QUICK LINKS:
Leadership Fellows
Fiscal Year 2022
Donors
Volunteers
2022
ANNUAL
REPORT
The Foundation for Self Leadership is inspired and driven by a far-reaching vision to facilitate deeper emotional, relational and societal healing and wellbeing across many sectors of our society (from professional settings to personal spaces).
Our priorities—producing empirical evidence on IFS through research, broadening access to IFS in traumatized communities, and engaging in public advocacy around IFS—remain key strategic directions for the path ahead:
1. The pilot study for a randomized clinical trial at the Harvard-affiliated Cambridge Health Alliance (Massachusetts, USA) concluded in 2022. Program Investigators are currently evaluating data on the effects of an IFS protocol for trauma as well as PTSD and comorbid substance abuse disorder. The full RCT will continue through 2023 with Friends of the Foundation providing the remaining $120,000 in funding.
2. The inaugural cohort of IFS Leadership Fellows convened late summer 2022. They are current and future leaders from BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. They have taken part in Level I training and extensive mentoring to expand their knowledge of IFS and capacity to take this back to their communities.
3. PARTS & SELF, a new online, open access magazine, published by the Foundation for Self Leadership, highlights thought-leadership and cutting-edge practices, sharing these resources with the international IFS community.
LEADERSHIP FELLOWS
A Reflection on Phase 1 by Fatimah Finney, LMHC

In 2021, The Foundation for Self Leadership announced the launch of a new program to take IFS into historically marginalized communities. When asked to support this venture, the IFS community’s response was overwhelming. Thanks to that funding, the first cohort of Fellows participated in training through the IFS Institute (August 2022 - March 2023). Fatimah Finney, LMHC, IFSI Assistant Trainer shares her experience during this inaugural training. This special group was arguably the most broadly constituted cohort ever trained in IFS, given the wide range of lived experiences, professional backgrounds, and personal perspectives, and community-facing interests.
The Leadership Fellows program aims to identify dynamic community leaders who are impacting their communities and aid them with training in the IFS model to help deepen and catalyze the work they are doing for healing the world. The specific intention is to get the IFS model in the hands and hearts of leaders outside of the clinical, therapeutic field.
By design, the L1 training was different from a typical IFSI training as reflected in the participant pool that was made up of mostly people who work in non-clinical roles. Due to this, there was a need for creativity and flexibility for how to teach the model in a way that would be relevant to the environments where they work. Other differences include the level of experience with IFS amongst the participant pool. There were participants who were experiencing IFS for the first time, ones who were already trained in IFS at L1, and by the end of the training, others were trained in IFS Level 2. This was also mixed status group where some participants were Fellows and others were not. [Note: twelve applicants were not chosen as Fellows, but were included in the training on the strength of their applications and the philanthropic support of the IFS Institute]. Finally, there were key differences in the leadership team, with two assistant trainers and two lead trainers instead of one of each.
“I especially appreciate being part of the first version of this program to have the insight of what works well and what shouldn’t be replicated for future cohorts.”
—Fatimah Finney, LMHC, IFSI Assistant Trainer
My role in this program has been twofold. I worked with a team of trainers to bring the idea of the program into fruition through yearlong planning, application review, and selection. I also was one of the assistant trainers. Starting this training within the first six months of being in the role has been a gift. I have learned a great deal about how to develop content and teaching material in a flexible way and the importance of responding to needs as they arise and being willing to adapt to what’s needed in the group. I especially appreciate being part of the first version of this program to have the insight of what works well and what shouldn’t be replicated for future cohorts.
Naturally, there were lessons learned. The first lesson is the importance of timing. The nature of the IFS model is experiential and uses the individual’s experience as the training ground. While self-reflection and vulnerability are actions that many therapists are familiar with, it takes time for folks in different fields to connect with this methodology of learning. As such, the lesson is that doing the L1 later in the Fellowship program, after the cohort has had more time to meet and connect as people, may be a better option to support their ability to learn the model instead of starting with the L1 training. Another key lesson is ensuring the training group is a singular group - only fellows, no prior L1 training - to create a group free of layered dynamics. Finally, less is more when it comes to the leadership structure. While having four experienced trainers brings a wealth of knowledge to a group, it also may have made it difficult for the group to know who to look to and when for focus and guidance.
