John Goldsmith, Board Chair
John is an investor in early-stage and growth companies. He received an MBA in finance
from NYU's Stern School of Business (1989), graduated from Princeton University (1985) and
is a CPA. He has a daily yoga practice.

Robert R. Fishman, CPA, Board Treasurer
Robb is a Director at Deloitte and currently leads the operations of a large division across the Americas. He has over 18 years of experience working in business functions such as finance & accounting, strategy, mergers and acquisitions, organizational change management and information technology. Robb is a graduate of The University of Florida and lives in Brooklyn. He is an 11 year ashtanga/vinyasa practitioner and credits yoga with maintaining focus, balance, generosity and compassion in his life.

Stacey Bendet (stacyepants!) is the designer of a l i c e + o l i v i a, the contemporary women's clothing line, and a long time student of Ashtanga Yoga New York.

Howard Blaustein, a Vassar College and New York Law School graduate, has been a practicing attorney in New York for over 16 years at such firms as Weil, Gotshal & Manges; Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw; and O'Melveny & Myers. In late 2004, Howard joined Kurtzman Carson Consultants, a firm specializing in bankruptcy consulting and administrative support, to open their New York office. Howard has had an active yoga practice for over 6 years.

Bailey Gimbel bio coming soon...

Scott Gordon, a graduate of Bowdoin College, is currently Managing Director with Bank of America in NY. He has worked professionally on Wall St. for over 20 years. Scott resides in Manhattan with his wife and 2 children and practices yoga regularly.

Suzie Lopez has been a student of Ashtanga Yoga New York for the past decade and is grateful to teach for Bent on Learning.

Eddie Stern has been studying yoga with Sri K Pattabhi Jois, of Mysore, South India, since 1991.

Barbara Verrochi has a background in fine arts, dance and performance arts. She began her teaching career in 1986 as an elementary school art instructor for the NYC public schools and began studying yoga in 1990. She practices Ashtanga yoga with Eddie Stern and has made many trips to Mysore, India, to continue her studies with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. She co-directs The Shala, a yoga studio in New York City, with Kristin Leigh.