The Team

Dr. Kurt Johnson has worked in science and spirituality for over 40 years. In spirituality Kurt is co-author of the recently published book The Coming Interspiritual Age with David Robert Ord, the Editorial Director of Namaste Publishing. As a New Release, the book has been in Amazon's Top Ten in Spirituality and was named a "Best Spiritual Book of 2013" by Spirituality and Practice.com. In science Kurt is the co-author of the best-selling Nabokov's Blues, with Steve Coates of The New York Times, which was a Top Ten Book in science in 2000.

Kurt was originally a Christian monk and founded, with Br. Wayne Teasdale and others, the InterSpiritual Dialogue Association for discussion of contemplative experience across traditions. Ordained in three spiritual traditions, he works also with The Contemplative Alliance and Integral Communities.

In science Kurt's PhD is in evolution, ecology, systematics and comparative biology. Associated with the American Museum of Natural History (30 yrs.) he published 200+ articles on evolution and ecology, including the 2011 Harvard DNA sequence study vindicating Vladimir Nabokov's views of evolution. He is currently completing another book on Nabokov's science and art for Yale University Press. He is co-author of a new book Fine Lines on Nabokov's science and art from Yale University Press, 2014. Kurt's primary interest is the simplicity of nondual spiritual practice.

See Kurt's work at http://multiplex.isdna.org/newpage27.htm.

Rev. Deborah Moldow is an interfaith minister who is committed to assisting in the transformation of human consciousness that will lead to a culture of peace. She contributes to this global awakening through her ministry, international peace efforts, interfaith work, speaking, writing and singing.

Deborah is also Co-Director with Diane Williams of the Evolutionary Leaders circle, a project of the Source of Synergy Foundation that brings together visionaries committed to the acceleration of the conscious evolution of humanity in these critical times. She is also a Creative Consultant for Unity Earth.

Deborah served as the Representative to the United Nations of the World Peace Prayer Society for more than 20 years, promoting the universal prayer “May Peace Prevail on Earth,” and she led Peace Pole dedications and World Peace Flag Ceremonies at the United Nations and around the world. She was a Co-Chair of the International Day of Peace NGO Committee at the UN and Facilitator of the United Religions Initiative at the UN cooperation circle. In 2009, Deborah was a recipient of the Spirit of the United Nations Award, presented by the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns.

Rev. Deborah’s ministry includes leading unique monthly Interfaith Sundays at the Chapel at Croton Falls and a monthly local Spirit Salon, as well as performing weddings and other ceremonies. See www.revdeborah.com.

Monica Willard is the Representative to the United Nations for the United Religions Initiative, a worldwide grassroots organization comprised of 600 multi-faith Cooperation Circles around the world bridging religious and cultural differences to work together for the good of their communities and the world. Monica has been at the UN since 1991, representing The Ribbon International and Pathways To Peace before representing the URI in 2002. She chaired the annual DPI NGO Conference in 1996 and continues to work with the Department of Public Information on the annual International Day of Peace Youth Observance as a Co-Chair of the International Day of Peace NGO Committee at the UN.

In 2005, Monica was a founding member of the Tripartite Forum, a working group of UN Member States, UN system agencies and the Committee of Religious NGOs organized to promote interfaith cooperation for peace and development. She served as President of the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations and helped organize 2012 and 2013 World Interfaith Harmony Week events in the UN General Assembly. She received the Spirit of the United Nations Award presented by the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns, and is also on the Board of PeaceJam, representing Nobel Laureate Betty Williams.