our organizational foundation
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With any organization, it takes a dedicated group of individuals who volunteer their time to ensure that we stay on point with our mission and vision. It is also up to them to guide the organization toward success and growth. Healing Partners of the Central Coast is blessed to have the broad background and experience of our current Board of Directors. We are grateful for their expertise, their dedication to our organization, and their commitment to the success of the services we provide to our community.
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Meet Our directors
Margot Baker, Chair — Founding Board Member to present
I came to Healing Touch in a roundabout way, although the threads weaving this fabric seem to have had a pattern in mind. After a 30 year career helping college students choose and create their futures, I was drawn into another form of transitions. I still stand in thresholds as an usher, helping others move from one version of themselves into another. I was drawn to this work, having come from a family of breast cancer survivors...grandmother, 5 aunts, 4 first cousins. In the past 16 years, I have been paired with 120 cancer patients for weekly Healing Touch. Through these 1200+ Healing Touch sessions, it has been my privilege to work deeply with clients thrust into a transition not of their choosing.
While research verifies Healing Touch as a good way to soften the side effects of cancer treatment, this relationship between provider and recipient also provides a moment of striking opportunity for important shifts. As trust deepens, new realms of experience are tapped. In the stillness and quiet peace of a Healing Touch session, new possibilities are seen, sorted, and woven into new patterns. There is no roadmap ahead, only a gritty commitment to the kind of change that could promote a healthier future. Together, past patterns are seen through a new lens, and the recipient begins to step forward in unanticipated ways. It is a privilege to be present in these moments, again helping another person create a new and better version of themselves.
While research verifies Healing Touch as a good way to soften the side effects of cancer treatment, this relationship between provider and recipient also provides a moment of striking opportunity for important shifts. As trust deepens, new realms of experience are tapped. In the stillness and quiet peace of a Healing Touch session, new possibilities are seen, sorted, and woven into new patterns. There is no roadmap ahead, only a gritty commitment to the kind of change that could promote a healthier future. Together, past patterns are seen through a new lens, and the recipient begins to step forward in unanticipated ways. It is a privilege to be present in these moments, again helping another person create a new and better version of themselves.
Robert Nielsen, Secretary — Board member, November 2020-present
Bob Nielsen has been a student and practitioner of mind-body healing for the last three decades. He has completed training and initiation into First & Second Degree Reiki, and
has been a recipient of Healing Touch. He is a poet, writer and photographer, and lives in Carmel Valley. He practiced international and corporate law for forty years as a partner in a San Francisco law firm and as general counsel of public and private multinational companies. He has also served as a board member, board chair, board committee chair, and a senior corporate officer. In addition, he has served as a director or trustee of a number of nonprofit organizations, and as a vestry member of his Episcopal parishes.
has been a recipient of Healing Touch. He is a poet, writer and photographer, and lives in Carmel Valley. He practiced international and corporate law for forty years as a partner in a San Francisco law firm and as general counsel of public and private multinational companies. He has also served as a board member, board chair, board committee chair, and a senior corporate officer. In addition, he has served as a director or trustee of a number of nonprofit organizations, and as a vestry member of his Episcopal parishes.
Jennifer Rudisill, Treasurer — Board member, November 2020-present
Jennifer is born and raised on the Monterey Peninsula with strong ties to the peninsula. Jennifer remains active serving as Treasurer for IMPOWER, Inc. and serving as a Voting Board Member for the Living Breath Foundation. Jennifer joined the Healing Partners of the Central Coast Board in November 2020. She also served as Past-Treasurer for the Dentistry 4 Vets.
Jennifer has been involved in public accounting since 2013 and opened her own Certified Public Accounting Firm in 2020. She received her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. She also did graduate work at Keller Graduate School in Accounting and Financial Management. Prior to her work in public accounting, Jennifer helped students working on their finances at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.
Jennifer is passionate about community, helping others when they need it most and empowering women to overcome. When she is not volunteering or working, Jennifer enjoys raising her two daughters, spending time with her loved ones at the beach, reading and cooking.
Jennifer has been involved in public accounting since 2013 and opened her own Certified Public Accounting Firm in 2020. She received her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. She also did graduate work at Keller Graduate School in Accounting and Financial Management. Prior to her work in public accounting, Jennifer helped students working on their finances at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.
