2018 Ron Hering Award Winners
Clark Pitcairn
Golden Wolf
USA • Philadelphia Area
Clark Pitcairn
“I create a world of Love and Support by bringing Love and Support to others.”
Clark is one of the men that built the Bryn Athyn Men’s Group, which 22 years ago created the Spiritual Warrior Effectiveness Training (SWET) Men’s Weekend. Clark is a Leader on SWET weekends, held at Beaver Lake, his property in Northeastern PA. Over 1,300 men aged 13 to 84 have gone through the weekend. From its beginning, SWET reached out to the Philadelphia recovery community. The cost of SWET is discounted to men in recovery as well as to men of limited means. “Some inner-city men went to the SWET Weekend and met Clark and other men from the suburbs. They thought we would never see these men from the suburbs again. Clark and another Warrior Brother, Lach Brown, started coming, and are still coming, into the city to mentor men in a weekly men’s group, helping them grow to be better fathers and husbands and men of honor and integrity.” Clark is married, father of 4 sons, one daughter and three step sons. He is a Senior Vice President at Pitcairn Trust Company. He was a founder and the first President of The National Philanthropic Trust (NPT).
Joel Burbach
Free Falcon the Sky Dreamer
USA • Wisconsin
Joel Burbach
“I create a more connected universe by closely listening to others and myself.”
Joel has been active in the Buffalo Township and Marquette County Board Meetings, with one focus being providing better conditions for the County EMS units. He’s active in local school board meetings and with the AL Ringling Theater Board in Baraboo. He has supported the Growing Power organization in Milwaukee. Joel is active in The Garver Project, a complete renovation of an old grainery adjacent to the Ohlbrich Botanical Gardens. He is the principal developer of “The Arts” space within the project, which will serve both artists and the community. Joel lives his mission on a more earthly level by championing 6 acres of organic land in Marquette County next to the John MuirPark, creating the best possible world for both flora and fauna. He was born in January 1952 and grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin. In 1975 he co-Founded a Peppermint and Spearmint Project and founded the Artesian Water Company 10 years later. He shares his life with his beautiful and inspiring partner Bettina Maldini.
Greg Manning
Rainbow Dragon
UK & Ireland
Greg Manning
“I create safe spaces for myself and tribe to heal by being open hearted.”
Greg travels both the country and the world to do his work leading healing circles and sacred events. His life is packed with either hosting healing circles, or honing his skills to better facilitate future work. Whilst trying to support himself through this work, he often holds space at his own cost to further continue providing space for others.
Ronald Garrow
Brown Bear
USA • Upstate New York
Ronald Garrow
“I create a kind world through acts of kindness.”
Working with the Native American Cultural Center in Rochester, NY, Ronald helped provide education programs and workforce training to his Native American community. He actively worked to raise awareness of issues affecting Native Americans and to promote cultural sensitivity within the larger Rochester community. He tirelessly negotiated with the Mayor’s office on one such issue. His efforts bore fruit this past October when the City of Rochester celebrated its first Indigenous People’s Day. He helped increase awareness of Native American culture and issues both within the Native American community and the larger Rochester, NY community. Ronald went through his NWTA in October 2007 at Camp Whitman.
Claude Tremblay
Renard Sage (Wise Fox)
Canada • Québec
Claude Tremblay
“Je crée un monde d’inclusion, d’amour et de paix.”
Initiated at Camp Kanawana in May 2012 (during a dark time), his life changed immediately after his weekend. He lives his mission to have inner peace, in love with the universe, and well connected with all the people who are part of his life. He is leader of two circles and he has intervened to prevent multiple potential suicides.
– 3rd child in a family of 5 brothers
– co-owner of a family business
– in process of transferring his business to his sons
– in a relationship with Danielle Rioux since 1979
– He’s an LIT and Elder (in spirit)
Heinrich Reisenhofer
Tiger Hymn
South Africa • Cape Town
Heinrich Reisenhofer
“I create a world of sacred wholeness and presence through awakening and empowering.”
Coach/Shamanic Facilitator/Theatre Maker/Activist. Heinrich is the creator and director of the highly successful theatre production and movement #JustMen which was inspired by his participation in the MKP Warrior Weekend. #JustMen is an raw, honest and empowering multi-lingual, docu-drama performed by four South African men from diverse backgrounds who tell their own stories and take a stand against the epidemic of gender based violence in South Africa. For the last twenty five years Heinrich has been working with story healing both as an award-winning theatre director and now as a transformation coach and shamanic facilitator. He is passionate about empowering people to awaken healing, higher connection and workability between genders, cultures and religions. His main focus is empowering men to rediscover their scared masculine purpose and to take responsibility for transforming critical issues such as gender based violence and climate change.
