About Us
We are living during challenging times, in an increasingly complex interdependent world immersed in a self-centered narrative that promotes and perpetuates competition, exploitation, and separatism. Our systems are fractured, they undervalue wellbeing, and struggle to serve the purposes for which they were created. Nothing less than a values-based cultural evolution is required to shift our way of doing and being, so we can address the profound changes needed to better serve humanity.
The Mindfulness Alliance serves as a catalyst and community-builder in service to the mindful evolution of social systems. We believe that the future of the mindfulness movement lies in harnessing the combined power of awareness and the power of community-building to advance collective wellbeing. We are building a unique community of mindfulness practitioners that spans disciplines and sectors, and embraces multiple wisdom traditions. Through contemplative community-building and community-based action we can catalyze our collective capacity to foster awareness-based social change. Only through collaboration can we hope to be effective.
The Mindfulness Alliance serves as a catalyst and community-builder in service to the mindful evolution of social systems. We believe that the future of the mindfulness movement lies in harnessing the combined power of awareness and the power of community-building to advance collective wellbeing. We are building a unique community of mindfulness practitioners that spans disciplines and sectors, and embraces multiple wisdom traditions. Through contemplative community-building and community-based action we can catalyze our collective capacity to foster awareness-based social change. Only through collaboration can we hope to be effective.
Development Journey
The Alliance was first conceived after a successful inter-institutional collaboration that resulted in the first-ever SUNY-funded Mindfulness & Health Conference in Western New York, which sold out with 400 attendees who wanted to build on the positive energy and enthusiasm at the conference. Regionally, this blooming cross-sector initiative now includes mindfulness professionals in K-12, health care, and higher education, and continues to grow. These efforts have received recognition from the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, who published an article on this pioneering work in the Journal of Contemplative Inquiry. To read this article click here.
This multi-sector social change collaborative is not just about Western New York! We envision the creation of powerful social impact networks across disciplines and sectors to foster collective wellbeing in every region!
This multi-sector social change collaborative is not just about Western New York! We envision the creation of powerful social impact networks across disciplines and sectors to foster collective wellbeing in every region!
We are here to support you in this pioneering work.
Founding Members
The Mindfulness Alliance is working to walk the talk. As a contemplative organization we are on a journey of discovery, exploring what it means to hold awareness and wellbeing at the center of organizational development processes. Aligned with the principles of networked and collective leadership, we are participating in a new form of governance that is collaborative, inclusive, and authentic, that distributes authority and accountability broadly, in addition to being aligned with the values and principles of mindfulness practice. We value the innate gifts and contributions of everyone involved.
Lisa Napora
Visionary & Bottle Washer |
Lisa's role in The Alliance spans a broad spectrum, from Visionary to Bottle Washer. She supports organizational development processes by helping to maintain alignment with contemplative principles, generate the cultural tone for contemplative governance processes, and inspire others to hold steadfast to the process of emergence. Lisa applies her non-profit management and community-building capacities to overseeing all facets of The Alliance's day-to-day operations. A lifelong contemplative, Lisa's first language is the language of transformation. Her in-depth study of the relational dynamics of inner and outer change evolved into a passion for mindfulness education, mindful leadership, and social systems change to foster wellbeing. Lisa writes, speaks, and consults on a broad range of contemplative topics. She is currently a Visiting Scholar at the University of Buffalo, serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of the Journal of Contemplative Inquiry, and on the board of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society.
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Mitchell Alegre
Groundskeeper |
As Groundskeeper, Mitch helps cultivate and maintain The Alliance's philosophical ground, support the development of contemplative governance structures and functions, and keep the organization aligned with its intentions. Mitch has been on a conscious spiritual journey even as a child. His introduction to mindfulness came through Transcendental Meditation as a freshman in college. Mitch has always pursued his work as a consultant, trainer, and educator a calling confirmed decades ago on a ten-day vision quest in the Utah Canyonlands. In addition to providing consulting and training services in personal and organizational effectiveness for the past four decades, Mitch teaches management and leadership courses for Niagara University's College of Business Administration and serves as advisor to the University's Interdisciplinary Minor in Leadership. He recently became a Veriditas-trained labyrinth facilitator.
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Rosa D'Abate
Idea Elevator & K-12 Education Sector Convener |
As the Idea Elevator for The Alliance, Rosa shares her gifts with ideation, relatedness, and ground to help bring organizational concepts into externalized forms. She also serves as the K-12 Education Sector Convener. Rosa currently works as the Coordinator of Student Services for the Williamsville Central School District where she helps bring mindfulness to K-12 students and teachers under the guidance of Linda Lantieri. In her 25 years of K-12 experience, she has also been a Math teacher and a School Psychologist. Rosa is a long-standing practitioner of yoga and meditation. She maintains a daily practice and enjoys teaching yoga and mindfulness to adults and children. Recently she completed an Ayurveda Yoga Specialist program through the Himalayan Institute.
