Meet Our Team
Founder & President Emeritus
Mary Campbell
Founder and President Emeritus
Mary Campbell is the founder of Walking Our Talk. In 2005, Mary Campbell, with the help of her coach, Maia Conty, achieved a lifetime goal of using her musical talent to sing in front of a live audience. Afterwards, Mary was inspired to assist other women in achieving similar experiences. In Mary’s words, “I wanted them to have the same empowering experience... to know the joy of bringing their own brand of genius into the world.” Mary felt strongly that women’s voices must be heard. To do that, she felt that we needed to have women experience the power of community and connection. The following year, Mary read Jean Shinoda Bolen’s book The Millionth Circle and again was inspired. This time she acted on it by inviting eight women to join her in Circle, to bring their hopes and dreams out into the open, and to share what was real in their lives. So began Walking Our Talk... no more just talking. Mary is currently a woman’s empowerment and intimacy coach, ordained inter-spiritual minister, counselor, and educator. She is the author of the forthcoming book: The Pleasure Playbook: 13 Invitations for Awakening Joy. Mary also offers women sensuality workshops and retreats locally and around the world and works privately with individuals and couples wishing to deepen their heart and body connection.
Board
Rosanne Mistretta
President
Rosanne came to WOT after moving to the Berkshires from Philadelphia. She redently retired from SUNY as the assistant director of a state-wide program for experienced teachers and school counselors. In her career, she's been an environmental attorney for the EPA, a science and environmental studies educator, and an outdoor experiential learning instructor. Rosanne comes to the WOT board with prior board experience, currently also serving as the secretary of the Association for Experiential Education and the Vice President of Taconic Trout Unlimited. Her prior board experience included serving as the President of the TTF Watershed Association and the Pennsylvania Association for Environmental Educators. Rosanne loved the intentionality and structure of WOT circles starting with her very first Circle in 2020. She finds that the Agreements serve as a template for authentic connections and reflection in her life. Doing a project during each Circle has allowed her to explore and accomplish many goals, both big and small, with the caring support of a great group of women. In her free time, you can find Rosanne hiking with her husband Steve and border collie Jasper (or with her children or friends). She also loves swimming, fly fishing, and cooking Italian food. Rosanne manages WOT's Facebook and Instagram pages.
Annie McCormack
Treasurer
Bio coming soon.
Jana Pfeiffer
Secretary
Jana, a WOT Board member as of January 2024, became part of the community in a zoom circle in 2020 and soon after trained to be a facilitator. With a Master of Science degree from MGH Institute of Health Professions, she is a speech and language pathologist in the Berkshires. Previously she directed an early intervention program in the Berkshires and specialized in working with young children diagnosed with autism and their families at The May Institute, New England Center for Children and
Watertown Preschool. She volunteers at The Guthrie Center and hosts the open mic with her band The Juckets. She enjoys all the wonderful offerings of the Berkshires.
Walking Our Talk has made a significant impact on her life and she is looking forward to giving back to support women everywhere.
Paula Carnese
Board Member
Paula is so excited to be a new WOT Board member as of January 2024 and act as an ambassador for the organization. She has been a lifelong learner: earning a Bachelor's degree in Human Services, and a Masters degree at age 50 in Special Education from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. She has worked with a diverse population of adults and children in a variety of urban settings. Her professional background includes working in the fields of early childhood education, human services, and social science research. For the latter part of her career she was a special educator working in the Boston Public Schools as an Early Childhood Liaison. She is a people person who works well independently and as part of a team. Paula thrives on networking, and helping people connect with resources and referrals. She is ready to put her skill set to work to help WOT reach its organizational goals.
