Our People
Bringing you the strength of world-class teachers in Zen, leadership, coaching, and healthcare
IZL Board of Directors
“There is a common perception that leaders are born and not made. I disagree. I’ve seen countless people grow into leadership through conscious effort and the hard work that IZL programs demand. The hardest work is to get people to fully inhabit their bodies and not just their heads. With all senses at play, with energy free to flow within one’s body, with emotions faced, a person is much more attuned to all the forces that surround them. When this is present, leadership becomes the work of recognizing what is true. IZL excels at developing this ability. I want to be there when this is happening.”
-Gordon Greene Roshi, Abbot, Chosei Zen, Director
Meet Our Officers
and Board
Founder and CEO
Ginny Whitelaw
From working in a high energy physics lab to leadership at NASA to learning how to work with energy in Aikido and Zen, Ginny has a passion for bringing energy, mind, body and leadership together. A Chosei Zen priest and roshi, she’s been developing leaders for 30 years.
VP, HEAL Director, Physician
Kristi Crymes, DO
Kristi is an IZL instructor, head of the HEAL program, board member, and Chosei Zen student. When she isn’t at work as a family medicine physician and faculty at Cox Family Medicine Residency, you can find her on the virtual dojo or exploring the wilderness.
IZL Board Chair, Instructor
Kate Watters
Kate has a long history as an environmental and human rights leader. On leading the IZL Board, she says, “I am honored to give back to this incredible organization that has given me so much. The challenges we face are daunting, and we need to dig deep to meet them with our whole selves.”
Roshi, Abbot, Chosei Zen
Gordon Greene
Gordon is the Abbot of Chosei Zen and anchors its rural training center and home to IZL programs, the Spring Green Dojo. He is affiliated with the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, serving as Clinical Professor of Family Medicine. He is the author of Facing Suffering.
HEAL Instructor, Professor Emerita
Cindy Haq, MD
Cindy is Professor Emerita of Family Medicine at the University of California, Irvine. A champion for health equity and community health, she says, “IZL and Zen transformed me and my abilities to promote healing for myself, others and the earth. I joined the IZL Board to amplify these benefits for others.”
IZL Instructor, Director in Europe, Board Secretary
Cris Nakano
Cris is a strategist, coach and facilitator, passionate about helping develop more inclusive, engaging and “on-purpose” leaders. An IZL instructor and coach, she says, “IZL and Zen help me remember who I am – who we are – and what this is all about. I joined the Board to help IZL reach more people, so they can ‘remember’ too.”
Education Consultant, Deloitte, IZL Instructor
Bob Caron
Bob is a strategy consultant for universities across the U.S., as well as an IZL instructor and FEBI-certified coach. He says of his work on the IZL Board, “Supporting the growth of whole, compassionate and connected leaders is perhaps our best path to a brighter future. That’s our work at IZL.”
Meet Our Team and Instructors
This extraordinary team helps support our community and deliver programs.
Click on photos to read bios.
