Advisor Bios
Alison Rawlins, Ithaca, New York
Alison cultivates self-expression through a variety of modalities.
As a Cuddle Party Facilitator, she easily shifts between roles as a hostess, guide, and a participant. She encourages others to explore boundaries, honesty, and touch with each other. Hosting Cuddle Party workshops in her home also inspire her to work towards bringing the casual, cocreated, conversation about consent into the Greek Housing system at Cornell and other nearby group housing facilities. She volunteers with the Alternatives to Violence Project to bring experiential workshops focused on non-violent options into the prison system and other community-oriented institutions – this also lets her get out of the comfort zone and renew her superhero license. Her favorite Rule in Cuddle Party is #6 – Not only get to but are wholeheartedly encouraged to Change Your Mind.
As an advisor to the Cuddle Party Board, Alison offers valuable insights into Strategic Planning, engaging the community of facilitators through social media, and getting both Cuddle Party events and facilitator training noticed by the media. In addition to earning a Masters degree in Strategic Communication from Ithaca College, she has a variety of certifications and licenses. She created YouTube Channel which features healing artists discussing and demonstrating their work and documents her own learning.
www.teachingithacawellness.com
Yoni Alkan, San Francisco, California
Dr. Yoni Alkan is a sexual educator and a sexual consultant with a Doctorate in Human Sexuality and a Masters in Conflict Resolution and Mediation, he is also a Certified Cuddle Party Facilitator in San Francisco and professional cuddler with Cuddlist.com .
Yoni is a TED speaker at TEDxSoMa 2019, and the author of www.thebookofcuddles.com which is an instructional on cuddling that teaches how to better your touch. He is also the creator of www.elementsofsexuality.com; a playful, geeky, and educational site about the elements that contribute to our sexuality.
Dr. Yoni Alkan is a global speaker on various Human Sexuality issues since 2011. His expertise includes alternative relationships, improving our dating landscape, and touch and consent advocacy.
Photo Credit: Erika Kapin