The Foundation is hosting a leadership-deepening experience for the Fellows (April through September 2023). This next phase is designed to guide the Fellows toward developing practical, IFS-oriented and community-facing plans of action to facilitate greater empowerment, higher equity, and deeper healing in their communities. The Foundation applauds all Fellows for their commitment to engage, their time invested in this effort, and persisting through a variety of challenges faced in this pilot effort. Deep gratitude to the IFS training team: Chris Burris, LMFT, Kathy Cox, LICSW, Requina Barnes, LICSW, Fatimah Finney, LMHC, and 13 Program Assistants.
FISCAL YEAR 2022
January 1 - December 31

EVIDENCE
IFS Research Fund
Post-Doctoral IFS Research Fellowship
ACCESS
IFS Healing Corps - Veterans
IFS Healing Corps - Ukraine Relief Initiative
IFS in Schools
IFS Leadership Fellows Program
CURRENT OPERATIONS
Fund for Self Leadership
PARTS & SELF Sponsorships
Special Projects
Financial Reports
Donors
Annual Giving
Thanks to the charitable donations during 2022 by the following individuals and organizations, we are that much closer to bringing IFS to the world. Take a look at the last decade of achievement made possible by support from the IFS community.
Cornerstone Partners, who have committed charitable support for three consecutive years through a recurring gift, are listed with an * after their names. Learn more about being a partner.
CHANGEMAKERS
Anonymous
Betty A. and D. Walter Cohen Foundation/
Joanne Cohen-Katz PhD and Jane Millner
Linda Fabe, MEd, LPCC
Frederick Thomas Giving Fund/Joy Shivas,
MSW, LCSW
IFS Institute
Anonymous
Steven Roof
Anonymous
Leor Zolman and Lisa J. Gray
VISIONARIES
Fagen Family Fund/Lester Fagen, MA, JD
Helen Hernán
Instituto IFS Madrid
Molly LaCroix, MPH, LMFT
Vicki J. McCoy, MA
Tara Tussing Unverzagt, CFP, CFT-I, MBA
BENEFACTORS
Brittany Bach*
Chris Burris, LPC, LMFT
Stephanie Choo
Maryann Connolly
Daphne Fatter, PhD, PLLC
Chicha Glass
Mark Gorman, MA, LPC and Melissa Gorman, MA, LPC*
Cathie Gum, PsyD*
Toufic Hakim, PhD and Robyn Rajs, MA,
LPC*
Sarah Houy, LPC
Greater Philadelphia IFS Community
Rick Kahler, MS, CFP, CFT-I, CeFT
Susan Kazolias
Pamela Krause, LCSW
Carl Marcus, MS, MSS, LCSW and Karin Marcus, MA, PCC, BCC
Linda Marrical
Melani McKamey
Lyssa Menard, PhD
Elena Mitchel
Jim Mulroy
Patricia Rich Consulting LLC
Ted Riskin, LCSW
Lawrence Rosenberg, PhD
Jonathan Rubenstein, MA
Judith Siegler
Michelle A. Walsh, PhD, LICSW
Ayanna Williams
Marcie Wood
STEWARDS
Mona Barbera, PhD
Vandy Bollinger, MEd, LCSW, LMHC
Frances Booth, LICSW
Nancy Bravman, LCSW
Liz Brenner, LICSW
Stewart Brown, PhD and Linda Brown
Gary Coleman*
Kathy Cox MSW, LICSW
Marcella Cox*
Ann Drouilhet, LMFT, LICSW
Dwight Ellard
Michele Fishel, LICSW and Barry Weisman
Gail and Jan Hardenbergh Sharing Fund/Gail Hardenbergh, LICSW
Healing Touch/Irina Diyankova, PhD*
Bruce Hersey
Suzanna Hillegass, RN, LCSW*
Brenda Hollingsworth, MSW, LICSW
Hughes Family Fund/Mike and Ginny Hughes
Laura Leslie, LCSW*
Lou Lukas, MD
Kirsten Lundeberg, LPC, LMFT
Lynne Federman Charitable Fund
Susan McConnell, MA, CHT
Tish Miller
Tammy Oliver*
Leslie Petruk, MA, LCHMC
Aaron Radden
Mike Rechtien*
Ronald Cobb Family Foundation/Janet Weathers, PsyD
Ann Semich
Faye Serene*
LaDonna Silva, MA, LMFT*
Jayne Smith, PhD, LPCC
