MEET OUR TEAM
YOGALIFE INSTITUTE ORGANIZATIONAL TEAM
Every organization needs a team of stellar professionals to lift it up and propel it forward. YogaLife Institute is no exception. We are blessed to have a group of talented individuals helping us to nourish what we have already built as well as grow and expand into the future. Our team operates under a job-share model, which means that we work to together to ensure that our goals and responsibilities are met, and we support each other in our endeavors. Two of our team members are consultants who work off-site, but are still highly involved and integrated into the YogaLife mission of Education & Empowerment. We are here to serve!
Bob Butera, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
Bob is the founder of The YogaLife Institute and the publisher of Yoga Living magazine. He studied yoga at The Yoga Institute of Mumbai. He holds Masters in Divinity from the Earlham School of Religion and a Ph.D. in Yoga Philosophy & Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies. Bob started YogaLife over 25 years ago with a focus on bringing the teachings of Classical to householders in the Tri-State area. His consistent dedication to the YogaLife mission has helped the organization grow in multiple locations over the years. His passion for mentoring students and developing world-class professional trainings and educational materials are at the heart of the YogaLife experience. He is the author/co-author of 6 books on Yoga Lifestyle Principles, Yoga Philosophy, Yoga Therapy and Meditation (Llewellyn Worldwide).
Kristen Butera, E-RYT500, C-IAYT
Chief Operating Officer
Kristen joined the YogaLife team in 2007 as co-owner, Programs Director and editor of Yoga Living Magazine. Behind the scenes she has been the driving force for developing and overseeing all of the YogaLife training programs. Her current focus is on overseeing the YogaLife business team and the continued growth and development of the YogaLife teaching team. Her passion is for teaching teachers and exploring learning models and practices that helps students connect modern innovations with the ancient wisdom of Yoga. She is the co-author Yoga Therapy: A Personalized Approach for Your Active Lifestyle (Human Kinetics).
Linda Diffenbach, BSW, RMT
Manager
Linda brings her 15+ years’ experience as a business owner, healing arts practitioner and coach to the YogaLife Team. With a background in human services, she brings a wealth of knowledge about the human experience into her work. In addition to her role as Manager of YogaLife Institute, she is a gifted healer/coach and the owner of Wellness in Harmony, located in the YogaLife Healing Arts Center. She is also the founder and host of the Autumn Goddess Retreat Festival.
Kelly Rossi
Assistant Manager
Kelly brings over ten years of experience in healthcare management and consulting to the YogaLife Team. She completed the 250-hour Teaching Training at YogaLife, and is currently enrolled in the Comprehensive Yoga Therapy program. Kelly is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge of yoga with others to help them live more peaceful and balanced lives. She enjoys reading, cooking, and traveling with her husband and two children.
Trisha Jones
Mindbody & Customer Support Specialist
Trisha brings 7 years of experience working with the Mindbody system to the YogaLife team. Mindbody is the software that helps us present our offerings to the public, accept/track payments, pay vendors etc. Trish started Jones Business Solutions with the goal of being able to spend more time with her growing family and a desire to help studios with the day to day tasks that take owners and employees away from the important, big picture items. Her passion is helping fitness studios and salon owners achieve greatness! Trish works off-site supporting the YogaLife team and is located in California.
Patrica Sullivan, PhD
Leadership & Online Program Development
Patti brings over 20 years’ experience in Organizational Development, Talent Development and Human Resources to the YogaLife team. Her passion is for sculpting leaders and workplace cultures that drive business performance. She is an expert in creating courses and trainings in educational environments that focus on bringing out the best in people. She is the owner of Patricia Sullivan consulting, based out of Tampa Florida and serves as an Adjunct Instructor for Villanova University.
Kelly Rainville
Administrative Assistant
Kelly bring years of dedication and hard work to the YogaLife team. She is an experienced yoga teacher with over a 1000 hours of Classical Yoga training and was one of the first graduates of the Comprehensive Yoga Therapy training at the YogaLife Institute. Kelly practices yoga as a lifestyle and is committed to teaching the principles of yoga so that students may learn to live a more peaceful, balanced, and joyful life. Kelly also enjoys bicycling, gardening and entertaining friends and family with her husband at their home in Saint Peters Village.
