Legacy
“Ocamora is a place that nurtures healing and wisdom through the intimate experience of self and the natural world. Our intention is to change the way we live.”
Through almost half a century of stewardship and service, the gift of Ocamora continues to evolve. Through the vision and determination of Ocamora’s founders, Ocamora has developed into a unique place of refuge for individuals and small groups. Located in a remote corner of northeastern New Mexico, the Ocamora Foundation was established in 1982 as a 501c3 non-profit to maintain Ocamora’s legacy for generations to come.
“Ocamora is a place that nurtures healing and wisdom through the intimate experience of self and the natural world. Our intention is to change the way we live.”
Through almost half a century of stewardship and service, the gift of Ocamora continues to evolve. Through the vision and determination of Ocamora’s founders, Ocamora has developed into a unique place of refuge for individuals and small groups. Located in a remote corner of northeastern New Mexico, the Ocamora Foundation was established in 1982 as a 501c3 non-profit to maintain Ocamora’s legacy for generations to come.
Founders
Pattie Cavalletto and Michael Broome, Founders
During the 1970’s, Pattie Cavalletto, a nature-lover from birth, experienced a vision of creating a retreat center that would offer others the opportunity to experience the self-reflection and peace she knew from her own deep communion with the natural world. Her dear friend, Michael Broome, a creative photographer, painter, and ceramicist, joined her in making this vision a reality. Together they traveled to many places seeking just the right location and conditions. In 1981 they were drawn to a remote setting in Mora County New Mexico where they were able to secure a 265-acre parcel of land and began building what has become the Ocamora Retreat Center. In 1982 Pattie and Broome began offering children’s camps and contemplative retreats. Pattie and Broome lived together as life partners for decades. Michael Broome died peacefully at home on the ranch in March 20217. Pattie has been grateful to call Ocamora home for over four decades. She continues to serve as the primary steward and guiding light.
Pattie Cavalletto
About Pattie
Pattie Cavalletto, born in Santa Barbara, California, grew up on her family’s lemon ranch. She realized at an early age a deep love of unspoiled nature and the spaciousness and solitude of country life. After college, she lived in Europe––in Paris, and then on the Greek islands of Crete and Skiathos where she lived a traditional land-based life, matching her efforts with her values of living in an authentic and sustainable way. During the 1970’s, while living once again in Santa Barbara, Pattie received her vision of creating the place we now know as Ocamora.
Michael Broome
About Broome
Michael Broome grew up in Leichester, England where his father was a barge captain on the Norfolk Broads. After completing his initial education, he apprenticed as a watchmaker for five years before returning to Arts College as a photography student. He became a photojournalist in London during the sixties and joined an expedition up the Nile River, Egypt, with Sir Randolf Fienes. In southern Sudan he experienced a life-threatening accident that left him badly burned. This tragedy and near-death experience changed his life at a core level. He returned to London to live and work, for over ten years, in an old rectory on the island of Angelsey in North Wales, devoting his time to creating paintings and pottery. He lived a country life of growing his own food and exploring the meaning of existence. Leaving Wales in 1979, he spent a year in Yalapa, Mexico before coming to the United States to join his dear friend Pattie on her quest. Until his death in 2017, Michael continued to express his creativity through photography, painting, ceramics, and the building of Ocamora. Michael believed that the whole of life is a creative process.
Founders
Pattie Cavalletto and Michael Broome, Founders
During the 1970’s, Pattie Cavalletto, a nature-lover from birth, experienced a vision of creating a retreat center that would offer others the opportunity to experience the self-reflection and peace she knew from her own deep communion with the natural world. Her dear friend, Michael Broome, a creative photographer, painter, and ceramicist, joined her in making this vision a reality. Together they traveled to many places seeking just the right location and conditions. In 1981 they were drawn to a remote setting in Mora County New Mexico where they were able to secure a 265-acre parcel of land and began building what has become the Ocamora Retreat Center. In 1982 Pattie and Broome began offering children’s camps and contemplative retreats. Pattie and Broome lived together as life partners for decades. Michael Broome died peacefully at home on the ranch in March 20217. Pattie has been grateful to call Ocamora home for over four decades. She continues to serve as the primary steward and guiding light.
