Wisdom Weavers Session 14 - Heart-Centered Innovation

Ariane Mahmud-Ghazi is an Afghan-American somatic psychotherapist, an experiential educator, a creativity coach, and a trauma consultant. Key professional offerings include

- A lifelong commitment to child protection, gender parity, maternal & child health, family welfare and community building.  

- A clinical background in social work and trauma recovery with a focus on ecological approaches to community mobilization & post-conflict transformation.

- Multicultural awareness and experience working locally and internationally.

Ariane is committed to supporting those who strengthen our social fabric, who honor peace & the mosaic of cultures across the globe, who stand for social justice, and for placing the welfare of children & nature at the heart of all levels of innovation & decision-making.  She is passionate about restoring relationships that have been disrupted by social, collective and generational trauma and facilitates conversations and experiential workshops for health, wellness, self-regulation, conflict resolution, and post-traumatic growth to develop joint collaborative actions for social transformation. Find out more at ecologyofbeingyou.com.

Nathana Bird, M.A. is from Ohkay Owingeh and Kewa Pueblo, a life-partner to chef Ray Naranjo and mother of four. She has served in many roles and currently serves as the Executive Director of Tewa Women United, where she leads with respect, honesty, and compassion, and carries forward the vision of TWU’s founders to nurture healing, cultural resilience, and community self-determination. She previously served as Program Manager for the Women’s Leadership and Economic Freedom Program, grounding her work in the values of reciprocity and connection to community.

Her journey as an organizer began in Northern New Mexico and across the region through youth organizations, with a strong focus on environmental justice and education. She holds an M.A. in Language, Literacy & Socio-Cultural Studies with a concentration in American Indian Education and a B.A. in Integrated Studies in Psychology.

Rooted in the teachings of her people and the wisdom passed down by mothers and grandmothers, Nathana is passionate about creating spaces where young people, families, and communities can thrive. She credits the elders, community, and staff of TWU for shaping her own path of healing and empowerment, and she remains committed to serving the communities of the Española Valley with love, care, and accountability.

When not working, she enjoys tending her plants, road trips, organizing, and spending time with family.