Board of Directors
JIM GARRISON
FOUNDER, PRESIDENT/CEO, CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER, FACULTY
Jim has had a lifetime of social and political activism beginning in the 1960s with the anti-war, anti-nuclear, citizen diplomacy and environmental movements. He founded Ubiquity University having served as President of Wisdom University from 2005 – 2012 which was acquired by Ubiquity in 2013. He has spent his entire professional life in executive leadership, including as co-founder and president of the Gorbachev Foundation/USA (1992 – 1995) and State of the World Forum (1995 – 2004) with Mikhail Gorbachev serving as convening chairman. Jim received his BA in History from the University of Santa Clara, an MA in History of Religion from Harvard University, and a PhD in Philosophical Theology from the University of Cambridge. He has written numerous books, including The Plutonium Culture, The Darkness of God: Theology after Hiroshima, The Russian Threat, Citizen Diplomats, Civilization and The Transformation of Power, and America as Empire. Jim teaches a range of courses at Ubiquity in philosophy, history and global affairs, including the core courses The Great Books and Wisdom and Civilization.
Bio
Jim Garrison
CEO
JAMES HICKMAN
CO-FOUNDER, CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, FACULTY
Jim served on the Wisdom University Board from 2005 – 2012 and is the founding Chairperson of the Board for Ubiquity as well as CFO. He spent 30 years (1972-2002) developing economic, professional and cultural relations between the United States and the countries within the former Soviet bloc. He was a telecommunications executive during the 1990’s, co-founding the Russian long-distance company Rustel in 1992, serving as its President from 1992-1997. From 1989-1992, Hickman was CEO of AJ Ventures, Inc., a US company that established commercial enterprises in the Soviet Union and post-Soviet Russia. In 1993, as Vice President of the State of the World Forum, he worked with President Gorbachev and Jim Garrison on the Foundation’s international programs. He co-founded, with Jim Garrison, Mosaic Networks in 2003 as a business-consulting firm focused on international telecommunications projects. Jim received his M.A. in Psychology from Sonoma State College and teaches a course on Neuroscience and Personal Practice at the Wisdom School of Graduate Studies.
Bio
James Hickman
CFO
STEVE LOYD
FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER
Steve is a founding Board member of Ubiquity. He co-founded pH Science Holdings, Inc., a research and product development company focused on acid pollution and its impact on human, animal, and planetary health, of which he serves as CEO. Steve co-founded Wax, Loyd & Company (WLC), a successful investment banking firm originating and managing mergers, acquisitions, and assisting high growth companies. He has taught advanced entrepreneurial finance courses in the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington. Steve directed Harbor Development Company for ten years which renovated eleven city blocks in downtown Seattle. The project won the Urban Land Institute Grand Award for Mixed Use Projects. Steve holds a Juris Doctor degree from Willamette University College of Law and an MBA in Finance from the University of Washington.
Bio
Steve Loyd
Founding Board Member
Executive Team
SHELLY ALCORN
CHIEF CURRICULUM OFFICER
Shelly comes to Ubiquity with 30 years of experience in association management including eight years as Principal of Alcorn Associates Management Consulting. She was formerly the Executive Director of the California Association for the Education of Young Children (CAEYC) and the Automotive Service Councils of California (ASCCA). She also served as Vice-President of Education and Development for the California Society of Association Executives (CalSAE). She has published numerous articles in trade journals and co-authored a number of works including: 42 Rules for Engaging Members Through Gamification: Unlock the Secrets of Motivation, Community, and Fun, Associations, Generation Y and Millennials: What You Need to Know About Your Next Generation Members, and The Association Role in the New Education Paradigm. She holds the CAE (Certified Association Executive) designation from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).
