Staff & Board of Directors
Our Staff & Board of Directors is comprised of professionals from many fields, all of whom practice meditation. They abide by our Ethical Guidelines and support IDP's strategic activities and monitor the direction and mission of our organization.
Staff
Nandini Naik she/her
Executive Director
Nandini Naik was born in India and took her first formal Zen meditation class in High School (UWC). After doing her first ten day silent retreat in the Vispassana tradition while double majoring in Religion and Theatre from Colby college, Nandini taught Tibetan refugees English in Dharamsala, India. She learned so much from her time there and was so inspired that while at NYU Steinhardt, getting a Masters in Education, she wrote and directed a play entitled, "Turbulent Tibet." Before becoming the Executive Director at IDP, Nandini worked as a public school teacher for six years and then as an instructional coach for three. She graduated from the IDP MTT in the first cohort of 2011 and was a secretary for the IDP Board from 2010-2016.
Gala Naero she/her
Community Partner and Curriculum Designer
Gala is a mother, artist, educator, activist and meditation teacher, who started practicing meditation through martial arts in her twenties to help her manage symptoms from depression and hormonal imbalances. Now, Gala shares these practices in many ways, including curating art and mindfulness lessons for students of all ages. Currently, Gala works with schools and educational spaces to incorporate mindfulness and meditation into curriculums.
Evy Fung she/her
Community Partner and Curriculum Designer
Evy Fung has been fascinated with spirituality and wellness since she was a teenager. After a difficult time in her life, she began meditating in 2010 and in 2018 received certification as a meditation teacher. Having mixed Caribbean ancestry, she is dedicated to inspiring more representation of BIPOC and LGBTQIA folks in the wellness field. She is the co-founder of a startup called Uniformed Meditation, a convenient meditation experience for Frontline workers and First Responders. In her spare time, she enjoys the arts and being a mom and partner.
Dan McFadden he/him
Marketing Strategist | Web Developer and Maintenance
Dan is a certified meditation teacher and nature therapy practitioner living in New York City. He teaches mindfulness meditation for all experience levels and age groups with the intention of helping students develop their own skills to be present and self-regulate. He holds a bachelor degree in communications from Marist College, and works full-time as a public relations specialist for healthcare brands. Learn more at DanMcFadden.com.
Beth Clifford she/her
Marketing Strategist
Beth is an avid learner and lover of life. During the lockdown period of Covid-19, she decided it was time to try out meditation, and soon enough she found herself at IDP participating in the TMTC Program and preparing to become a lifelong mindfulness educator. Part of her current preparation looks like substitute teaching in NYC public schools. She is also a masters student at Teacher's College studying the social construction of education.
Kellie Miller she/her
Volunteer
Kellie is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and support. She started practicing mindfulness in 2012, and has since seen firsthand the positive impact it has had on her life. Kellie is looking forward to being a part of the education of mindfulness in today's society. She has a bachelor's degree from College of Charleston in Arts Management.
Board of Directors
Kat Hendrix, JD she/her
Board Chair (2022-Present)
Kat has worked on behalf of children and youth for 16 years. She is currently the Statewide Partnerships Manager at Oregon Child Abuse Solutions, located in Portland. Kat has been a meditator for 17 years and has practiced a broad range of techniques and approaches. She recently completed the two-year Contemplative Studies Immersion Course: An Interdisciplinary Deep Dive into Tibetan Buddhism as well as the Lam Rim Meditation Series: Practice and Application of the Gradual Path of Tibetan Buddhism. She loves spending time camping, hiking, and paddleboarding, along with her four precious cats and her partner.
Lani Rowe
Board Member
Lani holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Yale University and was the founding student coordinator of the MacMillan Center Initiative on Religion, Politics and Society. Lani is a graduate of IDPMTT 2012, teaches meditation, and is a dedicated yoga practitioner and athlete. She is committed to embodied and artful mindfulness/awareness training.
Angela A. Russo she/her
Board Member
Angela has focused her career on supporting initiatives leading to stronger, more inclusive communities, such as financial inclusion, youth development, housing, and homelessness. Currently, she assists various New Jersey communities in implementing government grants that seek to strengthen low-income communities. She received her B.A. in Urban Studies, Housing & Community Development from Rutgers University.
Susan Skinner she/her
Board Member | Grant Writer
Susan works to empower individuals and organizations as a therapist, coalition builder, program developer and grant writer. She has a private clinical practice and is currently developing Hope Springs Healing Arts Studio, a curated online space offering clinical and creative opportunities for personal work. Susan holds a PhD in Psychology from Walden University, an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Union Institute and University and a BA in Political Science from St John Fisher College.