Alice Poltorick
Alice Poltorick is a trained spiritual director and retreat facilitator. She meets with people individually and is a guest director at Eastern Point Retreat House. Trained in giving the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, Alice accompanies retreatants making the 19th annotation. She is a member of the advisory board of…
Anne A. Simpkinson
Anne A. Simpkinson is an award-winning journalist, editor, and story midwife. She and her husband Chuck founded Common Boundary, a nonprofit organization exploring psychotherapy, spirituality, and creativity. They authored Soul Work: A Field Guide for Spiritual Seekers and edited two anthologies. While living in New York City, Anne rode the…
Anne Simpkinson
Anne Simpkinson has been practicing Centering Prayer (CP) since 1996. In 1997, she interviewed Fr. Thomas Keating, one of the developers of and principal advocate of the Centering Prayer method. That same year, she sought to deepen her practice in a 10-day intensive in Snowmass, CO. While living in New…
Betty Hill Crowson
Betty Hill Crowson’s spiritual calling, life experiences, educational background, and passion/gift for helping others have led her to devoting her life to being a personal life coach, conductor of spiritual workshops/retreats/seminars, and inspirational speaker. She is the author of three books: The Joy is in the Journey: A Women’s Guide Through Crisis…
Cami Twilling
Cami Twilling, based in Colorado, is the Director of Earth & Soul (a Celtic initiative of study, spiritual practice and compassionate action inspired by the teachings of John Philip Newell). As well as heading up the overall work of Earth & Soul, she facilitates the spiritual practice component of the…
Carol Mitchell, Ph.D.
Carol Mitchell, Ph.D. has been a spiritual director and retreat leader for over 30 years. She has recently retired from being the director of a training program for spiritual directors. She is married with three grown children and 6 grandchildren.
Cary Gaunt
Cary Gaunt, Ph.D. is an ecospirituality scholar, teacher, and guide who offers retreats, workshops, courses, and nature-based spiritual formation programs around the country. Her engaged spirituality informs her vocation as a highly accomplished sustainability and climate responsibility professional with over 35 years’ of experience leading organizations across all sectors to…
Claire Rusowicz
Claire Rusowicz is a spiritual and retreat director and spiritual director supervisor, with more than 25 years’ experience working with groups and individuals in Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts. She is a former staff associate and director of Mercy by the Sea Retreat Center’s Program Department, and helped develop and…
Colleen Mollica
Colleen Mollica M.A.A.T. is a level 1 Kripalu Certified Mindful Outdoor Guide, Interfaith Campus Minister, Teacher, and Recreation Therapist with over 25 years of experience facilitating outdoor leisure and educational activities. Colleen is passionate about protecting the more than human world and nurturing the human spirit. Colleen is open to…
Deb Ondo
Deb Ondo is the Communications and Engagement Manager at the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. Previously, she served as Program and Marketing Manager at Genesis. Her career spans media and nonprofits in Massachusetts and New York, and has earned her five prestigious broadcast Emmy awards for excellence in television. A lifelong…
Diarmuid O'Murchu, MSC
Diarmuid O’Murchu, MSC, is a member of the Sacred Heart Missionary Order, and a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. He is a social psychologist most of whose working life has been in social ministry, predominantly in London, UK. In that capacity he has worked as a couple’s counsellor, in…
Don Bisson
Br. Don Bisson, FMS is, first and foremost, a spiritual director and is widely respected as a specialist in the training, formation, and supervision of spiritual directors. A Marist brother based in Esopus, New York, he has graduate degrees in liturgy, spirituality, and transpersonal psychology, and earned his Doctor of…
Donna Dellacamera
Donna Dellacamera is a a Spiritual Director/Companion, and currently serves with Spiritual Life Center, as an Internship Team partner in their formation program. She is a member of Center for Action and Contemplation Living School community (2019 cohort). She is a Registered Nurse (retired) and a volunteer instructor with Farmington…
Donna O'Connor
Donna O’Connor completed the Spiritual Direction Internship Program in Bloomfield, CT in 2006. She has focused her 1:1 work entirely at Genesis since that time. Having taught fitness/yoga classes for over thirty years now, Donna has a particular interest in helping people who struggle with weight, body image and disordered…
Eileen Epperson
The Reverend Eileen Epperson (Presbyterian) has been a college, hospital, and hospice chaplain as well as a pastor in several churches over the past 31 years. Her ministry is now spiritual life-coaching and spiritual direction. She is a bereavement counselor and designs retreats and workshops in communication, forgiveness, and spiritual…
Fr. Michael Broderick
Fr. Michael Broderick is a priest of the Diocese of Worcester. A Graduate of the Theological College at the Catholic University. He was ordained June 6, 1987. He has served in several parishes, most recently as pastor at Our Lady of the Lake in Leominster. In 2021 he completed the…
Hears Crow
Nootauau Kaukontuoh, “she hears it from him, the crow” – Hears Crow, is a woman of the Eastern Woodlands. She lives her life in the tradition of the Nanhigganêuck, the people known today as the Narragansett. She is a Storyteller of Longhouse Tales told in the oral tradition, including some…
Jim Brule
Jim Brulé is a maggid – a transformational storyteller, teacher, and mentor with a very diverse background: he has advanced degrees in clinical psychology and artificial intelligence. His online school – Transformational Storytelling – trains spiritual storytellers from multiple traditions to tell stories that inspire healing and spiritual growth.
