Petition Update: Reclaiming the Soul of Pacifica Graduate Institute — A Call for Immediate Board Resignations and Restoration
April 29, 2025
Dear Members of the Pacifica Community,
We commend the Pacifica Graduate Institute Board of Trustees for their April 13, 2025 decision to terminate Leonie Mattison. While we acknowledge and thank Dr. Mattison for the contributions she made, we must emphasize that both she—and more critically, the Trustees—bear responsibility for the substantial financial harm, community trauma, and mission drift that has occurred under their governance.
We also express our deep gratitude to the hundreds of alumni, students, faculty, and friends of Pacifica who supported the petition to remove Dr. Mattison. However, it is premature to view this step as a final success. Equally urgent is the need to address the Trustees themselves—those who placed Pacifica in this vulnerable position, who are now disavowing PGI’s Alumni Association —PGIAA—and its 6,000 + members, retaliating against whistleblowers, and actively planning to abandon the historic Lambert Campus by refusing to seek a new lease. These ongoing actions sever Pacifica from its founding spirit, diminish oversight and institutional memory, and are having a devastating impact on Pacifica’s reputation, fiscal stability, and long-term ESOP success.
The Trustees violated their fiduciary duties under California law by installing an unqualified president without a legitimate search process, misrepresenting her qualifications to the public, and failing to provide competent oversight. They disregarded repeated, documented concerns raised by dozens of faculty, hundreds of students, and the leadership of PGIAA, which includes multiple, founding Board Members with flawless reputations who have served PGI with fierce dedication for well over a decade. Rather than address these complaints, PGI’s Board sought to silence criticism through selective compensation increases (with strings attached), intimidation tactics, and denial of stakeholder legitimacy.
Furthermore, the Board’s amendment of Pacifica’s bylaws—consolidating unchecked power in the Office of the President, removing Chancellor Stephen Aizenstat and Co-Founder Maren Hansen from any role or shared governance procedure, failing to maintain a faculty senate for years, installing board members with no experience/academic qualifications/care for Pacifica’s soul and values, and abandoning “ shared governance” principles (but still giving constant lip service to keep up appearances) demonstrated an isolated board. This non-democratic switch left out almost everyone from major decisions — like neglecting to fund Opus (before they were forced to), disowning PGIAA and planning to abandon Lambert Campus. ESOP employees didn’t even seem to understand they have power and voice assured to them by CA Labor laws. When the Board wasn’t secretively making huge decisions that impacted everything about Pacifica, they seemed to be MIA— missing in action. When confronted, they masked the disruptive impacts of their behavior or non-behavior from WASC and the public by suppressing free speech and freedom of the press, violated Pacifica’s values and ethos, long-standing institutional practices, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) standards, constitutional protections, and fundamental principles of fiduciary responsibility. The misrepresentation of Dr. Mattison’s books as “Jungian” from the start constitutes academic fraud by any standard and would be grounds for disciplinary action if committed by a student or faculty member. Trustees are held to even higher standards of honesty and fidelity!
While the removal of Dr. Mattison was a necessary corrective action, it cannot be used to obscure the deeper structural failures of Pacifica’s governance. Trustees must be held accountable for permitting personal loyalties and external ideological agendas—including religious interests incompatible with Pacifica’s secular mission, and illegal affirmative action practices that institutionalized racism (rather than finding effective and legal means of diversity and inclusion, like the PGIAA has been doing so well to serve the college and alumni for the last decade. )
This Board compromised the college’s integrity, financial health, and future.
The community of Pacifica demands a full restoration of fiduciary standards, a reestablishment of ties with PGIAA and its constituents, protection of the Lambert Campus as a soul-nurturing, historic and educational resource and a transparent, lawful rebuilding of trust.
Summary of Fiduciary Failures of Board Leadership:
The Board of Trustees, under the leadership of Chair Thyronne Gordon, who installed former WASC/WSCUC Vice President Richard Osborn, and Richard Osborn, (while serving as Vice President at the ultra-conservative Seventh-day Adventist La Sierra University as he simultaneously sat on Pacifica’s Board of Trustees) hid from Pacifica stakeholders and ESOP beneficiaries the fact that Osborn had a career spanning 50 years advancing a theological mission hostile to Pacifica’s secular and depth-psychological foundations. No one seemed cognizant of the fact that this represents a profound conflict of interest, until complaints of forced prayers and hostile environment surfaced and we began to investigate the root of the problems. It was the Trustees responsibility to ensure no conflicts of interests were taking place in their own dealings and in the administration.
This betrayal is systemic and the lack of oversight by Trustees with Fiduciary responsibility likely a civil crime. It is not the fault of one President alone.
It is a betrayal of law, of mission, of soul.
