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Local Texas Bioneers 2007 Plenary Speakers (On Site in Houston)

CHRISTIAN CHERNOCK:  "Spiral Dynamics Integral: Applications for Sustainability"
Christian will present an overview of Integral and Spiral Dynamics theory and why it is a radically different methodology for solving contemporary problems. Sharing his experiences from interacting with some of the most gifted Integral minds and explaining how these ideas are being applied in a variety of different fields, Christian will focus on sustainability and highlight the most common mistakes people make when approaching sustainable endeavors.

Christian has a Masters in Transpersonal Psychology and is trained in Spiral Dynamics and Integral Theory. These ideas provide effective models to understand people’s motives and behaviors in social, business, and political environments. He has done research on their application in large scale systems change for the domestic home building industry and professionally utilizes these ideas as a Green real estate developer. These experiences have shaped his commitment to community outreach and self development.

ROBERT CUNNINGHAM & CHRIS DICKSON:  "Drum Circling Basics and World Beat – An Ongoing Drum Circle"
Come learn how to turn the basics of drumming into music that is beyond the ability of the individual players.  Experience a group of total strangers becoming one to create music that organicaly changes and grows in its own.

Currently an elementary science coach in Humble, Texas, Robert received a MS in Science Teaching from Rice University and a BS of Music from UT Arlington. Chris received an MS in Music Education from University of Rochester, New York, and is currently an elementary music teacher in Aldine and Director of Percussion One's elementary hand-drumming program at Montgomery College.

ANDREW ROYAL DUGAS: "Little Yoga for Big Change: How A Few Simple Physical Postures Can Change How Much You Can Appreciate Your Life"
Andrew Royal Dugas first came to yoga through his music studies at Rice University in 1997. His very unique style of teaching is a result of a combination of passionate inquiry into Yoga and a distinct influence from his teacher and friend, Robert Boustany, and allows for an appropriate class for absolutely anyone, at any level, at any point in their life. The atmosphere is inclusive, non-judgmental, open, informative, and empowering.   www.royalyogastudio.com

LIZA ELY, M.S, INGRID MARTINE, M.A., and DIANA PETROCHELLI: “Creating a Sustainable Human Presence on Spaceship Earth: The Pachamama Alliance Symposium – Awakening the Dreamer; Changing the Dream”
Our planetary crisis is worse than many of us know. Our planetary response is better than many of us know. Who might be our most valuable (and least visible) partners to support us in awakening from the consumer driven trance? How can we get on board? What do we need to know that we "don't know we don't know?" Is there an interconnectedness among environmental and social justice and the spiritual crises of our time? This is an introduction to this new perspective and can connect people to a powerful, global movement to reclaim our future. It may very well be that creating a sustainable future, rather than enduring loss, sacrifice, and pain, is everything we've ever wanted.

Liza Ely, M.S., a Licensed Professional Counselor and Life Coach, is the Founding Director and Owner of the Center of Well-Being near Tyler, Texas. She actively consults with businesses, churches, and holistic medical practices while providing workshops and training throughout the country and internationally. Liza is extremely passionate about her volunteer work with the Pachamama Alliance.

Ingrid Martine, M.A., is a lifelong educator, former management consultant, and now executive and life coach supporting successful people in attaining their goals and dreams with ease. In her volunteer capacity, she is the Texas Coordinator of the Pachamama Alliance Symposium – Awakening the Dreamer; Changing the Dream. The goal of the symposium, which is now offered in 10 countries on 3 continents reaching 25,000 people this year, is to create the critical mass that will make creating an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, and socially just human presence on the planet the guiding principle of our time. Teams to deliver the symposium in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Tyler, and Waco have been established.  www.imlifecoaching.com

Diana Petrochelli is the Director and one of the founders of CSR Alliance, Inc. Her earlier company, WORLD BRIDGE GROUP—PUENTE AL MUNDO, specialized in intercultural relations worldwide for a number of years. Ms. Petrochelli’s abilities are based on extensive post graduate studies of human behavior and communication as well as first-hand, in-depth experience of different cultures gained during her travels, living and working throughout Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, and Africa. This enables her to foster understanding between peoples from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and economic interests. This unique skill set allows her and her team of experts to implement viable economic, cultural, and ecological appropriate Permaculture systems for sustainable human settlements that benefit all stakeholders.

Ms. Petrochelli is also the founder and CEO of Peperina Foundation whose mission is “To develop ecological restoration projects that return the environment to its aliveness and balance and renew the planet in its ability to facilitate sustainable life for future generations.”

