Our Team

Tom Valente provides oversight, guidance, and program development for the Art of Dying Institute. For over 30 years Tom has been at the forefront of transformative and holistic education. From his role in the development of the Omega Institute to his role as President of the Global Academy Foundation, Tom has distinguished himself as one of the premier creators of innovative educational programs. He has developed programs for many national and international educational institutions including, Imperial College London, Smithsonian Institute, Beijing University, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, Foreign Ministry of Panama, Mayo Clinic, Michigan State University, Albert Einstein Medical Center and AARP.

Ralph White is president of the New Center for Holistic Learning NY. A writer, speaker and organizer, he was co-creator of the New York Open Center where his vision guided its direction and programs for over three decades. Since 1995, he has led the Esoteric Quest series of international events and journeys. In the same year, he co-founded the Art of Dying conferences that have since evolved into the Art of Dying Institute. He is the author of the memoir, The Jeweled Highway: On the Quest for a Life of Meaning.