IONS PREPARES FOR THE EONS: DISCOVERS POWERFUL FORMULA FOR ORGANIZATIONAL LONGEVITY: Steve Villano, JD, is the new CEO/President of the Petaluma, CA., based scientific institute and Dr. Marilyn Schlitz promoted to Ambassador for Creative Projects and Global Affairs & Senior Scientist.
PETALUMA, CA, JUNE 1, 2012—The Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS)—founded nearly 40 years ago by one of the few humans to walk on the moon, Dr. Edgar Mitchell, and praised internationally for its research on the nexus between science and spirituality and health and wellness—has discovered a powerful formula for longevity.
In the same week as an historic solar eclipse, IONS hired a tested non-profit & public health leader, Steve Villano, as its new CEO and President, and elevated long-time leader Dr. Marilyn Schlitz to the position of Ambassador for Global Affairs and Creative Projects, and Senior Scientist.
“Steve and Marilyn are the perfect team to launch IONS into the next 40 years of the scientific exploration of the frontiers of consciousness,” said William Sechrest, Chairman of the IONS Board of Directors. “It’s an exciting time for IONS and gratifying for those of us who hold the vision that the most challenging frontier to explore is no longer the outward journey to some distant star but, rather, the inward journey into our own awareness, mind, and unlimited potential that lies within each of us.”
Villano, who served in senior administrative positions at two academic medical centers in New York, was CEO of two national nonprofit organizations involved with HIV/AIDS education and public education and worked in public service during the administration of former Governor Mario M. Cuomo of New York State. He was selected to lead IONS after a rigorous nationwide search conducted by Bo Rinaldi & Associates.
“We reviewed over 100 candidates,” said Rinaldi, who has done extensive searches for Silicon Valley companies including for Apple and Steve Jobs, “and selected Steve because of his record of accomplishments, academic background, creative mind, enthusiastic personality, and finely sharpened executive leadership skills.”
“I am inspired to join the highly talented team of scientists and thought leaders at IONS,” Villano said. “For the last four decades this Institute has been doing groundbreaking work in the area of Integrative Medicine and the interconnection of the great power of the mind and body in healing and health. Finally, the medical establishment and mainstream media and researchers are beginning to travel the path which IONS courageously carved out of uncharted territory, recognizing that in matters of health and wellness, consciousness and attitude matter.”
“I’ve had the wonderful fortune to work with and meet some of the most fascinating and positive people in the world,” said Villano. “Governor Mario Cuomo, Sherry Lansing (Chair of the California State Board of Regents, and first woman to head a major motion picture studio), CEOs across the television industry, Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Dr. Robert Gallo (co-discoverer of HIV virus), Hillary Clinton, BD Wong, Maya Angelou, Elie Wiesel and Nobel Prize winning scientist Dr. Robert Furchgott of SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Now, for the first time I’m working with a uniquely inspiring Institute, whose founder, programs, work, and people have been heralded in both scientific journals and popular culture, and its magnificent 194-acre retreat and education center in California’s wine country, holds unlimited promise.” “We are a scientific organization where both evidence and consciousness matter,” said Dr. Schlitz, who’s held a number of key IONS leadership positions over the past two decades, most recently President/CEO. “Our formula for bringing IONS into the next eon is straightforward: Four ”C”s: Consciousness, Collaboration, and Core Competencies.”
Villano has a law degree from Hofstra University School of Law, a Masters Degree in Communications from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Brockport, and a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from SUNY Albany. He served as an adjunct professor for 22 years at Cornell University’s School of Industrial & Labor Relations in its Labor Studies Program. He has been published in the Federal Communications Law Journal, the Free Speech Forum of the Speech Communications Association of America, Associations Now magazine, Healthcare Marketing Association publications, and in numerous other newspapers, magazines, and internet sites. He has been a presenter and participant at international and national conferences and served as an International Juror at a United Nations film conference in Cannes, France. Villano has been executive producer of three documentaries on HIV/AIDS-related issues, which have aired on the Sundance Channel, Discovery Health Networks, and Showtime, and produced and distributed dozens of public health/public service announcements across the U.S. and around the world on HIV/AIDS awareness and education.
Dr. Schlitz’ role will be expanding around the world, bringing even greater recognition to IONS cutting-edge work. This month she has been invited by the World Cultural Forum to participate in scientific seminars in the People’s Republic of China, and in September she will travel to Turkey to promote IONS’ Worldview Literacy Project™. Later that month, Dr. Schlitz will participate in the Fetzer Institute’s groundbreaking Global Forum in Assisi, Italy. Additionally, Dr. Schlitz is collaborating on a film and book with Dr. Deepak Chopra, entitled Death Makes Life Possible. Funders interested in supporting this work, which is already capturing significant investor interest, can contact Dr. Schlitz at [email protected].
“Progress and paradigm shifts,” said Dr. Schlitz, who was a model for the hero-scientist in Dan Brown’s novel that popularized IONS’ pioneering research, The Lost Symbol, “happen through a process of exploration, discovery, early adoption by visionaries, and then translation into large-scale applications. We think these elements—plus bringing aboard the right talent—is the secret to organizational longevity.”
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About the Institute of Noetic Sciences The Institute of Noetic Sciences is an international nonprofit organization advancing consciousness research to benefit education, health care, personal growth, and social good. Its three program areas offer potential for positive change in the world: consciousness and healing, worldview transformation, and the science of interconnectedness. IONS also operates EarthRise Retreat and Education Center, a 120-bed conference center on a 194-acre campus in Petaluma, CA. (For more information about IONS, please go to our website at www.noetic.org.) # # # # #