Meet Our Team

The Garden of Peace is not just a healing centre, it’s also our home and the base for a vast international network of friends and family who come here to heal, teach and connect. We invite you to be part of that network as honored guests in The Garden of Peace, welcome to return for years to come.

Healers and staff

Gumercindo

Curandero

49, was born and raised deep in the Peruvian jungle, in the remote village of Janero Jarerra, 11 hours from Iquitos. A highly respected Curandero with over 30 years of experience, he carries deep knowledge of Ayahuasca and Amazonian plant medicines. His path began at age 13 under the guidance of his renowned maestro, Julio Jerrena — featured in Ayahuasca in My Blood by Peter Gorman.Through years of strict dietas, Gumercindo formed powerful relationships with the master plants, learning from their leaves, roots, and barks. Today, he continues to be a beacon of healing, known for treating a wide range of ailments and guiding others through transformative plant medicine work.He offers deeply rooted ayahuasca ceremonies and dietas, healing physical, emotional, and spiritual imbalances. With a vast repertoire of icaros sung in multiple languages and original medicine songs received from spirit, his voice and guitar serve as a guiding force during ceremony.

Guillermo

Curandero

Traditional healer from the Shipibo-Conibo tribe, born in Pucallpa, Peru. His path into Amazonian medicine began at age 24 when his young son fell gravely ill. Inspired by this life-changing moment, Guillermo sought out renowned Maestro Manuel Vásquez and committed to a rigorous shamanic dieta, beginning with the Marosa plant. His deep dedication, discipline, and innate gift for healing quickly became evident when he successfully treated a young girl under his maestro’s guidance.Now with over 16 years of experience, Guillermo continues his path of study and healing. He has worked with respected centers such as Casa Shipiba and Aya Madre, and has trained both Peruvian and international students in traditional plant medicine. Guided by humility and purpose, Guillermo remains committed to the wisdom of the plants and the healing traditions of his ancestors.

Marije van Neck

Manager / Facilitator

Marije brings over 25 years of experience working and coaching within companies across Europe, Asia and South America, alongside a deep personal path of healing and self-discovery.

Her journey led her to study yoga, trauma-aware practices, sound and vibration, and ceremonial traditions in different parts of the world.

She brings deep compassion for people, a calm and grounded presence, and a heartfelt connection with plants and nature. Marije creates spaces where people feel safe, seen, and supported to explore and reconnect with themselves.

Participants often describe her presence as warm, authentic, and deeply supportive, someone who walks beside you, not ahead of you.

Izabela Maria Kubicka

Manager, Integration Coach, Ceremony Facilitator

Izabela Maria Kubicka brings over eight years of experience working intimately with sacred plant medicines. As a manager, integration coach, and ceremony facilitator at The Garden of Peace, she holds space with deep presence, compassion, and intuitive insight.Her journey has led her deep into the Amazon, where she underwent traditional initiations in solitude, and into the realms of emotional healing, spiritual therapy, and consciousness exploration. These experiences inform her grounded, heart-centered approach to transformation.Izabela’s gift lies in guiding others through profound inner work—whether through one-on-one integration coaching, intuitive energy support, or sacred ceremony. Her work is rooted in a deep devotion to healing, evolution, and the awakening of human potential.

Ash Avery

Founder and Manager

Ashley is an experienced shamanic healer and the founder and owner of The Garden of Peace. Over the past 12 years, he has dedicated himself to building the center and is immensely proud of the supportive team he has assembled to enrich your stay.Originally from the South of England, Ash has traveled the world for many years. He has spent the last 16 years studying sacred plant medicines and shamanism in Peru, immersing himself in traditional master plant diets under the guidance of his teachers. As an experienced retreat facilitator, he has a deep understanding of the complex nature of supporting others through physical, mental, and emotional healing.At this time, Ashleys primary role within The Garden of Peace is Project Manager. While he may not always be present on-site, his dedication to your healing journey remains a cornerstone of our mission.In his free time he loves surfing, traveling, enjoying mangoes, making music, and connecting with nature.