Tammy Sollenberger
Nancy Sowell, MSW, LICSW
Lisa Spiegel, MA, LMHC
David Stern
Cece Sykes, LCSW, ACSW
Tom Uhlman Charitable Fund
Barb Torgerson
Fred van Welsem
Theresa Walsh Velendzas, MS*
Edward Yeats, PhD
Melissa Zych, EdD
ADVOCATES
Tamarra Aristilde-Calixte
Requina Barnes, LICSW
Jodie Benveniste
Nancy Berkowitz, PhD, RN-CS, NP
Karen Klein Berman, MEd, LCSW*
Ashley Blackwell, LPC, PLLC
Blair Barbour Charitable Fund/Blair Barbour, MSW, LCSW
Sabine Boots, MS, LMFT
Stacey Bridges*
Corey Busch, MA, LMFT*
Susan E. Cahill, MA, LCPC
Coy Chambers
Marta Chausée, MS*
Mitch Cohen
Greg Collins
Melissa Costa*
Rebecca Crystal
Linda Culpepper
Donna Dallal-Ferne, MA, LMFT*
Jay Deeley
Rina Dubin, EdD
Jay Earley, PhD
Nancy Ebbert*
Mary Feltault
Lucinda Flavelle, MA*
Richard Foster, MSW, LCSWR
Kelly Gaule, CAP*
Paul Ginter, EdD
Carol Graybeal, MS, LSCW
Melissa Greenwell*
Flo Holt, MA, LPC
Molly Kellogg, LCSW
Beau Laviolette, LCSW
Pam Mackay
Daniel Moss, PhD
Teresa Ortiz, MSW, LCSW, CICSW*
Jason Parisella
Ilpa Patel, MPA
Sandy Phocas, MD
András Rátonyi*
Lynne Reveno, RN, CNS
Sue Richmond, LCSW
Lenoard Riskin, JD, LLM
Jonathan Rosado
Lisa Saile*
Guthrie Sayen, PhD
Rebecca Schamess
Jeri Schroeder
Marla Silverman, PhD
Leslie Joy Simmons, MA, LCPC
and Miles Simmons, MD
Jeremy and Melissa Smith
Jill Stanzler-Katz, LICSW
Jennifer Stapleton
Norma Stevens
Sarah Stewart, PsyD, PLLC*
Elizabeth Tener, MA, LICSW*
MeriLee Tippett
Prudence Tippins
Marilyn Unger-Riepe, MA, MSW, LICSW
Sandra VanderLinde*
Bonnie Weiss, MA, LCSW*
Gary Whited, PhD, LMFT
Kathy Wiener, MPA
Carol Wolf*
Sam Wolf
Jennifer Wortham, LCSW*
Tami Zak, MBA, MS*
Susan Zeichner
FRIENDS
Katrina Appiah*
David Balvin
Christine Barckhoff
Judith M. Bourdeau
Arlene Brennan
Barbara Burkart, LMHC
Alexandra Christus
Laurie and PJ Curran
Rita Danna
Olga De Armas
Daniel Deutsch, MA, LMFT*
Wanda Dufrene, DDS
Mona Elleithee
Betsy Ern
Michael Fitzgerald, PhD*
Nancy Fowler
Kira Freed, MA, LPC*
Bette Galen, MSW, LCSW
Annika Garman
Judith Garrett
Gloria Gregerson*
Jeneen Hagerty
Michele Harmon-Gordon
Dorthea Harossowyc
Nancy Drayden Hebb
David Kessler*
Michael Kulch
Shirley Li
Kathleen and Armando Martins
Tammie Milliken*
Kasra Mirzaie
Mary Mitrovich
Arthur Mones, PhD
Kathleen Murtey*
Andrew Nitirouth
Barbara Perkins, MA
Michi Rose
Robyn Rosenthal
Sydney Scalici*
Lana Sendzimir
Emily Sheehan
Nicolas Simon
Koelle Simpson
Gabrielle S. Noye
Katie Sweet
Saundra Tabet
Andrew Viar*
Linda T. Watts, LMSW, CASAC*
Frances Weiner
Douglas Wessel
Alexis Williams Torrey
Catherine Winikates*
Carol Woodhouse
Emily Yandl
Jenny Zenner
GIVING CIRCLES |
|
Changemakers |
$10,000+ |
Visionaries |
$2,500-$9,999 |
Benefactors |
$1,000-$2,499 |
Stewards |
$250-$999 |
Advocates |
$100-$249 |
Friends Up to |
$99 |

The Foundation for Self Leadership makes every effort to provide a complete and accurate list of donors and volunteers, and their professional credentials. If we have inadvertently omitted or misprinted your listing, please accept our sincere apologies and contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Tribute Gifts
The Foundation for Self Leadership gratefully received contributions in honor of the following individuals. These gifts embody the spirit these individuals who, each in their unique ways, contribute to making the world a better place.
