Ben Boomer - President
Ben is Dibéłizhíní (Black Sheep) of his mother’s clan born for the Boomer’s (Irish/French/German) of his father’s lineage. Growing up in Dinétah (Navajo Nation) has given him a perspective that spans cultures, and an identity that bridges worlds from traditional ceremony to cookies under the Christmas tree. As a shamanic practitioner he has been humbled to learn about living a balanced life through listening to stories, songs, and teachings of his people, and those willing to share what they have carried forward from their ancestors. These gifts inspire his passion for empowering indigenous tribes to preserve their own wisdom and healing ways. The more this wisdom is empowered the more the world heals into harmony.
He can be contacted at boomer@shamaniceducation.org
Adam Shaening Pokrasso - Vice President
Adam Shaening Pokrasso is an artist and creative entrepreneur based in Santa Fe, NM. His company, 12FPS, is a creative agency that works with visual storytelling to promote revolutionary ideas, causes and people. He and his team are known nationally for their work with Fortune 100 tech companies and his collaborations with local Santa Fe groups and the Santa Fe Film and Digital Media Commission help to create economic and creative opportunities for young storytellers in New Mexico.
Raised in a family who valued the great lessons found in the abundance of nature, inspired by his travels around the world and his close connections to Taos Pueblo and Santa Clara Pueblo, Adam is driven to support the preservation and evolution of native arts and customary ceremonial work of indigenous communities across the globe.
Lena Stevens - Treasurer
Lena brings 25 years of expertise as an internationally known teacher and shamanic practitioner. She has vast experience with the Shipibo in the Amazon basin, the Huichol from Mexico, Native American, Northern European and Siberian shamanic cultures. Lena is one of the worlds foremost experts on the woven song and Icaro tradition of the Shipibo. Lena is co-founder of The Power Path School of Shamanism and the co-author of various books including “Secrets of Shamanism, How to Tap the Spirit Power Within”.
Patricia Liles - Secretary
Patricia is a licensed speech and language pathologist. She has worked in the field of special education for 35 years as a therapist, diagnostician and teacher of young children. She also brings 15 years of experience as a community mediator and serves as an officer on the board of another nonprofit organization. She has traveled in Peru and Mexico and studied shamanic practices with indigenous peoples since 1996. Pat’s experience with education, culture and mediation help create programs that work.
Mikel Bruce
Mikel is the founder and proprietor of a successful web design and marketing company, tinyfrog.com. He brings a wealth of experience in design, SEO, and web technology. Mikel also has substantial experience with shamanism and has made multiple trips to South America. This combination allows him to understand the design attributes that help convey the cultural nuances and thus accurately portray the intent and feeling of CSEE. Mikel provides the technical and design infrastructure that is essential to scale and communicate effectively.
Stephen Vierra
Stephen Vierra is an entrepreneur, and co-founder of SkillSet Group, a Staffing and Recruiting Firm out of San Clemente, CA. He has a strong background in Psychology, Sales, and Customer Service. Stephen brings his leadership qualities and people connecting abilities to help support the mission and values of CSEE. Stephen is a musician and song writer and has been studying and practicing shamanism for many years and has enjoyed spending time with the Shipibo in Peru.
Mary Olivar
Mary's professional adventures have all been founded on promoting healing plants, vibrant healthy living, and a higher awoken consciousness. Dubbed the “Healthy Eating Guru” for Whole Foods Market, she inspired people to take charge of their health through the natural tools and resources available to them. Mary also volunteers as a leader for Shamanism without Borders, the global response network of shamanic practitioners who tend to traumatic events. When not espousing the virtues of plants and deepening one's connection to Mother Earth, Mary can often be found in Austin, Texas, singing, joyfully dancing, gardening, or happily cooking for her husband and three well-fed children.
Christopher Casillas
Christopher Casillas co founded and leads Regenerating Sonora, a nonprofit focused on holistic community development. Prior to this, he helped shape culture and business development processes as an early employee of a tech startup, turned billion dollar company. His love of people and adventure lead him to visit some 40 countries, and to spend time with indigenous peoples of Africa, Asia, and South America. Christopher considers tending wisdom teachings as central to his life task work and is a student and practitioner of various traditions.
Pallah Baker - Director of Operations
Pallah has been a Shamanic Practitioner and student of Spiritual Development for over 20 years, studying with a variety of teachers throughout Turtle Island. Her foundational teachings come from the Ojibwe/Chippewa Traditions and are in accordance with teachings passed down from Elder Larry Matrious, Nagan way Wi Dong /First Thunder, of Lake Lena, Minnesota, An Ojibwe Elder. She is a lifelong student of the Great Mystery and Creator. She has a professional background in the Mental Health Services, Non-Profit Philanthropy, Human Resources, and Program Management. In addition to serving as the Director of Operations for the Center, she is a Transformational Coach and founder of Alluvial Coaching, and is a Visionary Artist.