Pattie Cavalletto
About Pattie
Pattie Cavalletto, born in Santa Barbara, California, grew up on her family’s lemon ranch. She realized at an early age a deep love of unspoiled nature and the spaciousness and solitude of country life. After college, she lived in Europe––in Paris, and then on the Greek islands of Crete and Skiathos where she lived a traditional land-based life, matching her efforts with her values of living in an authentic and sustainable way. During the 1970’s, while living once again in Santa Barbara, Pattie received her vision of creating the place we now know as Ocamora.
Michael Broome
About Broome
Michael Broome grew up in Leichester, England where his father was a barge captain on the Norfolk Broads. After completing his initial education, he apprenticed as a watchmaker for five years before returning to Arts College as a photography student. He became a photojournalist in London during the sixties and joined an expedition up the Nile River, Egypt, with Sir Randolf Fienes. In southern Sudan he experienced a life-threatening accident that left him badly burned. This tragedy and near-death experience changed his life at a core level. He returned to London to live and work, for over ten years, in an old rectory on the island of Angelsey in North Wales, devoting his time to creating paintings and pottery. He lived a country life of growing his own food and exploring the meaning of existence. Leaving Wales in 1979, he spent a year in Yalapa, Mexico before coming to the United States to join his dear friend Pattie on her quest. Until his death in 2017, Michael continued to express his creativity through photography, painting, ceramics, and the building of Ocamora. Michael believed that the whole of life is a creative process.
Ocamora Foundation / Ocamora Retreat Center
In 1982, Ocamora Foundation was registered as a 501c3 non-profit organization with taxpayer ID# 85-0301121.
The Original Statement for Non-Profit Status (1981):
“The purposes for which the non-profit corporation is organized are: to further scholarship, research, and education in the techniques of organic farming, land and water conservation, alternative energy production, self-reliant living, the evolution of human consciousness, guidance in methods of self-improvement and community leadership, to create residential and visitors centers, to engage in publishing, media, and arts and crafts projects, to promote harmonious relationships between people of all races and such other educational and scientific pursuits as shall be related to the foregoing.”
Board of Directors
Diane Haug
Diane Haug
Executive Director
Diane first visited Ocamora in 1983 as a volunteer in the construction of the adobe Cloisters complex. Not long afterwards she returned to attend her first traditional silent Buddhist retreat. Her connection to the land deepened through those long days of sitting and walking meditation.Diane has had the good fortune to live and teach at Ocamora since the late 1980’s. Retreats she has offered at Ocamora have included Coming Back to Life; REMEMBERING: An Exploration of Traditional Wisdom; Living With Dying; Walking in Both Worlds; and The Wisdom of Breath: the Legacy of Stanislav Grof. She often collaborates with Jungian analyst, Monika Wikman.
Diane is a New Mexico-based licensed mental health practitioner. In addition to her lifelong commitment to Ocamora, Diane is also the Executive Director of the Grof Legacy Project and an instructor at both the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, CA and Southwestern College in Santa Fe, NM.
Diane currently lives with her partner, Robert, and feline friends in Glorieta, NM.
Toby Herzlich
Toby Herzlich
Board Chair
Toby first came to Ocamora in 1984 and has had a deep and abiding connection ever since–to the land, the mission, and the community.
“It is my honor to serve as Board Chair for the Ocamora Retreat Center where we offer intimacy with nature as the ground from which societal transformation can grow. I’m excited to create the conditions to sustain this place and its mission for decades to come.” – Toby Herzlich
Toby is the Founder and Executive Director of Biomimicry for Social Innovation. Drawing applied wisdom from the natural world, Toby is committed to the creation of a just, healthy, and regenerative society, acting as a cross pollinator among leaders working on social equity, regenerative systems change, and climate solutions.
With 30+ years of facilitation experience she is an internationally recognized trainer, organizational consultant, executive coach.In addition to founding Biomimicry for Social Innovation Toby is a Senior Trainer with the Rockwood Leadership Institute, a certified Biomimicry Specialist, and a consultant and coach to many organizations including the National Geographic Society and the Volgenau Climate Initiative.Toby has been offering the Living Systems Leadership retreat at Ocamora and previously co-facilitated the Cultivating Women’s Leadership program in partnership with Bioneers.
