Brendan is currently working to start an African office for PRACTICA Foundation, a Dutch NGO that develops and disseminates low cost technology for irrigation, drinking water and renewable energy. At the same time he is the founder of “Thefirstdrop.ca” a website for Canada’s next generation of leadership. He has come to these two current roles by way of an engineering background (Bachelors in Materials Engineering at The University of British Columbia) and development work in Canada and West Africa with Engineers Without Borders Canada. A recent Masters at Cambridge in Engineering for Sustainable Development helped tie many of these seemingly disparate elements together, and his MBA studies at Oxford this Fall 2009 in Social Entrepreneurship will complete his toolbox to make evenmore connections to further his impact. Brendan’s hope is to help his generation in reclaiming their role in the world. You can read about his adventures on www.cashewman.com.

Kathy Wallace is a dedicated yoga teacher and personal coach. Her belief in natural methods of healing the body and mind led Kathy to explore Feldenkrais. Both yoga and Feldenkrais allow individuals to be curious and discover answers within themselves. Kathy is honored and excited to support Irene in this important project, bringing the benefits of Feldenkrais to a new audience.

Mark Ginsburg has been a columnist and contributing editor for leading magazines in the USA such as Vanity Fair, Architectural Digest, Interview, and Town & Country, for over 25 years. Trained in acting, directing, and playwriting, he used his theater skills to segue into professional journalism while at Northwestern University.

He was first exposed to the Feldenkrais Method during theater training; this method is widely used to enhance the skills of actors, dancers and musicians, as well as non-performers. He subsequently became a certified Feldenkrais practitioner, trained by Anat Baniel in California. With Anat, he also became certified to work with children with special needs. He remains a practicing journalist, as well as an active Feldenkrais and Anat Baniel Method practitioner. Mr. Ginsburg is based in Paris, France.

Mr. Ginsburg has worked in the arts his whole life, including music, and has produced and toured with a number of world music singers. His familiarity with the performing arts has given him sensitivity and great respect for the artist's needs, which he addresses through the Feldenkrais Method. His website, movementlife.com, provides more background as to his training and approach to the movement-related work in general.

Naomi Devine is a climate change and sustainability policy advisor who recently joined the Resort Municipality of Whistler as the Whistler2020 Sustainability Coordinator. Prior to this, she worked for the office of Campus Planning and Sustainability at the University of Victoria in order to help create the university’s first sustainability policy and action plan. In November 2007, she was appointed to British Columbia’s Climate Action Team, which offers the Cabinet Committee on Climate Action policy advice on measures to achieve its legislated greenhouse gas reductions of 33% below 2007 levels by 2020, as well as setting interim targets for 2012 and 2016. In 2006 she represented Canadian youth as a member of the Canadian Youth Delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference [UNFCCC COP 12, MOP 2], in Nairobi, Kenya. She is a co-founder of Common Energy at the University of Victoria an organization that works to move the university ‘beyond climate-neutral’. She is a co-author on the report: Building on Progress: A Plan to move the University of Victoria Beyond Climate-Neutral. Naomi recently finished her term as Vice-Chair on the City of Victoria’s Environment and Shoreline Advisory Committee. A member of the BCSEA Board since 2005, she is also the founding Chair of the Victoria Chapter. In addition to her work in sustainability, Naomi is interested in film and has made one short documentary with plans for many more...

Verdell Jessup was drawn to the Feldenkrais Method to increase her own self-awareness, and self image; she is currently starting her second year of the Victoria Feldenkrais Professional Training Program. Upon completion of the training, she hopes to work with children and introduce the Feldenkrais Method to developing countries. Her undergraduate degree focused on Tourism Management with a double major in Adventure Tourism and International Development. Her love for adventure and social aid has contributed to her volunteering in Ladakh, India, Chile and most recently two years in Bhutan. She thoroughly loves working with people, especially children, particularly in remote regions of the world. Verdell is compassionate towards the development of the human race and is interested in pursuing a Masters in Social Change and Social Media.