OUR STAFF
Erik Pye
Operations Director
Podcast Producer
Erik and Alessandra have been married for 25 years and have raised three humans.
They share a home in Kalamazoo with their community,
their Australian Shepherd Luna, and their cats Jojo and Gritto.
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Alessandra Santos Pye is an immigrant from Brazil. Originally from the city of São Paulo, Alessandra’s identity is foundationally multifaceted with Indigenous, West African and European roots. As a psychotherapist and artist, she is deeply aware that creative practice is in direct relationship to socio-emotional wellness, capacity building and identity development. As a thoughtful facilitator and group retreat leader, Alessandra is at home in group processes and values crafting experiences that are both engaging and contemplative in nature. At Chrysalis, Alessandra’s role is as multifaceted as she is, and it involves program development, facilitation, podcast hosting and maintaining/ developing relationships with artist communities.
Erik Pye is a Michigan-born project management enthusiast with a natural aptitude for technology and more than twenty years of combined experience in hospitality and administration. He is a systems thinker and problem solver with undeniable charisma and optimism, who is able to elevate experiences across many platforms and functionalities. Erik's academic training has included creative writing, communications, and educational leadership. At Chrysalis, Erik plays an integral role with technology-based systems, including website and database management, podcast production, learning interfaces, and much more. Erik’s knowledge of the hospitality industry ensures wonderful stays and retreat experiences for our participants
Alessandra Santos Pye
Founder
Head Facilitator
ACCOUNTABILITY & ADVISING BOARD
Kat VanHammen
Co-Chair
​Kat VanHammen has an MA in Expressive Arts Therapy and Counseling Psychology and is an Artist and a certified Yoga and Qigong Teacher. She has over 40 years experience working with individuals and teaching and leading workshops and retreats for a wide range of people and places. During this time she has worked with many Not For Profit organizations and has served as director and assistant director for two of them. Kat has a deep commitment to personal and collective growth and healing. Having integrated many BodyMind practices, she is highly skilled in building experiences and spaces for groups and individuals that cultivate creativity, connection and useful tools for wellbeing. Along with this, Kat brings strong networking and organizational skills and deep inquiry to the table. She is deeply resonant with the Foundational Principles and Mission of Chrysalis and honored to serve on the Board of Directors.