The Director’s Circle is an important component in the evolving, innovative and woman-centered model of leadership that is the foundation of the Shakti Rising model of transformation. As the title suggests, the structure of leadership is circular, with power and responsibility shared between staff, apprentices, Directors and members of the community.
The Shakti Rising Director’s Circle is a rich and vibrant team of people who blend their skills, talents and intelligence to provide a strong circle of support for this community of women. The directors are people who are also committed to transformation in their own lives and professions, who are open-minded, and filled with integrity, passion and a sense of possibility.
Our directors, past and present, are a vital part of our community, contributing to our success and our culture:
Our founding Circle members were the pioneers who backed by our founder’s vision, created early marketing materials and started the annual golf tourney.
The 2002/3 Circle ‘launched’ Shakti Rising in the greater community, developed a marketing strategy that included creation of our website, and doubled the golf tourney income.
2004/5 Circle initiated the strategic planning process (completed this year), piloted Café Shaktea, and drafted a design for our rural property.
Carolyn Smyth Director
Carolyn has been working with Shakti Rising for over a year. She is currently a graduate student in nonprofit management at The University of San Diego. Carolyn is the Program Director at ARTS and does domestic violence counseling for the Center for Community Solutions. She has two dogs, Stanley and George.
Lisa was raised in Arizona (yes, one of those annoying Zonies) and now, having lived in San Diego for over seven years, loves it so much that the thought of living anywhere else makes her want to cry. Her art education consists of a few classes in college, which ultimately resulted in a degree in Women's Studies, and an Artist's Way class which was life changing. Lisa has been on a spiritual quest since she was 14 and an informal student of Buddhism for the last few years. She has four tattoos and will undoubtedly get more.
Michelle has a BA from Cornell University and a MA in Nonprofit Management from the University of San Diego and has worked in the nonprofit sector for more than 10 years. Michelle is currently the Director of Operations for the Foundation for Women, a nonprofit organization that serves women locally and globally by funding and creating microcredit programs. In her free time, she adores reading, her cats and spending time with her husband, though not necessarily in that order.
Michelle graduated from the Shakti Rising Apprenticeship Program in May 2007, grateful that her husband and son were in the audience. She is currently completing her Masters Degree in Public Health and works as a researcher conducting evaluation, strategic planning and needs assessments on behalf of non-profits, government agencies and foundations.
Roxanne Molina Secretary, Apprentice Liaison
Roxanne is a current apprentice and holds one of two seats dedicated to women in the program. Roxanne is a kundalini yoga teacher and doula, and is taking classes at a local community college.
Jennifer Miller
Jennifer has been volunteering for Shakti Rising since 2006. She is a portrait photographer and mother of two sons, Zachary and Lukas. Her photography lovingly portrays the bonds of family, motherhood and children. She is a dedicated Ashtanga Yoga student and has recently completed a yoga teacher training course with her teacher Tim Miller. Jennifer is an alumni of the University of San Diego and has been married to her husband Chris since 1988.
Zephyr Fletcher
Zephyr is a native San Diegan who graduated from Pepperdine University with a BS in Business Administration and an emphases in Marketing and Mathematics. She previously worked for six years in Executive Administrative and Financial Management roles at both for profit and not-for-profit companies. Zephyr also has been an active volunteer for many community non-profit organizations, including Heal the Bay, Global Volunteer Network, Surfrider Foundation, Sustainable Works, and SurfAid International. Zephyr is compassionate about keeping the environment clean and says, "Shakti is the organization that aligns perfectly to (her) personal and spiritual values."
Tina McDonald
Tina has been associated with Shakti Rising since it's inception. She was on the original Circle of Directors, filling the role of Secretary and taught the "Money Class" for eight years. She is recently retired from Jack in the Box and loving every minute. Her hobbies are music and working out at the gym as often as possible.
Paloma Patterson
Education Director
P aloma has been with Malashock Dance since 2005 and created the The Malashock Dance School with Artistic Director John Malashock in January 2007. A modern dancer herself, she also brings over seven years administrative and business experience to the nonprofit sector. She attended Mills College and New College of California, San Francisco and received her BA with an emphasis in Community Cultural Development through the Performing Arts. She is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in the Nonprofit Leadership & Management program at the University of San Diego.