Bio
Shelly Alcorn
CCO
DAVID MORGAN
CHIEF COMPETENCY OFFICER
David is the Managing Director of Skillsbook, an acquisition of Ubiquity University. Skillsbook is the backbone of Ubiquity’s Global Credential system. The Skillsbook company is based in Australia and its software has been used to assess the skills of over 250,000 Australians. The system is deployed in education, corporate, public and cross border settings. David is a seasoned entrepreneur. He is a consultant and service provider to the Australian Commonwealth and State Governments on industry workforce development and vocational competency and qualification systems. David is a leading expert on vocational competency assessment and digital portfolios. He holds a Masters Degree in Social Research, graduate specialisations in industrial relations, adult learning and business.
Bio
David Morgan
CCO
PETER MERRY
CO-FOUNDER, CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER, FACULTY
Peter oversees all Ubiquity product development from curriculum design to the development of the university’s competency based learning and assessment. He is the founder of the Center for Human Emergence (Netherlands), and a founding partner of Engage! in the Netherlands. He facilitates integral change processes in multinational corporations, government ministries, and in multi-stakeholder initiatives with global players. He has been an environmental activist and spent many years in the non-profit sector including leading international youth training programs for the Council of Europe. He is a recognized expert in the field of evolutionary systems dynamics and Spiral Dynamics Integral in particular. His first book, Evolutionary Leadership has been published in English and Dutch. He has a PhD from Ubiquity University Wisdom School in Volution Theory, and a MSc from the University of Edinburgh in Human Ecology.
Bio
Peter Merry
CIO
ROBERT MEYER
CO-FOUNDER, CHIEF LOGISTICS OFFICER, SECRETARY OF THE BOARD
Prior to coming to Ubiquity, Bob founded and ran Global Seminars, designing and leading educational travel groups for global high school and university students; co-founded the Information Bank, which consulted with global TV news companies based in US, Russia and Japan; and worked in International Affairs Budgeting at the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President (Jimmy Carter). He received his BA from Grinnell College, an MPA from Princeton University, then went on to a one year program in Advanced Study in Political Philosophy at Oxford University.
Bio
Robert Meyer
CLO
BANAFSHEH SAYYAD
CREATIVE DIRECTOR, FACULTY
Banafsheh oversees the brand, website, communication and interactive design for Ubiquity. The Founder of Dance of Oneness®, Banafsheh is a Persian sacred dancer, choreographer and transformational teacher. Awarded for her pioneering work, she is one of the few bearers of authentic Persian dance in the world, an innovator of Sufi dance previously only performed by men, and one of the few dance artists who has mastered a fusion of the art of dance with spiritual embodiment. She served as Artistic Director for her dance company, NAMAH for several years, staging performances across North America and Europe. Banafsheh performs and teaches internationally. With an MFA in Dance and an MA in Chinese Medicine, she is dedicated to individual and collective healing through conscious movement.
Bio
Banafsheh Sayyad
Creative Director
RICHARD BUCKLEY
CHIEF PRODUCTION OFFICER AND CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER
Richard leads the production team in implementing a new competency based interactive learning design that incorporates innovative technology, team-based learning, and the development of the whole student. Richard also leads the marketing team and brings his twenty years of experience in digital marketing to the challenges of developing a global student recruitment system. Before Ubiquity, Richard created and marketed hundreds of health and business training media based programs in areas such as stress reduction, nutrition, drug and alcohol prevention, ergonomics, team building, critical thinking, high level performance, green technology, leadership, and computer security for government, education, and business organizations. Richard has worked on teams that developed large-scale dissemination of innovative educational programs for the US government, published a series of professional training manuals, and has won numerous awards including seven Golden Eagles (US), a Silver Bear (Berlin), and a BAFTA award (UK).
Bio
Richard Buckley
CPO
TIMI SÓFLAVI
IMPACT COACH
Timi has a background in social work and drama, having completed her MBA at Central European University. She has been working as a coach, trainer and facilitator since 1992. She supports several NGOs worldwide to transform into social enterprises: to have a goal that is useful for the community and, at the same time, to be sustainable. She is a member of the BeeTree Expert group. She has been supporting Ubiquity Impact course students in writing their business plans for their social enterprise ideas since 2016.
