Valentine McKay-Riddell, Ph.D., Founder and Executive Director
Lewis Riddell, Secretary-Treasurer
Lumina Greenway
Robert Benfield-White
Madeleine Benfield-White
Claire McKay
Edward Keller
 

Valentine McKay-Riddell, Ph.D., is the founder and Executive Director of Orenda Healing International, a 501c.3. non profit organization devoted to promoting individual and community health and well being. Born a "Navy brat" in Orlando, Florida, she has lived in Canada, Mexico, and much of the United States, and has traveled in England, Ireland, and the British West Indies. She studied creative writing, education and child psychology at the University of Texas in Austin, painting and sculpture at the University of Nebraska in Omaha, and Arts and Consciousness at John F. Kennedy University in Orinda, California. She holds a PhD in Transpersonal Psychology and a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto, California, and a BFA in painting and sculpture from the San Francisco Art Institute. She serves as Co-President of the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology's Alumni Association.

She has taught art-making to young people and adults since 1965, and Healing Art^© - a blend of shamanism and art-making which she developed in 1984 to heal herself of cancer - to AIDS and cancer patients; incarcerated, homeless, and "at-risk" youth; the developmentally disabled; and women in transition in Texas, California, Oregon, and New Mexico. She is a certified Reiki Master in the Usui Lineage.

Dr. McKay-Riddell is currently researching the self-empowerment of adolescent girls through reconnection with the Earth as Mother/Goddess-Gaia. She maintains a private practice in holistic counseling and shamanic healing in Berkeley, California, where she and her husband Lewis Riddell, share their home with two cats, several raccoons and skunks, and an amazing number of squirrels, birds, and other urban wildlife. In her free time she writes fantasy for teens and visits with her two adult daughters and five grandchildren.

Born in Media, PA, Lewis Riddell holds a BS in geology from Waynesburg College and a BFA in painting from the San Francisco Art Institute. Lewis moved to California in 1969 following a tour of duty as a naval officer in Vietnam and Key West, FL, to New Mexico in 1990, and back to California in 2001. A professional painter, he has worked with at-risk youth and the developmentally disabled in California and New Mexico. He is an informal student of transpersonal psychology and spiritual guidance and holds an Advanced Certificate in Psychodrama.

Lumina Greenway is a member of the Board of Directors of Orenda Healing International. Born in Providence, RI, she is an Owner/Director of Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc. in Bennington, NH, and a professional photographer with focus on architectural detail and the natural world (especially marine mammals).

Lumina worked as a volunteer from the late 50's to the mid 70's in medical settings treating severely ill and impaired children, in drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinics as a counselor and therapist, and (through the Greenwich Garden Club) on local environmental issues including the National and Connecticut Clean Air and Water Acts.

Lumina moved to Taos, NM in the mid 90's, where she studied Reiki and Healing Art with Valentine McKay-Riddell, became a member of the Orenda Healing International Board of Directors and later served as Treasurer. She served on the Board of Directors of Taos Talking Pictures (a 501 c3) for 4 years until its dissolution in 2004. Lumina moved from Taos, NM to Nelson, NH in 2003 and is currently a member of the Nelson Conservation Commision and is pursuing both her Reiki Practice and her photography.

Edward F. Keller moved from Hawaii to Santa Fe, NM in the early '90's, where he studied Healing Art with Valentine McKay-Riddell and became a member of the Orenda Healing International Board of Directors in 1995. Edward holds a BFA in Art History and Interior Design from New York Institute of Technology. After a successful career in retail furniture and commercial interior design, he spends much of his time working in photography and mixed media assemblage-pieces which are shown internationally and included in many public and private collections.

He holds a Master's degree in Counseling and Art Therapy from Southwestern College in Santa Fe, NM. He plans continued involvement with Orenda Healing International, particularly in its work with young people.

Claire McKay is a member of the Orenda Healing International Board of Directors. Born in Austin, TX, Claire holds a B.A. in Spanish from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Arts in School Psychology. She is a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology, a Licensed Professional Counselor, and a Life Coach. Claire practices school psychology part-time and has a private practice for therapy and coaching clients.

Claire was a Board Member and Treasurer of the Austin Center for Attitudinal Healing, Board Member of the Austin Children's Museum, and Board Member and Secretary-Treasurer of St. Francis School.

Robert Benfield-White is a Board Member and Director of European Operations for Orenda Healing International. Robert is currently working in Human Services in Stockholm, Sweden.

Madeleine Benfield-White is a member of the Orenda Healing International Board of Directors. Madeleine works in Stockholm, Sweden, with a large computer service organization.