To find out more: www.heinrichreisenhofer.com/justmen.htm
Michael Wilson
Benevolent Stag
USA • Heartland
Michael Wilson
“I create a compassionate world by blessing, mentoring and empowering others.”
Mike Wilson founded an architectural firm thirty years ago. He has worked to improve the built environment of his community (Topeka) and his state (Kansas) by designing and developing environmentally responsible quality projects. Wilson and his firm have made generous philanthropic contributions to multiple organizations throughout Topeka and NE Kansas. Mike has served his community by participating on multiple Boards including Habitat For Humanity; Valeo Behavioral Health, Unitarian Fellowship; Downtown Topeka, Inc; City of Topeka Building and Fire Appeals Board among others. Mike said, “I have been blessed with a great career – the second half of which has been made better with my MKP tools.” Mike recognizes that MKP has made him a better man, father, partner, husband, son and leader. He also credits his wife for her willingness to do her own work and share the MKP/HER language with him and sees that as strengthening their relationship.
Patrick Reynolds
Black Panther
USA • Los Angeles
Patrick Reynolds
“My mission is to make a difference in the world we live in.”
Patrick Reynolds worked for three decades to educate children not to smoke and helped thousands globally to quit tobacco through his group’s website and media advocacy. Former US Surgeon General Koop commented, “Patrick Reynolds is one of the nation’s most influential advocates of a smokefree America. His testimony is invaluable to our society.” In 2015 the White House and President Obama presented Patrick with the Lifetime Achievement Award . He’s a grandson of tobacco company founder RJ Reynolds, yet watched his father and oldest brother die from cigarette-induced emphysema and lung cancer. Concerned about the mounting health evidence, in 1986 he made the decision to speak out publicly in Congress against the industry his family helped build. Mr. Reynolds serves as Executive Director of the Foundation for a Smokefree America , a nonprofit group he founded in 1989. Every December he also runs Be An Elf, a Christmas charity he founded for needy children.
Monte and Theresa Brent
White Fox
USA • Central Plains
Monte and Theresa Brent
“My mission is to create a loving, caring and compassionate world by giving encouragement and respect.”
Monte and his wife Theresa, who passed away one year and four months ago, have a blended family of six children. Together, they started a JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM encouraging kids 5-18 years of age to ride bicycles to enhance health, self-motivation and confidence. There is also an opportunity to meet new friends locally and nationally. The program teaches kids how to show up in the world: “Your best is your best.” All of this helps Monte as the sole parent for their six children (including Theresa’s three children who also lost their father). Three are in middle school, two are in high school and one is a preschooler. Bicycling was and is their passion, sharing it with their children and other children is Monte’s mission.
Gareth Higgins
The Lion and The Bear
USA • Greater Carolinas
Gareth Higgins
“I co-create a peaceful world by leading and nurturing communities who learn and share a better story.”
Gareth is a storyteller and peace-builder from Northern Ireland who has made his home in the US for the last decade. He is the founder of multiple festivals (Wild Goose, Movies and Meaning, and The New Story) all emphasizing the intersection of art, spirituality, and social justice — creating communities for how we might live a better story. He is the author of several books, most recently a children’s book entitled “Cory and the Seventh Story” that teaches foundational concepts for peace-building and non-violence. He founded the Porch Magazine for folks hungry for a hopeful vision of the world. He leads trips back to his birthplace, to introduce US Americans to his peace-builder friends who are bridging a social and cultural divide after the 30-year violent conflict in the north of Ireland. The primary goal of these trips is to invite US Americans to return home and to connect with folks across lines of difference. Along with his husband, Gareth leads a monthly storytelling night focused on sustaining members of the community in a time of great cultural divisiveness.
Jerry England
USA • South Central
Jerry England
“I create a world of compassionate understanding by transforming men.
Jerry is the volunteer Treasurer for Land of My Grandfathers. He has spent countless hours working on the property, making repairs and driving his tractor. For twelve years he has been the Santa Claus for the Christmas Party for the Council on Recovery, a party for underprivileged children. He is also a volunteer Committeeman for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Jerry is a self-employed CPA. He started England & Company in 1985. Jerry loves portraying Santa Claus as a professional Santa. This has led him into an acting career, with a TV movie coming out in 2019. Jerry has been married to Ellen for twenty two years. She also works hard at Land of My Grandfathers. Jerry and Ellen live in Sugar Land, TX and loves to travel.
Bryan Molaska
Free Hawk
USA • Colorado
Bryan Molaska
“I co-create a world that is filled with an abundance of love, happiness, and deep meaningful connections by loving, supporting and empowering others in finding their true joy.”