The Pacifica Graduate Institute Board of Trustees:
● Allowed covert religious infiltration into a secular academic institution by installing leadership loyal to evangelical and Seventh-day Adventist ideologies.
● Betrayed the PGIAA, by publicly disavowing it it as their official Alumni Association in recent weeks, in spite of removing Mattison after PGIAA’s vote of no confidence in her. This retaliation for whistleblowing happened after a decade of impeccably successful partnership between PGIAA and PGI and after WASC accreditors praised PGIAA’s programs in their report as Pacifica’s greatest successes. The founding Board members of PGIAA are on its executive and advisory boards and seem united in protecting the integrity of PGI. PGIAA IS the official Alumni Association of Pacifica Graduate Institute as far as 6,000 + alumni and many more past program community members are concerned.
● Misrepresented PGIAA’s contributions, claiming credit for programs like the CareLine and Buddy Program to accrediting agencies, thereby falsifying institutional history.
● Pushed out the Counseling Department Co-Chairs and previously fired the Co-Chairs of Clinical Psychology whose scholarship critiqued patriarchal church doctrine and witchburnings— topics antithetical to Board members’ church’s doctrine. Free speech and sound professional advice were mischaracterized as “insubordination,” and the Board failed to defend Pacifica’s core values of open inquiry, dialogue, and academic integrity.
● Suppressed faculty, student and alumni free speech during critical WASC accreditation visits to hide internal dysfunction.
● Forced out Pacifica’s Founders, Stephen Aizenstat and Maren Hansen, when their wisdom and stewardship were needed most. Replaced them with evangelical Christian missionaries — Ada Yeh and Simeon Stewart — neither of whom has a background in depth psychology or education. Stewart is a real estate developer with potential financial interests in the dismantling of Lambert Campus.
● Planned the closure of Lambert Campus in secret, violating principles of shared governance and concealing the decision from the Pacifica community for over a year.
● Deceived the Pacifica community, WASC, and donors, lying, omitting, or spinning half-truths to raise funds and shield their actions from accountability.
● Violated California Corporate Law, fiduciary duties under ERISA, and committed acts bordering on fraudulent misrepresentation, if not outright fraud.
● Committed academic dishonesty by presenting Leonie Mattison’s Christian proselytizing publications as “Jungian psychology” (see PGI’s Press Release introducing Mattison, signed by PGI Chair Dr. Tyrone Gordon).
● Failed to provide adequate oversight after handing over the entire institute to an unqualified person.
● Approved the 2025 - 2030 strategic plan (the one with a cross on it instead of Pacifica’s official seal) that gave Mattison the power to change even PGI’s, mission, vision and rebranding (then hiding it from the website for the last six months).
Therefore, we demand immediate action:
Demands for Immediate Action and Structural Reform at Pacifica Graduate Institute
1. Immediate removal of Board leadership: Remove Richard Osborn, Chair Thyronne Gordon, and all Trustees who allowed hidden agendas to influence their decision-making or whose primary loyalty lies outside Pacifica’s mission. Temporarily assign either Trustee Frank McMillan or Dr. Matthew Bennett as Chair of the Board.
2. Reinstatement of key faculty leaders: Restore the Co-Chairs of the Counseling Department (if desired) and prioritize them in the presidential search process. Reinstate Dr. Michael P. Sipiora to full teaching status, (if desired) and publicly commend their courageous defense of academic integrity and faculty rights.
3. Transparent, global search for a new President: Conduct a fully transparent, international search that considers both internal and external candidates.
4. Restoration of Founding Leadership: Recognize Stephen Aizenstat as true Chancellor Emeritus and utilize as figurehead and wise consult. Invite him and Co-Founder Maren Hansen to attend Board meetings and mentor leadership in the traditions of dream, mythic imagination, and depth psychology. Seek their counsel in restoring trust.
5. Formation of a Guardians of Pacifica Council: Invite all co-founders of PGI and departments, other trusted faculty emeriti, including family associated with Opus Archives, and most trusted retired Administrators to form a “Guardians of Pacifica” advisory council with the right to observe Board meetings and comment publicly. Include known Whistleblowers who put PGI above their own reputations. Amend bylaws to make this council an official advisory body that the board will formally consult before making important decisions. Codifying this kind of advisory and oversight council, together with re-developing a most trustworthy board, will be the major ways Pacifica will regain the public and stakeholder trust.
6. Reaffirmation of Pacifica’s secular, depth-psychological mission: Publicly recommit to Pacifica’s founding values. Ensure future administrators and Trustees have lived experience in depth psychology and uphold its principles—not just in theory, but in practice.
7. Rescind the disavowal of PGIAA: Immediately restore recognition of PGIAA. Appoint a liaison to rebuild trust and formally recognize the PGIAA Board’s actions as protective, not adversarial. Understand that continued retaliation threatens both community cohesion and ESOP shareholder value.
