About the A.I.M. Committee

Maggie Gitu holds an MAMFT and has received additional training in Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy and Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy.  She also holds a Master’s in Music (vocal performance). Maggie lives in Nairobi Kenya from where she runs her private practice as a Marriage, Family and Sex Therapist. She also wrote a sex column for two and a half years in one of Kenya’s national newspapers, in addition to appearing on multiple TV, radio and podcast interviews as an expert on sexual and mental health. As a direct result of Amy Cooper’s racist behavior in New York and the public murder of George Floyd, Maggie has become more overtly vocal and active in antiracism. She believes that the time to effect positive change against racism and for equity is in the here and now. It is her intention to contribute to positive change in Kenya and around the world. She is honored to serve on the VSGN Board and hopes to meaningfully contribute the work that VSGN is able to do now and in the future.

Louis Vetri Over the past 35 years, in addition to my own personal journey, I have served individuals, families, organizations and communities as a therapist, pastor, educator and activist. I have  worked alone and with others to facilitate learning and healing processes in a wide variety of contexts witnessing and honoring human pain, change  and growth in multiple forms and from a variety of perspectives. I believe each life and each journey is precious and sacred and that healthy and deep connections with self and other are truly possible in any circumstance, even when challenges exist. I believe in and am committed to life-long learning, and appreciate the work involved with moving from places of staleness stagnation towards more positive, productive and meaningful habits of healing and growth,

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate in the State of Washington, USA , working in a small group private practice and live with my wife in Camano Island. I am also an Ordained Minister in the United Church of Christ and a Virginia Satir Coaching and Mentoring Specialist.    More recently during the Covid Crisis, I learned of the change to the Virginia Satir Global Network attending the weekly sessions and completing the Coaching and mentoring Specialist Certification in 2021.

Loveness Makonses

Loveness Makonese obtained her PhD from Rhodes University’s Department of Sociology. Her thesis focused on how people cope with HIV and AIDS in marginalized settlements. Loveness holds an MPhil from University of Western Cape in South Africa and a Bachelor of Science Honors Degree in Sociology from University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe. She specializes in development specifically in Livelihoods, Gender and HIV and AIDS and has experience in working in the public and development sector. She has worked for Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Health in Zimbabwe, CARE International, Goal International, and Plan International and is currently working for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

Kris Lalumiere, Satir entered my life in the 80s by way of a Problem Solving Workshop. Based on Satir methods it helped me to understand people systems for my IT job at the time. After experiencing the magic I pursued more Satir and was able to meet her at a workshop in Boston. I was hooked- professionally-personally- spiritually.
Since then I’ve had the privilege to attend many experiential Satir-based conferences, workshops and gatherings. I’ve tried to incorporate my learnings in a variety of professional efforts from retail to art and especially at home. In retirement my hope is to help pass it on and for that reason I am a volunteer in the AIM Committee and a member of the Virginia Satir Global Network

Martushka Karchnakova

Martushka  Karchnakova A former English & Italian teacher turned into a linguist and now turning into a mental health professional using the Satir Growth Model. She also incorporates breathwork, dance, and movement in her work. Born in Slovakia and having lived in Italy and the USA, she now spends most of her time in Egypt where she holds movement workshops that carry and introduce the message of Virginia Satir.