Nancy Woodward
Nancy Woodward
Board Member, Secretary
Inspired by her love for the natural world and her attraction to intentional community, Nancy Woodward was part of the first wave of friends who contributed invaluable time and energy into the creation of Ocamora. After moving to Santa Fe to raise her family Nancy worked as an educator and administrator in public and private schools until her retirement in 2014. Nancy is an avid outdoors woman, past river rafting guide, gardener, cook, educator, and wisdom keeper. Nancy joined the Ocamora Board of Directors in 2007 and remains a core member of the Ocamora support community offering generous amounts of time to the work required to prepare Ocamora for its public life each year.
Robert Weisz
Robert Weisz, Ph.D.
Board Member
Dr. Robert Weisz is a retired clinical psychologist, consultant, educator, trainer, and life coach in limited private practice in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Dr. Weisz is the developer of Mindfulness-Based Somatic Emotional Processing (MBSEP), a new and highly focused approach to activate and support emotional processing in counseling and psychotherapy. In addition to his conventional clinical training and background, Robert’s interest in the healing potential of altered states of consciousness led to 30 years of healing work and travel to his native South America to study with shamans and healers in Peru, Ecuador, the USA, and Brazil. Dr. Weisz has served as an educator on the faculties of the University of Wyoming, Southwestern College in Santa Fe, NM, Webster University, and the Clinical Faculty at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.
Robert is a longtime friend of Ocamora Founders, Pattie Cavalletto and Michael Broome, and has spent decades of quiet, intimate time at the ranch.
David Stanley
David Stanley
Board Member
David Stanley has been the owner / steward of the Wheaton Creek Ranch in Mora County, NM for over 40 years. He is a dear friend and supporter of the Ocamora Retreat Center. Considered by many as one of the richest and most diverse wildlife habitats in the US, David has taken on that role of land steward with a passion. Sustainability and balance are his guiding principles. Fish and wildlife are his greatest accomplishments. Habitat improvement, forest thinning, meadow reclamation, stream restoration, and the enhancement of vast riparian systems have all contributed to the many species of wild game flourishing on the land today.
Zeya Schindler
Zeya Schindler
Board Member
Zeya is a storyteller, photographer, and a student of best practices for achieving resilience in human living systems in deep connection with the natural world. Zeya holds a masters degree in International Development and Emergency Management from Oxford Brookes University and has studied and taught permaculture and natural building throughout the world. Shaped by a background in humanitarian aid and a deep reverence for the wildlands of his upbringing in California and New Mexico, Zeya looks to play his part in the shaping and the telling of the story of how humans can live in dignity, security, and beauty through service to the Earth to which we belong.
Board of Directors
Diane Haug
Diane Haug
Executive Director
Diane first visited Ocamora in 1983 as a volunteer in the construction of the adobe Cloisters complex. Not long afterwards she returned to attend her first traditional silent Buddhist retreat. Her connection to the land deepened through those long days of sitting and walking meditation.Diane has had the good fortune to live and teach at Ocamora since the late 1980’s. Retreats she has offered at Ocamora have included Coming Back to Life; REMEMBERING: An Exploration of Traditional Wisdom; Living With Dying; Walking in Both Worlds; and The Wisdom of Breath: the Legacy of Stanislav Grof. She often collaborates with Jungian analyst, Monika Wikman.
Diane is a New Mexico-based licensed mental health practitioner. In addition to her lifelong commitment to Ocamora, Diane is also the Executive Director of the Grof Legacy Project and an instructor at both the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, CA and Southwestern College in Santa Fe, NM.
Diane currently lives with her partner, Robert, and feline friends in Glorieta, NM.
Toby Herzlich
Toby Herzlich
Board Chair
Toby first came to Ocamora in 1984 and has had a deep and abiding connection ever since–to the land, the mission, and the community.