Bio
Timi Sóflavi
Impact Coach
DILINI GUNASEKERA
VP FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT/ASIA; COUNTRY DIRECTOR, SRI LANKA
Based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Dilini was CEO of the London Business School 2014 - 2016, and between 2010-2013, CEO of Knowledge City (Pvt) Ltd, an Educational Institute developing vocational education in conjunction with the Ministry of Education and Asian Development Bank. She is Center Director and Teacher Training Coordinator of Singapore Informatics, a higher education organization based in Kandy, Sri Lanka; and Representative in Asia for the Eastern Connecticut State University, USA, in higher education. In her role as Executive Member of the Cancer Society of Sri Lanka, she developed a Hospice Center in Kandy. She has been an active member of the Lions Club since 1995. Dilini holds a BSc in Computer Science from Eastern Connecticut University.
Bio
Dilini Gunasekera
Director, Sri Lanka
MATT ROBERTSON
DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS
Matt Robertson is on a life-long quest to help bring innovation into higher education. He believes it is time for a change in perspective and a shift in awareness. He brings a background in recruitment and relationship management to the Ubiquity community, in addition to his enthusiasm for awakening the best of human nature. He is a San Francisco Bay Area native, certified Mindfulness Instructor, basketball hooper, rhyme activist, and trail hiker of the human journey. Never hesitate to reach out to Matt with any questions you have about Ubiquity, or if you want to collab on a hip-hop track!
Bio
Matt Robertson
Director of Partnerships
GYORGYI SZABO
DEAN OF GRADUATE STUDIES, DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH, FACULTY
Gyorgyi was a Co-Founder and Academic Dean of the ‘Ervin Laszlo Center for Advanced Study’ (ELCAS). She served as the Director of Research and Development of the Center’s Exploratoria Program. She was co-creator of the WorldShift International Foundation, and the WorldShift 2012 organizations, and currently serves as Member of the Advisory Board of the Memnosyne Foundation. She lectures worldwide and has published two books; papers in The Scientific and Medical Network’s Review, The Shift Network, and World Futures: The Journal of New Paradigm Research. Gyorgyi Szabo holds a PhD in Sociology - Summa Cum Laude awarded by the Sorbonne, University of Paris. She is also a trained Reiki and Reconnective Healing practitioner. Her holistic approach to metaphysics and interest in conscious evolution serves as foundation for her work in facilitating cooperative evolution toward a peaceful and sustainable world.
Bio
Gyorgyi Szabo
Dean of Graduate Studies
MONICA LOMBANA
DEPUTY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AND FINANCE
Monica is a lawyer and has just completed her masters in financial management. She works to design and improve Ubiquity’s finance and legal processes. Before joining our team, she worked over nine years in multinational law firms and AIESEC, the world largest youth run organization, where she served as the global CFO. She co-leads the AIESCEC/Ubiquity partnership development.
Bio
Monica Lombana
Deputy CFO
FEDERICO RESTREPO SIERRA
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Federico is a co-founder of Energia Vectorial an electric mobility startup focused on infrastructure and leasing of EVs; and Impact Hub Medellin a social innovation lab focused on supporting entrepreneurs and social innovator in creating solutions to impact the world, both startups located in Medellin, Colombia. He has a BA in Marketing Management, MA in Marketing and Sales Management and Currently finishing his MSc in Sustainable Development.
Bio
Federico Restrepo Sierra
Coordinator, USC
CLAIRE RYLE GARRISON
CO-FOUNDER, ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR, WISDOM SCHOOL, DIRECTOR, WISDOM EDUCATION FUND
Claire co-founded the Whole Child Initiative with Jane Goodall, and was Coordinator of the State of the World Forum Intl. Roundtables on the Irreducible Needs of Children in New York. She has worked as Director of the Esalen Institute Soviet-American Exchange; the Oxford Research Group, UK; and the Medical Campaign Against Nuclear Weapons. She also trained and worked as a primary school teacher in the UK. She holds a BA in Philosophy & Comparative Religion from the University of Leeds; Art & Design Certificate from the Cambridge College of Art & Technology, Cambridge; Postgraduate Certificate in Education, Goldsmith’s College, London; and Research Fellowship, University of Bradford School of Peace Studies.
