Sobre RUPI
The Right Use of Power Institute (RUPI) is a global force, guiding people to utilize their power with awareness, wisdom, compassion and skill.
Founded in 2011, RUPI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
RUPI se formó para promover el alcance de la misión Right Use of Power ™. Servimos el público general, profesionales y miembros del Gremio de Maestros de Right Use of Power ™.
COMPASSION - Standing in our power, staying in our hearts
DIRECT EXPERIENCE - Creating interactive, holistic and practical learning experiences
INTEGRITY - Aligning impact with intention

Learn more about the history of RUP
Watch this video featuring our Founder Dr. Cedar Barstow and Co-Executive Director Dr. Amanda Aguilera
Our Leadership Team



Dr. Cedar Barstow
- Founder & Co-Executive Director
Karina Scott
-Program & Training Director-
Dra. Amanda Aguilera
- Co-Executive Director -
Cedar is a consultant and teacher on ethics and ethical issues. She has been designing, developing, and teaching this approach since 1994. Cedar’s background includes 30 years as a psychotherapist and 25 years as a teacher.
She is the author of books and articles on ethics, counseling with elders, women and independence, and psychotherapy and spirituality. Cedar is also a Hakomi Experiential Psychology Trainer and a member of the Naropa University Adjunct Faculty.
She maintains a private psychotherapy and ethics consulting practice in Boulder/Denver and teaches both Right Use of Power™ and Hakomi nationally and internationally.
The Right Use of Power™ educational materials and exercises were developed by Cedar over a period of 20 years and dozens of trainings.
These teachings have been influenced by many sources in Cedar’s background. She is particularly grateful for her extensive experiences as an administrator, therapist, and trainer of the the Hakomi Method of Experiential Psychotherapy, chair of both the Hakomi Institute International Ethics Committee (HIEC) and the United States Association of Body Psychotherapy (USABP) Ethics Committee, ethics expert contributor to GoodTherapy.org, consultor de numerosas organizaciones y ceremonialista de la Comunidad de Danza Ceremonial de la Canción de la Tierra.
Obtenga más información sobre las contribuciones adicionales de Cedar al mundo en su sitio web, www.CedarBarstow.com.
Karina was first introduced to the concepts of the Right use of Power while working at Naropa. Taking some introductory trainings, she felt her mind and beliefs grow and shift as a result.
It is her hope that while at RUPI she can help support and grow the reach of Right Use of Power. Her passion is in building and creating community. She loves supporting people and is excited to support not only teachers but all of the RUP community.
Dr. Amanda Aguilera is a consultant, teacher and strategist in the area of power-and-equity consciousness and conflict resolution. Driven by her core values of curiosity, courage, and connection, Amanda is adept at putting things together in new ways, creating visuals that help make learning more accessible, and communicating complex ideas in simple ways.
Amanda has a commitment to be courageous in the service of reducing and repairing harm in relationship and promoting the cultural shift toward power-and-equity consciousness, conflict positivity and conflict competency.
At the core of her academic and personal passion is the advancement in understanding social power dynamics and deepening the personal and collective uses of power in the world with wisdom and compassion.
Her doctoral dissertation focused on the dynamics of shame and power in the justice system and she continues to develop theoretical models in the intrapersonal and interpersonal experiences of power dynamics, including the integration of neurobiology, contemplative practices and restorative practices as they relate to power differentials.
Nuestra Junta de Directores

Sari Ajanko

Bárbara Castro
Bárbara (she/her/ella), with an accent on the first “á,” was born in the lands of the Mexihcah indigenous peoples and is grateful to live and learn from the territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh Nations.
About 20 years ago, she was formally introduced to contemplative practices. Since then, as a passionate Leader and Mentor, she has expanded her knowledge and practice in mindfulness, EQ, authentic leadership, and awareness of power while accompanying and inspiring emerging leaders, immigrants and refugees.
Over the past 15 years, she has collaborated with start-ups, non-profits and corporate institutions within advertising, events, education and technical apparel, to name a few.
Bárbara’s superpower is “connection.” As an athlete, she enjoys outdoor activities in the mountains. Her purpose is to inspire humans to practice intraconnection while recognizing the interconnection between sentient beings and nature.

