Program Presenters
Gregory Boothroyd, Ph.D., CAC-II, LPC Gregory Boothroyd, Ph.D. earned his B.A. and M.A. degrees at Western Michigan
University and his Ph.D. from The University of Michigan. He is a certified addictions counselor, licensed professional counselor, lecturer and distinguished faculty member of the Michigan Judicial Institute in the area of substance abuse assessment and treatment. He has trained thousands of counselors, social workers, psychologists, chemical dependency therapists,
medical and court personnel across the nation to use this therapeutic approach to self defeating behaviors. He is a frequent keynote presenter at national conferences on self defeating behavior theory. He is the author of Going Home: A Positive Emotional Guide for Promoting Life-Generating Behaviors. |  |
Dr. Marva J. Dawn Internationally renowned theologian, author, and educator, Dr. Marva J. Dawn, has served the Church for years through Christians Equipped for Ministry of Vancouver, Washington. She also serves as Teaching Fellow in Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Dawn teaches and lectures in a wide array of topics. She has been a presenter at seminaries, clergy conferences, churches, interfaith assemblies, and universities throughout the world. A scholar with four masters degrees and a Ph.D. in Christian Ethics and the Scriptures from the University of Notre Dame, Dr. Dawn is also well-known and highly appreciated as a preacher and speaker for all ages. |  |
Nancy Diment Nancy Diment has been a yoga student for more than 21 years and is a registered yoga
teacher at the 500-hour level with Yoga Alliance. She has taught yoga at the Portage YMCA,
Bronson Hospital, and for KVCC at Parkview Hills. She retired from Kalamazoo Public
Schools as a physical therapist working with special education students. She particularly
enjoys introducing newcomers to yoga and encouraging those with some limitation due to
chronic conditions or just the normal aging process to enjoy the benefits of yoga. |
Frankie Dutil, CSJ Frances (Frankie) Dutil, CSJ has a B.A. in French and music, an M.A. in educational psychology and an Associate Degree in art. She spent many years as an elementary teacher and principal. Art has always been a love in her life. Her love of Ireland goes back to her roots on her mother’s side. Both great-grandparents came to America during the potato famine. Her Celtic ancestry and trips to Ireland and Scotland have helped her develop knowledge and appreciation of the unique contributions of Celtic spirituality. Celtic scenes and objects populate her art through which she tries to communicate the ineffable qualities of these places and beliefs. |  |
Diane Hamel Diane Hamel, a lifelong artist, studied fine art at Michigan State University from 1971 to 1975. After raising her family, she returned to Aquinas College in 1989, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in theology in 1991. She began working as a professional lay minister at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Greenville, Michigan, where she served as the Director of Religious Education for nine years. In August 2000, Diane began working at St. Patrick Parish in Parnell, Michigan, as the Director of the Catechumenate. In addition to her ministry at St. Patrick Parish, she served the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids, Michigan as a member of the Liturgical Art and Environment Commission for many years. Diane has given numerous workshops on preparing sacred spaces and liturgical environments. |  |
Tom Holmes Tom Holmes has a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and is Professor Emeritus at Western Michigan University (WMU). He has been training graduate students in psychotherapy since 1985 and since 1996 he has been teaching in the Holistic Health Care Program at WMU. His specialty area is spirituality and the therapeutic process. Tom received training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) from Richard Schwartz in the late 1980's and has been teaching, training and practicing IFS since that time. |  |
Marianne Novak Houston Marianne Novak Houston has a graduate degree in religious studies. She worked for nine years with Dr. Parker J. Palmer, to help found the international formation movement. She is a senior advisor and facilitator with the Center for Courage and Renewal in Seattle, Washington. A teacher for more than 40 years, she now devotes full time to retreat facilitation and trains and mentors future formation facilitators in the U.S. and abroad. |  |
Karen Anne Jackson, CSC Karen Anne Jackson, CSC is a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross St. Mary’s, Notre Dame, Indiana. Karen has an extensive history as an educator teaching all ages of students. During the past 20 years, in addition to full time ministry, she has facilitated 12-Step retreats for women in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois. |  |
Ginny Jones, CSJ Virginia (Ginny) Jones, CSJ has been actively involved in environmental education and action for more than 20 years. She holds a doctorate in environmental education and a certificate in spiritual direction. She is known for her work in eco-spirituality and for her efforts in establishing Manitou Arbor Ecovillage east of Kalamazoo. |  |
Gertrude Maurer, CSJ Gertrude Maurer, CSJ is on the staff of Transformations Spirituality Center. She has served as an educator, retreat and spiritual director, and minister for justice in the US and Ghana. She holds a doctorate in American literature and a certificate in spiritual direction. She is also a trained Sage-ing Circle® facilitator.
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Betsy Meagher, CSJ Betsy Meagher, CSJ is the worship coordinator at Nazareth Center, the motherhouse of the Congregation of St. Joseph. She has served as a diocesan liturgical director, liturgist, musician and educator for more than 20 years. She holds masters degrees in liturgy and music education. |  |
Laura Smith, CSJ Laura Smith, CSJ has experience in counseling, consultation, spiritual direction, retreat work, and teaching. She holds masters degrees in pastoral theology, counseling, and music. She earned a certificate in spiritual direction from the Dominican Center in Grand Rapids and studied with the Sufi Institute for two years. |  |
Elizabeth Tompkins Elizabeth Tompkins has a background in theology, pastoral care, and spiritual formation. She is certified in spiritual direction and labyrinth facilitation, and has extensive experience as a retreat facilitator. She brings a rich diversity of tools, including art and stories, to enhance the retreat experience. |  |