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Katie Darling
Money Minder & Grant Wrangler |
Katie applies her savvy budgeting and organizational development strategies as the Money Minder for The Alliance. She devotes her time to managing money with intentionality and integrity, in addition to supporting organizational sustainability by finding and securing funding in her role as the Grant Wrangler. Several years ago, Katie read an article about improving college student learning and wellbeing through mindfulness techniques. She was hooked - Mindfulness works, it can help anyone! She began developing her own contemplative practice and joined others on a crusade to legitimize contemplative pedagogy on her campus. Katie is a seasoned education administrator and currently the Associate Dean for Academic Services in the Graduate School at the University of Buffalo.
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John Frederick
Principle Navigator & Facilitator in Residence |
John brings his interest in creativity and leadership to The Alliance as the Principle Navigator and Facilitator in Residence. He helps coordinate strategic planning initiatives and the design of sustainable contemplative governance structures. A lifelong educator, he established a leadership development center at Buffalo State College and taught at the International Center for Studies in Creativity. After 25 years at Buff State, he created the Center for Executive Leadership at Daemen College and designed the Executive Leadership and Change MS program. This program was founded on the premise that what destinguishes a leader from other contributors in an organization is a heightened sense of awareness. His current research interests examine the synergy between Osborn-Parnes Creative Problem Solving, Theory U, and Social Presencing Theater.
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Nicole Newcomb-Chumsky
Mindful Marketer |
As the Mindful Marketer, Nicole utilizes her design and business skills to create engaging marketing campaigns, attract new volunteers, and launch events. Nicole's journey into mindfulness began during graduate school when she attended a group meditation course, felt at home, and realized a great desire to learn more. Her journey continued with graduate level training courses, silent retreats, self-study and seminars. She dedicates her life work to spreading the magic of mindfulness to those in her community. She is a Licensed Mental Health counselor, Mindfulness Coach, Certified Trauma Informed Yoga Instructor, and the Founder of Be Embodied - a Mindfulness-based Counseling Center. Nicole has a heart-felt connection and deep commitment to awareness-based social change and The Alliance.
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Danielle Pelfrey Duryea
Passionate Wordsmith |
Danielle is a writer at heart. As the Passionate Wordsmith, she helps The Alliance to articulate its mission precisely and effectively. Danielle began practicing meditation some years ago while experiencing significant health issues. In 2015, inspired by her colleague Stephanie Phillips and by Daniel Barbezat, then director of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, she began to integrate awareness-based practices into her law teaching and joined campus-wide efforts to integrate mindfulness. As the Director of the Health Justice Law & Policy Clinic at the University of Buffalo School of Law, she seeks to nurture creative, conscious, and compassionate emerging lawyers. She is currently writing about how mindfulness can enhance law student intentionality and resilience, as well as deepen understanding of justice and injustice.
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Debra Perkowski
Manifestation Architect |
Deb started her mindfulness journey many years ago when her former boss fatefully shared a Jon Kabat-Zinn recording with her to brighten her lengthy commute. The planting of this seed sparked so many questions, more books to read, and her role as a founding member of The Mindfulness Alliance. As the Manifestation Architect, Deb focuses her efforts on information gathering, database building, event planning, and record keeping to support the organization. Deb has three decades of higher education administration experience, and currently works as the Executive Secretary for the Provost at Genesee Community College. She has learned much from the energetic, like-minded individuals on the team and looks forward to continued collaboration to advance individual and collective wellbeing.
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Stephanie Phillips
Purveyor of Lovingkindness |
As Purveyor of Lovingkindness, Stephanie prioritizes the value of compassion for oneself, as well as in the interpersonal, institutional, and social domains. She strives to ensure that, in all respects of its work, The Mindfulness Alliance reflects the fundamental premises that all humans have intrinsic worth, and that we share desires for happiness, health, and security. Stephanie has taught for more than thirty years in the School of Law at the University of Buffalo. Since 2010, she has been teaching a seminar entitled "Mindfulness & Professional Identity: Becoming a Lawyer While Keeping Your Values Intact," a lawyering course that holds compassion as a unifying theme, and that offers the tools of mindfulness to assist students in becoming skilled and ethical lawyers. An advocate for Engaged Mindfulness, Stephanie is deeply committed to social change.