Crystal and Stevie
Kenneth
Judy Bourdeau
Chris Burris
Daphne Fatter
Foundation Operating Team
Toufic Hakim, PhD
Sacha Mardou
Barbara Perkins
Richard C. Schwartz, PhD
John Ian Tiu
Robyn Rajs, MA, LPC
Felicity Rouw
Michelle A. Walsh, PhD, LICSW
Donor-advised Funds
Last year, numerous donors directed their support to the Foundation for Self Leadership through the following funds:
Alan Englander Trust
Allianz
Amazon Smile
American Endowment Foundation
Black Hills Area Community Foundation
Bright Funds
Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater
Boston, Inc
Community Foundation of New Jersey
Fidelity Charitable
Network For Good
San Francisco Foundation
Schwab Charitable
Vanguard Charitable
Volunteers
The following individuals advanced the Foundation’s mission last year as volunteer Board members, IFS Leadership Fellowship advisors, Ukraine Relief Initiative facilitators and interpreters, webinar presenters, magazine proofreaders and social media influencers.
We are profoundly grateful for the time and talent each contributed to our strategic direction, outreach programs and operational projects.
Julie Abrams Faude, MA, PhD
Eugenia Acuña, MPHE, ACC
Cheryl Ades
Maria Akysonova
Tim Amaral
David Baird
Lorri Ballard
Sandy Barbo
Requina Barnes, LICSW
Ann-Katrin Bockmann, PhD, Dipl Psych, PT
Stewart Brown, PhD
Chris Burris LPC, LMFT
Raphaela Carrière, MSc, PhD, CCTP, NIP
Kathy Cox MSW, LICSW
Joanna Curry-Sartori, LMFT
Julia Demydova
Diane Devouge
Irina Diyankova, PhD
Liliya Drobit
Susan DuBay
Lester Fagen, JD
Jen Feasley
Fatimah Finney, LMHC
Steven Fitzgerald, MM
Kira Freed, MA, LPC
Kelly Gaule, CAP
Toufic Hakim, PhD
Christina Hampton
Matthias Hartmann
Neil Hawkes, DPhil
Marina Hazan
Melanie Herff
Brenda Hollingsworth, MSW, LICSW
Tom Holmes, MA, MSW, PhD
Sarah Houy, LPC
Sue Kazolias
Sady Kim-Singh, MSW, LCSW
Mary Kruger
Kateryna Kviatkovska
Karen Locke, MA
Maryna Lukashenko
Yulya Makarova
Olga Martiianova
Daria Matkowska
Tom McCann
Vicki J. McCoy, MA
Vira Mylogradova-Donchenko
Iryna Natalushko
Liliana Novikova
Yuliana Pavlyk
Pavel Pozniak
Chady Rahmé, Phd, LCP
Jon Rice, LCSW-R
Meredith Richardson
Anna Ropianyk
Amy Schaefer, MA
Yanina Seheda
Kathryn Serino, EdD
Shelley Shane
Lilia Shelug
Illia Shlenov
Anastasiia Shyroka
Jayne Smith, PhD, LPCC
Melissa Stevens
Olha Sushkevych
Vitalina Tarasenko
Laura Taylor
Jenny Thompson
Irina Tulovska
Jeni Tyson
Tara Tussing Unverzagt, CFP, CFT-I, MBA
Julia Varlakova
Kateryna Vashtalova
Theresa Walsh Velendzas, MS
Lilia Volodina
Viktoriya Volos
Victoria Vovk
Nic Wildes
Melissa Zych, EdD
Partner with us on the life-changing work still ahead.