Staff

Michael Bodkin, M.S., MFT has been the Executive Director of Rites of Passage since 1987. His leadership of Rites of Passage has included leading vision quests in the United States, Australia, Europe and Asia, as well as directing a training program for guide-trainees. Michael has been a California licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 1978 and has over 25 years experience working with youth, couples, and families in counseling and wilderness programs. He has a strong interest in men’s work and has led a number of men’s vision quests. Michael is very interested in creating more effective ways to support people in integrating the gifts of the vision quest into their everyday lives so that they may, in turn, be of greater service to their people. He is a mentor to Seven Generations and is head Guide Trainer.

Lynn Jones is the founder of Seven Generations. The vision of Seven Generations came to Lynn while he was questing in the high desert mountains and canyons of Death Valley, California. The vision impelled Lynn to follow his passion to support men and women who choose to mentor a life that reflects their inner truth and who wish to share their gifts with their people – creating a ripple effect which reaches out in ever-widening circles to all people.
The thread of Lynns’ journey runs through the corporate and sporting world to running his own business.
Lynn deeply respects the ‘old ways’ – The ways that worked for hundreds of years. The ways that were based on cooperation and community. The ways that will lead to the survival of our seventh generation.

Renee Sweezey first vision quested with Steven Foster and Meredith Little in 1982 when they were still the co-directors of Rites of Passage. She found the experience life altering and profoundly affirming. Since then, she has been an advocate and supporter of the work, by serving both as a staff person and board member with Rites of Passage for over 20 years.
Renee honors and holds with deep regard those who feel called to this journey, leaving what is familiar to go into the sacred wilderness of the world and of oneself. She sees herself primarily as an assistant to the work, and it is in this capacity that she brings her gifts of open heart, quiet courage and gentle presence to serve both participants and guides in helping create unique and vibrant community in the field.
Married to Mike Bodkin, the Executive Director of Rites of Passage, Renee lives in a rural intentional community in Northern California.