Join Linda Weill for these fun art projects:
- Painting or drawing birds on cigar boxes
- Decorating a book cover with pressed plants
- Constructing a Japanese style folding book
Linda Weill’s beautiful ceramic mosaics can be found throughout the Rancho La Puerta property and Professor’s Park. A public school art teacher for 25 years, Linda pivoted from teacher to student when, at age 60 she enrolled in a mosaics course at the renowned Orsoni Furnice in Venice. Since then, she has worked with schools and community groups to create narrative ceramic mosaics. These detailed public art installations feature handmade clay pieces and depict cultural and ecological themes of the land they inhabit. Linda loves to teach at Rancho La Puerta and guests always enjoy her multi-media art classes.
Joy Khoo, a Master Certified Coach (MCC) through the International Coach Federation (ICF), is an executive coach and facilitator passionate about creating transformative, inspiring, and connecting experiences for her clients. In addition to her coaching expertise, Joy is certified in expressive arts facilitation. As an artist at heart, she has also designed greeting cards featured at prestigious venues, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Seattle Art Museum, and the Seattle Symphony Gift Store. Joy was recognized by Secretary Colin Powell for her leadership work with the U.S. Embassy in Indonesia and spent a decade at the Gates Foundation. She currently leads development workshops for organizations such as the Gates Foundation and Stanford University. Additionally, she has been serving as a guest teacher at YTL Resorts, a 5-star luxury destination in Asia, where she leads immersive self-discovery and mindfulness workshops.
Jessica Colvin, MSW, MPH is a national leader in the school wellness movement, with over 25 years of experience supporting the health and well-being of youth. As the founder of SWELL – Schools Well, she has helped design and launch more than 90 school-based Wellness Centers across California and beyond, creating spaces grounded in student voice, wellness, and belonging. Within this work, Jessica has developed the Wellness Toolbox – a framework that invites youth and adults alike to recognize and name their emotions (“name it to tame it”) and build personalized tools for coping, emotional regulation, and self-care. Some of these tools include mindfulness, movement, and connection – and for Jessica, one of her most meaningful wellness tools has always been art. When she’s not working with schools, Jessica can often be found teaching arts & crafts workshops – a passion she’s pursued for over 30 years, blending creativity, mindfulness, expression, and play. She believes art isn’t just a hobby, but a meaningful way to support emotional well-being and reconnect with joy – regardless of experience level.
Brent Hedstrom
Karen Boren Gerstenberger is an artist who lives and creates by the shores of Puget Sound, Washington, using acrylic paint and mixed media. Her work is held in collections around North America, in Europe and South Africa, and is shown in her gallery in Kingston, Washington. She has a deep reverence for nature and its healing potential in our lives. A dedicated walker, she knows personally the solace, inspiration, freedom, and joy that strolling in nature provides because it helped to release her from 30 years of “artist’s block.” She co-facilitates the Stroll for Well-Being Program at the beautiful Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island, Washington, which continually inspires her. In her memoir, Because of Katie, Karen tells the true story of her journey with her daughter and family through the world of pediatric cancer. She created and taught WORD SOUP© (a writer’s workshop). Karen founded & is President of Katie’s Comforters Guild and The Katie Gerstenberger Endowment for Cancer
David Wellis, Ph.D., is a renowned cell biologist, innovator, and entrepreneur with over 30 years in the life science industry. He currently serves as CEO of FreMon Scientific, advancing precision thawing technologies for improved clinical outcomes. Previously, he was co-founder and CEO of Excellos and led the San Diego Blood Bank, connecting donors with research and clinical opportunities. Dr. Wellis has held leadership roles in antibody and biomedical research, trained at UC Irvine, Emory, Tufts, and UC Berkeley, and contributes to national health and biotech organizations. Recognized as one of San Diego’s Most Influential People, he’s also a frequent speaker at major scientific and leadership forums, including the Young Presidents Organization and the White House.
Kerena Gordhamer Saltzman, LCSW is a therapist, leadership coach, and facilitator with over 25 years of experience. She has been on faculty at Esalen Institute for 15 years, taught at Omega Institute, and curated women’s leadership programs through Emerging Women. Kerena also co-leads a year-long Enneagram and Relational Leadership program with her husband, Ben Saltzman.
Ben Saltzman is an internationally known leadership coach, Enneagram expert, spiritual maverick, and world class facilitator.
Some of the best discoveries are made by accident and that’s what happened in the fusion of the musical talents of Judi Jaeger and Bob Reid. They unwittingly found that perfect harmony while standing next to each other at a music camp jam in the summer of 2015. Their musical spark quickly caught fire and was noticed by those around them – and the successful collaboration between Jaeger and Reid was born. Judi grew up near Montreal, Canada, where her world was filled with music; her mother and brother sang and played guitar and she listened to Leonard Cohen, Peter, Paul & Mary, Pete Seeger and many others. She began her career as a performing songwriter as an expression of her loss after the death of her mother and has written songs for her local domestic violence prevention organization. Bob is a fourth generation Californian, and like Judi, Bob also grew up surrounded by music. Bob’s mom performed in coffeehouses in the 1960’s, while his father was a gospel concert promoter. Bob has been a California Arts Council Artists in Schools, performed at the United Nations in New York, in concert, at festivals and in schools across the United States. His original songs have been sung by Pete Seeger, Bill Harley, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer and many others. Bob was chosen by the Seeger family to perform at memorial concerts for both Pete and Toshi Seeger in New York. Bob has a keen eye for musicality, empowerment, appreciation of nature and social causes in his writing. Jaeger & Reid have been performing around the United States, in Canada and France in a variety of venues, indoors and out, including house concerts.
Jill Nussinow, MS, RDN
