Member Profiles

Brian McConnell

As founding Director of group epignosis, Brian has worked in varying capacities with the underpinnings of Integral thought and theory since first introduced to Ken Wilber's, Eye to Eye in 1997. Likewise, much of his background with contemplative practice stems from personal study in Theravada Buddhism with Ajaan Geoff at Wat Metta Monastery in Valley Center, California.

In addition to exploring the design and working of 2nd tier operating systems, he's especially interested in how state stages and structure stages functionally interrelate with each other. He subsequently views this interaction as being endemic to sustainable design.

With two degrees from Virginia Tech and having co-founded a 501(c)(3), Hunter is currently a student at Howard University School of Law.

Hunter Hartley

Rachel Theo-Maurelli

Rachel is a parent and partner living in one of Roanoke's inner city neighborhoods. Possessing a special affinity for the earth and "her" people, spiritual practice is an especially significant part of Rachel's life. Consequently perhaps, it's her abiding passion to serve the well-being of "the whole" by creating new structures and systems that support wellness and abundance for all.

With a professional background in human services, community development, and sustainable agriculture, Rachel embodies a rare balance between applied knowledge, personal practice and community enhancement. Her talent in this regard, is especially evident in her ongoing direction of relatively small group events involving cultural dance and music. 

As a local artist, Polly exercises a preeminent and especially creative influence on Roanoke's cultural experience. Her academic background in Biology and Art subsequently provides the foundation for a personal practice grounded in learning, conflict resolution, communication, and ceremony.

Along these same lines, Polly also possesses an astute curiosity about how a group's shared awareness effects its collaborative potential. Likewise, she's especially intrigued by the ways in which this learning process might translate envisioned projects into community-based, vocational programs.

Polly Branch

George Clements

Having founded and operated a local business for almost three and a half decades now, George is an especially valuable and contributing member of Roanoke's urban community. Consequently, it's the depth of this practical background in sustainability that so consistently serves to affirm our group's collective experience.

In this same way then, George's orienting passion typically reflects itself by managing his business in a manner that helps optimize the local populace's happiness and ecological well-being. For these reasons, he's one of our core group's most highly valued members.