Activism and learning led Anthony V. Zampella, MSOL, MS, CCP, to found Bhavana Learning Group in 2000. His firm works with coaches, educators, and executives to bring wisdom to leadership.

As a wisdom coach, teacher, and strategist, Tony blends disparate paradigms of Buddhist psychology with ontological inquiry to develop a contemplative pedagogy for adult learners.

From early in life, Tony was drawn to activism and learning. Struggling with his own sexual orientation, he dropped out of high school in 1981. After coming out, he became an LGBT and AIDS activist (1984-97), published an LGBT weekly newspaper (1986-94), and served as a Human Relations Commissioner (1993-97) for the city of San Diego. In 1993, he was shot in the neck in a gang-related incident. With this “wake-up call,” he earned a B.A. in Sociology (UCSD), an M.S. in Journalism (Columbia University), an M.S. in Organizational Leadership (Mercy College), and a certificate in Contemplative Psychotherapy (CCP) from Nalanda Institute of Contemplative Science.

With his experience, studies, and learning, he became an assistant professor at Mercy College and director of its Manhattan leadership program in organizational leadership.

An author, curriculum designer, researcher, and Buddhist, Tony's blog, “Unlearning Curve,” focuses on contemplative learning and leadership. He contributed to the textbook: “Complex Situations in Coaching: A Critical Case-based Approach” and an anthology of “Gay Male Coaches.” He serves on the editorial board of Turning Toward Being: The Journal of Ontological Inquiry in Education (JOIE).