Founder Mary Sigourney

1927 – 1988

Mary Sigourney had a passionate interest in psychoanalysis and understood its ability to benefit and extend human conversation across various disciplines. A philanthropist, Ms. Sigourney funded academic research programs focused on psychoanalysis and allied fields such as anthropology and sociology. Concerned that establishment psychoanalysts were not focusing enough on applied psychoanalysis and research, Ms. Sigourney established The Sigourney Trust. Her goal was to encourage new and outstanding contributions to psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic principles.  

A fiercely independent thinker, Mary Sigourney believed that rewarding and publicly acknowledging individual achievements would inspire and influence the next generation of psychoanalytic thought. She specifically designed The Sigourney Award to honor achievements already attained and allow Recipients to use the prize however they saw fit, rather than to fund grants for potential results

Who was Mary Sigourney

Mary Sigourney, a licensed psychotherapist, publisher, and community activist, held a master's degree in marital, family, and child counseling. She also studied psychoanalysis and was intrigued by the way psychoanalytic principles contributed to other fields across diverse disciplines such as psychiatry, psychology, child development, anthropology, sociology, law, criminology, and the arts and humanities. Ms. Sigourney had a quirky sense of humor and a direct communication style. A mother to two sons, Ms. Sigourney was active in her community and she published The Advocate, a Bay Area periodical focused on environmental, social, and community issues.

Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Ms. Sigourney lived in Northern California and was a longtime resident of Carmel Valley, California. Survived by her two sons, her faithful canine companion, and devoted friends, Ms. Sigourney's intention to inspire lives on through The Sigourney Award.

The Trustees

The Mary Sigourney Trust has two Trustees: a distinguished analyst and an attorney who has a thorough understanding and appreciation of the trustees' fiduciary duties. Current trustees are:

Robin A. Deutsch, PhD
Dr. Deutsch is a psychoanalyst and a licensed clinical psychologist. She is a Training and Supervising Analyst at the San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis, a Personal Analyst at the Psychoanalytic Institute of Northern California, and on faculty at the San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis. Most recently, she served as President of the North American Psychoanalytic Confederation from 2018 to 2021. After earning her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology, Dr. Deutsch graduated from the San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis in Adult Psychoanalysis. For The Sigourney Trust, she serves as the Analyst Trustee.

Michael J. Harrington, JD
Mr. Harrington has held executive and senior counsel roles leading trust teams at First Republic Trust Company, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo Bank. After an impressive career applying his legal expertise in estate planning and trust management to represent corporate and individual trustees, Mr. Harrington retired from corporate life, in San Francisco, California in 2022. In addition to his Trustee role, he is sought-after speaker and panelist on fiduciary topics and actively supports numerous charitable organizations. His legal and financial proficiency is complemented by his extensive connection with the mental health and psychoanalytic community.

Emeritus Trustees

Barbara C. Sherland, JD
Ms. Sherland, an accomplished attorney, advised nonprofit organizations on topics ranging from governance to tax filings to strategic alliances. After 28 years, in 2017 Ms. Sherland retired from her Partner role at Stoel Rives, LLP, in Seattle Washington. Ms. Sherland’s distinguished service as the Attorney Trustee, from 2009-2023, was instrumental in maintaining the Trust Agreement, policies, and procedures as well as protecting the Trust’s independence. In collaboration with her co-Trustees, she modernized the Award’s application and evaluation processes and actively cultivated a more international applicant pool. Ms. Sherland continues to support numerous charitable organizations. 

Dr. William A. Myerson, PhD, MBA, Immediate Past Analyst Trustee, is a  psychoanalyst and a licensed clinical psychologist, a Training and Supervising Psychoanalyst at the Center for Psychoanalytic Studies in Houston, Texas, and an Adjunct Professor in the Dept. of Psychiatry. Dr. Myerson’s distinguished service as the Analyst Trustee from 2011-2021 was instrumental in modernizing the Award’s application and evaluation processes and actively cultivating a more international applicant pool through expanded outreach.  

James Devine, Founding Trustee, was Ms. Sigourney's attorney and trusted advisor, and shared her vision and dedication to encouraging and recognizing the work that makes significant contributions to psychoanalysis. Mr. Devine worked tirelessly with Ms. Sigourney to establish the Trust. He retired from his Trustee role in 2009 after 20 years of service.

Advisory Council

The Advisory Council expands the Trust’s reach and outlook. It also serves as a sounding board for the Trustees.

Ines Bayona Villegas, Columbia 

Stefano Bolognini, Italy

Peter Fonagy PhD, OBE, FBA, FAcSS, FMedSd, United Kingdom

Glen Gabbard, MD, United States

Maria Teresa Savio Hooke, OAM, Australia

Mark Solms, MD, PhD, South Africa

Our Goals

Vision

The Sigourney Award promotes application of psychoanalytic thought to transform the human experience for the better.

Mission

The Sigourney Award rewards outstanding work throughout the world that has advanced psychoanalytic thought and principles.

Today, psychoanalysis embraces a range of philosophies, modern clinical theories, social advocacy, culture, art, and research. The Trust honors the expansion and connection of psychoanalysis to many fields of study and experience through The Sigourney Award.  

Academia

• Anthropology 

• Leadership 

• Research 

• Clinical Practice

• Teaching

• Applied Psychoanalysis

Arts and Humanities

• Film

• Literature & literary criticism

• Music 

• Painting 

• Poetry 

• Sculpture 

Medicine, Psychiatry & Science

• Applied Psychoanalysis 

• Childhood Development 

• Clinical Psychoanalysis 

• Psychiatry 

• Psychoanalytic Research Psychodynamic Psychology

Social Activism

• Community Service

• Law 

• Social Justice

Rewarding Work

The Sigourney Award rewards the impact of an individual’s or organization’s work. Award recipients earn recognition and a significant cash award. Applications will be accepted, from all geographic locations, beginning March 1, 2024.