Who We Are

Building an interconnected community of mindful, purposeful, and healthy individuals

DIRECTOR (2016-2017)
Erica Eugster, MD, RYT 200
I am a pediatric endocrinologist and a yoga alliance 200 hour certified yoga teacher. I am a former member of the Board of Directors of the Pediatric Endocrine Society and am currently Chair of the Sub-board of Endocrinology of the American Board of Pediatrics.

DIRECTOR
Ron Hopkins, CFP
Ron S. Hopkins, CFP is a First Vice President, Financial Advisor for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and a Certified Financial Planner ® practitioner. Ron has also achieved the titles of Portfolio Management Director and Estate Planning Consultant. With over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, Ron has dedicated his focus on providing comprehensive wealth management to business owners, executives, retirees and non-profit associations. He accomplishes this by providing: retirement and estate planning services through the construction of a financial plan; investment management and monitoring services through the creation of an investment policy statement and guidelines; and the analysis of credit and cash flow needs of businesses. Ron conducts ongoing informational seminars and private client dinners on diverse topics related to comprehensive wealth management.

DIRECTOR
Candy Irven, RYT
A recovering workaholic, Candy climbed her way to the upper echelons of corporate America where she spent 15 years working for NIC, Inc. In 2011, Candy earned her 200 hour RYT certification. Several years later, she achieved her Usui Reiki certification (2014) and her Reiki-Acupressure Integration for the Usui Healing System (2015). Most recently, she earned her Eating Psychology Coach certification through the Institute of Eating Psychology in Boulder, Colorado. Prior to her shift into health and wellness, Candy earned a BS from Purdue University's School of Technology.

She brings all these skills plus her business mastery together as a co-founder of nesha, a company dedicated to help individuals remove obstacles through energy work, coaching, yoga, and combination thereof, to nourish their souls and live fuller, more balanced lives. She is also the owner of Tree House Yoga in downtown Indianapolis.

DIRECTOR
Michael Goldenberg
Michael serves as Regulatory Strategy and Collaboration Director for Indiana at Duke Energy and also chaired the statewide Energizing Indiana initiative which included all of the major electric utilities.

He started his yoga journey at Cityoga in 2013 and was quickly immersed in the entire experience. I attended classes as often as possible, completed the 30 Day challenge and advocate the benefits and enjoyment to all who will listen. Combining his work with Mighty Lotus and Freewheelin’ Community Bikes has great synergies and combines three areas of interest for Michael: biking, yoga and working with youth.

DIRECTOR
Deseri Garcia, RYT
A passionate coach, facilitator and speaker with nearly 20 years in Corporate America, Deseri implements creative, experiential and personalized programs that challenge, motivate and transform clients. Her tireless pursuit of possibility gets results – tangible, solid, proof-of-purchase outcomes.

our STAFF

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Alyssa Pfennig, CAE, RYT 500

Alyssa is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) and brings over 12 years of organizational management experience ranging from operations and financial management to marketing and meeting planning for national and international organizations. She has led organizations as Chief Operating Officer and at Director levels. Alyssa is an active member of the Indiana Society of Association Executives (ISAE) and the Indiana Wellness Council. She has been featured in ASAE’s magazine, Associations Now, the coin-op industry magazine, RePlay, Nuvo and the New York Times.

Alyssa is the owner of YogaExec and Embarque Yoga Therapy + Wellness in south Broad Ripple. She is a member of Yoga Alliance and the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) and has studied Vinyasa yoga and yoga therapeutics with several internationally-recognized yoga teachers.

our BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2016 PRESIDENT
Dave Sims, E-RYT 200/RYT 500
Dave embraces the opportunity to provide space for students and teachers to share their passion for yoga. Dave believes that nothing is more powerful than a connected community, sharing and growing in their practices together. As owner of CITYOGA School of Yoga and Health, Dave strives to embody this philosophy. Prior to owning CITYOGA, Dave worked as a business consultant, advising new and existing businesses in all aspects of business start-up, strategic planning, and management. Dave's business experience comes from 20 years in the restaurant and beverage industry, as a multi-unit manager, organizing teams of over 200 employees, 24 direct reports, and a 10 million annual budget. Dave also serves on the Yoga Alliance's Studio and Schools Board Advisory Committee.

Did you know?

Mighty Lotus began in 2013 with its first program at Frederick Douglass IPS #19. Now we have eight active yoga programs in schools and serve over 150 children each school year.

MISSION

Empower underserved individuals to overcome challenges and lead mindful, purposeful and healthy lives through the development of life skills using yoga, meditation and other awareness practices.

VISION

Build an interconnected community of mindful, purposeful and healthy individuals.