Bryan has dedicated himself to making a positive impact on the world and the people in it. He has been involved in organizations such as Colorado Youth at Risk, Challenge Denver, Challenge Day, Denver Children’s Home, Professional Miracles Foundation and more. His involvement in these organizations ranges from mentor to community leader to volunteer to board member. Bryan happily gives of his time, money and energy in support of great causes and loves to invite and inspire others around him to do the same. Most recently Bryan, along with some of his closest friends, co-founded a chapter of Guys Who Give- an organization that raises and donates money to local nonprofits that make a difference in local communities. He is currently the Leader Body chair for MKP Colorado, has served tirelessly as a PIT leader, has helped to start I-Groups, and even a run club at his favorite brewery.
Rusty Mills
Brave Bear with Big Rooster
USA • South East
Rusty Mills
“I create a world of physical, emotional and spiritual healing by healing myself, helping others to heal and teaching others to spread healing.”
Rusty is a Nurse Anesthetist. His career is to alleviate physical pain. He helps patients deal with fear of surgery and of whatever their diagnosis is. He has used his work connections to connect uninsured friends with physicians who are willing to provide pro bono care. He also volunteers as medic for non-MKP events. The emotional part of his Life Mission involves his work in Suicide Prevention. This has included taking men to the emergency room for evaluation, meeting men where ever they are in distress, speaking with them on the phone and sharing his story. Rusty has also lead 3 funding drives for Atlanta Midtown Assistance and Lost and Found in the name of the Woof Pack Men’s Circle. Rusty served in the US Air Force 1984-2000, attaining the rank of Captain. He says that he spent the first fifty years of his life with an invisible tattoo on his forehead that said “VICTIM.” Thanks to MKP, he is starting to erase that.
Mark Mojdehi
Deer
USA • Northwest
Mark Mojdehi
“I create a World of belonging by sharing my gifts.”
Mark began prison volunteer efforts shortly after his NWTA three years ago. It took a year of badgering before he was allowed to create the now thriving music program for inmates at Columbia River Correctional Facility. The program serves the CRCI inmates and MKP volunteers wishing to serve. Mark sponsored MKP men interested in creating Inside Circles. He attended inside sessions for six months until others of his team were badged to get through security. Thanks to Mark’s generosity the program is vibrantly serving the population with two inmates committed to attending the July NWTA.
Mark’s sponsorship of unbadged MKP volunteers was at personal emotional and monetary expense until the Inside Circle team could become independent. I honor and respect Mark for his mission in action sharing his gifts, giving back and creating his World by sharing . Further, Mark is sending men from his music program to check out our Inner Circle and with Marks support we are steadily getting stronger and increasing our numbers.
Wolfgang Achterberg
Watchful Calf Biter
Germany
Wolfgang Achterberg
“I create a world full of respect by respecting other people and by bringing it out into the world and living it.”
Wolfgang is a man who is very attentive. He helps people in need. Not only financially, but also with his heart, his kindness. With his actions and vigor he serves humans and the men within MKP and offers his whole knowledge and experience to the organization. He is exacting, correct, and very fair. He is a genius for numbers. Inside he is very calm, he is very circumspect and good-natured and he has a very big heart. He is very emphatic. He’s spent more than 35 years in the chess club of his hometown where he does youth care, serving as treasurer and 1st chairman he organizes events and serves as game leader.
Richard Stewart
Golden Phoenix
Canada • Ontario
Richard Stewart
“I create a world of Safety, Love, Compassion and Healing by Mentoring, Coaching and Storytelling.
Richard founded and spearheaded Toasty Toes Elgin Middlesex London 2017 and raised over 4000 pairs of socks for the homeless, distributing them through out of the community. Whether as a Crisis Volunteer for Victim Services, a member for the Coalition to End Poverty and Elgin Poverty Round Table and Homeless Hub of London. In addition, he is currently working with various non-profit organizations assisting with networking trade shows and social media such as Farm Town Canada (Human Trafficking and Single Women in Motherhood). Richard’s life is spent with passion and selfless giveaway to fulfill his mission.
Bruce Cornwell
Sacred Dolphin
USA • Florida
Bruce Cornwell
“I create a world of compassion and creative expression by facilitating, healing and empowered action.”
Bruce has been a consistent force for continued growth both in and outside of MKP. As one of the six founding artists of the Hippodrome State Theatre in Gainesville -which celebrated its 46th anniversary this year as north Florida’s professional theatre – he helped to develop and continues to serve as an active Board member of this iconic community institution. Bruce is also a licensed clinical social worker for the Veterans Health Administration where he advocates on behalf of veterans struggling with serious mental illness, and works closely to help them realize their personal goals toward psychosocial recovery.
Vern Ludwig
Medicine Rain Bear
USA • New England
Vern Ludwig
“I build a world of trust, intimacy, and love by trusting myself, listening and service.”
