A personal note

From the founder and main facilitator:

Some people who search my name will come across news articles about a criminal conviction and a prison sentence.

This is part of my public past, and I don’t hide it.

Throughout the process I maintained my innocence, and the judgment did not match my own experience of what happened.

People who knew me well, and others, including some with long experience of public life - did not recognize me in the portrayal that emerged, nor did they recognize the way the situation unfolded around it.

I will not go into details here.

The case ran its course, and I went through the consequences. It was an extremely difficult period, and one that left a deep mark on my life. Seeking legal remedy is not a simple matter in cases like this; the path is long, often measured in decades, rather than years and the cost - emotional, financial and practical- can be catastrophic.

For now, I continue forward with focus on the life and work that is meaningful in service to others.

This has involved deep reflection and clearer awareness of what is precious in life and in the connection with others. I thank the grace of God that I live and function well.

What I can say is that these experiences have deepened my attention to how people meet pressure, disruption, and challenges to identity.

Living through a situation where you feel unseen or unheard is extremely difficult. Disruptive events like that can sharpen a person’s sense of what truly matters. I do not speak from wishful thinking, but from experience - the kind that clarifies how a person stands, chooses, and continues.

This perspective informs the steadiness and presence I bring to my work today.