Co-Lead

Erika Lyla

Erika Lyla is a Somatic Coach and Bodyworker with a practice in Oakland, CA (unceded Ohlone territory), and also teaches with generative somatics and Strozzi Institute. Erika works with people to reveal their power, potential, and purpose. She guides with love and laughter towards life grounded in authenticity and shaped by dream. She has been …

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Gesine Wenzel

Gesine Wenzel has been in Strozzi Somatics since 2008. Born and raised in Northern Germany she came to the US in order to pursue a decade of study and practice, fueled by a deep commitment to social transformation. She holds a Master’s Degree in Somatic Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies and maintains …

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Ben Schick

Ben Schick is a seasoned executive for purpose-driven ventures that include first Executive Director of Challenge Day, an internationally critically acclaimed youth violence-prevention and social-emotional program for middle and high schools that were showcased on Oprah and then became the centerpiece for MTV’s “If You Really Knew Me”; nine years as the CEO of MediaOne …

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Lise Melvin – Interim Co-President

Email: lise@strozziinstitute.com Lise Melvin is a certified Somatic Coach, a global leader in sustainability, and a mother. At her back is a 20+ year career in collaborative efforts to change systems globally, and a decade+ of working with embodiment and somatics. She now teaches with the Strozzi Institute and is their Interim Co-President, alongside having …

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Maggie Williams – Interim Co-President

Maggie Williams is Interim Co-President of Strozzi Institute (SI) and a Lead Teacher and somatic coach. Her areas of focus include how social conditions shape us, how we cultivate more individual and collective resilience, and how somatics can support values-aligned parenting. Prior to working with SI, Maggie co-founded and co-directed The Advocacy Institute, an organization …

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