WHO IS MY GURU

Jessica Durivage , founder and co-host of Where Is My Guru, is a Karma Yogi, Creative Activist and Social  Entrepreneur.  She has been practicing yoga for the last ten years and the opportunities that have crossed her path during this time have all fallen under the scope of how her path as a yogi should shape her work in the world.

Born in upstate NY and moved to Myrtle Beach, SC at 16 Jessica found her gifts in healing, massage therapy and leadership. She hustled the corporate America vibe as a Regional Spa Director for the Marriott, living in a world focused on titles and bottom lines.  In 2007 she co-founded a non-profit organization dwelling in swirling circles of service and art. Swimming the seas of healing, service, social media, consulting and encouraging others to examine their own limitless possibilities, Jessica constantly looks to expand her knowledge of sustainable health and wellness for myself, others and the planet. She adds improv comedy to her resume and has an unquenchable desire for travel and exploration

In December of 2010 she pulled up her southern roots. Two cats, a Uhaul, a VW Cabrio Convertible and life partner departed the sunny south and the coastline for four seasons and snow capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains in Denver, Colorado – ready to stand with confidence and willingness on the threshold of a new horizon with faith and determination.

Whether in a business suit or yoga clothes, Jessica will continue bridging the gap with the world and the light that dwells within each heart.  Because of the wealth of experiences, teachers and mentors who have guided her along her path she cultivates savvy, innovative approaches to make the world a better place each day and lead with compassion, from the heart.

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Diane Ferraro, partner-in-crime and co-host of Where Is My Guru, is an only child and Metal Pig, having fancied herself a writer since she can remember. Probably because her imaginary friend told her she was good at it. In yoga, we call those friends our “higher self.” Vacillating between yang and yin, she gets giddy and goes digging in the dirt in equal measure.

As a Brooklyn based,worldly-wise executive with fifteen years of experience in fundraising, event planning, publicity, and organizational management; an entrepreneur leading her own consulting and product development company;  and partner and co-host of Where Is My Guru, Diane is dedicated to advancing the melioration of individuals, communities, and the environment. Looking back on her bio, Diane is a little creeped out that she’s been referring to herself in the third person but she’s really excited to be a part of various mindful communities dedicated to enacting positive change. Diane is also a contributing writer for Elephant Journal (www.elephantjournal.com). Feel free to heckle her at diane@whereismyguru.com

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Carl Kerridge, Resident Guru Photographer, has been shooting images since his childhood days. He grew up in the City of Norwich on the east coast of England but for the last fifteen years has resided in the US and has run a successful photography business (www.carlkerridge.com) specializing in natural light, life stlye, fashion and event imagery. Outside of the business world Carl loves to travel and take pictures or make art taking pictures so I guess you could say photography is his work, his life, his passion and his creative outlet all wrapped up in to one.
Now based in Denver, Carl is currently working to develop a new web site lending his unique artistic vision to yoga, wellness and the art of Zen ( look out for www.fotao.com, coming soon).
Carl’s upbeat and high energy approach to life brings lightness to the darkness and he is leading the creative visual charge at #WIMG on-site at festivals, conferences, and magical lands with never-ending blue skies.

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Lilly Bechtel, #WIMG’s trailblazing programming pioneer, served as our first 10-hour/week intern and quickly earned her promotion to Director of Programming at Where Is My Guru. Grappling with the question of how alternative forms of healing can address social justice while having brought poetry, theater and yoga workshops into correctional facilities for the past six years, Ms. Bechtel is a graduate of Bard College and has published in “Field Notes,” in the anthology Creating Behind the Razor Wire: An Overview of Arts in Corrections in the U.S. and the online periodicals The Brooklyn Rail, The Faster Times and elephant journal.  Ms. Bechtel is currently offering Trauma-Sensitive yoga classes at a veteran’s hospital, a women’s correctional facility and a sober house for young adults as well as serving as Indispensable Asset for #WIMG. In her free time Lilly dances and dreams and is one of the proudest, if not the brawniest, member of The Five Borough Ladies Arm Wrestling League.

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Jennifer Cusano, social media aficionado, research connoisseur, #WIMG website wrangler and writer du jour, is a new born Yogi on a path of personal exploration and long overdue healing. A graduate from The Connecticut School of Broadcasting, she focused her studies extensively on radio broadcast. With a passion for writing, Jenn is currently published on elephant journal and Here Women Talk. Full time mother, part time media ninja, with a limitless future, she enjoys learning new skills and meeting new people. With an insatiable desire to help others, Jenn continues to push herself to the max as proven through her promotion from Intern Extraordinaire in 2011 to Director of Social Media in 2012 at Where Is My Guru. She dreams of everything from Vampires to Gandhi, and in her wake continues to bring her unique and savvy skills to the forefront of every endeavor. “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” ~ Anais Nin