Jo Ann Bourquard
JoAnn Bourquard is a seasoned spiritual director who believes that spiritual companioning is a means of healing the soul and, ultimately, the world. She holds the belief that “an unreflected life is not worth living” and that sharing our life story with one who is trained to listen deeply is…
Joan Chittister, O.S.B.
Joan Chittister is one of the most influential religious and social leaders of our time. For over 50 years she has passionately advocated on behalf of peace, human rights, women’s issues, and monastic and church renewal. A much sought-after international speaker, she is also a best-selling author of more than…
John Philip Newell
John Philip Newell is a Celtic teacher and author of spirituality who calls the modern world to reawaken to the sacredness of Earth and every human being. Canadian by birth, and a citizen also of Scotland, he resides with his family in Edinburgh and works on both sides of the…
Joseph Krans, OFS
Joe’s spiritual journey unfolds as a rich tapestry, interwoven with threads of faith, love, and a deep connection to all of creation. As a self-described ragamuffin, Secular Franciscan, and beloved child of God, he embraces life’s mysteries with an open heart and a contemplative spirit. His path has led him…
Kat Kirby
Kat grew up in New Jersey, in a family that valued art and music, and learned from an early age that creativity and self-expression are keys to a fulfilling life. She believes in the healing power of the arts and creative self-expression. Kat is a retired Board Certified, Registered Art…
Katelynn Carpenter, MSW, LCSW, RMT
Katelynn has a passion for bringing people together in safe, trauma-informed spaces to facilitate community, connection, and healing. She is a Masters-level clinician with a background in working with people who have faced adversity and trauma. Katelynn has worked in a plethora of roles serving others and her community such…
Kendall Vanderslice
Kendall Vanderslice is a baker, writer, and the founder of the Edible Theology Project. A graduate of Duke Divinity School (Master of Theological Studies), Boston University (MLA Gastronomy), and Wheaton College (BA Anthropology), she has committed her life to the study of food and community formation. Kendall is a professionally…
Kevin McCarthy Nino
Kevin McCarthy Nino is in full-time ministry with the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers doing mission education programs, workshops, retreats, and consultations related to missionary discipleship, care of creation, migration, nonviolence, and global solidarity. He leads Maryknoll’s outreach to Catholic teachers and catechists as well as writes a weekly scripture reflection…
Lisa Irish
Lisa Irish, MEd, MA, BCC, spiritual director, and retreat leader, combines hospital chaplaincy and bereavement ministry to offer compassionate understandings of loss, grief, and healing. In her book, “Grieving – the Sacred Art: Hope in the Land of Loss,” Fr Richard Rohr says, “…the roadmap is wise but sensitive –…
Liz Walz, MA
Liz Walz, MA, is a spiritual director and retreat leader with more than 25 years experience in facilitating spiritual experiences for others. She is experienced in BioSpiritual Focusing and is a certified yoga teacher, massage therapist, and nonviolence trainer, as well as an Associate of the Sisters of Providence. Liz…
Lorraine Mangione
Lorraine Mangione is a professor of psychology at Antioch University New England in Keene, New Hampshire, where she teaches doctoral students in the Department of Clinical Psychology and has strong interest in loss and grief, spirituality in psychology, creativity and meaning-making, and women and life transitions.