“It is my honor to serve as Board Chair for the Ocamora Retreat Center where we offer intimacy with nature as the ground from which societal transformation can grow. I’m excited to create the conditions to sustain this place and its mission for decades to come.” – Toby Herzlich
Toby is the Founder and Executive Director of Biomimicry for Social Innovation. Drawing applied wisdom from the natural world, Toby is committed to the creation of a just, healthy, and regenerative society, acting as a cross pollinator among leaders working on social equity, regenerative systems change, and climate solutions.
With 30+ years of facilitation experience she is an internationally recognized trainer, organizational consultant, executive coach.In addition to founding Biomimicry for Social Innovation Toby is a Senior Trainer with the Rockwood Leadership Institute, a certified Biomimicry Specialist, and a consultant and coach to many organizations including the National Geographic Society and the Volgenau Climate Initiative.Toby has been offering the Living Systems Leadership retreat at Ocamora and previously co-facilitated the Cultivating Women’s Leadership program in partnership with Bioneers.
Nancy Woodward
Nancy Woodward
Board Member, Secretary
Inspired by her love for the natural world and her attraction to intentional community, Nancy Woodward was part of the first wave of friends who contributed invaluable time and energy into the creation of Ocamora. After moving to Santa Fe to raise her family Nancy worked as an educator and administrator in public and private schools until her retirement in 2014. Nancy is an avid outdoors woman, past river rafting guide, gardener, cook, educator, and wisdom keeper. Nancy joined the Ocamora Board of Directors in 2007 and remains a core member of the Ocamora support community offering generous amounts of time to the work required to prepare Ocamora for its public life each year.
Robert Weisz
Robert Weisz, Ph.D.
Board Member
Dr. Robert Weisz is a retired clinical psychologist, consultant, educator, trainer, and life coach in limited private practice in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Dr. Weisz is the developer of Mindfulness-Based Somatic Emotional Processing (MBSEP), a new and highly focused approach to activate and support emotional processing in counseling and psychotherapy. In addition to his conventional clinical training and background, Robert’s interest in the healing potential of altered states of consciousness led to 30 years of healing work and travel to his native South America to study with shamans and healers in Peru, Ecuador, the USA, and Brazil. Dr. Weisz has served as an educator on the faculties of the University of Wyoming, Southwestern College in Santa Fe, NM, Webster University, and the Clinical Faculty at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.
Robert is a longtime friend of Ocamora Founders, Pattie Cavalletto and Michael Broome, and has spent decades of quiet, intimate time at the ranch.
David Stanley
David Stanley
Board Member
David Stanley has been the owner / steward of the Wheaton Creek Ranch in Mora County, NM for over 40 years. He is a dear friend and supporter of the Ocamora Retreat Center. Considered by many as one of the richest and most diverse wildlife habitats in the US, David has taken on that role of land steward with a passion. Sustainability and balance are his guiding principles. Fish and wildlife are his greatest accomplishments. Habitat improvement, forest thinning, meadow reclamation, stream restoration, and the enhancement of vast riparian systems have all contributed to the many species of wild game flourishing on the land today.
Zeya Schindler
Zeya Schindler
Board Member
Zeya is a storyteller, photographer, and a student of best practices for achieving resilience in human living systems in deep connection with the natural world. Zeya holds a masters degree in International Development and Emergency Management from Oxford Brookes University and has studied and taught permaculture and natural building throughout the world. Shaped by a background in humanitarian aid and a deep reverence for the wildlands of his upbringing in California and New Mexico, Zeya looks to play his part in the shaping and the telling of the story of how humans can live in dignity, security, and beauty through service to the Earth to which we belong.
Board of Directors
Diane Haug
Diane Haug
Executive Director
Diane first visited Ocamora in 1983 as a volunteer in the construction of the adobe Cloisters complex. Not long afterwards she returned to attend her first traditional silent Buddhist retreat. Her connection to the land deepened through those long days of sitting and walking meditation.Diane has had the good fortune to live and teach at Ocamora since the late 1980’s. Retreats she has offered at Ocamora have included Coming Back to Life; REMEMBERING: An Exploration of Traditional Wisdom; Living With Dying; Walking in Both Worlds; and The Wisdom of Breath: the Legacy of Stanislav Grof. She often collaborates with Jungian analyst, Monika Wikman.
