People
Kiran Frank (they/them), Convener
Kiran stepped into the role of Gathering Ground’s Convener in 2024. They are a student of meaning-making interested in understanding our selves and our world as ecologies, and practicing love and interdependence through the teachings of many lineages. They have been shaped by their time in environmental politics, and their community organizing home is in the disability justice and neurodiversity movements. Kiran is a student in the Drikung Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, and has also found spiritual nurturing in Lutheran, United Church of Christ, and Jewish communities. While holding deep concerns about Western academia, they graduated from the University of Washington and Vanderbilt Divinity School.
Elijah Merrill (he/him), Curator of Writing
Elijah Merrill is a Seattle author who is fascinated by folklore from around the world, the history of United States immigrants and migrants, firsthand accounts of resistance to tyranny, and art that centers marginalized voices. His plays have been workshopped by Parley Productions, and produced by Somniterum Productions and the Bush School. Elijah has offered writing workshops on many topics through Gathering Ground, and queer folks frequently star in his fantasy novels.
Rene De Los Santos (he/him), Curator of Movement
Rene is the Bilingual Whole Person Health Navigator for YMCA of Greater Seattle and a member of Gathering Ground’s Leadership Team. Rene is an avid hiker, yogi, dancer and advocate for human rights, equity, diversity and inclusion.