Staff
Deborah DeMarche Carusone
Executive Director
As an ICF-Certified Life Coach, Deb came to WOT with a background in both life coaching for individuals and facilitating mind-body skills groups. After watching the magic that happens in Circle, Deb is convinced that WOT Circles and similar group models are exactly what our communities, nation and the world need more than ever. Among so many benefits, Circles bring a sense of safety and community and authentic connection that is so lacking in so many parts of our lives. This is possible because of the structure of the Circles and the Agreements, which are the backbone and safety net of Circles. Deb is thankful to be part of such a wonderful and necessary organization, especially during these challenging times.
When Deb is not working as a coach and facilitator, she loves spending time with friends and family, being outdoors, taking and sharing pics of new and favorite things, and generally treating life as a learning adventure, as best she can.
Deb is also a WOT Circle Facilitator.
Contact Deb regarding the following:
Scholarship Needs
Becoming a Facilitator
Hosting a Circle Near You
e-mail Deb (deb@walkingourtalk.org)
Rebecca McFarland
Finance Manager
Rebecca is a self-employed Rodan+Fields Skincare Consultant and small business consultant, fitness enthusiast, and mother of 2 grown children. She joined her first WOT circle in 2019, did the facilitator training that summer, and became a facilitator last fall. Rebecca also assists with WOT's admin team.
After almost 30 years of supporting people who owned their own business, she became a consultant, creating fulfilling work to support other business owners as they implement sound organizational and financial operations.
In her spare time, Rebecca can be found reveling in the outdoors while gardening, cycling, hiking, skiing, or paddling. She shares her overflowing heart with grace and grit.
Rebecca is also a WOT Circle Facilitator.
Melanie Norton
Website Manager
Melanie is a seasoned product manager and business analyst who has worked with both startups and corporations to improve their digital presence and create products that people love to use. In her spare time, she lends her skillset to non-profits, helping them reach their goals by optimizing websites, services and business models. She runs a doggie daycare in Richmond, MA and loves to hike, bike, and ski!
Shannon Maneely-Ranson
Bio coming soon.
Facilitators
Arti Roots Ross
Arti Roots Ross is a visionary, adventurer, and multi-dimensional massage and yoga professional as well as an ordained Interspiritual community minister. She is passionately launching her new retreat center Chrysalis Springs, bringing her wisdom and 35 years of experience right here in the Berkshires, practicing and teaching massage, energy healing, and yoga, as senior faculty and former Dean of Kripalu School of Massage, owner of Muddy Angel Healing Arts, Founder/ director of Optimal Wellness Lifestyle Strategies and as a community “Minister without Walls” Arti considers Walking Our Talk to be a powerful and integral part of growing and strengthening the spiritual community in the Berkshires. She joined WOT circles in 2012 and has initiated and facilitated our Pittsfield circles for many years. Arti is so grateful and honored to hold space for the beautiful women of our county in this way."
Courtney Gilardi
Bio coming soon.
Deb DeMarche Carusone
As an ICF-Certified Life Coach, Deb came to WOT with a background in both life coaching for individuals and facilitating mind-body skills groups. After watching the magic that happens in Circle, Deb is convinced that WOT Circles and similar group models are exactly what our communities, nation and the world need more than ever. Among so many benefits, Circles bring a sense of safety and community and authentic connection that is so lacking in so many parts of our lives. This is possible because of the structure of the Circles and the Agreements, which are the backbone and safety net of Circles. Deb is thankful to be part of such a wonderful and necessary organization, especially during these challenging times. When Deb is not working as a coach and facilitator, she loves spending time with friends and family, being outdoors, taking and sharing pics of new and favorite things, and generally treating life as a learning adventure, as best she can. Deb is also a WOT Circle Facilitator. Contact Deb regarding the following: Scholarship Needs Becoming a Facilitator Hosting a Circle Near You e-mail Deb (deb@walkingourtalk.org)
Deb Hertzel
Bio coming soon.
Eileen Quinn
Bio coming soon.
Jaimee Christinat
Bio coming soon.
