Board of Advisors
Shaakun Khanna
Shaakun Khanna is a leading HR expert in Asia and has held many corporate positions. Most lately he served as Vice President – Asia Pacific, at Oracle Corporation. Shaakun has been the CEO of Right Management, India. He is also the Co-founder of Consentus Advisory, a specialty HR consulting firm. In his earlier role, Shaakun led the Employee Engagement & Leadership Development Practice for Gallup Consulting and worked across Asia with clients from diverse industries. Over the last three decades, he has been a consultant to many Fortune 500 Organizations in Talent Management, Organization Design & Transformation, Employee Engagement, Leadership Development, and Succession Planning.
Shaakun has rich experience managing businesses for global organizations like Gallup Inc., IBM Smarter Workforce, The Tata Group, Manpower, etc. in various leadership roles. He graduated from Delhi University and studied HR Consulting at Gallup University, USA. Additionally, he is an Accredited Executive Coach and coaches business leaders across the region.
Shaakun is a Master Facilitator of the ‘Consciousness Based Leadership’ with the International Centre for Contemporary Consciousness, USA.
An inquisitive traveler and an avid reader, Shaakun is greatly inspired by Dr. Stephen Covey and Donald O Clifton, which instills in him a great passion for transforming organizations for the betterment of their Human Capital.
Dr. Robert H. Schneider
Dr. Robert H. Schneider, M.D., F.A.C.C., is a distinguished physician, scientist, and educator renowned for his expertise in natural approaches to cardiovascular health. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Schneider has directed nearly $20 million in research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), focusing on innovative strategies for heart disease, hypertension, and stress management.
His groundbreaking research, featured in numerous prestigious medical journals and widely covered in media outlets such as ABC’s 20/20 and CNN, has contributed significantly to our understanding of natural interventions for cardiovascular risk factors.
Board-certified in preventive medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, Dr. Schneider received his postgraduate training at the University of Michigan Medical School. He has served as a consultant to various government agencies, including the NIH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and has advised the U.S. Congress on preventive healthcare initiatives.
An esteemed lecturer, Dr. Schneider frequently shares his insights on natural health care at medical institutions and professional societies worldwide. Currently, he serves as the director of the NIH-funded Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention and holds the position of professor of physiology and health at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, IA.
Michael Sternfeld
Michael is a multi-faceted professional with a lifelong dedication to art and transformation rooted in consciousness. His diverse background ranges from producing epic events to delving into Vedic scholarship and body-centered therapy.
As a former professional dancer and seasoned producer/director with over 400 productions to his credit, including collaborations with notable figures like Paul McCartney and Jim Carrey, Michael has demonstrated a deep engagement with the arts.
In parallel, his passion for consciousness studies led him to earn an MA in Vedic Psychology and explore the ancient epic Ramayana through various productions and audio projects. Additionally, he has developed a unique approach to body-centered therapy, known as Body Presence, blending movement, bodywork, and psycho-spiritual knowledge.
Currently based in Fairfield, Iowa, Michael continues to share his expertise by lecturing and teaching courses on the Ramayana while also producing enlightened audio content through Vedic Audio Knowledge (VAK). With over 40 years of regular Transcendental Meditation practice, he embodies a balance of deep silence and dynamic creativity in his life and work.
Dr. Paula Horan
Dr. Paula Horan is a psychologist, body mind therapy trainer, Reiki master, author and seminar leader whose warmth and inspirational teaching help motivate her students to manifest the richness inherent in their lives.
Dr. Paula Horan brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the board of the International Centre for Contemporary Consciousness. As a psychologist, body mind therapy trainer, Reiki master, author, and seminar leader, her dynamic and inspirational teaching style empowers individuals to unlock the richness within their lives.
With a passion for holistic healing, Paula introduced Reiki to India in 1989 and has authored numerous books on alternative healing and non-dual awareness. Drawing from her background as a long-time disciple of Papaji and her practice as a Vajrayana Practitioner, she leads seminars and Jnana Yoga Retreats, guiding others on their spiritual journeys.
Born in America and having spent her childhood years in Italy and Germany, Paula brings a global perspective to her work, enriching the board’s diversity and vision. Her dedication to fostering consciousness and well-being aligns seamlessly with the mission of the International Centre for Contemporary Consciousness.