About Us

Bridging Science, Philosophy, and Spiritual Traditions Through Integrative Education at FAI

The First Analysis Institute of Integrative Studies (FAI) is an educational institution based in Chicago, IL, dedicated to exploring integrative models that bridge the gap between various disciplines of thought. Our mission is to offer classes, seminars, and research opportunities that promote a deeper understanding of the connections between science, philosophy, spiritual traditions, and personal development. At FAI, we take an interdisciplinary approach, drawing from both Platonic and Neo-Platonic reasoning while also adhering to the rigor of Aristotelian logic. This combination ensures that our models are intellectually sound and accessible to a broad audience. Our programs are designed to foster critical thinking and encourage individuals to engage with important global issues from diverse perspectives, including those rooted in the Abrahamic faiths—Judaism, Christianity and Islam. For over 30 years, FAI has organized seminars and classes focused on the integrative themes of "Triune Consciousness," which we believe can be found in various aspects of human evolution, including the Personality Enneagram, the Genetic Code, and other phenomena. Our work extends beyond the classroom, collaborating with prestigious universities such as the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois, Chicago, as well as local religious and cultural institutions. FAI’s curriculum is designed to be both academically rigorous and practically applicable, with offerings available both in-person and online through web-based courses. We are committed to advancing knowledge through research, sponsoring educational programs, and supporting global initiatives, such as our capacity-building efforts with Indigenous communities in the Amazon. Our work has been recognized by various organizations, including the Illinois Venture Capital Association and the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago, for our contributions to education, research, and interfaith dialogue. We invite you to join us in exploring these integrative models, deepen your understanding of the "3, 6 & 9 Triune" and its influence on human development, and contribute to the ongoing conversation about evolution, consciousness, and the future of humanity.

Board of Directors

FAI’s board of directors guides our mission, providing strategic oversight for our educational and interfaith programs, and community partnerships.

Jerome Wagner

Jerome Wagner, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist, therapist and consultant in private practice and an emeritus faculty member of the Department of Psychology and Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University, Chicago. For more than two decades, he co-led the FAI–Loyola Enneagram seminars, advancing Enneagram education in academic and community settings. A founder of the International Enneagram Association, he authored Nine Lenses on the World: The Enneagram Perspective, The Enneagram Spectrum of Personality Styles (50th Anniversary Edition), and the Wagner Enneagram Personality Style Scales (WEPSS.com).

Sarah Linsley

Sarah M. Linsley serves on the board of the First Analysis Institute of Integrative Studies and as a tax advisor to the Institute. She retired in 2024 after more than 40 years with Quarles & Brady LLP (and predecessor Wilson & McIlvaine), focusing on sophisticated estate and tax planning. She also advised a wide range of tax-exempt organizations—public charities, educational institutions, trade associations, and qualified retirement plans—and served on numerous boards. She continues to support select nonprofits and remains licensed to practice law in Illinois. She holds a J.D. from Northwestern University and an A.B., with honors, from Harvard College, where she captained the inaugural women’s track and cross-country teams. Throughout this work, she has been supported by her husband, Vincent Finneran, and their three daughters.

Claire Nicklin

Claire Nicklin is the Andean Regional Representative for the Global Collaboration for Resilient Food Systems of the McKnight Foundation. She has an M.P.S in International Agriculture and Rural Development from Cornell University and a B.A in Science in Society Program from Wesleyan University. She is based in Quito, Ecuador.

David Jaglowski

David Jaglowski has served on the FAI board since 2021. He is an active CPA and tenured corporate accountant with experience in the consumer and industrial products, financial services, and biotechnology industries. A Chicago native who has lived in France, the United Kingdom, and Senegal as a Peace Corps Volunteer, he is a lifelong learner with interests in spirituality, philosophy, and mathematics and is committed to interfaith dialogue, cross-cultural exchange, and innovative approaches to solving pervasive health issues.

F. Oliver Nicklin

Oliver Nicklin founded the First Analysis Institute of Integrative Studies (FAI) in 1989. He is also chairman at First Analysis, an advisor and investor in growth-focused B2B tech companies. In recognition of his leadership and work at both First Analysis and FAI, he has received numerous awards, including the Interreligious Leadership Award (2016, Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago), the Humanitarian Award (2019, Arab-American Business & Professional Association of Illinois), and the Richard J. Daley Award (2019, Illinois Venture Capital Association). He has also served on many corporate and civic boards including the Field Foundation, the Regenstein Foundation, the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Finance Council, and the University of Chicago Divinity School Advisory Council. He earned an MBA from Harvard University and a BS in chemical engineering from the University of Texas.

Resources

Explore our current programs, related websites, and publications that advance understanding of the triune theme and promote interfaith collaboration and dialogue

Fundamental Questions Seminar

A unique program designed to engage students from various faith traditions in deep philosophical discussions centered on existential questions in partnership with the Lumen Christi Institute at the University of Chicago

Explore the program

International Enneagram Association

The IEA envisions a world where the Enneagram is widely understood and constructively applied. It connects a diverse international community, hosts a biannual global conference, and supports regional and local events organized by National Affiliates worldwide and U.S. Chapters.

Learn more about the IEA

Nicklin Fellowship

A Lumen Christi Institute program supporting University of Chicago undergraduates as they pursue academic and intellectual interests, especially on existential questions of being

Fellowship application

The Enneagram Monthly

The Enneagram Monthly is an eclectic journal dedicated to fostering insightful discourse about the Enneagram, its current applications, and future potential. Established in 1995, the Enneagram Monthly stands as a globally recognized and influential hub for Enneagram advancements.

Read the publication

Tri-Faith Dialogue Seminars

Building mutual understanding across Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the Eastern traditions and creating opportunities for personal interactions to cultivate stronger, more empathetic connections across communities

Browse seminars

The Enneagram Spectrum

Enneagram Spectrum, led by FAI board member Jerome Wagner, is a hub for learning and applying the Enneagram, a nine-point personality map for understanding ourselves and responding to the world. The site offers articles, an overview of Wagner’s books, the WEPSS assessment, and instructor-led training/certification programs.

Learn about the Enneagram

Contact us

One S. Wacker Drive, Suite 3900

Chicago, IL 60606

123-456-7890

info@mysite.com