Jana Pfeiffer
Jana, a WOT Board member as of January 2024, became part of the community in a zoom circle in 2020 and soon after trained to be a facilitator. With a Master of Science degree from MGH Institute of Health Professions, she is a speech and language pathologist in the Berkshires. Previously she directed an early intervention program in the Berkshires and specialized in working with young children diagnosed with autism and their families at The May Institute, New England Center for Children and
Watertown Preschool. She volunteers at The Guthrie Center and hosts the open mic with her band The Juckets. She enjoys all the wonderful offerings of the Berkshires.
Walking Our Talk has made a significant impact on her life and she is looking forward to giving back to support women everywhere.
Janis Bowersox
Janis Bowersox MBA, Certified Life Coach, yoga teacher, entrepreneur, author and mother, joined her first WOT circle in 2015 and will serve on our Board of Directors this year. She has worked for several non-profits in housing and education, as well as in the private sector where she started her own business. Since stepping away from paid employment in 2014, she’s volunteered with refugees in Greece and vulnerable children in India. Here she is in the Ganges River.
Jessica Curtis
Bio coming soon.
Jill Fleming
Bio coming soon.
Kenly Brozman
Bio coming soon.
Kim Kaufman
Bio coming soon.
Maggie Mitchell
Bio coming soon.
Rebecca McFarland
"Rebecca is a self-employed Rodan+Fields Skincare Consultant and small business consultant, fitness enthusiast, and mother of 2 grown children. She joined her first WOT circle in 2019, did the facilitator training that summer, and became a facilitator last fall. Rebecca also assists with WOT's admin team.
After almost 30 years of supporting people who owned their own business, she became a consultant, creating fulfilling work to support other business owners as they implement sound organizational and financial operations.
In her spare time, Rebecca can be found reveling in the outdoors while gardening, cycling, hiking, skiing, or paddling. She shares her overflowing heart with grace and grit.
Rebecca is also a WOT Circle Facilitator."
Rosanne Mistretta
Rosanne came to WOT after moving to the Berkshires from Philadelphia. She redently retired from SUNY as the assistant director of a state-wide program for experienced teachers and school counselors. In her career, she's been an environmental attorney for the EPA, a science and environmental studies educator, and an outdoor experiential learning instructor. Rosanne comes to the WOT board with prior board experience, currently also serving as the secretary of the Association for Experiential Education and the Vice President of Taconic Trout Unlimited. Her prior board experience included serving as the President of the TTF Watershed Association and the Pennsylvania Association for Environmental Educators. Rosanne loved the intentionality and structure of WOT circles starting with her very first Circle in 2020. She finds that the Agreements serve as a template for authentic connections and reflection in her life. Doing a project during each Circle has allowed her to explore and accomplish many goals, both big and small, with the caring support of a great group of women. In her free time, you can find Rosanne hiking with her husband Steve and border collie Jasper (or with her children or friends). She also loves swimming, fly fishing, and cooking Italian food. Rosanne manages WOT's Facebook and Instagram pages
Silke Fuchshofen
"Silke Fuchshofen moved to the US in 1995, with her husband and two young children. She has been an avid meditator for 30 or so years, loves to swim, studied classic homeopathy at the New England School of Homeopathy and received training in organic agriculture.
After 10 years as an organic inspector, Silke decided in 2019 to cut down on travel and now works for her own organic consulting business. Silke participated in her first WOT circle in spring 2019, immediately decided to become a facilitator and trained during that summer."
Sudha Carolyn Lundeen
Sudha Carolyn Lundeen has been working in the Healing Arts for over 30 years as RN, Meditation & Stress Management Specialist, Mentor, Ayurvedic Lifestyle Coach, Holistic Health Nurse, Workshop leader, Yoga Teacher Trainer and Yoga Therapist. She works with clients privately as well as in group settings. Her personal experiences with healing combined with 10 years in clinical nursing (Rehab, Recovery Room, and Oncology Nursing) lends a sensitivity and broad knowledge base that is described as welcoming, humorous and healing.
Susan Solovay
Bio coming soon.