Jeff Couillard
Jeff Couillard (he/him) holds an M.A. in Environmental Management from Royal Roads University and is the founder and chief facilitator at Attainability Group, a small consulting firm dedicated to building incredible teams of professionals in organizations big and small in a wide range of sectors.
Attainability Group focuses on bringing Right Use of Power™ principles into organizations
to improve employee engagement, develop leadership capacity, and achieve
better client outcomes. From team development to conflict resolution, leading multi-disciplinary teams of professionals tackling the complex issues of addiction and mental health, to sharing stories on the TEDx stage, Jeff is focused on creating highly functional individuals, teams, and communities.

Farzin Farzad
Farzin Farzad (he/him) is an Organizational Justice practitioner with experience in higher education, trade associations, local government, and the private sector. Holding two master’s degrees in international affairs and diplomacy as well as a certificate in conflict resolution skills, Farzin leverages his unique academic background, extensive travel experience, and experiential knowledge to provide comprehensive, thought-provoking local and global approaches to his work.
In addition to training and education programs, Farzin is a seasoned project manager with expertise in developing strategies that build equitable workplace environments and government services, as well as build internal capacity.
Farzin is the founder of Critical Equity Consulting, LLC, a boutique Organizational Justice consulting firm focused on helping organizations rebuild with a primary focus on creating equitable outcomes and seeking justice.

Dr. Loren Intolubbe-Chmil
Loren Intolubbe-Chmil, Ph.D. (she/her) is an educator and activist with over thirty years of experience in teaching and diverse educational contexts. Loren’s deepest interests encompass representative stakeholder engagement, education for change, and human rights-based decision-making. Loren’s work in the world is significantly shaped as a tribal member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma as well as the experience of completing K-12 education in multiple and divergent locations as the child of a parent in the U.S. military.
As a reflection of commitment to a world that embodies dignity, belongingness, justice, curiosity, and interdependence, Loren has taught several courses – including study abroad programs in Nepal and southern Africa – and led a variety of workshops and trainings with those collective values at the center.
Loren has a BA in Sociology with a Minor in Women’s Studies from Mary Baldwin University, and earned an M.Ed. and Ph.D. in Social Foundations of Education at the University of Virginia. Loren is currently a Teaching Assistant Professor and Leadership Instructor in the Student Academic Success Center at the University of Colorado-Boulder, and is co-founder and partner of the educational consulting firm CoreCollaborative International.

Dr. Rob Miller
Rob Miller, Ph.D. (he/him) is currently a consultant in the field of biotechnology, R&D, nutrition and Medical Foods. He is currently a Senior Advisor to the venture development company, Portal Innovations, located in Chicago, IL.
Rob fue anteriormente el CSO de la startup de microbiomas Kaleido Biosciences ubicada en Boston y se convirtió en el presidente y CSO de su División de Nutrición. Es miembro del Comité Asesor de Inversores para inversores de riesgo con sede en Madison, WI y continúa trabajando con empresas emergentes en el área de Boston.
Rob had a successful 30-year career at Abbott Nutrition where he was ultimately responsible for global pediatric, adult, and performance nutrition product development, new ventures, medical affairs, clinical and preclinical research as the Divisional Vice President of R&D, Scientific and Medical Affairs at Abbott Nutrition.
He was part of the Executive team managing the $7 billion global nutrition business. He was an architect of the global expansion of Abbott Nutrition, establishing R&D Centers at UIUC, Granada, Spain, Singapore, Shanghai, China and Bangalore, India.
Dr. Miller was co-chair of the Abbott Scientific Governing Board from 2013-2016, overseeing the Volwiler Society, talent development and program efforts of Abbott’s 2,500 scientists for all Abbott Laboratories divisions.
Rob está casado con la artista Anita Miller y tienen 3 hijos adultos y 2 nietos. Tiene un doctorado. en Bioquímica Nutricional de la Universidad de Wisconsin-Madison, y completó una beca para el personal en el Instituto Nacional de Salud.

Tejumo Ogouma
Tejumo Ogouma (he/him) worked in the area of international development for 15 years, and managed projects focused on health, education, and food security. During his tenure, he worked in war zones, including Afghanistan and Mali.
Tejumo is an accomplished meditator, conflict resolution practitioner, facilitator, and coach with a keen interest in Non-Violent Communication. He has mentored and coached people from all walks of life and different cultures. He is currently being trained as a coach through the Co-active Training Institute.
Tejumo believes in fostering awareness, empathy, and
communication in order to bring about a more peaceful and progressive world.
Tejumo is also a practicing artist trained in Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) and Miksang (contemplative photography).

Dr. Sherri Taylor