8. Commission an independent audit and legal investigation: Initiate an external review of the Board’s actions. Revise bylaws to ensure regular, transparent communication between Trustees and the wider community. Investigate why some newly appointed Trustees were excluded from key decisions—a further sign of dysfunction requiring leadership change.
9. Full public disclosure of finances from the past three years: Investigate potential misuse of funds, including any unapproved payments to associates of the former President. Any Trustee who ignored whistleblower warnings should be held personally financially liable for preventable losses.
10. Removal of false or misleading fundraising claims: Immediately correct all internal and external communications, including content on fiscal sponsorship platforms, that contain inaccuracies or misrepresent Pacifica’s current status and programs.
11. Creation of a true Shared Governance structure: Establish a governing body that guarantees open dialogue and protects dissent. Ensure that DEI initiatives are inclusive without being used to suppress valid concerns. Promote true power-sharing by centering all voices equally.
12. Community-wide healing and council-building: Invite respected facilitators such as Mary Watkins, leaders from the Process Work Institute and the Ojai Foundation, and representatives from Opus Archives and PGIAA to lead council-based community rebuilding initiatives.
13. Full reconsideration of Lambert Campus closure: Pause plans to vacate Lambert Campus. Hold community-wide visioning forums to explore creative, mission-aligned uses. Recommend negotiating a renewed lease for at least ten years to preserve and revitalize this sacred educational site.
14. Change Bi-laws to Fix Oversight
A) Change from quarterly to monthly meetings; possibly bi-weekly until these recommendations are fully implemented. Double the amount of truly qualified and trusted Board members so there is an adequate amount of committee members and oversight of the administration.
B) Change Bi-laws to take away power from any one individual to change “mission”, “vision” or “re-branding” of Institute. Require Consensus of Board and ⅔ majority vote of ESOP members and Faculty Boards to do this. Remove this from the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan.
C) Get rid of the cross in the tree logo and use PGI’s official seal on official documents.
Appendix #1: Possible Legal Violations and Breaches of Fiduciary Duty by the Pacifica Board of Trustees* I. Legal Violations and Duties Breached:
Corporate Governance and Fiduciary Duty Violations:
- California Corporations Code §310 — Conflict of Interest (undisclosed divided loyalties by Trustees).
- California Corporations Code §5142 — Abuse of Authority/Violation of Corporate Purpose (applicable to for-profits).
- California Civil Code §1709–1710 — Fraudulent Misrepresentation (false or misleading representations to public, alumni, and regulators).
- Federal ERISA 29 U.S.C. §1104 — Fiduciary Duty of Loyalty and Prudence (for ESOP management; must act solely in employee-owners' interest).
- Federal ERISA 29 U.S.C. §1106 — Prohibited Transactions (self-dealing with employee-owned assets).
Consumer Protection and Fundraising Violations:
- California Business and Professions Code §17200 — Unfair Competition Law (unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent business practices; misleading public statements).
- California Penal Code §532 — Theft by False Pretenses (fraudulent fundraising solicitations based on false representations).
- California Education Code §94897 — Prohibited Acts for Private Postsecondary Institutions (misleading students, donors, alumni).
Free Speech and Whistleblower Protection Violations:
- California Education Code §94367 (Leonard Law) — Protects student free speech at private colleges.
- California Constitution, Article I, Section 2 — Free Speech Clause (incorporated via Leonard Law).
- California Labor Code §1101 and §1102 — Protects employee political and personal speech rights.
- California Labor Code §1102.5 — Whistleblower Protection Act (prohibits retaliation against internal or external complaints about violations).
- Federal Whistleblower Protection Laws — Protect disclosures about fraud, waste, abuse in federally funded educational institutions.
- California Civil Code §52.1 (Bane Act) — Prohibits threats or retaliation interfering with constitutional rights.
Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Violations:
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 — Prohibits discrimination based on religion, race, or national origin in hiring and governance.
- California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) §12940 — Prohibits religious or racial discrimination, whistleblower retaliation in employment.
I. Summary:
The Pacifica Board of Trustees appears to have engaged in — or facilitated — legal violations across:
Corporate Governance: Conflict of Interest, Fraudulent Misrepresentation
Fiduciary Law (ERISA): Breach of Loyalty, Prohibited Self-Dealing
Consumer Protection: Deceptive Fundraising and Misleading Communications. Proselytizing in social media of secular academic institution.
Free Speech and Press: Violations of Leonard Law, Suppression of Faculty and Student Voices, Anti-Sapp laws.
