SCOTT PETERSEN, Director
Scott Petersen is the Founder and Director of the Refugio Altiplano. Scott grew up in Michigan and took his first trip to South America when he was 17 to teach English in Ecuador and travel across the continent. He studied philosophy, anthropology and literature at Calvin College, UCSC, and the University of New Mexico. He studied herbal and shamanic medicine in New Mexico, Arizona and California with the Taos, Navajo and Hopi Indians in the Native American Church. He continued his shamanic and medicine studies in Brazil, Nepal and Indonesia, and lived in Bolivia and the Peruvian Andes for eight years, working and doing research on healing and belief systems. He worked with Shipibo and coastal shamans in Peru for seven years before locating the ideal location for an exceptional healing center. He established the Refugio Altiplano in 1996.

Scott has become a reputable shaman in his own right, and he travels throughout the region to work with other shamans and participate in ceremonies. Some of the most highly regarded shamans in Peru work with Scott at the Refugio, helping hundreds of individuals and groups from all walks of life, many of whom now regularly visit the Refugio to purify and recharge their bodies and souls for the challenges of living on this rapidly changing planet.

Scott lives at the Refugio and in Iquitos, coordinating the business of the Refugio, its employees, teachers, shamans and guests. Scott also teaches various subjects including shamanism, use of rainforest plants and medicines, and offers western style of counseling as well. Scott is a key citizen of the surrounding communities and provides jobs for the locals, counsels families and meets with village elders.

THE STAFF
As you know, it is the people that make the difference in an organization and we are proud of the wonderful humans that comprise the Refugio support staff.

We have a full-time, year round staff at both the Refugio and at our office in downtown, Iquitos. The Iquitos office is open 7 days a week to greet our reserved guests and the flow of walk-in traffic.

Many of the staff in Iquitos and on the Refugio have worked with us for over 3 years providing delicious food and clean and maintained housing and property. There normally is at least 6 full-time staff at the Refugio with several others on the property helping build and repair the buildings, keep the common areas clear.

SHAMANS
The Refugio engages reputable and experienced teachers and shamans for various individuals and groups depending on need and wants of the groups and availability of the teachers and shamans. Of the hundreds of shamans available, we choose to work with a select few that meet our requirements for experience, connection with Spirit and professional integrity. Two shamans that have been doing most of the work with Scott in the last half of 2002 are Benjamin and Guillermo.

Walter Martinez Guimoa belongs to the Shipibo-Conibo tribe and he comes from Nuevo Paraiso community in Pucallpa. His experience and knowledge of Amazon medicinal plants began thirty years ago. They speak through his "icaros" (shamanic chants) which carry incredible strength, effectivity and opportunity.His spiritual communication and concentration during ceremonies is most beneficial for participants whom he guides and heals with his chants in a wonderful way.

Mauro Huatoto He belongs to the Huitoto tribe, he is our latest adition to our shamanic crew. His skill with medicinal plants is very useful with our new botanic gardens as are his powerful and focused icaros (shamanic songs) in the healing of guests of Refugio.

ADJUNCT STAFF
John Welch is our US Liaison, wears a couple of hats for the Refugio. He assists individual clients and US teachers in travel planning for individuals and groups as well as supporting them upon their return to western culture. John also is on the board of advisors and assists with web collaboration and marketing efforts. John also is a healer and therapist that brings groups to the Refugio for healing and alignment and supports Refugio.

BOARD OF ADVISORS
In order to assist the further development of the Refugio, Scott has engaged the assistance of three individuals who have experience in hospitality, business and healing.

John Easterling As Founder and CEO of Rainforest Bioenergetics, the Amazon Herb Company, John is very familiar with the culture of the Amazon where he harvests the indigenous plants and herbs used in his popular line of products. John provides his wisdom and support as a successful businessman, years of experience in South American business and his knowledge of healing herbs and medicines of the Amazon.

Tom Curren Tom is the founder of the Hawthorne Group and has a long an impressive history of consulting, entrepreneurship and corporate leadership including executive level management at the Marriott Corporation where he led the creation and launch of Courtyard by Marriott. His extensive hospitality experience, coaching for top performance and appreciation of the healing work, provide the Refugio powerful and in-depth support.

John Welch John is an entrepreneur, businessman and therapist. He has executive level leadership experience in industries such as telecommunications, mental health and hospitality. John’s inner path has included 20 years of training in psychology, spirituality and shamanism from teachers in Peru and the United States. With this unique combination John provides the Refugio marketing, program development and organizational support.