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Community Supporters
Ava Calabrese
Creativity Supporter |
Ava received her introduction to mindfulness 5 years ago. She owes her exposure to mindfulness, and to The Mindfulness Alliance (TMA), to founding member Nicole Chumsky. She is completing her Bachelor's degree at the University at Buffalo, and aspires to work in private practice as a psychologist and assist clients on their own journey of awareness. She worked with TMA as an intern to support the tremendous work that was done for the Uplift Buffalo Festival, and was intrigued by the mission of the organization. She currently shares her creativity with TMA through graphic design, marketing projects and social media platforms, and serves as the Student Liaison. Through her continued work with TMA, she is interested in gaining insight into non-hierarchical governance structures and the inner workings of a non-profit organization.
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Amanda Muldoon
Social Media Liaison |
An avid runner, Amanda began her mindfulness and yoga journey 10 years after an injury. She explored grounding practices and increasing ease with stillness, which led to becoming a certified yoga teacher and meditation guide. Amanda’s love for working with people and providing support is also reflected in her work as a Program Director at an agency for the developmentally disabled. Her desire to find like-minded community led her to TMAs Community MindWorks forum. Being in a space where everyone is valued inspired her to volunteer. She loves serving in social media support, helping to get the message out, and being connected in TMAs community where everyone matters and feels welcome.
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Michelle Zimmerman
Event Coordinator & Vendor Liaison |
Michelle has always been interested in mindfulness. As a yoga practitioner focused on wellbeing, mindfulness has been an innate aspect of her self-care philosophy. She first connected with The Mindfulness Alliance in 2016 at the Mindfulness & Health Conference, and later began attending Mindful Mixers. In 2019, she joined the volunteer team and become the Uplift Buffalo Vendor Liaison. Since, Michelle has become an integral part of event planning, sharing her analytical skills, coordinating mastery, and all around go-getterness with buoyant resilience. She’s been teaching in the Buffalo Public School system for 17 years, and currently serves as an Instructional Coach. She is a licensed massage therapist and owner of her own practice. Michelle deeply identifies with The Mindfulness Alliance’s focus on collective wellbeing. She enjoys supporting the organization’s efforts to move mindfulness from me-focused to we-focused.
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Tessa Bechtold
Event Coordinator |
Tessa regularly integrates mindfulness into her work as a licensed mental health counselor in private practice. She finds tremendous value integrating mindfulness concepts and skills throughout her work, and that this has consistently led to more successful outcomes in her client’s overall wellbeing. Tessa began her journey with The Mindfulness Alliance as an attendee at Uplift Buffalo – Buffalo’s First Mindfulness Festival in 2019 - to later attending Mindful Mixers. In 2021, Tessa began volunteering as co-coordinator of events alongside Michelle Zimmerman. Together, they develop and plan events to provide mindfulness opportunities to the community. Independently, Tessa strongly aligns with TMAs mission and goals to collaboratively aid individual personal transformation and community change to better serve humanity. Tessa cherishes the opportunity to be a part of The Mindfulness Alliance and to support the collective whole through compassion, justice, and inclusivity.
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Jyla Serfino
Newsletter Coordinator |
Jyla is an undergraduate student from Rochester, NY majoring in Psychology and Political Science with a minor in History at the University at Buffalo. She is studying with hopes to go to law school and become an attorney. She plays the violin, partakes in journalistic and creative writing, and has been a research assistant with a professor from UB Law. Her involvement with UB's psychology department gave her the opportunity to intern for The Mindfulness Alliance. She hopes that her experiences with TMA will give her a greater understanding of collaboration, inclusion, and non-hierarchical leadership in a professional workspace, as well as mindfulness practices she can incorporate in her own surroundings independently. Jyla utilizes her skill set by expanding the organization's reach through a quarterly newsletter.
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Nicole Zelazny
Number Cruncher |
Nicole became familiar with mindfulness about 5 years ago when she took a deep dive into her own mindful and contemplative practices. Her attendance at Uplift Buffalo 2019 began her journey with The Mindfulness Alliance, intrigued by the organization and her desire to learn more about participating. Her background in finance and accounting led her to take on a number crunching role as well as helping with information flow from one electronic platform to another. Nicole currently works with businesses providing direction in both their financial and general operational processes. Her gentle spirit, dedication, and tenacity are a welcome presence and guiding support in organization development and beyond.
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Angeline Cooper
Intern |
Angel is an undergraduate student from Syracuse, NY majoring in Psychology with a minor in Counseling at the University at Buffalo. She hopes to continue her education with the goal of becoming a clinical mental health counselor or something within the counseling field. Her multiple years of working with elementary children has inspired her to continue fostering meaningful relationships as well as educating herself on the different perspectives of others, no matter the age. She is interested in strengthening her capacity for change and believes TMA will not only aid in growing her inner and outer awareness, but serve as a catalyst to create positive social change among her community. She believes her passion for social change, optimism, and her willingness to learn from others will contribute to The Mindfulness Alliance.
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