Jennifer is passionate about community, helping others when they need it most and empowering women to overcome. When she is not volunteering or working, Jennifer enjoys raising her two daughters, spending time with her loved ones at the beach, reading and cooking.
Lisa Griffin Burns, Director — Board member, November 2020-present
Lisa Griffin Burns joined the Board of the Healing Partners of the Central Coast (HPCC) mere months after completing treatment for Stage 3 uterine cancer. As a cancer patient, she benefited from free in-person HT treatments during chemotherapy, prior to the onset of COVID lockdown measures in March 2020.
However, reeling from extensive side effects of pelvic radiation, her oncologist advocated for additional treatments, which were being provided virtually by the amazing HT providers to ensure patient safety in a COVID environment.
Lisa truly experienced the curative power of these energy-and heart-based
sessions — both in-person AND virtual — which helped to better align
her mind and body, and to achieve faster and more comprehensive
post-treatment healing and recovery!
Lisa’s personal experience with Healing Touch drives her passion to serve on the HPCC Board at this pivotal time! She is excited to use her nonprofit start-up management experience to assist the newly-designated nonprofit to resiliently expand its clientele to include cancer care-givers, healthcare workers, and cancer patients from underserved communities throughout Monterey County. She is also committed to responsibly guiding board development using a socio-economic and cultural diversity lens to recruit new Board members in this moment!
Lisa has 25+ years of municipal and nonprofit educational leadership experience, gained through the City of Monterey, and the International School of Monterey (ISM), helping to launch and lead that highly successful public charter school for 18 years. Her areas of expertise include Human Resources management, volunteer engagement, operations, and facilities/safety management. After retiring from ISM in 2018, Lisa energetically embraced her new role of community advocate for housing affordability and homelessness, foster youth, and promoting the nonprofit sector. She serves as a Board member with Community Homeless Solutions, committee member with the N onprofit Alliance of Monterey County, serves as a CASA: Court-appointed Special Advocate for a foster youth in Monterey County, is an organizing member of Women's March Monterey Bay, and volunteers to promote the COVIA Home Match program.
Lisa holds a M.A. in International Policy Studies from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) and a B.A. in Business Management. Before moving to the Monterey Peninsula in 1989 to pursue graduate school, Lisa lived and worked overseas in the Middle East and Germany as the daughter of a diplomat, cementing a lifelong interest in travel and foreign affairs. Her hobbies include swimming, walking her dog, Rambo, bicycling/e-bike riding, gardening, kayaking, painting, and sky-diving! Lisa looks forward to bringing her enthusiasm, positivity, curiosity, and passion to her role as an HPCC Board member!
However, reeling from extensive side effects of pelvic radiation, her oncologist advocated for additional treatments, which were being provided virtually by the amazing HT providers to ensure patient safety in a COVID environment.
Lisa truly experienced the curative power of these energy-and heart-based
sessions — both in-person AND virtual — which helped to better align
her mind and body, and to achieve faster and more comprehensive
post-treatment healing and recovery!
Lisa’s personal experience with Healing Touch drives her passion to serve on the HPCC Board at this pivotal time! She is excited to use her nonprofit start-up management experience to assist the newly-designated nonprofit to resiliently expand its clientele to include cancer care-givers, healthcare workers, and cancer patients from underserved communities throughout Monterey County. She is also committed to responsibly guiding board development using a socio-economic and cultural diversity lens to recruit new Board members in this moment!
Lisa has 25+ years of municipal and nonprofit educational leadership experience, gained through the City of Monterey, and the International School of Monterey (ISM), helping to launch and lead that highly successful public charter school for 18 years. Her areas of expertise include Human Resources management, volunteer engagement, operations, and facilities/safety management. After retiring from ISM in 2018, Lisa energetically embraced her new role of community advocate for housing affordability and homelessness, foster youth, and promoting the nonprofit sector. She serves as a Board member with Community Homeless Solutions, committee member with the N onprofit Alliance of Monterey County, serves as a CASA: Court-appointed Special Advocate for a foster youth in Monterey County, is an organizing member of Women's March Monterey Bay, and volunteers to promote the COVIA Home Match program.
Lisa holds a M.A. in International Policy Studies from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) and a B.A. in Business Management. Before moving to the Monterey Peninsula in 1989 to pursue graduate school, Lisa lived and worked overseas in the Middle East and Germany as the daughter of a diplomat, cementing a lifelong interest in travel and foreign affairs. Her hobbies include swimming, walking her dog, Rambo, bicycling/e-bike riding, gardening, kayaking, painting, and sky-diving! Lisa looks forward to bringing her enthusiasm, positivity, curiosity, and passion to her role as an HPCC Board member!
