Michelle Sauceda (she/her) comes to Gaia Passages with 25 years of experience rooted in mentoring youth and adults in their connection to nature in the greater Bay Area.
Michelle has been blessed to spend years being mentored by a number of Indigenous elders, including her family who have been loving guides and support for her in her life and work. She has also facilitated youth and adults in marking the key transitions of life through rites of passage work. And as an instructor, she shares her favorite way to learn by being in nature with play, laughter, games, music, medicine making, and wild edibles, in balance with the rhythms of nature.
She is a mother and naturalist who has been committed to supporting youth of all ages to nourish their powers of insight and introspection and spark their creativity on the path to the development of their whole, bright selves. And now Michelle brings her years of program development, in-the-field experience, and skills to build healthy, resilient communities to support the mission and future blossoming of Gaia Passages in the role of Executive Director.