The Sound Essence Project, a Washington State Nonprofit Corporation, is a collaborative international gathering of people with the intention to create a cross cultural network of resources in an environment of mutual learning with an emphasis on cultural sustainability. Through the confluence of our respective wisdom's, we hope to converge traditional practices with sustainable ways of life to create a profound partnership which expands world community and peace through education, herbal medicine, sound, color, and cultural communion.

Susan Bradbury
President/CEO

Susan Bradbury is passionate about life and peace. She dedicates her time traveling to the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula, building bridges between people, officials and the culture as a member of Women's Federation for World Peace and in the capacity of Ambassador for Peace.

The Sound Essence Project, a 501(c)3 was founded by Susan in late 2003. The mission Sustaining Cultures, Changing Lives and creating an international network of resources and partnerships to achieve sustainable advances in promoting peace, working towards gender equality and ending extreme poverty and hunger worldwide.

In Burundi, Africa she started microlending projects and farms with widows from the genocide. Mongolia is a country where tree planting, medical supplies, and starting bakeries as microlending projects has captured her heart. The last three summers she has traveled with nomadic storytellers of Mongolia, filming traditional stories for a full length documentary. Her love of people brings her full circle when traveling with What Does Peace Look Like? The Children's International Peace Art Show, and sharing the voices of the children of the world.

Susan holds a Master's Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and has a clinic in Bellingham, Washington.

Bolor Smith
Director

Bolor Smith is a native Mongolian who was born and raised in a small countryside village called Ikhtamir in Arkhangai Province of Mongolia. As a child, she grew up hearing Mongolian folktales, legends, and myths from her father who is a tremendously imaginative and vivid storyteller. Her dream is to increase awareness and sensitivity toward Mongolian culture in America by collecting and translating Mongolian folktales, legends, and myths, and by teaching Mongolian. From her education and work in two completely different countries with distinct cultures and economic development, she has a wide range of experience interacting with a variety of people from richly diverse backgrounds. She has a Baccalaureate in Law (equivalent to Juris Doctor) from the Mongolian National University in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and an MBA from WWU.

Tuya Luehr
Director

In between growing up in Mongolian countryside, moving to the capital city Ulaanbaatar and then moving to the USA, Tuya was blessed with the good fortune of experiencing exciting changes and meeting great people. She has a MA and BA in philosophy from the Mongolian State University and an MBA from University of Bridgeport, CT. Tuya worked at the Mongolian Academy of Science as a Research Analyst as well taught philosophy at various universities in Mongolia. Now she works as a Business Analyst at a software company in Redmond, WA. All of her studies were sponsored by scholarships therefore it is important for her to help young people to get an educational access. Tuya is also interested in cross cultural understanding and exchange and believes that by enriching from each others culture and experiences we can make a better world.

Bayarmaa Dulam
Advisor

Ms. Bayarmaa Dulam, the first Fulbright FLTA from Mongolia, received her B. A. in English with a double major -- English Teacher and Translator/Interpreter -- in 2001 with honors and a M. A. in Linguistics in 2003 from Otgontenger University, one of the first private universities in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. A Professor of English at Otgontenger University, she has five and a half years of experience of teaching English as a foreign language. At the same time, she has also been working with non-profit organizations such as Save the Children, UK and Association of Parents with Disabled Children, as well as OCHKO Translation Service Center at a capacity of a freelance translator/interpreter. Bayarmaa is currently working in Mongolia as an interpreter and is head of the Sound Essence Project's Mongolian office.

Galie Jean-Louis

Galie Jean-Louis is the former Executive Art Director of the acclaimed MSNBC.com news site. Galie is known as an industry leader and innovator in communications design and non-profit leadership. She holds a BA in Communications and holds over 300 International Design and Illustration Awards for her design and corporate media innovation. Jean-Louis shares a long time interest in wellness & healthy communities, and integrative medicine with a particular focus in Women’s Health. She has studied with Dr. Andrew Weil and works with world-renowned Prana Vinyasa Flow Yoga founder Shiva Rea teaching Prana Flow Yoga in Bellingham, WA. Jean-Louis has lived and traveled extensively around the world; living in Asia and India specifically. Jean-Louis is currently pursuing a masters diploma in Acupuncture and looks forward to working with her husband Dr. Vincent Matteucci on the SEP board and with medical missions and community wellness internationally. She is passionate about and committed to cultivating consciousness in healthcare and sustainable actions while improving the welfare of women and children.

Vincent E. Matteucci, M.D

Dr. Matteucci practices general comprehensive ophthalmology and routinely performs cataract surgery, eyelid surgery, and laser surgery at Northwest Eye Clinic. Dr. Matteucci moved to Bellingham in 2001 because of family ties and the desire to live in a smaller, community-focused town. In addition to his practice at the clinic, Dr. Matteucci participates in volunteer cataract surgery missions in El Salvador for PeaceHealth Hospital and Surgical Eye Expeditions. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Vincent is married to Galie Jean-Louis also on the SEP board and enjoys sharing in the good work of non-profit and healthcare related matters with his wife and friends.

“I am drawn to ophthalmology and eye surgery by the incredible impact I can make on people’s lives by improving their vision. I believe in an integrative approach to medicine, emphasizing a patient's overall wellness.

PAST BOARD MEMBERS

• Sibyl Sanford
• Darcy Walters
• Jennica Ottenbreit
• Britt Walker
• Laura Jimerson