Melinda Darer co-founded Focusing Initiatives International (FII) in 2014 and has guided its vision and growth with dedication and creativity. With more than 30 years of non-profit management experience, she has developed programs, fostered partnerships, and created spaces of connection across cultures. Before FII, Melinda worked for 17 years at The Focusing Institute, collaborating closely with founders Dr. Eugene Gendlin and Mary Hendricks to develop international programs and policies.

At FII, Melinda launched and promoted many initiatives, including CoronaPlaza.LIFE (nearly 100 webinars during the pandemic), the Wholebody Focusing Gathering (meeting bi-weekly for more than three years), and the Indigenous Focusing-Oriented Therapy trauma program in New York City. She has also supported trainings, global webinars, and community-based Focusing projects across regions.

As she steps down from her formal role in September 2025, all of us at Focusing Initiatives International express deep gratitude for her vision, generosity, and tireless commitment to building global community resilience.

Thank you, Melinda, for all your hard work and dedication!