Founders

Clever Grefa Licuy

(Co-founder SpiritEcuaJourney & Ruku Samay, Shaman, LMT, medicinal plant expert, certified rainforest guide)

In addition to being a co-founder of SpiritEcuaJourney, Clever Grefa is licensed massage therapist with a highly successful, private practice in New York. He is also a founding member of Ruku Samay Ecolodge, one of the main places he brings his guests on sacred eco journeys. Born and raised in the Rio Blanco community in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, Clever is a fifth generation Kichwa Shaman who apprenticed with his father in traditional healing practices and the study of medicinal plants since he was a child. He is an expert in the Kichwa cosmovision and Amazonian plant medicine. He has taught about medicinal plants to various institutions and communities across Ecuador including University de Rio Bamba, (Quito), Fondacion Ayuda en Acion Bolivar (Guayaquil, Guaranda, Napo, Pastasa, Esmeralda, Manabi, Morona Santiago).

Clever is a highly trained rainforest guide certified by the Ecuadorian ministry of Tourism and is also an expert in rafting and kayaking (class I-III 1/2). Clever has also worked as a camera man and specialized guide on several film projects by American filmmaker and New York University professor, Marta Bautis, including the American documentary film , ‘Condor y Aguila del Futuro’ (the Eagle and the Condor of the Future) about the preservation of the rain forest through raising awareness of deforestation and contamination by mining, oil and lumber companies across Ecuador.

Beyond speaking five languages, Clever Grefa's educational background includes, intensive massage therapy study in New York, 6 years of study at the Colegio Unidad Educativa Cuidad de Tena specializing in eco-tourism, 3 years of study in Ecotourism at the University of Quito and Rio Bamba and certifications in medicinal plants and permaculture.  

Laura Putnam

(Co-founder of SpiritEcuaJourney, PMP®, Integrative Life Coach, Havening TeCHNIQUES® practioner)

Laura Putnam is a co-founder of SpiritEcuaJourney where she has guided people on rainforest journeys since 2007. From her long career as as certified corporate project management consultant she has extensive experience successfully leading large groups and large scale projects. She is also a certified hypnotist and life coach where she uses the latest cutting edge techniques in neuroscience and energy psychology to coach clients to realize their true calling, expand to their full potential and live a joyful life.

Laura also has extensive experience as a professionally trained actor where she brings a spiritually creative approach to her work. She has advance certifications in project management and business analysis and has a BS in Business and French Studies from SUNY Albany where she graduated summa cum laude and is a Phi Beta Kappa. Her passion is to help people live their passion and experience their joy through the path of nature.

Don Augustin Grefa

(founder of Ruku Samay, shaman, medicinal plant expert)

The co-founder of Ruku Samay Ecolodge, Augustin Grefa is a renown shaman, healer, and certified expert in over 3,000 medicinal plants with over 45 years experience. Augustin Grefa brings the heart, body, and mind into harmony. In addition, he teaches about medicinal plants, and the Kichwa cosmovision to various universities and communities across Ecuador, and to representatives of universities in Europe and the United States.

Born in Archidona, Augustin Grefa's journey as a Shaman began in his early life with his grandmother who was his primary guardian and teacher until he was forced into slavery in Peru. As a young boy he escaped by traveling the many tributaries of the Amazon to return home. It is his believe that spirits of the rainforest taught him directly how to utilize its riches for his survival. He shares his own powerful experience in his shamanic work in his mission to bring about social and environmental harmony.

As an environmental activist, Augustin Grefa has worked to protect and preserve the rainforest through the practice of sustainable ecotourism and agriculture, reforestation projects, and the teaching of these methods to visitors and to other indigenous communities across Ecuador. Augustin Grefa was one of the founders of the Kichwa community of Rio Blanco and served five terms as president during the period of 1971 to 1990 and is known as an expert and proponent of the Kichwa culture. He also founded and directed ecotourism for the Rio Blanco community from 1990 to 1997 including building the requisite infrastructure and training the community in ecotourism. Augustin Grefa has worked with universities and foundations in the United States, Iceland, Germany, and Ecuador including: Global Exchange (U.S) Emory University, University de Rio Bamba (Quito), Fondacion Ayuda en Acion Bolivar (Guayaquil, Guaranda, Napo, Pastasa, Esmeralda, Manabi, Morona Santiago).

Maria Licuy Yumbo

(midwife)

Maria Licuy Yumbo, co-founder of Ruku Samay Ecolodge, comes from a long line of midwifes and has over 20 years experience herself as a midwife and an instructor of midwifery. She is also an expert in medicinal plants and in traditional Kichwa cuisine as well as artisanal crafts. She is certified by the Ecuadorian ministry of Tourism.