Sage-ing® International periodically presents awards to those who have made a particular contribution to Sage-ing® through their leadership. The awards include the Reb Zalman Leadership Awards, the Sage-ing® Leadership Award of Excellence and the Pioneer Awards

Katia Petersen

Katia Petersen joined Sage-ing® International as the liaison to Spirituality & Practice, collaborating on e-courses for the Elder Spirituality program. Katia became Co-Chair of Sage-ing International in 2019 and 2020, and continued on the board in 2021 as a member at large. She is a member of the Emeritus Advisory Circle. Katia was host of the Sage-ing International Leadership Retreat in 2024. At The Gathering 2025, she was a presenter, designer of ritual, and creative expression muse.

Katia is a passionate advocate for enhancing multi-generational outreach and services. She is an author, poet and motivational speaker creating environments for individuals to recognize their sense of purpose and meaning.

Marilyn Loy Every

Marilyn Loy Every was the visionary Chair of the Sage-ing® International 2018 Conference. In 2019 and 2020 she served as Co-Chair of Sage-ing International, and continued on the board in 2021 as Member at large. She is a member of the Emeritus Advisory Circle. Marilyn has presented Sage-ing workshops, the Soul of Creative Expression series, and she was a presenter at The Gathering 2025. She is the Co-Coordinator of the online Spiritual Companioning Wisdom Circle.

Marilyn is a Certified Spiritual Director, poet and author, whose ministry is to develop programs to inspire interest in visioning and living into a radically fulfilling mature life.

Cindy Siemers

Cindy Siemers has served as Treasurer of Sage-ing® International, and has provided her commitment and expertise to the role for many years. Cindy was an active contributor to the Service Committee of Sage-ing International, and key in developing the Qualities of Sages in Service. She was co-creator and designer of the banners and bookmarks representing the Qualities of Sages in Service in 2014. She served on the planning teams of the 2016 and 2018 conferences, and was the 2018 Conference Ambassador Lead.

Cindy is a leader who honors wisdom from Eastern traditions and Western teachings to create an age-friendly society that respects and treasures elders.

Anne Boynton

Anne Boynton first joined the Sage-ing International Board as the liaison to the Council of Honored Sages, where she played a key role in shaping the organization’s early direction. She was instrumental in planning the 2012 and 2014 conferences, and in 2014 stepped into the role of Board Chair, serving with distinction for the next two years. Anne went on to chair the 2016 conference as well.

Throughout her tenure, she championed the growth of Sage-ing’s educational outreach and helped usher in many new ideas—always with remarkable graciousness and generosity of spirit.

Pat Hoertdoerfer

Pat Hoertdoerfer was an early Chair of the Board of the Sage-ing Guild and played a foundational role in shaping its direction. She authored our Ethics Statement and was a visionary force on the Service Committee, helping to develop the Sages in Service model. Pat also contributed her expertise to the Nominating Committee and several ad hoc groups, consistently offering her exceptional organizational and leadership abilities.

Throughout her involvement, she championed thoughtful growth and brought clarity and purpose to every initiative she touched.

Ron Pevny

Ron Pevny is widely respected for his pioneering work in conscious aging and elder rites of passage through his organization, the Center for Conscious Eldering. He leads retreats that guide elders through the inner work of aging and has contributed significantly to Sage-ing International by serving on the Coordinating Circle and now on the Outreach Committee.

Ron also created and led the Conscious Aging Alliance for many years and helped shape Awakening the Sage Within, our one-day introduction to Sage-ing. He published a book on conscious aging and facilitated two International dialogues on successful aging for the Shift Network.

Pat Lewis

Pat Lewis served on the inaugural Board of the Sage-ing Guild as Treasurer and has been one of our most dedicated ambassadors. A gifted and widely respected Sage-ing teacher along the West Coast, she has co-facilitated numerous Sage-ing Intensive workshops and inspired many to join our community.

Pat has also contributed her time and insight to a variety of ad hoc committees, consistently helping to move the organization forward with enthusiasm and commitment.

Carol Scott-Kassner

Carol Scott-Kassner served as Chair of Sage-ing International from 2011 to 2013, during which she established the organization’s long-range planning process and led a pivotal retreat in 2013 to begin its implementation. She contributed for many years as co-faculty in training Certified Sage-ing Leaders and chaired the highly successful 2014 Seattle conference, Gifting the World as We Age.

Carol has also generously served on numerous ad hoc committees, consistently helping to advance the important work of Sage-ing with insight and dedication.

Paul Severance

Paul Severance has served Sage-ing International in multiple leadership roles, including Chair and Treasurer of the Board. He helped establish the Membership Committee of the Sage-ing Guild and strongly advocated for expanded support of Wisdom Circles and Sage-ing Chapters. Most recently, Paul served as Administrator, overseeing the budget and key operational aspects of the organization.

His dedication to Sage-ing principles continues to shine through his leadership with Elders Climate Action, where he furthers the work of conscious engagement and activism.

Rosemary Cox

Rosemary Cox has served for many years as a trainer of Sage-ing Circle Facilitators and Certified Sage-ing Leaders, contributing profoundly to the growth of our educational programs. She developed and implemented the Sage-ing Circle Facilitator program and created a suite of online Sage-ing courses that have broadened access to our work.

