an Associate Professor of Psychology at Northwestern University where I direct the Affective & Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory. My research program uses the tools of human neuroscience to study … MORE
Tony Chambers, PhD
Center for Healthy Minds, University of Madison Wisconsin
Convening Faculty
Tony Chambers is the Director of Equity, Inclusion and Innovation at the Center for Healthy Minds. Tony also serves as a Senior Instructor in the department of Counseling Psychology for … MORE
Contemplative Faculty
Contemplative faculty guide participants through practices that integrate their first-person experience with themes being explored, interspersing contemplative art and practice sessions with free time for personal reflection. In addition to daily practice, the contemplative faculty lead the retreat time.
Willa Blythe Baker, PhD
Natural Dharma Fellowship
Convening Faculty
Willa Blythe Baker, PhD, is the Founder and Spiritual Director of Natural Dharma Fellowship in Boston, MA and its retreat center Wonderwell Mountain Refuge in Springfield, NH. She was authorized … MORE
Peter Wayne, PhD
Harvard Medical School
Convening Faculty, Fellow
Peter Wayne, PhD, is a researcher and practitioner in the field of mind-body and integrative medicine. Dr. Wayne is the Bernard Osher Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School … MORE
Kritee Kanko, PhD
Convening Faculty
Kritee (dharma name Kanko) is a climate scientist, Zen priest, Educator & founding spiritual teacher of Boundless in Motion. She is an ordained teacher in the Rinzai Zen lineage of Cold … MORE
Te Martin, Song-leader
Convening Faculty
Te Martin (they/them) is a song-keeper and ritual artist based on Southern Pomo, Graton Rancheria, and Me-Wuk land in sebastopol, california. They facilitate oral tradition singing classes and workshops that … MORE
Program Planning Committee
The Program Planning Committee (PPC) is a committee of invited specialists from diverse disciplines and perspectives who bring their expertise to curate and produce the content of the conference. In addition to developing the overall theme and narrative arc of the program, the members of the PPC actively participate and serve in leadership and plenary roles throughout the conference.
Amit Bernstein, Ph.D.
University of Haifa
Convening Faculty, Grantee, Planning Committee Member, Reviewer
Amit Bernstein (Co-Chair), PhD, is a Professor of Psychology, Director of the Observing Minds Lab at the University of Haifa, and member of the Israel Young Academy. Amit is interested … MORE
Fadel Zeidan, PhD
University of California San Diego
Convening Faculty, Fellow, Grantee, Planning Committee Member, Research and Programs Council Member, Reviewer
Fadel Zeidan (2023 SRI PPC Co-Chair) is an associate professor in the Department of Anesthesiology. He currently holds leadership positions in the UCSD Center for Integrative Health, UCSD Psychedelic Research … MORE
Ed Taylor, PhD
University of Washington
Planning Committee Member, Research and Programs Council Chair, Research and Programs Council Member
Dr. Ed Taylor is vice provost and dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs at the University of Washington where he oversees educational opportunities that advance and deepen the undergraduate academic experience. … MORE
Erin McCarthy, PhD
Research Consultant, Mind & Life Institute; St. Lawrence University
Convening Faculty, Fellow, Planning Committee Member
Erin McCarthy (she/her) is a professor, speaker, author, mindfulness coach, philosophical counselor, and parent of twin teenagers. After completing her undergraduate degree in French and Philosophy at Trent University, she … MORE
