originally shared through the Circle Ways newsletter
It is with a profound sense of loss that we offer this tribute to Circle Ways co-founder, Marc Rosner. After a brief illness, Marc transitioned on April 7, 2025.
As Joanna Macy says, “When hearts break open, they create room for the world to heal.” We send the bigger, more loving heart that results when hearts break together to Marc’s cherished wife Camille, his daughters Mila and Ani, and to all in his extended family and friends.
Marc and his then wife, Jodi, found The Way of Council circle practice when their daughters, Ani and Mila were students at the Open Magnet Charter School. Jodi and Marc attended a parent circle there one night. The topic was “theft” as that day a student had stolen money from the purse of a school volunteer. The topic led us to recall times things have been taken from us without our consent and times we took things without them having been offered. This included not just material things but time, trust, hope, and love. We were all deeply moved by the level of public honesty, vulnerability, self-reflection, and remorse.
Soon thereafter Marc and Jodi became intern volunteers, then Council Trainers, hosts of numerous planning and visioning circles, and in 2016 Marc co-founded Circle Ways. In 2024, Marc founded The Institute for Circle Learning.
Marc had been an elementary school teacher, a corporate lawyer, and a mediator, but his big heart always led him back to circle practice. Marc was our first call for restorative mediation. His nonjudgmental presence inspired trust in all parties engaged in conflict, and his facilitation inevitably led to creative agreement for reconciliation.
His mentorship, generosity, and open heart touched many and we commit to carry his gifts forward.
