|
Barbara
DeFranco - Executive Director
During the past 20 years, Barbara DeFranco has been
in charge of various Buddhist centers in Hawaii. She is the primary
visionary and founder of Paleaku Gardens Peace Sanctuary. Her skills
include landscape designer, community facilitator and skilled writer.
She shares in the financial support of the Center by managing a retail
store, the Indich Collection.
|
|
Salvador
Galindo - Director
Sal
brings his background in construction and engineering to maintain and
upgrade the many buildings at Paleaku.His friendly personality, genuine
humor and practical approach keeps Paleaku moving forward.His personal
involvement in the community, and on the golf course, creates networking
and fund-raising oppurtunities.
|
|
Mariah
Dodd - Director
Mariah
H. Dood, MSW, brings her skills as a grant writer, counselor, and visionary.
She has worked for over 20 years in the field as a child and family
counselor, school counselor, and program manager for several non-profit
agencies focused on community involvement activities for children and
families.
|
|
Merle
Wood - Director
Merle
Wood is a retired Kona coffee farmer. Formerly he was Senior Legal
Counsel in a multi-national corporation. He is past President
of Hawaii Organic Farmers Association and the Kona Coffee Counse.
He has been involved with Paleaku since 1998. Recently he served
as the Treasurer of the Dzogchen Community of Hawaii
|
 |
Patricia
Ellis - Director
Over the last 24 years, she has worked with Dr. Jerry Jampolsky including
six years as the Executive Director of the International Attitudinal Healing
Network, three years as Executive Director of the Hawaii Center for Attitudinal
Healing, and as a senior consultant for Attitudinal Healing International.
Trish has assisted in the development of centers and programs around the
world. Her special interest is working in prisons and with at-risk youth.
She is currently the Center Manager at the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural
Center in Bloomington, Indiana. |
 |
Marie
Ali - Director
As one of the original teachers of the Ridhwan School
(www.ridhwan.org)
Marie shares her commitment to further the common good of respect for
ourselves and our planet. As an artist she uses photography, painting
and art quilting to reveal the deeper significance of the inner being.
She feels that the garden provides the fragile beauty that our living
planet needs to wage our mission of peace and harmony.
|
 |
Judith
Flanders - Director
Judith has served
on various civic boards and advisory committees on O'ahu before living on
the Big Island for three years. Judith recognizes Paleaku Gardens Peace
Sanctuary to be a a unique embodiment of deep spiritual Mana combined with
spectacular natural beauty providing the South Kona Community with a gathering
place for quiet contemplation, celebration, education and creative expression.
Even though Judith has recently moved back to Honolulu, she continues to
serve on the board because she feels that a jewel such as Paleaku Gardens,as
a part of our Hawaiian Island heritage, must be protected, developed and
cared for. |