Bio
Claire Ryle Garrison
Director, Wisdom School
CONSTANTINA CLARK
DEAN OF STUDENTS AND DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
Constantina serves as both Ubiquity’s Dean of Students and Director of Human Resources. She is an international educator with many years experience in the care and nurturing of students, both administratively and as a professor. Constantina has traveled extensively overseas working with international students and serving humanitarian concerns in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. As Ubiquity’s Director of Human Resources, she actively oversees the administrative functions of the organization including recruiting, interviewing, hiring, strategic planning and serves as a link between colleagues and the management of the organization. Constantina is a frequent presenter worldwide on the role of women in the ancient world and is an international award winning published poet and author. Constantina holds a B.S. in Education from Wright State University, a Masters Degree in Wisdom Studies and a Ph.D. in Philosophy, both from Ubiquity University. She is the proud birth mother of nine extraordinary human beings.
Bio
Constantina Clark
Dean of Students and Director of HR
RAJINDA JAYASINGHE
VICE PRESIDENT FOR ASIA, PRESS OFFICER
Rajinda has over 10 years of experience in the international development, education and startup space. After graduating from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School in 2003, and receiving his Masters Degree from Johns Hopkins’ School for International Studies (SAIS) in 2006, Raji went on to direct country programs for Relief International. He immersed himself in this work during Sri Lanka’s post-Tsunami era and continued to contribute during the climax and aftermath of Sri Lanka’s civil war. Raji then went on to pursue an MBA at the National University of Singapore, following which he took on a role as CEO at Knowledge City (a Sri Lankan organization specializing in IT and English education) before moving on to start his own company in the fintech space in Singapore.
Bio
Rajinda Jayasinghe
Press Officer
LEE MASON
DIRECTOR OF SELF-MASTERY, FACULTY
Lee is a graduate of the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA), where he studied Physical Therapy. He has facilitated thousands of treatment sessions with patients in various sectors of the Dutch healthcare industry, including private practices, rehabilitation centers, a hospice and the VU University Medical Center Amsterdam. Lee has taught at universities in Amsterdam (UvA), Utrecht (UU) and Eindhoven (TU), and provided coaching at Accenture, Amsterdam University (VU) and the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture & Science (OCW). He has a keen interest in holistic approaches to health and well-being and has studied systemic therapy (constellation work) in the lineage of Bert Hellinger. Lee created Ubiquity University’s Integral Flourishing course.
Bio
Lee Mason
Director, Self Mastery
STACY NEWMAN
CO-FOUNDER, REGISTRAR
Stacy has worked for over 10 years as Registrar, keeping course files and degree transcripts, interacting with students, managing student accommodations and logistics, as well as supporting the Dean and Dean of Students in all admissions-related issues, and the preparation of student communications. She has 20+ years experience in an office environment managing multiple tasks, prioritizing and problem solving. Her administrative experience includes the use of customized software programs, inventory control, excellent customer service, payables, receivables, and processing titles.
Bio
Stacy Newman
Registrar
LOREN VOLK
DIRECTOR, UBIQUITY FINANCIAL SERVICES
Loren is the Managing Director of Ubiquity Financial Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. He also serves as Managing Director for LogixSolutions, Inc. which is focused on business systems solutions, financial modeling, analysis for litigation support services, and monitoring the performance of residential and commercial real estate. In the previous decade, Mr. Volk was a National Director for the Consulting Group of Deloitte & Touche LLP in Atlanta, GA. Loren has also served as CFO and directed accounting, treasury, and data processing, functions for a financial institution and for a high tech company in San Jose California. Loren occasionally serves as an adjunct instructor in accounting and business systems at Kennesaw State University. He holds an MBA and a CPA certificate and has significant public accounting experience in addition to his real estate consulting specialty.
