Meet the instructors
Tara Healey
Tara is the founder and director of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care’s Mind the Moment mindfulness program.In addition to holding an M.Ed. in Health Education and having over 20 years of experience in organizational development, Tara is a longtime practitioner of mindfulness meditation and an advocate for the personal and professional benefits associated with its practice. The comprehensive suite of mindfulness courses developed by Tara at Harvard Pilgrim have been conducted at over 150 organizations, reaching 10,000 individuals. Additionally, Tara has spoken about mindfulness at numerous events domestic and abroad.
Robert Bonazoli
Robert is a clinical social worker, psychotherapist, university lecturer and MBSR teacher in private practice in Boston. He has over 20 years’ experience working with individuals, families, organizations and groups facing challenges, grappling with suffering, and aspiring toward greater understanding, fulfillment, effectiveness and connection in their lives, work and relationships.
Robert began his study and practice of mindfulness meditation in 1999, and completed training as an MBSR instructor at the Center for Mindfulness at UMass Medical School in 2008.
Shanti Douglas
Shanti is a Mindfulness & Stress Management Coach, corporate trainer, and yoga instructor, as well as the founder of 8 limbs Holistic Health, LLC in Concord, NH. Working with individuals, children, groups, and businesses, she has helped countless people attain health and balance in their lives.
Shanti has degrees in both Psychology and Human Services with advanced work in Consciousness Studies. Prior to establishing her business in 2007, Shanti spent 20+ years in business and finance, including working as a credit manager for a global software company.
Paul Fulton, Ed.D.
Paul is a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist, and founding member and former president of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy. He holds a doctorate from Harvard University, where he is a Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry, and directs the Certificate Program in Mindfulness & Psychotherapy offered to mental health and other healthcare professionals.
Paul is co-editor and co-author of Mindfulness and Psychotherapy (Guilford Press), and has authored many articles and book chapters on mindfulness and Western psychology. He has lectured nationally and internationally. He is in private practice in Newton, MA.
Jeff Goding
After many years serving as the CEO of a renowned management education and research firm, Jeff Goding left the company and immersed himself in the study and practice of secular mindfulness meditation. Since then, he has completed numerous silent retreats, and is a graduate of the MBSR program at the Center for Mindfulness at the UMass Medical School.
He now combines his expertise in leadership and business transformation with his research and years of meditation experience to help organizations and leaders at all levels harness the power of mindfulness to improve their overall health, satisfaction, and effectiveness.
Jackie Johnson
Jackie is a Professional Certified Coach, and the principal and founder of Choice Coaching and Consulting. Leveraging over 20 years of experience as a Leadership Coach and Organizational Consultant, Jackie helps leaders positively transform their organizations and their lives by cultivating mindful awareness and action.
Jackie has worked with a broad spectrum of clients including financial service companies; manufacturers of consumer goods, chemicals and high tech devices; professional service firms and non-profits.
A longtime practitioner of mindfulness meditation, Jackie has deep personal retreat experience and has completed MBSR teacher training at the Center for Mindfulness at UMass Medical School.
Liz Maillett
Liz engaged in the practice of law for over 25 years, and has practiced mindfulness meditation since 1998. She is the founder of Still Sense, which offers mindfulness training to legal and business professionals. Since receiving MBSR teacher training at the Center for Mindfulness at UMass Medical School, Liz has additionally brought mindfulness to teachers, cancer patients, and young people.
Recent speaking engagements include a keynote on mindfulness and the law at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Law Librarians of New England, and a presentation at the first-ever “Mindful Lawyer” Conference in Berkeley, CA.
Christine O’Shaughnessy
Christine is the founder of Mindful Presence, offering mindfulness trainings to corporations, groups, and individuals. She has practiced Insight Meditation for more than 15 years, teaching for 12. She is an RYT200 certified yoga instructor, and the co-creator of Harvard Pilgrim’s yoga program.
Christine brings the depth of knowledge from her career as a corporate executive into her mindfulness trainings, guiding individuals to become more effective leaders in the workplace. She has occupied senior positions at a search and consulting firm, a software company, and an investment management firm, and received her MBA from Babson College.
Sara Schedler
Sara has practiced insight meditation for over 15 years. She is a graduate of the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center’s Certification in Mindfulness Facilitation, and has undergone long-term training with teachers in both Asia and the West.
Sara has taught numerous day long retreats and programs at a variety of companies, organizations and educational institutions. She has worked in the environmental field on issues related to climate change, transportation and clean energy, and as a program manager for several non-profits involved in legislative and regulatory activities. She holds a B.A. in International Development Studies from Brown University.
Greg Topakian, Ph.D.
Greg is a long time educator and actuary, having taught economics at Boston University and serving as Actuarial Director at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. Greg holds a doctorate in economics from the University of California, Berkeley; masters and bachelor degrees from Brown University; and professional actuarial credentials.
Over the past thirty years, Greg has balanced his professional life with a daily practice of yoga and mindfulness meditation. Greg now devotes his time to teaching mindfulness to employees of local colleges, town governments, and corporations across the state.
Rebecca Wing
Rebecca is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor specializing in mindfulness-based work for individuals at all stages of life, families, large corporations, educators, and students. She co-founded the Mindfulness Retreat Center of Maine with her husband Terry Fralich, where she sees private clients and holds group sessions and retreats.
Rebecca received MBSR teacher training at the Center for Mindfulness at UMass Medical School, and has also received training in interpersonal neurobiology. She has been a daily meditation and yoga practitioner for over 20 years.
More information: www.harvardpilgrim.org/mindfulness