JOHN GARDNER, BSEE, PE:  "Energy Efficient Home with Solar and Wind Power, Solar Hot Water, and Rain Water Collection – A Case Study"
John will present a case study of an energy efficient home completed in 2004 in our hot and humid climate near Houston, Texas. The presentation will highlight the use of sustainable materials in a home built to integrate well with its environment, including the establishment of a wildlife management area on the property, natural landscaping, and use of building materials suited for the South Texas area. The house takes advantage of sustainable resources with the addition of rainwater collection, solar hot water, and solar and wind powered electricity generation, demonstrating the effectiveness of renewable energy products and sustainable green building materials in an affordable and comfortable home. It is an excellent example of the application of energy efficient principles in the real world.

John Gardner graduated from Texas A&I University with a BSEE and is a Professional Engineer in the State of Texas. He is a member of the American Solar Energy Society, American Wind Energy Association, the Houston Renewable Energy Group, and a board member of the Texas Solar Energy Society. John has made several presentations on renewable energy including Speaker at the Texas Renewables 2006 Conference, the 2006 Hot and Humid Symposium in Florida, and the Sustainable Urbanism Conference in College Station in April 2007.

SARAH GISH:  "Everyday Activism"
Many of us see what is happening in the world and feel helpless as we watch it unfold before our eyes. It's not always good and it's not always for the best, but we can always do something about it. Each and every one of us has the power to make changes by starting in our own backyard. Sarah will be discussing ways in which we can make those changes that will unite us in making changes together.

Sarah Gish is the owner of Gish Creative, a PR/marketing business representing mostly arts organizations and non-profits in all aspects of PR and marketing, including media exposure, graphic design, and help and awareness campaigns. A freelance writer and speaker, Sarah is the author of The Summer Book®: A Guide to Houston Day Camps and Classes for Kids and Teens, GISH PICKS, a weekly e-newsletter, and GISH AT THE MOVIES for 002+ Magazine. Sarah also presents other workshops through Gish Creative, and through glowfish enterprises™ with long-time educator Mary Ellen Wolf, a workshop called “Piecing Together Well-Rounded Global Citizens” (www.freewebs.com/glowfished) to better equip communities to raise children in today’s world. Sarah is the proud mother of two boys and is married to childhood friend Stuart Buchanan. Ms. Gish has been on the Boards of Brigid's Place at Christ Church Cathedral, Fresh Arts Coalition, and the University of Houston Women’s Studies Program.

KEN KNEZICK:  "A Coherent, Adventurous, and Rhythmic Experience"
Ken Knezick began his musical career with voice, guitar, clarinet, dance and percussion studies. During college Ken performed with the Rutgers Glee Club and Symphony Chorale. Coming to Houston, Ken performed with the Houston Balalaika Society, Ukrainian Dancers of Houston, and the Carole Shannon Belly Dancers. Today Ken teaches belly dance drumming, practices Turkish clarinet, and as co-director of Gypsy Dance Theatre, continues to explore an exotic amalgam of rhythms, music, and dance.

DR. JOE LINDLEY:  "Micromanaging the Macrocosm – Healing Yourself, Healing the Planet … How It All Works"
A natural innovator for over 26 years, Dr. Joe Lindley has made many progressive advances in natural, complimentary, and holistic healing. The author of several articles, his focus is on bridging world medicines and cultural healing with modern thought. A chiropractor, Dr. Lindley holds Diplomat status from the International Academy of Medical Acupuncture and the American Board of Chiropractic Internists. He has been a member of the International College of Applied Kinesiology since 1982. Recently, Dr. Lindley has been featured in the best selling book "Illuminations." “My goal is to help people get well, stay well and live extraordinary lives." His unique clinical work, workshops, and seminars create the potential for each of us to meet these goals.   www.drjoelindley.com

NITA LINDLEY: "Brain Gym: Move to Learn: Learn to Move"
Come and join Nita to explore simple movement activities designed to integrate all parts of the brain.

Nita Lindley is a licensed Brain Gym Instructor having taught in both private and public schools for over 30 years. She holds a Masters Degree in Education and taught in the Department of Kinesiology at Rice University for 12 years. A former professional dancer, Nita's interest lies in the connection between movement and cognition.

THIA McKANN:  "The New Tea Ceremony – Ichi-go, ichi-e “One Time, One Meeting”
With the traditional Japanese tea ceremony going on in the background, we move to the foreground and the American version, which uses all the principles of harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility.  We will discuss and demonstrate how you can create this powerful ritual in your own home by using mindfulness and connecting with the ancient knowledge.  At the end of the demonstration, we will take tea together.   www.thepathoftea.com

Our “organic only” tea shop was intentionally created for the purpose of having a place where we could connect to a simpler time when conversation was an art, and peace of body, mind, and Spirit were our main goals.  This is a place of true community.

