Board of Directors
The Earth & Spirit Council’s Board of Directors brings together dedicated leaders committed to guiding the organization’s mission. They provide visionary direction for the Council’s work in reconnecting people with nature and spiritual wisdom.
With diverse backgrounds in ecology, spirituality, education and community service, the board supports programs that honor interconnection and Indigenous teachings. Their governance ensures the non-profit remains anchored in its values of reverence, restoration and earth-conscious living.
Julie Hightman
Social Media, Public Communications, and Content Writer
I am the owner of Faiz Healing Holistic Healthcare. For 20 years, my focus on volunteering and treating addiction, abused women, Indigenous communities, veterans, and hospice care have brought many stories and experiences to me as a witness and facilitator of healing. Art and writing are an essential part of my balance and flow in life and I am most known for my focus on shamanic symbolism as the artist of “The Sacred Messengers Series” and as the author of multiple books. My message to the world is based in spiritual, philosophical, and mindful approaches to life, our inner nature, and the powerful healing wisdom of earth as a guide. I am thankful to take part in the Earth and Spirit Council journey of supporting community and sharing Indigenous elder wisdom with those who are drawn to listen. For me, learning to listen to the wisdom of others and honoring we all have something to share, has been imperative for effectively building life skills. Creating opportunities to connect with our heritage through an archive of Indigenous voices and ceremonies is essential to community and self-development.
Brenda Gilliland
Volunteer Coordinator
Born and raised in Oregon, I come from generations of family rooted in the Pacific Northwest. A deep connection to the land, the outdoors, and animals has shaped my life and values. I’m a single mother and proud grandmother, grounded by the love and strength of family across generations. For nearly 25 years, I’ve worked as a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, dedicated to holistic healing and honoring the body’s natural rhythms. Alongside my healing work, I’ve spent much of my life owning, training, and building relationships with horses and dogs—experiences that have deepened my understanding of trust, communication, and the sacred bond between humans and animals. I’ve joined with the Earth and Spirit Council because of their powerful message, deep commitment, and the healing presence they bring to communities. Their vision aligns with my own path—living in harmony with the Earth, uplifting others, and walking with respect for all life.
William Ward
Board Member
I am 75-year-old semi-retired man residing in or near Portland, Oregon since 1972. I have spent 30 years with Oregon Public Broadcasting, mostly as a field audio recordist. Because of the talented and collaborative people I have worked with, I have received 7 Regional EMMYS. For decades I have been taught and continue to practice Lakota ways. I have also learned to sing for ceremonies that my elders facilitated. For over 20 years I have volunteered for the Oregon Department of Corrections, helping with sweat lodge, talking circles, prayer circles and other ceremonies and gatherings. I have helped a few non-profit organizations in the Portland area with audio and video recordings, along with other activities to further the width and breadth of Indigenous wisdom and knowledge. My relationship with Earth and Spirit Council began in the early 1990s. At first, I attended The Natural Way speaker series, featuring Native Elders. Then I started volunteering and attending ceremonies and other gatherings. I am drawn to the Earth and Spirit Council because of its vision and mission – offering human beings some clues that encourage a healthy relationship with Mother Earth and that all things are interconnected.
Linda Neale
President & Co-Founder
A fourth generation Oregonian of English/Norwegian/Polish descent raised with the reality of the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade Mountains, and the High Desert in her backyard. She graduated from Stanford University, received her MA in psychology from Portland State University, and taught on the Navajo Reservation in the early 70’s. For thirty years she worked as a school psychologist and maintained a private practice in marriage and family therapy. She and her husband, Akimel O’odham elder Rod McAfee, are the founders of Earth & Spirit Council. Linda is dedicated to re-establishing the role of ceremony as a potent force for change and connection to the earth and spirit. She has taken part in and directed ceremonies across the United States and South America and is the author of The Power of Ceremony: Restoring the Sacred in Our Selves, Our Families, Our Communities. She is a mother and grandmother and is writing a memoir about her marriage to Rod.
David Cooley
Treasurer
Collapsible text is great for longer section titles and descriptions. It gives people access to all the info they need, while keeping your layout clean. Link your text to anything, or set your text box to expand on click. Write your text here...
Emma Jewell
Communications and Project Coordinator
Collapsible text is great for longer section titles and descriptions. It gives people access to all the info they need, while keeping your layout clean. Link your text to anything, or set your text box to expand on click. Write your text here...