Diane is a New Mexico-based licensed mental health practitioner. In addition to her lifelong commitment to Ocamora, Diane is also the Executive Director of the Grof Legacy Project and an instructor at both the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, CA and Southwestern College in Santa Fe, NM.
Diane currently lives with her partner, Robert, and feline friends in Glorieta, NM.
Toby Herzlich
Toby Herzlich
Board Chair
Toby first came to Ocamora in 1984 and has had a deep and abiding connection ever since–to the land, the mission, and the community.
“It is my honor to serve as Board Chair for the Ocamora Retreat Center where we offer intimacy with nature as the ground from which societal transformation can grow. I’m excited to create the conditions to sustain this place and its mission for decades to come.” – Toby Herzlich
Toby is the Founder and Executive Director of Biomimicry for Social Innovation. Drawing applied wisdom from the natural world, Toby is committed to the creation of a just, healthy, and regenerative society, acting as a cross pollinator among leaders working on social equity, regenerative systems change, and climate solutions.
With 30+ years of facilitation experience she is an internationally recognized trainer, organizational consultant, executive coach.In addition to founding Biomimicry for Social Innovation Toby is a Senior Trainer with the Rockwood Leadership Institute, a certified Biomimicry Specialist, and a consultant and coach to many organizations including the National Geographic Society and the Volgenau Climate Initiative.Toby has been offering the Living Systems Leadership retreat at Ocamora and previously co-facilitated the Cultivating Women’s Leadership program in partnership with Bioneers.
Nancy Woodward
Nancy Woodward
Board Member, Secretary
Inspired by her love for the natural world and her attraction to intentional community, Nancy Woodward was part of the first wave of friends who contributed invaluable time and energy into the creation of Ocamora. After moving to Santa Fe to raise her family Nancy worked as an educator and administrator in public and private schools until her retirement in 2014. Nancy is an avid outdoors woman, past river rafting guide, gardener, cook, educator, and wisdom keeper. Nancy joined the Ocamora Board of Directors in 2007 and remains a core member of the Ocamora support community offering generous amounts of time to the work required to prepare Ocamora for its public life each year.
Robert Weisz
Robert Weisz, Ph.D.
Board Member
Dr. Robert Weisz is a retired clinical psychologist, consultant, educator, trainer, and life coach in limited private practice in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Dr. Weisz is the developer of Mindfulness-Based Somatic Emotional Processing (MBSEP), a new and highly focused approach to activate and support emotional processing in counseling and psychotherapy. In addition to his conventional clinical training and background, Robert’s interest in the healing potential of altered states of consciousness led to 30 years of healing work and travel to his native South America to study with shamans and healers in Peru, Ecuador, the USA, and Brazil. Dr. Weisz has served as an educator on the faculties of the University of Wyoming, Southwestern College in Santa Fe, NM, Webster University, and the Clinical Faculty at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.
Robert is a longtime friend of Ocamora Founders, Pattie Cavalletto and Michael Broome, and has spent decades of quiet, intimate time at the ranch.
David Stanley
David Stanley
Board Member
David Stanley has been the owner / steward of the Wheaton Creek Ranch in Mora County, NM for over 40 years. He is a dear friend and supporter of the Ocamora Retreat Center. Considered by many as one of the richest and most diverse wildlife habitats in the US, David has taken on that role of land steward with a passion. Sustainability and balance are his guiding principles. Fish and wildlife are his greatest accomplishments. Habitat improvement, forest thinning, meadow reclamation, stream restoration, and the enhancement of vast riparian systems have all contributed to the many species of wild game flourishing on the land today.
Zeya Schindler
Zeya Schindler
Board Member
Zeya is a storyteller, photographer, and a student of best practices for achieving resilience in human living systems in deep connection with the natural world. Zeya holds a masters degree in International Development and Emergency Management from Oxford Brookes University and has studied and taught permaculture and natural building throughout the world. Shaped by a background in humanitarian aid and a deep reverence for the wildlands of his upbringing in California and New Mexico, Zeya looks to play his part in the shaping and the telling of the story of how humans can live in dignity, security, and beauty through service to the Earth to which we belong.