ROBIN RATHER:  "Sustainability Trends in Regional Planning"
Robin Rather, CEO of her Austin-based company, Collective Strength, is a recognized advocate for sustainability and related policy issues.  She will discuss how sustainable regional planning will help communities lessen or avoid the devastating effects that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita had on the southern Louisiana region.

Ms. Rather is an independent consultant specializing in market research and strategy for a range of business, non-profit, and local governmental clients.  An active community leader in Austin, she is well known for her collaborative approach between business, environmental, and social equity groups.  She chairs the non-profit policy group Liveable City and serves on the Texas Advisory Board of Environmental Defense and the Board of the University of Texas Center for Sustainable Development.   www.collectivestrength.com

HALCYON REESE-LEARNED:  "Reconnecting Children with Nature: Why Play is Essential"
While the current efforts to establish wildlife habitats and butterfly gardens on school sites are a positive step towards reclaiming children's understanding of the natural world, such efforts are too often limited by an overly didactic approach and a failure to grasp the critical aspect of play.  Children's play is an evolutionary mechanism that, fostered rather than suppressed, has the power to transform the world.  Through photos and stories, we will explore the theory and emerging promising practices in Houston, the nation, and worldwide. 

Halcyon grew up in Florida before Disney World, has lived all over the United States, and now loves Houston’s music, its many cultures, and kayaking the bayous.  After an extensive career in early childhood education and developmental research, she encountered a quite different outdoor program called Adventure Play and life has never been the same since. 

MICHELE SIMMS, Ph.D.:  "Beyond Image: Creating a New Cosmology of Business"
"Sustainable business" is oft cited as the next industrial revolution leaving corporate social responsibility an inescapable priority. What is the role of business in society? How do business leaders fulfill their ethical obligation to ensure quality of life for future generations – to move beyond image to substance? This plenary will provide examples of sustainable business practices and introduce a broadened definition of sustainability that includes depth, psychology, and self-consciousness. Taken together, a new cosmology of business emerges.

Michele Simms, associate professor of management, teaches and conducts research on personal and corporate sustainability, ethics, and vocation. She is currently working with colleagues on developing business-public health partnerships as part of creating sustainable futures. Michele leads a weekly meditation group, mentors professionals in transition, and is a discussant in a monthly reading group on The Universe Story by Brian Swimme.

JOHN SPEER, Ph.D.:  "Finding Freedom with Prisoners"
Nearly 200,000 men and women are warehoused in Texas prisons.  The system does everything it can to strip prisoners of their essential humanity, and virtually nothing useful to prepare them for re-entry into society.  The creative writing workshop helps prisoners connect with one another and with people in the free world in a way that respects their dignity and their voices.  We have many lessons to learn from those who are able to thrive and to create in this harsh environment.  We need these lessons to heal our communities.

John Speer is a poet and political scientist residing in Houston.  He chairs the Department of Government and Criminal Justice at Houston Community College, Southwest.  For four years, he has led a creative writing workshop at the Jester 3 prison unit in Richmond, Texas, along with his co-facilitator, K. Limakatso Kendall.

LaVERNE WILLIAMS, AIA, LEED AP:  "Homes, Home Remodeling, and Home Improvements for Living Smart with Climate Change, Energy Scarcity, and More"
Opportunities and challenging times are occuring as a result of the effects of climate change, energy scarcity, and other matters that are affecting our lives. While trying times seem very likely for those who do not prepare, many opportunities abound for those who learn not only what to do, but why and how to prepare where you live – your home, neighbor, town or city, for what the future unfolds.

Recognized as "a" grandfather of green building, green architect and building ecologist LaVerne Williams, AIA, LEED AP, is the Founder and CEO of Environment Associates, Architects & Consultants of Houston, Texas, an award winning architectural firm noted for its pioneering green home and healthy home projects since 1975. His wide-ranging building experience and knowledge about the interrelationships between health and the environment, climate change, and other issues affecting quality of life make the information he shares about the regenerative design potential of homes and related matters especially valuable.

HIROMI WILLINGHAM, MSW, LCSW:  "Ikebana – Power of Beauty and Mindfulness in Healing and Wellness"
A flower, the crystallization of Nature’s beauty, has tremendous healing effect on our psychological and spiritual being. Ikebana means “to make it (flower) more alive.” Hiromi will introduce Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, as a way to be in communion with nature and to bring healing, compassion, and wellness in your life. This workshop will teach you how to slow down and mindfully observe each flower to enhance its beauty in the arrangement.

Hiromi Willingham, MSW, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, energy worker, and infant massage instructor in private practice in Houston. She came from Japan in 1994 and has been in the wellness and healing field since 1990. The vision of her practice is to help build a world filled with truth, virtue, and beauty by enhancing her client’s highest potential and natural healing ability through integration of psychotherapy, diet, energy work, and flower therapy (Japanese healing art).  www.spectrumcenter-houston.com