Lucy Abbot Tucker
Lucy Abbott Tucker has worked in adult formation and the preparation of people for the ministry of spiritual direction for the past thirty-six years. She worked for many years at the Institute for Spiritual Leadership in Chicago including the position of Executive Director and President of the Board of Directors.…
Margaret Galiardi, OP
Margaret Galiardi, OP, is a trained spiritual director and author whose ministries have included parish work, teaching, and working with homeless persons. She has lectured nationally on ecological theology and spirituality, the “new Story and the Christian Story”, and the work of Thomas berry. With the Institute for Communal Contemplation,…
Marguerite Haugh
Since her childhood, Marguerite has been drawn to people’s desire to grow, change, and heal. Marguerite is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and retired Licensed School Adjustment Counselor. She has 30 years’ experience working with people of all ages who have experienced trauma and high stress events. Research has…
Mary Ann Connolly, SC
Sister Mary Ann Connolly, SC, is a Sister of Charity Halifax. After completing the 19th Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, she joined the 3rd cohort of the Contemplative School for Living here at Genesis. Mary Ann’s formation as a spiritual director formally began 10 years ago in…
MaryAnne Davey
MaryAnne Davey is the Founder & CEO of Body & Soul Ministries, a spiritual companionship ministry in Taunton, MA through which she offers spiritual direction, retreat facilitation, and ministry mentorship. MaryAnne has 18 years of experience in Catholic higher education with a focus on mission and ministry work. Her spiritual…
Michele Suhocki & Val Liptak
Michele is a Recreational Therapist and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Fine Arts. She currently works in a Long-Term Care facility and is passionate about serving Veterans who have Dementia/Alzheimer’s, with honor and dignity. She is involved in women’s retreats and bible studies, a Eucharist Minister, Lector, and…
Mike Smoolca
Mike Smoolca is the coordinator of the North-Central CT Chapter of the International Thomas Merton Society. He has been a student of Merton for over 15 years and has been presenting Thomas Merton programs since 2013. Mike is a practicing Spiritual Director, a student of BioSpiritual Focusing, a Commissioned Contemplative…
Nan Bouche
Nan Bouché is a wife, mother and grandmother. She is an associate member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston, and a retired hospital chaplain. Nan holds an MA in Theology from Boston College, with a concentration in Pastoral Care and Counseling. As a trained spiritual director , Nan has ministered in…
Nancy Janiszewski
Nancy Janiszewski is an experienced Spiritual Companion and supervisor and works as the Spiritual Companioning Coordinator at the Spiritual Life Center in Hartford. She also has experience as a team partner with the 2-year spiritual companioning training program. Nancy initiated the Walking with Grief series and worked in collaboration with…
Nancy Sheridan, SASV
Nancy Y. Sheridan is a member of the Congregational Leadership Team of the Sisters of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, an international group of women religious. She is a spiritual director and supervisor of spiritual directors having spent eight years on the staff of the Center for Religious Development…
Nicki Verploegen, Ph.D.
Dr. Nicki Verploegen is Co-Founder of TATENDA International, a nonprofit which cares for caregivers worldwide through retreats and pastoral visits. Originally from Montana, Nicki grew up under the Big Sky and has allowed her passion for the world to carry her to over 50 countries . She has a Ph.D.…
Pam Fitzpatrick
Pam* (she/her) considers herself an optimistic realist who knows the value of the joy found in simple things. She is a long-time bubble-blowing, stargazing, beach-loving BEING who believes in the many treasures given to us by the Divine and Nature. Most of her career in social work is possible because…
Peg Considine BFA, M.Ed.
Peg Considine BFA, M.Ed. is an artist who lives in western Massachusetts and taught visual art for 20 years. Since retirement, she has been facilitating creative workshops designed to encourage self-expression and a sense of well-being through an intuitive use of art materials and techniques. The process is accessible and…
Rosalind Forti
Roz Forti is a clinical social worker who practices in Ludlow. She initially trained as a social historian, and continues to be interested in processes of social change. For the past several years she has been working with seniors in group settings around aspects of healthy living. She also has…
Sally Barber
Sally Barber has been sharing her passion for yoga with adults, teens, and children for more than half of her adult life. As an Occupational Therapist (MS, OTR,) she is uniquely able to guide those of all levels of abilities to receive and enjoy the benefits of yoga. She is co-owner…
Shannon K. Evans
Shannon K. Evans is the spirituality and culture editor at the National Catholic Reporter and the author of the books Feminist Prayers for My Daughter: Powerful Petitions for Every Stage of Her Life and Rewilding Motherhood: Your Path to an Empowered Feminine Spirituality. With interest in ecofeminism, contemplative practice, and…
