The Center for Peace through Culture’s team—staff, advisors, and board—is a remarkable, passionate group of individuals with deep expertise and experience across a wide range of disciplines. United by CPC’s vision and mission, and trained at some of the world’s leading institutions, CPC’s team is a powerful force for creating a more peaceful world.
Our Team
Staff
Susan Lord, Executive Director
With an extensive background in curriculum development and teaching, Dr. Lord specializes in drawing on the intersection of Western science and Eastern philosophy to develop new models of education and public health. She enjoys writing and has lectured in a variety of public and professional forums throughout the country.
Julie Pellerin-Herrera, Director of LifeSchool for Children
As an educator for the past 19 years, Julie has taught children of all ages in a wide range of academic environments. She has extensive experience integrating mindfulness and wellness into elementary education.
Trudy Manion, Project Coordinator
Trudy draws on her studies in health and wellness, education, meditation and mindfulness, as well as the arts to develop art-based curricula and community art programs that focus on self-development through creative expression.
Deb Koffman, Artistic Director
An artist, author, and teacher, Deb works at the intersection of mindfulness and artmaking. She has extensive experience helping others unlock creativity and imagination through mindfulness and creative exploration.
Thomas Brown, Faculty
Thomas has deep expertise building confidence, self-discipline, and self-esteem in young people. A behavioral consultant for troubled youth and a Taekwondo Grand Master, he has extensive experience supporting high-needs students.
Susan Olshuff, Fundraising Coordinator
Susan is passionate about helping mission-driven organizations identify and engage potential supporters and donors. She has extensive experience helping nonprofit organizations develop fundraising strategies and campaigns to raise essential operating funds.
Steph Dodd, Staff Coach & Operations Manager
Steph is a coaching and operations professional with a long history in the performing arts.
Board
Kathleen Frome, President
Kathleen is a retired teacher, social worker and midwife. She has been a board member since 2011, bringing her lifelong commitment to healing and peaceful living into a cooperative effort to help create a world culture of peace.
Ariana Attie, Secretary
Ariana is a musician, recording artist, songwriter, arranger, producer, pictorial artist, award winning fashion designer, costume designer, and greeting card artist. She is passionate about bringing the arts into schools and into the community.
Lili Clendenning, Treasurer
Lili is a clinical counsellor with 16 years of experience working in private practice and for a large goverment health organization.
Lorraine Marra Russell, Board Member
Lorraine is a retired art teacher, graphic designer, package designer and toy designer. She is focused on bringing visual arts to children.
Colleen Simo, Board Member
Colleen is a Human Resources professional and yoga teacher with a history of helping organizations incorporate mindfulness practices into work settings.
Advisory Board
Nanette Hucknell, Co-Founder
Nanette’s passion, vision, and experience were instrumental in the creation of CPC in New York City in 1978. As CPC’s co-founder, she drew on her diverse experiences as a therapist, career counselor, writer, artist, and art director. Nanette was President of CPC, guiding the organization through its early development and in 2001, after the events of 9/11, she brought CPC to the Berkshires.
Jill Sasso Curtis
Jill is the co-creator of CPC’s signature program, LifeSchool. She was a board member from 2017 - 2019, and now serves on CPC's advisory board.
Kathleen P. Crowe
Kathleen supported our mission and joined the board in 2011. She served as a board member until 2019.
David Crowe
David is a celebrated composer, conductor, percussionist, and teaching artist.
Jen Daily
Jen Daily is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who maintains a private practice in Housatonic, Massachusetts.