Bio
Loren Volk
Director, Ubiquity Financial Services
TANISHA PANDEY
AIESEC PARTNERSHIP MANAGER
Tanisha is an undergraduate in Physics from the University of Delhi. She has extensive experience with Global Youth Learning and Marketing having worked for the largest Youth-run Organization, AIESEC. She was with AIESEC for four years before coming over to the other side of Youth Learning at Ubiquity. At Ubiquity she is piloting our Talent Management System along with AIESEC, a Competence Assessment Framework with which skills developed while carrying out practical tasks across a learning system can be aligned to pre-existing education systems across the Globe.
Bio
Tanisha Pandey
AIESEC Partnership Manager
RODRICK CHAMBERS
DIRECTOR OF COURSE FACILITATION
Rodrick started his career with Ubiquity University as Course Facilitator in 2016 and a Self-Mastery Mentor in 2017. He has almost 15 years of experience as an educator and advocate for 100s of high school to college aged youth desiring access into higher education. Working with federal and state funded grants, such as TRIO Student Success (College Program), TRIO Upward Bound (Pre-College Program), Youth Employment Programs (YEP), and Community Violence Prevention Programs (CVPP), Rodrick has acquired skills in facilitating, training, and engaging students/staff in their learning experiences. Rodrick’s unique academic background as a graduate from Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) in Music (Associates), Broadcast Journalism (BS), and Mass Communication (MA) has afforded him the opportunity to participate and serve the ministry of education in innovative and creative ways.
Bio
Rodrick Chambers
Director of Course Facilitation
JACK POLICAR
MILLENNIAL DIRECTOR AND AMBASSADOR, ENGAGEMENT TEAM
Jack Policar comes from a sales and marketing background. He brings his wildly creative, strategic team organization and partnership development skills to Ubiquity. Having worked for numerous startups of varying sizes and different industries, Jack brings a wide variety of perspectives into the Engagement strategy. As the resident millennial, Jack connects different teams to the millennial users that have helped shape the way Ubiquity engages with its market.
Bio
Jack Policar
Ambassador
CALEN RAYNE
DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL ENERGETICS, FACULTY
Calen is a Unitarian Universalist Community Minister. His current focus is Institutional Energetics within Ubiquity. He has an MFA in Writing and Poetics from Naropa University, and DMin from Wisdom University. Calen has studied with great masters of Zen and Tibetan Buddhism, Bon and pre-literate Bon masters, geomancers from both Celtic and Druid traditions, and with alchemists of various indigenous religions, including the first (nameless) religion of the Himalayas, known as "sacred conventions" or "patterns of heaven and earth.” He is trained in Feng Shui/Space Clearing, Egyptian Bio-geometry, and Sacred Geometry. Calen is a Master of Himalayan Singing bowls, a Veriditas Advanced-Certified Labyrinth Facilitator and a Reiki Master in four lineages.
Bio
Calen Rayne
Director of Institutional Energetics
PAUL RAY
SPECIAL ADVISOR THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, FACULTY
Paul is a seasoned entrepreneur who has built four companies over several decades. He was an Associate Professor of Urban Planning at University of Michigan where he led social systems design at the Environmental Simulation Lab. He served as VP of Set-Theoretic Information Systems developing information retrieval software for major corporations such as General Motors. He was the co-founder and EVP for American Lives, Inc., a values and lifestyles market research company, which led to the forming of LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability), an industry association representing what is now a $300 billion sector in the US economy. He has been a cutting edge researcher of the Cultural Creatives, a term he coined, and has led studies worldwide on this emerging values based sociological phenomenon.