Whistleblower Protection: Retaliation Against Those Reporting Governance Issues, including PGIAA leadership
Civil Rights Law: Discriminatory Practices Based on Religion, Race, Protected Activities
II. Why Appearance of Conflict of Interest Is a Legal Violation:
Under California law and corporate fiduciary standards, it is not necessary to prove that a Trustee or Officer actually engaged in wrongdoing to establish a conflict of interest violation.
The mere appearance of conflict of interest — the existence of circumstances where loyalty might reasonably be questioned — itself breaches fiduciary duty.
California Corporations Code §310 mandates that material financial interests and divided loyalties must be disclosed, and any affected decision must be proven fair and reasonable. Even without proof of bad intent, a fiduciary must act with undivided loyalty to the corporation.
As stated by the California Court in Miller v. Kennedy, 91 Cal.App.3d 943 (1979):
"Where a fiduciary relationship exists, an appearance of impropriety or divided loyalty itself constitutes a breach of duty, regardless of whether actual fraud or injury occurs."
For ESOP corporations under ERISA §1104 and §1106, the standards are even stricter: fiduciaries must act exclusively for the benefit of employee-owners, and any situation suggesting conflicting interests demands action.
Thus, Trustees and Officers at Pacifica breached their duties simply by placing themselves in situations where reasonable observers could question whether personal loyalties or external religious, political, or financial interests influenced institutional decisions.
This violation alone justifies removal of conflicted Trustees and invalidation of tainted decisions.
Appendix #2: Relevant Links
PGI Announces Mattison is out:
And Provost Colin Marliere is in:
https://www.pacifica.edu/pacifica-news/a-message-from-the-board-of-trustees-presidential-transition/
ISSUE #1: Regarding PGIAA
March 5:
PGIAA’s Statement calling for resignation of President/CEO of PGI, Leonie Mattison and response to a previous missive by her.
This appeared on the front page of PGI’s website a few days before Mattison was fired, on April 13, Good Friday:
PGI’s Board, without any input from stakeholders, claims PGIAA is not the official Alumni Association— after it had been so since 2013: 12 years.https://www.pacifica.edu/pacifica-news/a-message-from-the-board-of-trustees-on-pgiaa/
PGI Board members were reacting to this (without contacting PGIAA):
This was the Original letter written by PGIAA that they had intended to send out on July 3, 2024 if Mattison did not step down. However, they did not email it to the 6000 Alumns or put it on their website/social media as planned, because PGI’s Board had published a post on its own Facebook page asking for time to investigate. PGIAA waited 9 months, and no report was ever released to them or to stakeholders. This report was shared more discreetly here among those in private online groups by those assisting the Whistleblowers at Pacifica and PGIAA: Fear of Retaliation was widespread as firings, cease and desist letters, and threats to faculty were tactics being used to chill speech by Pacifica’s administration, so people had to resort to more underground networks to share information:
https://www.pacificaprotest.com/_files/ugd/23cf52_7222658c04d944ca8025260297a635e3.pdf
One Journalist doing her own Investigation, who interviewed dozens of alumni, faculty, students, staff and board members, wrote an Op Ed in local online newspaper, after it became clear that Mattison, Gordon and Osborn were dismissing the serious complaints of Whistleblowers and refusing to take them seriously:
https://www.edhat.com/news/op-ed-has-evangelical-influence-taken-over-pacifica-graduate-institute/
ISSUE #2: Regarding Lambert Campus:
This was the statement President Mattison and the Board put out regarding their abandonment of Lambert Campus: it is no longer searchable on their website, but the page still exists on the Internet:
https://www.pacifica.edu/pacificas-campus-transition/#1736824048562-30783fab-4316
● This was Dr. Stephen Aizenstat’s response: mailed out to Opus and Dream Tending communities two weeks ago. (Our understanding is he repeatedly offered to grant PGI another long term lease at or below market value but PGI’s President refused. She and Dr. Gordon were overheard on several occasions saying they didn’t think he deserved to make the rent money, (which is utter nonsense given he had paid for Lambert campus with his own money and used it as collateral to buy Ladera Campus, which he put in Pacifica’s name, so PGI owns Ladera.):
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02rQtwTbCG6d1en4V4PpEDG1SVd6QgxTTP1JTC3eWyuTgwCyZV1QUAGhrtjSPGUnsKl&id=100063558194052&mibextid=wwXIfr
For other Pacifica graduate Institute alumni association, updates check here regularly, (also see Pacifica Graduate Institute Alumni Association’s Instagram and Facebook)
Issue #3: Forced Resignations, Firings, etc.
https://trellis.law/doc/203349452/90939compl0042d0
Alumni Driven Petition:
https://www.change.org/p/fire-proselytizing-president-and-trustees-at-pacifica-graduate-institute
Counseling Student Driven Petition
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*Legal statutes and possible violations list created with assistance of Chat GBT 4.0. These are alleged violations. Please research them yourselves.