Vern has worked with men inside many men’s prisons in MA one or two evenings each week since December 2001. He is currently facilitating weekly circles of men in Norfolk State Prison. For the past three years, he has served as mentor for monthly Native American Lodge Ceremonies in Norfolk State Prison. He has also worked in men’s prison circles in CA, NY, RI and WI. His work inside began with Jericho Circle Project in the Federal Medical Center at Devens, MA. He is currently supporting effort to initiate a circle inside a ME prison, and to begin a community circle and mentoring effort in Mattapan, MA to support men reentering after they have been incarcerated for long sentences. Over the past 17 years, he has conducted facilitator training for inside men and outside facilitators.
Joe Halley
Barn Owl
USA • St. Louis
Joe Halley
“I create a world of Champions by Championing All to be their Best.”
Served two tours in the Peace Corp spreading his gifts and knowledge that he received from MKP to many students and people of Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine.
Doug Earle
White Polar Bear
USA • Mid America – North
Doug Earle
“To support people of lesser means by donating his time, energy, and resources to make stronger communities and a more just world.”
In Memoriam: Doug lived out his mission by providing pro-bono legal services for people in need. He supported public education and WKAR, Michigan State public radio. He was active in Democratic Party by canvassing, door to door calling, running for office, and was a candidate for a federal judgeship and the the Clinton County Drain Commissioner. Doug was a member of Sierra Club with donating time and money. He was a member of the local Lions Club from 2004 to 2017 and held the Office of Tail Twister, a position where he kept track of members service projects. Doug was also active in the White Cane Drive from 2004 – 2007 supporting visually impaired individuals plus many other Lions Club projects and activities.
Jim Stephens
Father Grizzly Bear
Canada • Alberta
Jim Stephens
“Create a loving and connected world by living in an open heart and helping others.”
Jim has led a non MKP young men’s group in Edmonton for over two years now. He has created a safe place for young men (early 20’s to mid 30’s) to share life challenges and how they feel about those challenges. There have been a core group of about 8 men that have continued to meet from the beginning as well as a number of men who have joined the group for a while until something changed such as moving to a different city. This work is in alignment with Jim’s mission. The young men’s group has delivered significant benefit to these young men. Recently the group honored Jim with 2 Pendleton blankets for his giveaway.
Alex Rounds
Playful Porpoise
USA • Mid Atlantic
Alex Rounds
“To create a world of generational connection through restoring the tradition of mentoring so all boys and girls have a positive adult role model in their lives and adult mentors can grow deeper into their sacred masculine purpose.”
For 20 years Alex has helped youth through grief camps in D.C. He’s a mentor and group facilitator for Boys to Men VA and GW. For 12 years he has been a facilitator in prisons through the Alternatives to Violence Project. Alex has worked in the building trades for the past 40 plus years. He has hired young deaf adults, foreign immigrants, and young men needing a mentor as well as a job. Through much inner work he has transformed the wounds of his childhood into strengths: to connect to most people with empathy, understanding and compassion.
Bill Konigsberg
Fierce Papa Bear
USA • Southwest
Bill Konigsberg
“I create a safe world for marginalized youth by living my truth and speaking out for those who have not yet found their voice.”
Bill is the award-winning author of four young adult novels, with a fifth on the way in 2019. His fiction explores the lives of LGBTQ youth. In Nov. 2018 at The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents at the ALAN/NCTE Conference in Houston, Texas, he spoke out about homophobia and advocated for marginalized youth. After his speech, an annual award was established in Bill’s name. The Bill Konigsberg Award for Acts and Activism for Equity and Inclusion Through Young Adult Literature, will be presented to a youth advocate in the young adult literature world every November. Bill is the first recipient of the award. He has stepped into his leadership and really found his voice.
Jim Harpe
Free Eagle
USA • Mid America – South
Jim Harpe
“To create a safe and loving world by opening my heart and embracing others.”
Jim is very active in his community. Giving back is a good way to define him. He is very involved with “Habitat for Humanity” for the last 6 years and is part or a regular team of volunteers that works a day every week. Jim also works a half day in the store, “Habitat Restore”. He also works one day a week delivering “Meals on Wheels” to Senior Centers.
Hank Kinzie
Wolf
USA • Chicago
Hank Kinzie
“To create a safe and loving world by opening my heart and embracing others.”
For years he has given of himself to thousands of men, with reckless abandon. He is one of the cornerstones of the “Warrior” organization who helped consolidate the New Warrior Network/ManKind Project in the infantile stages. He is a “Champion” who has always promoted men’s work to all he has come in contact with. He remains humble in his resolve. He is a luminary in defending mature masculine energy be used in the work we all do. And he is a beacon of wholesome love.
Kalani Creutzburg
Loving White Dove
USA • San Diego
Kalani Creutzburg
“I co-create a better world by loving myself and others.”
Kalani has addressed a need to help homeless veterans as well as the need to save homeless dogs from being euthanized. He created a 501 (c)3 non profit