Natural Awakenings Twin Cities November 2022

Courtesy of Pathways
news briefs
Pathways Names Erika Backberg
as Its New Executive Director
Erika Backberg
Pathways, a nonprofit that offers complementary healing
services to people with life-threatening and chronic physical
illnesses, has named Erika Backberg as its new executive
director. Her appointment was effective October 10. Backberg
fills the role that Tim Thorpe held for the past 14 years.
Based in Minneapolis and founded in 1988, Pathways
serves individuals that seek healing for body, mind, heart and
spirit. The organization offers free holistic services for people
with critical and life-changing health situations that may or
may not be using conventional medical treatment. Pathways
encourages the understanding that healing and curing are
two different things, and that healing is always available even
when a cure is not.
Backberg brings two decades of experience building holistic systems and social impact
solutions to her new role. Before joining Pathways, she was the chief impact officer at the
Kresser Institute for Functional Medicine where she oversaw all aspects of the company’s
internal and external social impact operations, including health equity-focused partnerships
and sustainable business practices.
“Erika has a passion for health equity and for building culture through intentional
listening and systems design thinking,” states Pamela Lampert, Pathways board chair. “We
are excited for her to bring her holistic lens, passion and community-building capacity to
benefit the Pathways community, including the participants we serve, providers who offer
their services, partners aligned with us, staff and the board.”
Prior to her position at the Kresser Institute, Backberg founded and ran a creative solutions
consultancy. She has worked as a researcher and consultant for state and federal legal
defense teams; held the role of director of donations and sustainable business manager for
Los Angeles-based EcoSet, a company that implements zero-waste practices for productions
and events; and served as a media literacy educator and outreach coordinator for the
Saint Paul Neighborhood Network, a community media and technology resource center for
youth, adults and nonprofits.
“I have been intentionally designing safe spaces centered on whole-person healing
for 20 years,” Backberg shares. “The Pathways community is a beloved haven, and it is my
privilege to support a space where people can show up as their whole, authentic selves and
feel seen, valued, heard and nourished.”
Location: 3115 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis. For more information, visit
PathwaysMinneapolis.org.
IT'S TIME
TO LIVE YOUR
Free Light Meditations
for You and the World
December is the time when the darkness
outside starts to creep into our
homes, and the stress of the holidays begins
to weigh on us. Counter the darkness and
stress by bringing in light for yourself and
the world with Annette Rugolo’s free Light
Meditations. Rugolo will use her 20 years of
experience to guide the group into meditation,
tapping into the light that is available
to all. The meditations will be held virtually,
at 7 p.m., December 5, 12 and 19.
Rugolo will also be offering daily Facebook
live meditations from noon to 12:30
p.m., December 1 through 24. During this
time, she will lead the group in meditation
to connect with the 24 quantum colors
that are both within and around each of us.
Each color will reawaken a quality within
that brings balance and wholeness. All are
welcome to join for one or all 24 sessions.
This holiday season, stay connected
to the light and uplift your season wholly
with these free powerful meditations.
For more information, visit AnnetteRugolo.
com/calendar. Join Rugolo’s Facebook group
at Facebook.com/ConsciousLifeResources.
See ad, page 8.
©Kieferpix
YESologist Intuitive
Transformational Coach
Teacher Visionary
www.neaclare.com
LIFE
Book your FREE
Discovery Session
today.
Give thanks for unknown blessings
already on their way.
~Native American Saying
6 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com