Two Cranes Institute’s Board Members

Two Cranes Institute is stewarded by leaders with deep roots in aikido and professional experience across law, education, health, aging, restorative practice, nonprofit leadership, structural design, coaching and community service. Together, the board helps guide TCI’s mission, programs, facilities, and long-term vision: preserving a home for the Art of Peace while expanding its relevance and reach in the wider community.

Susan Adams, Board President, spent nearly two decades leading collaborative water solutions in Washington state. As Executive Director of Washington Water Trust (2004–2022), she negotiated complex agreements that restored streamflows while balancing the needs of fisheries, agriculture, recreation and communities. Her success depended on aligning stakeholders with widely differing interests—including landowners, irrigation districts, funders, legislators, and tribal, state, and federal leaders. Building on 30 years of leadership across corporate, governmental and nonprofit sectors, Susan now works with leaders and teams to strengthen relationships and perform effectively under pressure. 1stDan in aikido, Susan began training in 1995 and is inspired the by the practice of blending and maintaining connection throughout any encounter—finding collaborative solutions to conflict. Susan is an Integrative Coach, NLP Practitioner, CEO of Two Cranes Institute, and Certified Samurai Game® Facilitator

Greg Mock, Secretary, 6th Dan, began his study of aikido in 1972 with Frank Doran Sensei at the University of California at Santa Cruz, drawn by the idea of blending rather than aggression to resolve conflict. In Santa Cruz, he also trained under Mary Heiny Sensei and Linda Holiday Sensei. Later, he became a founding member and instructor at North Bay Aikido in Santa Cruz. Greg is also a longtime student of Saotome Sensei. After moving to the Washington, DC area in the mid-1990s, he trained with Saotome Sensei and taught at Aikido Shobukan Dojo—Saotome Sensei’s home dojo—until moving to Seattle in 2010. Greg often uses aikido sword forms to explore aiki body movement, energy extension, and spiritual intent. Outside of the dojo, Greg analyzes and writes about successful models of sustainable development in the developing world as a consultant for the United Nations. He is also an avid gardener.

Dan Murnan, Treasurer, began training at Two Cranes Aikido in 1995, where he was immediately captivated by aikido’s graceful movements and profound lessons. What began as a chance encounter has shaped nearly 30 years of his life, teaching him to navigate challenges in the corporate world, relationships, and personal growth with balance and resilience. After selling his company in 2017, he followed my true calling: teaching, coaching, and writing. Today, he teaches Entrepreneurship and golf psychology at various colleges in Washington and Oregon and coach state champion high school women’s golf teams. As a published author, he is active in writing communities across the Pacific Northwest.

Kimberly Richardson, Board Member & Chief Instructor, MA, LMT, 7th Dan, began her aikido training at Naropa Institute in 1978 and shortly after moved to Seattle to train with Mary Heiny Sensei. Determined athleticism, psychotherapy practices and energy awareness skills are key elements of her spirited teaching. Kimberly has studied throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan, most notably with Anno Shihan, Saotome and Ikeda Shihan, and Dobson and Read Senseis. She acted as chief instructor for The Apple Computer Aikido School in Cupertino, CA in 1989 and at Seattle School of Aikido from 1991 to 1995. In the fall of 1995, Kimberly founded Two Cranes Aikido, where she teaches the philosophy and practice of Aikido to people of all ages. As an adjunct faculty member at Antioch University for 10 years, she taught "Aikido as Martial Art and Spiritual Practice." Kimberly Sensei was promoted to the rank of 6th Dan by Mary Heiny Sensei in 2007.

Richardson Sensei's teaching style supports the individual growth of each student. In addition to teaching Aikido, she practices tai ji and ballroom-dancing and includes elements of these art forms in her curriculum at the dojo. Kimberly is a consultant and trainer, offering workshops in conflict resolution, effective management styles and self-defense to corporations and to educational groups. In 2008, Kimberly helped organize the nonprofit foundation Two Cranes Institute with a goal to advance the common good by integrating O Sensei's practices of compassion and applied nonviolence into the larger Seattle community of children, teens and adults.

Ann Yamane, Board Member, 5th Dan, began training in aikido in 1983 at Seattle School of Aikido under Mary Heiny Sensei with Two Cranes Aikido as her home dojo since it opened in 1995. She continues to be inspired to use the aikido principle of musubi (blending or unification) with others both on the mat and in life.  In 1991 Ann began integrating aikido principles with her study of the Japanese American art form of taiko which she continues as a member of Northwest Taiko and Two Cranes Taiko. Ann was an instructor and program director of the Master of Prosthetics and Orthotics program until her retirement in 2022. As an associate teaching professor emeritus at the University of Washington, she continues to be part of the collaborative leadership of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council for the Rehabilitation Medicine Department.  Since 2022 she has also been a volunteer facilitator for the UW Medicine’s Restorative Practices efforts through the Office of Healthcare Equity/Center for Restorative Practices.

Sara Gerhart Snell, Board Member, 6th Dan, is a Samurai Game® Facilitator and senior instructor at Two Cranes Aikido. She brings 28 years of experience in training adults and youth in aikido, helping individuals develop their awareness, courage and self-confidence. For the past 20 years she has been developing aikido programs for communities both inside and outside the dojo including pre-schools, public schools, sports teams, leadership programs and military recruiters.

Jessica Levin, Board Member, 5th Dan, began her study of aikido in 1988 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the age of 7. Competitive sports pulled her away from aikido practice soon thereafter, but she rediscovered aikido in 2001 as a college student and has been training with Kimberly Richardson Sensei ever since. She teaches both children and adults and has a particular love for ukemi. In aikido training, the uke is the one who offers the attack and takes the fall, and which translates loosely as "the receiving body." Jessica is a professor at Seattle University School of Law, where she directs the Center for Civil Rights and Critical Justice and teaches the Civil Rights Clinic. Her teaching focuses on equipping students to become social justice practitioners across substantive areas of law. Her litigation practice involves a broad range of civil rights litigation before state and federal courts. Both her advocacy and legal scholarship address issues of institutional and systemic racism in criminal and civil law contexts.

David Marcinek, Board Member, 1st Dan, began aikido training at Two Cranes around 2014 after studying internal kung fu styles. He continues to complement his aikido training with taijiquan. Dave was first drawn to try aikido by the focus on interacting with a partner to maintain connection throughout dynamic movements. As his training has developed, he has come to appreciate the way the aikido principle of embracing conflict for peaceful resolution translates to every aspect of his life off the mat. Dave is a professor at the University of Washington who has spent the last two decades studying the biology of aging through basic science and clinical trials testing interventions to improve muscle function and physical activity in older adults. He is currently a director of the NIH supported Nathan Shock Center of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging and the Biological Mechanisms of Healthy Aging Training grant. When not training Dave spends as much time on the water (surfing, skiing, and paddling) as he can.

Greg Gilda, Board Member, 4th Kyu, began his aikido study in 2017 after winning a Two Cranes introductory aikido class in a school auction.  Observing class for the first time, his first description of the art of aikido when asked was “it’s beautiful!”- he has been hooked since and has enjoyed the depth of the art on the mat and the application of aikido concepts to our everyday life.   Greg also finds synergy between aikido principles and his work as a structural engineer –blending teamwork, thoughtful design and respect for creative integrity to find solutions consistent with the laws of physics.  Beyond work and the mat, Greg enjoys staying active with his wife, watching his youngest daughter on the softball field and kayaking/rowing with his oldest daughter.