Rosemary has also chaired the Education Committee and now serves as Education Coordinator, continuing to guide and strengthen the learning dimension of Sage-ing International with clarity, creativity, and dedication.

Maureen Dobson

Maureen Dobson served for several years as Chair of the Education Committee and as the CSL Training Coordinator, where she helped organize and oversee training classes with great care and clarity.

Throughout her years of service, she has been a visionary leader, consistently guiding Sage-ing International forward with insight, dedication, and a deep commitment to our mission.

Ann Wennhold

Anne Wennhold has worked on behalf of Sage-ing® International and conscious aging as a co-creator and presenter at Sage-ing workshops and conferences. She is the designer of the beaded necklace created at the 2010 conference which continues to weave together our evolving community identity at our gatherings. She has been a key partner in developing and presenting Center for Conscious Eldering retreats, co-creating practices and rite of passage rituals from 2006-2020.

Anne has been a consultant and coach to individuals and small groups of elders as a pioneering voice in exploring the challenges and opportunities for living consciously in Later Elderhood.

Gary Carlson

Gary Carlson co-created the Sage-ing Guild (now Sage-ing International) in 2004 and has been a steady source of leadership and organizational strength from the very beginning. He has twice served as Chair of the Board (Coordinating Circle), spent several years as Treasurer, and contributed as co-faculty for the training program. Gary also chaired the 2010 Sage-ing Guild Conference at Sunrise Ranch and has led both the Outreach and Development Committees.

Known for his readiness to step in wherever needed, he has consistently supported Sage-ing’s growth through tasks both large and small.

Judith Helburn

Judith Helburn served on the inaugural Board of the Sage-ing Guild, including a year as Chair, and played a key role in shaping the organization’s early development. As the first CSL Training Coordinator, she helped build the foundational structure for certifying Sage-ing Leaders. Over the years,

Judith has continued to contribute her wisdom and experience across a variety of initiatives, supporting the growth and integrity of Sage-ing with steady dedication.

Rosalie Muschel-Reinhardt

Rosalie Muschel-Reinhardt (deceased) co-created the Sage-ing Guild and served on its initial Board, helping to shape the foundation and early organizational structure. She was one of the Guild’s early Chairs and led the Education Committee for many years, playing a central role in formulating the standards for CSL training. Deeply devoted to Reb Zalman and to carrying forward his legacy, she brought insight, rigor, and heart to all aspects of the training. Rosalie was a gifted and inspiring Sage-ing teacher whose impact continues to be felt.

Jerome Kerner

Jerome Kerner currently has served as Co-Chair of Sage-ing International and brings a rich background in personal development and lifelong learning to his leadership. He holds advanced certification in Gestalt psychotherapy from Southern Connecticut University, training in Transgenerational Family Systems from the Hellinger Institute D.C., and has participated in retreats with both the Center for Conscious Eldering and Sage-ing International.

With more than fifty years as an architect, Jerome learned to see and honor the uniqueness in every individual. Now, as an octogenarian, he shares the purpose, passion, and meaning he has discovered through Sage-ing with great generosity and enthusiasm.

Gary Carlson

Gary Carlson, PhD, co-founded the Sage-ing Guild (the predecessor to Sage-ing International) in 2004 and has served in numerous leadership roles, including Coordinating Circle Chair, Treasurer, Outreach Committee Chair, Development Committee Chair, Training Faculty, and Webmaster. He also served on the Board of the Spiritual Eldering Institute and co-founded the Conscious Aging Network of New Mexico.

In 2010, Gary received the first Reb Zalman Leadership Award from Sage-ing International in recognition of his many years of devoted service.

Before dedicating his time to Sage-ing, Gary retired from a 31-year career as a research scientist and technical manager. For more than three decades, he has been deeply involved in human potential work, participating in and leading a wide range of programs including 20 New Mexico Men’s Wellness conferences, seven New Mexico Conferences on Aging, five Sage-ing International conferences, and numerous other gatherings.

Lynne Iser

Lynne Iser is an activist devoted to empowering people in the second half of life to use their wisdom and resources in service of a more just, sustainable, and fulfilling world. She is the founder of Elder-Activists.org, an online community that inspires, educates, and supports elders in sharing their wisdom and engaging in meaningful action. Lynne was the founding Executive Director of the Spiritual Eldering Institute, where her work with Reb Zalman deepened her understanding of the opportunities and blessings of becoming an elder.

She also facilitates symposiums for The Pachamama Alliance, teaches the work of Joanna Macy, and leads conscious aging and community-building programs locally and regionally.

Bahira Sugarman and Rabbi Shaya Isenberg

Bahira Sugarman and Rabbi Shaya Isenberg are the co-founders and co-directors of the ALEPH Sage-ing Mentorship Program and senior faculty emeriti of the Spiritual Eldering Institute, where—at Reb Zalman’s request—they designed and implemented its leadership training program. For nearly three decades, they have led life-transforming Sage-ing workshops and have long modeled the couple relationship as a profound spiritual path.

Reb Shaya is past Chair of the Department of Religion and Emeritus at the University of Florida, and co-founder of the university’s Center for Spirituality and Health. Rabbi Emeritus and co-leader with Bahira of Gainesville’s P’nai Or Congregation, he has served on the faculty of the ALEPH Ordinations Program and continues to teach in the ALEPH Spiritual Directions Program. He is also a licensed massage therapist and a traditional Reiki Master.