Dena Merriam’s work in the interfaith movement began in the late 1990s.  In 2000, she served as Vice Chair of Millennium World Peace Summit and Spiritual Leaders at the United Nations, and subsequently convened a group of women religious and spiritual leaders at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva to form the Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW).  GPIW’s mission is twofold: to empower women to facilitate healing and reconciliation globally, and to initiate greater discourse between religions and initiatives in civil society addressing critical global problems. 

Merriam has been a long time student of Paramahansa Yogananda and Kriya Yoga meditation practitioner. She served on boards for Harvard University Center for Study of World Religions,  International Center for Religion and Diplomacy, The Interfaith Center of New York, Manitou Foundation, All India Movement (AIM) for Seva, Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association, and Seven Pillars.