Our Key Staff Members
The Advisory Board
Our Advisory Council
More about our program

Our project is run under the careful direction of our advisory board:

LINEAGE PROJECT BOARD AFFLIATIONS

Fran Clemente, Chair, is the principal at Newmark High School in Carteret, New Jersey. Newmark is a State-approved private high school that serves students with emotional and social disabilities. Her research in the field of resiliency informs her work with students, staff and families. Fran is a graduate of Jill Satterfield's Vajra Yoga Social Action Teacher Training and teaches yoga and meditation at Manhattan College in Riverdale, NY. She has been a volunteer teacher for the Lineage Project, teaching awareness-based practices such as yoga and meditation to at risk and incarcerated New York City youth. Fran is a registered yoga teacher (RYT 500).

Lou Lopez, Co-Chair, is a graduate of Princeton University and holds an MBA from Cornell University's Johnson Graduate School of Management. He is a long-time Vipassana meditator and yoga student. Lou is a researcher and strategist with more than a decade of experience helping Fortune 500 companies understand the Hispanic and African-American markets.

Alexandra Hixon-Ballard, Board Secretary, graduated from Sarah Lawrence College and went to work with Save the Children in Westport, CT for several years. In addition to serving on local community boards and committees, she is on the board of the A&A Fund, a family foundation, and works as a volunteer meditation teacher at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, a maximum-security women's prison in Bedford Hills, NY. She is currently working with a small importing company that creates employment opportunities for low-income artisans in South America. Alexandra lives in Northern Westchester County with her husband and two teenage children.

Todd Carter, Board Member,received a master's degree from the University of Chicago Divinity School. He is a long-time meditation student, music producer, and recording artist. Todd is currently studying to be a teacher of the Diamond Approach, which integrates the teachings and practices of ancient wisdom traditions with modern depth psychology.

Sarah Kolodny CSW , Board Member, is a graduate of Antioch College. She received a Masters degree in Social Work from the Columbia University School of Social Work as well a certificate in Non-Profit Management from Columbia's Business School. As Director of Social Programs for The Settlement Housing Fund, Sarah was involved in the design and development of community building and youth development programs throughout New York City. She has served as Field Instructor for graduate students in social work at both Hunter College and New York University. She is a founding board member of Riverstone Senior Life Services. Sarah has practiced Vipassana meditation and yoga for many years and is a graduate of the Advanced Study and Practice Program at the Barre Center For Buddhist Studies.

Sophia Wajnert, Board Member, is a Human Resources professional with more than 13 years of experience advising Investment Banks on their Human Capital initiatives. Currently, she serves as a Human Resources Business Partner at Credit Suisse. Sophia is passionate to unlock human potential and possibilities. Sophia values transformation and has benefited greatly from the practice of yoga for over 10 years. Sophia is a graduate of American University in Washington, DC and holds a MA in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University's Teachers College.