Bio
Paul Ray
Adviser
NORA SILINI
ITP PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Nora is training to become a Biotransenergetic counselor. She comes from a background in one of the world’s leading Cyber Security companies, trained by experts from UK intelligence agencies such as GCHQ and MI5. Prior to that, she worked in the charity and non-profit sector, including organizations such as Women & Girls Network and the Royal National Institute for Blind People in London. She is an English, Finnish and Italian native speaker with a remarkable capacity to work in various fields and with people from all over the world. She holds a first-class degree in Critical Theory from Goldsmiths College, University of London. Nora brings her linguistic and cultural competence as well as her partnership development and strategic skills to Ubiquity.
Bio
Nora Silini
ITP Program Coordinator
NOMALI PERERA
DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS
Nomali comes to Ubiquity with a background in graduate admissions, executive coaching, management training/teaching, and social media in the nonprofit and corporate sectors in the US, Brazil and Mexico. Much of her work and consultancy roles have transpired from a deep exploration of adult development, integral theory and assisting seekers find paths to their emergent missions. Outside of work, finding joy in the arts, contemplative practice and hiking, Nomali is also a protector of animals. Nomali has undergrad degrees in Fashion Design (FIT), Psychology & Religious Studies (Naropa) and a Master’s in Nonprofit Management (Regis). Nomali is also a graduate of Integral Coaching Canada and a facilitator of the Immunity to Change process via the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Bio
Nomali Perera
Director of Admissions
MAYTECK ARENAS
MARKETING MANAGER
Mayteck is a passionate and creative communications professional. She has over 6 years of experience developing strategies to boost brands in different countries, generating reputational value and brand positioning through marketing, public relations, and communication plans.
She works as Marketing Manager where she leads the content creation and inbound marketing activities inside Ubiquity’s team. She believes in shared value, smart work, and love. She has a BA in Communications with an emphasis on Politics and a MA in Communications Management.
Bio
Mayteck Arenas
Marketing Manager
GIDA HUSSAMI
WEB DEVELOPER
Gida studied Pure and Applied Mathematics in Montreal engaging in research before embarking on her coding Journey. She learned web development in Amsterdam and has since worked on multiple personal and professional projects. It is through Mathematics that she encountered Ubiquity in 2017 and is now a member of the development team. She lives between Damascus (Syria) and Amsterdam (Holland), loves to travel and has spent time living in London, Mexico city and Seoul and now speaks 4 languages fluently. When not engaging her left brain Gida loves to explore spirituality, read, cook, teach and practice yoga.
Bio
Gida Hussami
Web Developer
MICHELLE RAFFANTI
DIRECTOR OF LEARNER JOURNEY
Michelle oversees the journey a learner takes from their first point of contact with the university through the entire Ubiquity universe. Prior to Ubiquity, Michelle has worked at all levels with start-ups, nonprofits, and social enterprises in the education, food & beverage, and travel industries. She holds a BA in International Relations from DePaul University and an MA in Sustainable Development from The New School. Throughout her studies and her career, she has focused on issues among indigenous, minority, and tribal peoples in Asia and Latin America, particularly women. Originally from Chicago, she has lived in the UK, Germany, Colombia, China, and now resides in Mexico City.
Bio
Michelle Raffanti
Director of Learner Journey
VERONICA SALDIAS
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND TO THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF UBIQUITY UNIVERSITY
Veronica comes to Ubiquity after three years with AIESEC where she was Director of Talent Management and the designer of the Mentoring Program. The emphasis of this work was defining skill profiles required to achieve greater productivity and emphasizing specific skill training focused on the values of AIESEC. As an AIESEC volunteer in Colombia, she worked on the SDG: Quality Education. During her last year with AIESEC, she was President of the Cochabamba, Bolivia chapter. Veronica has a degree in industrial engineering from the University of San Simon, Bolivia, where she graduated with honors in 2017. She is a person who enjoys life and who seeks change and innovation. As an artist and a writer, she sells her art through her Instagram page and writes articles for Globedia and other publications. She is currently the Administrative Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer and to the Office of the President of Ubiquity University.
Bio
Veronica Saldias
Adm Assistant to CFO & CEO