Who We Are
A collaborative group of researchers, scholars, and practitioners united by a shared commitment to human flourishing.
A collaborative group of researchers, scholars, and practitioners
We are a collaborative group of researchers, scholars, and practitioners with expertise and contributions to evolutionary human development, education technology, culture transformation, and values-based leadership.
Together, we have created ways to help optimize human potential through foundational shifts that allow for culture change and evolution so communities flourish. Our diverse team combines expertise in human development, leadership, and culture transformation to drive personal and organizational growth.
The Human Values Center recognizes that we are occupying and operating on land originally and still inhabited and cared for by the Tongva, Tataviam, Serrano, Kizh, and Chumash Peoples. We honor and pay respect to their elders and descendants — past, present, and emerging — as they continue their stewardship of these lands and waters.
Our Vision
"Thriving communities where collective wellbeing, ecological belonging, and shared human values guide how we learn, lead, and care for one another."
Our Mission
We train the next generation of ethical leaders and the educators who guide them — fostering resilience, compassion, and ecological belonging through place-based, culturally relevant community-centered programs of inner development and outer action.
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Our People
A collaborative community of researchers, scholars, practitioners, and leaders. Click any member to read their full bio.
Dr. Laura M. Burgis
Executive Director & Founder
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Erica Berry Coates, LCSW
Faculty Fellow
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Dr. Jacqueline Rangel
Faculty Fellow
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Will Rucker
Faculty Fellow
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Doug Everhart
Faculty Fellow
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Jacey Eve
Faculty Fellow
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Heidi Carranza
Faculty Fellow
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Susan McBride
Faculty Fellow
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Liz Burgis
Faculty Fellow · Board Member
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Elaine Miller-Karas, MSW, LCSW
Board of Directors
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Dr. Laura I Rendón
Scholar & Advisor
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Eduardo Lozano
Faculty Fellow
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Mara Defilippis
Faculty Fellow
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Danelia Fernandez
Campus Programs Manager
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Dr. Victor Manalo
Faculty Fellow
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Dr. Elizabeth Topp
Faculty Fellow
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Renee Ronika Bhatti-Klug
Faculty Fellow
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Faculty Fellows Specialty Offerings
HVC Faculty Fellows Susan McBride and Liz Burgis co-lead our CRM®Arts initiative — community arts engagement informed by CRM® nervous system regulation and neuroaesthetic principles, delivered in schools and community settings by certified CRM teachers. This is community wellbeing infrastructure, not clinical art therapy. Alongside Jacey Eve's somatic leadership and ecological wisdom work, these specialty programs extend CRM® into powerful new terrain.