Benita

Cook and Housekeeping

Benita is Oscar's wife and a valued member of The Garden of Peace team. You’ll often find her working diligently alongside their two children, Edmond and Mayra, who love to lend a helping hand on weekends.In her primary role at the garden, Benita is responsible for cooking and housekeeping. Her nurturing spirit shines through in the meals she prepares and the welcoming atmosphere she fosters for our guests. Benita truly embodies the heart of The Garden of Peace, creating a warm and inviting environment for everyone.

Lenin Diaz Curinambe

Groundskeeper

Lenin has been a valued part of The Garden of Peace family since our founding in 2014. Living locally, he plays an essential role in ensuring our operations run smoothly, come rain or shine. Growing up in a family that cultivates coffee, Lenin has developed a deep connection to the lush, surrounding forests and the vibrant ecosystem they support.He takes great pride in maintaining our medicinal plant gardens and buildings, while also providing invaluable support to our team—whether it’s running errands, caring for our beloved pets, or assisting in the preparation of natural medicines.In recent years, Lenin has embarked on his own dietas and is committed to furthering his knowledge of the natural medicines of the Amazon. His dedication to both the land and the healing processes we offer makes him an integral part of our community.

Sandra

Kitchen assistant, Grounds Support

Sandra is Leni’s little sister and a cherished member of The Garden of Peace family. With her bright smile, playful energy, and generous heart, she brings joy and warmth to everyone she meets. Whether she’s helping in the kitchen or caring for the grounds, Sandra’s love for serving others shines through—especially when she’s preparing fresh, dieta-friendly meals to nourish guests during their journey.

Oscar

Maintenance and Builder

Oscar is an invaluable member of The Garden of Peace team, serving as our primary maintenance man. Since the inception of the garden, Oscar and his family have been an integral part of our community. He works tirelessly to ensure that the property remains in excellent condition, demonstrating unwavering commitment and dedication.As a hardworking family man, Oscar is passionate about making The Garden of Peace the best it can be. His efforts contribute significantly to the welcoming environment that supports healing and transformation for all our guests.

GOP Partners

Naysha

Naysha, is an international Peruvian Ayahuasquera, and Spiritual Guide with 15 years of experience.

Her journey with plant medicine began before her birth, as her mother sought healing through shamans when she could not get pregnant. With a legal background, Naysha left her career to immerse herself in the teachings of plant teachers in the Amazon and among the Sami people of Lapland.

Experienced in Ayahuasca, San Pedro, Kambo ceremonies, and various healing modalities, Naysha has traveled across 23+ countries, sharing her practice.

Her vision is to create a global community for personal and collective transformation.

Adrian Kent

Retreat Facilitator and Yoga Instructor

Adrian has been a yoga practitioner for nearly 30 years. He received his 220hr Yoga Teacher Training in Kundalini Yoga as well as a 200hr Teacher Training in Hatha-based Yoga plus additional training in Restorative Yoga.

Adrian attended one of the Garden and Peace's first ayahuasca and master plant retreats back in 2015. The positive effects that he received from working with plant medicines of the jungle were profound.

He shares Kundalini Yoga technologies, in the form of kriyas and meditations that will help to strengthen the nervous system, clear the subconscious of unwanted clutter, balance the endocrine system, strengthen and clean the auric field, clear the energy channels from blockages and activate our inner core strength.

Jarrod

Jarrod is a dedicated retreat organiser with extensive experience in guiding groups through plant medicine journeys. Since beginning his own exploration in 2018, he has cultivated a deep understanding of healing practices and now facilitates retreats primarily in Latin America. His work spans multiple countries, including Ecuador, Mexico, Colombia, and Peru, where he has developed and led programs at a notable retreat center in Colombia. As a musician and facilitator for Bufo and Psilocybin experiences, he combines diverse skills to support participants' journeys.

Jarrod places a strong emphasis on education and integration, working with individuals before and after their encounters with plant medicines like Ayahuasca and master plant dietas. His collaboration with the Garden of Peace enhances his ability to create meaningful and transformative retreat experiences for individuals from around the world, grounded in authenticity and a commitment to genuine healing.