Who We Are

Mike and Tricia Karpfen founded the Shanta Foundation, a federally recognized 501(C)3, in 2006 after their visit to numerous countries in SE Asia and southern Africa. Moved by the unfailing generosity of those who had so little and the realization that a few dollars goes a long way in these countries, Mike and Tricia decided to make humanitarian work an active part of their lives.

Board of Directors

Board Members Mike Karpfen, Tricia Karpfen, Candice Carson, Lloyd Fickett, Carolyn Moller, Maggie Galland, Ross Park

Shanta Foundation’s board members are the soul of our organization. Not only do they provide sharp and perceptive guidance but are involved in daily aspects of our operations, both States-side and in Myanmar. This cohesive group is dedicated to making the world more compassionate, just and sustainable.

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• Mike Karpfen, Co-Founder and Executive Director

In addition to running Shanta, Mike is a psychotherapist in private practice in Durango since 1995. Mike was a member of the executive team of Kripalu Center, the US’s largest residential wellness center, from 1980-1993. He enjoys mountain biking, backcountry skiing, Nordic skiing, rafting, and horseback riding – actually all kinds of outdoor recreation, plus green living and yoga. Mike tries to live by the adage that ‘the whole world is one family’.

• Tricia Karpfen, Co-Founder

Tricia leads Shanta’s efforts in health care, women’s issues and staff development. Tricia facilitates corporate leadership development around the U.S., trains health coaches for Duke Integrative Medicine and is an acupuncturist. She was director of programming at Kripalu Center from 1986-1991. Her loves includes horses, gardening and hiking in the high country.

• Lloyd Fickett, Chairman of the Board

Lloyd is the owner of a consulting firm and the developer of a unique approach called the Collaborative Way™, an intentional method of working together that harnesses the collective intelligence, imagination and spirit of a company’s workforce. Lloyd and his wife have two sons and four grandchildren, and he is an avid tennis player and snowboarder.

• David Peters, Secretary
  

 Dave is very active with Shanta’s economic development programs, financial oversight and investments. Dave retired to Durango after a career as a manager for an international energy firm. He has extensive international experience with specific work in South East Asia since 1997, having lived with his family in Thailand for nine years. In his work, he helped develop, support and had oversight of several humanitarian and social programs in Myanmar that include health education, socio-economic development, microfinance, vocational training and TB/HIV detection and treatment. Dave has a strong interest in promoting sustainable humanitarian programs in Myanmar. He is also an avid golfer and skier.

• Carolyn Moller, Treasurer

Carolyn comes to Shanta’s board with more than 18 years of experience in non-profit program and financial management and public policy, including work for Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Canaan Valley Institute and the Center for Poverty Solutions. She currently works for Housing Solutions of the Southwest in Durango and also serves on the board of the Sustainability Alliance of Southwest Colorado. Carolyn and her husband David enjoy hiking, kayaking, yoga, photography, and visiting friends and family in the Four Corners.

• Candice Carson, Board Member

In 1993 Candice and her husband retired and moved from the Caribbean to Durango.  Since then, she has served on several boards of nonprofits, including Durango Nature Studies, Women’s Resource Center, La Plata Electric Association Round-Up and Leadership La Plata Steering Committee. Candice is president of a private foundation and has written two books: Wildflowers of Durango and High Country Wildflowers. Currently Candice divides her time between Colorado and cruising on her sailboat to New Zealand.

• Maggie Klein Galland, Board Member

Maggie brings significant international health experience to Shanta in her role on the health care committee. She is a physical therapist with an eclectic background that includes working in orphanages in India and rehabilitation centers in Norway, Thailand and China. In 1986, she served as the medical director for the American Refugee Committee in Sudan. She has also worked in nursing homes, pediatric achievement centers and orthopedic clinics.

• Ross Park, Board Member

Ross is active in Shanta’s economic development programs, governance, and financial oversight. He retired to Durango after a career as a computer executive with extensive experience in international travel, living and business. He currently focuses his activities on education with the League of Women Voters of La Plata County and as a Professional Associate of Fort Lewis College. Ross and his wife, Ellen, share a keen interest in the empowerment of local individuals to make a difference in the lives of those in need.

US-Based Staff Member

Katherine Hollis, Outreach Coordinator

Katherine comes to Shanta with a master’s degree in sustainable international development.  Katherine spent the second year of her master’s work in Kyrgyzstan, focusing on Food for Education programming, community development, microfinance and small-scale agriculture with the Mercy Corps country office there. She joins Mike in Shanta’s Durango office, where she is thrilled to be able to work in the field of sustainable development in Myanmar while having access to backcountry skiing, rock climbing and biking out her back door!

Myanmar Staff

Shanta would not be successful in our work in Myanmar without our team of dedicated, talented Myanmar staff!  Please check back soon for more information about these amazing people.