Leadership

Illuman is primarily a volunteer-led organization, comprised of three governing bodies and numerous councils that handle day-to-day operations.

Governing Bodies

Board of Directors

The Board provides mission-based leadership and strategic governance, overseeing the administration and management of Illuman’s ongoing operations.

  • Blair Anderson (Development & Fundraising)

    Dominick Bencivenga (Treasurer)

    Jamey Bontrager-Singer (Secretary, Chapter Development)

    Arrus Farmer (Radical Belonging)

    Mark Funkhouser (Programs)

    Dan Harris (Chair)

    Steve Hicken (Chair Emeritus)

    Juan Hinojosa (Illuman en Espanol)

    Tom Reid (Vice Chair, Governance)

    Terry Symens-Bucher (Elders/Trustees Liaison)

Council of Elders

The Council of Elders exercise deep discernment and reflection regarding the life and activities of Illuman, including the practices comprising the Men’s Rites of Passage.

  • Ned Abenroth

    Andy Gray

    Belden Lane

    Joe Lonergan

    Giovanni Perez

    T-Michael Rock

    Glenn Siegel

    Brian Sullivan

    Terry Symens-Bucher

    Bill Weber

Chapter Conveners

Conveners represent their own local Chapters, ensuring each area stays connected to the wider Illuman mission.

  • Warren Hebert, Convener of Conveners

    Ned Abenroth and Jeffrey Batstone, Washington

    John Ball, Washington DC

    Scott Bollen and Chris Cameron, Wisconsin

    Bill Brennan, Florida

    Co-Conveners Gary Meagher and Chester Trocha, Illinois

    John Day, Oklahoma
    Travis Murphy, Mark Infusino and Shane McRae, Southern California

    Drew Henry, New Mexico

    Richard Dougherty, Northern California

    Hunter Close and Martin Lizarraga, Texas

    Steve Moore, Alabama

    Tony Murray and Warren Hebert, Louisiana

    Jack Nobles, Ozarks

    Tom Pawlak and Mike Whitman, Indiana-Michigan

    Chuck Rihm, Ohio

    Paul Lyons, Minnesota

    George Sawin, Northeast U.S.

    Al Selder, Arizona

    Tim Sullivan, Colorado

    Michael Wright, Oregon

    Peter Zellner, Georgia

Illuman’s Operational Teams

  • The Chapter Development Council is a resource and connection point for local Illuman Chapters, bringing consistency through sharing wisdom and process knowledge.

    • Jamey Bontrager-Singer, Seth Burgess, Timmer Cashman, Mike Clawson, Dave Tillman, Matt Woollett

  • The Communications and Outreach Council develops and supports Illuman’s external communications, public outreach, and social media presence.

    • Jim Burns, Mike Clawson, Ned Abenroth, Markku Kostamo

  • The Curricula Council oversees the creation and/or approval of ongoing programs and courses offered by Illuman.

    • Ned Abenroth, Chris DeLastic, Dan Dolquist, Mark Funkhouser, Joe Gabaeff, John Lew

    • Blair Anderson, John French, Steve Hicken, Juan Hinojosa, Markku Kostamo, Tom Reid

  • The Governance Council periodically reviews and makes recommendations for improving the effectiveness of Illuman’s governance structures and policies.

    • Jamey Bontrager-Singer, Dan Harris, Warren Hebert, Juan Macias, David Murphree, Tom Reid, Chuck Rihm, Tim Sullivan, Bill Weber

  • The Leadership Service Council for Illuman en Español guides Illuman’s work with Spanish-speaking communities within the US and abroad.

    • Bob Juárez, Giovanni Pérez, Juan Macías, Néstor Rodriguez, Samuel Pérez

  • The Program Council develops and implements Illuman’s major programs and events, including our annual Awaken men’s gathering.

    • Ned Abenroth, Karim Aziz, John Ball, Mike Clawson, Chris Cleghorn, Mark Funkhouser, Steve Hicken, Terry Symens-Bucher

  • The Technology Council provides information technology strategies and implementation.

    • Mike Clawson, John French, Andy Gray, Brian Mueller, Tim Sullivan, Jared Adams, Markku Kostamo

  • The Council on Radical Belonging assists Illuman in the work of witnessing, acknowledging, and healing the trauma caused by racial injustices.

    • Jared Adams, Mike Anderer, Tony Deosdade, Geno Gallegos, Fred Leal, Byron McMillan, Mark Mehlos, Jeff Nichols, Terry Symens-Bucher, Jerry Yoshitomi

  • The Virtual Council Guiding Circle aids Illuman in the development, implementation, management, and expansion of its Virtual Council Program.

    • John Ball, Bill Brennan, Robert Bulanda, Michael Camerino, Steve Conroy, Michael Klinger, Dave MacQuarrie, Anthony Monticchio, Scott Wehner

  • The Reweaving Council looks at Illuman’s overall structure, governance, and operations to propose strategic changes for the future.

    • Bill Priesmeyer, Bob Bulanda, Brian Sullivan, Chris Cameron, Chuck Rihm, Daniel Harris, Dave Morrell, David Tillman, Felix Rodolfo Soria, Hector Garcia, Ian Nicholson, Jared Adams, Jeff Nichols, Joe Gabaeff, Louis Volpi III, Mark Mehlos, Matt Hardin, Mike Anderer, Mike Whitman, Orval “Jack” Nobles, Scotty Johnson, Tim Callan, Tony Villanueva

  • Mike Clawson is Illuman’s Director of Engagement and Outreach, overseeing all aspects of Illuman’s programs, communications, outreach efforts, and day-to-day operations. Prior to Illuman, he co-founded the New Story Festival, a transformational event for creativity, spirituality, and social change in Austin, Texas. He has a Ph.D. in Religion from Baylor University, has been an adjunct instructor of religion at several Central Texas seminaries, and was a church pastor in the Chicago suburbs. Though originally from the northwoods of Michigan, he and his two teenage daughters currently live in Austin.

We are men transforming men through a power greater than our own.