Marilyn Getas Byrne, Director — Board member, November 2020-present
Marilyn was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, at the age of 40. Her treatment plan was aggressive: Bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, hysterectomy and breast reconstruction. But along the way, she received the gift of Healing Touch and believes it was a powerful, integral part of her healing journey. Marilyn just celebrated her Ten-Year Survivor anniversary.
Before her diagnosis, Marilyn had a 20-year career in Television News. She was an award-winning Anchor-Reporter for CBS and NBC affiliates across the country.
Now, she uses her journalistic expertise to share her own survival story with
others by being a “Voice of Hope” for the American Cancer Society. She is
also writing a memoir about her healing journey.
She says, “Being on the Board of HPCC is a true honor and one way I can give back to others who are on the cancer path. I want them to experience the power and grace of Healing touch!”
Marilyn lives on the Central Coast with her husband and two children.
Before her diagnosis, Marilyn had a 20-year career in Television News. She was an award-winning Anchor-Reporter for CBS and NBC affiliates across the country.
Now, she uses her journalistic expertise to share her own survival story with
others by being a “Voice of Hope” for the American Cancer Society. She is
also writing a memoir about her healing journey.
She says, “Being on the Board of HPCC is a true honor and one way I can give back to others who are on the cancer path. I want them to experience the power and grace of Healing touch!”
Marilyn lives on the Central Coast with her husband and two children.
Joan Hill, Director — Board Member February 2022 to Present
Joan Luise Hill enjoyed a 30-year career in medical administration advancing innovative medical solutions both in the multi-specialty clinic setting and with novel health insurance companies. She continues to be passionate about advancing health care and educational opportunities in the community.
She is the author of two books The Miracle Chase (Sterling, 2010) and The Miracle Collectors, Uncovering Stories of Wonder, Joy, and Mystery (Hachette, 2021) exploring miracles from cultural, scientific and religious perspectives, and strives to empower each of us to identify the miracles in our own lives by becoming aware, deepening connection, and finding meaning.
Her current book project, Mere Mortals, draws on Joan's experiences as a cancer survivor with the goal of helping each of us to navigate our complex medical system and become better and more engaged patients. Joan has a master’s degree from the University of Connecticut and a bachelor of science degree from Boston College. Having lived in a number of states and with three adult children and families spread across the country, Joan and her husband Gene are avid (and constant) travelers.
She is the author of two books The Miracle Chase (Sterling, 2010) and The Miracle Collectors, Uncovering Stories of Wonder, Joy, and Mystery (Hachette, 2021) exploring miracles from cultural, scientific and religious perspectives, and strives to empower each of us to identify the miracles in our own lives by becoming aware, deepening connection, and finding meaning.
Her current book project, Mere Mortals, draws on Joan's experiences as a cancer survivor with the goal of helping each of us to navigate our complex medical system and become better and more engaged patients. Joan has a master’s degree from the University of Connecticut and a bachelor of science degree from Boston College. Having lived in a number of states and with three adult children and families spread across the country, Joan and her husband Gene are avid (and constant) travelers.
Marie Collins McMurchie, Director — Board member, September 2020-present
A fundraising professional with over 45 years of experience in over 20 states. Affiliated with National Agencies for most of my tenure. A graduate of University of Texas at Austin with a B.S. in Advertising and Marketing.
I oversaw operations that produced over $10 million on an annual basis. Hired, trained, and helped staff create viable plans for financial and programmatic success. I helped translate the National perspective to a local audience.
Currently I’m working with small and upstart agencies as a consultant. I was hired as a consultant by HPCC. Subsequently I have become a member of the Board of Directors spearheading the fundraising activities.
A native of Dallas, TX, I currently reside in Dallas with my husband Steve.
I oversaw operations that produced over $10 million on an annual basis. Hired, trained, and helped staff create viable plans for financial and programmatic success. I helped translate the National perspective to a local audience.
Currently I’m working with small and upstart agencies as a consultant. I was hired as a consultant by HPCC. Subsequently I have become a member of the Board of Directors spearheading the fundraising activities.
A native of Dallas, TX, I currently reside in Dallas with my husband Steve.