Who We Are.

Abby Sham is a spiritual director, contemplative curator, and Doctor of Spirituality student at Claremont School of Theology. Certified through the Companioning Center and grounded in the compassionate, evocative model of soul care, she companions people from all walks of life—welcoming faith, doubt, diverse spiritual paths, and the creative ways we make meaning. Her trauma-informed approach weaves together Ignatian spirituality, Internal Family Systems, contemplative practices, and creativity to help people notice God’s presence in the ordinary rhythms of life. Deeply impacted by the Companioning Center’s certificate program, Abby serves on its board with a hope to grow its reach and diversity, widening the welcome for those seeking formation and supporting a vibrant community for spiritual directors. She enjoys exploring Seattle’s parks and beaches with her two young children.

She holds an M.Div. from Seattle Pacific Seminary and an M.T.S. from Pentecostal Theological Seminary.

Sheryl Graves has a passion for spiritual formation and facilitated learning experiences. She delights in hosting open spaces, allowing people to awaken
to themselves and God’s deep, abiding presence with them. Prior to receiving her MA in Spiritual Formation and Certificate of Spiritual Direction from
Portland Seminary, Sheryl served on a church staff in adult discipleship, leadership development, and executive leadership. She also has experience working in mission, parachurch, and business organizations.

Sheryl is a spiritual director, trained Ignatian guide, sabbatical companion, small group facilitator, and retreat speaker or guide.

Alaine Buchanan is an ordained minister, spiritual director, an active duty Army chaplain's spouse and a mom. Alongside serving as the Dean of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies at North Central University in Minneapolis, MN, she finds great joy in coming alongside and offering spiritual direction for corporate, executive, military, entrepreneurial, and ministry leaders and spouses. Her specializations include discernment, inner healing, focusing, trauma-informed care, spiritual formation practices, sabbaticals, and group spiritual direction. These specialties are largely a result of the training she has received through the Companioning Center.

Alaine also holds a Ph.D. in Second Temple Jewish Literature and History from Regent University in Virginia Beach.

Lang’s passion is to help people ride the upward spiral of love. A deep love for yourself, others, life, and something greater. Nearly losing his life, becoming disabled, and losing his career as an air force officer as a result—as well as going through two divorces—taught him we tap into love’s flow by living into our belovedness, while companioning one another through all the twists and turns of life. He delights in journeying with others into greater freedom and wholeness via deep listening, embodiment practices, and connecting to the spark of the divine within each of us.

Lang is a certified spiritual director, life coach, and yoga instructor; and certifiably in love with life, the Seahawks, good wine, and his wife. He holds a D.Min in Leadership and Spiritual Formation and M.Div. You can connect with him, or learn more about the Companioning Center, at lightlovelang@gmail.com.

Sue Giordano is an executive leadership coach, speaker, and spiritual director with a passion for helping individuals and leaders live with greater purpose, integrity, and joy. She brings more than 30 years of experience serving on leadership teams across the business world, helping organizations navigate growth, change, and the development of healthy, people-centered cultures.

Lynn is gifted in preparing and supporting soul companions whose faithful response in these challenging times invites generous listening and a compassionate heart for the sake of the world. Her ministry is grounded in a contemplative posture of holy listening, surrendering to the Mystery with a sense of awe and curiosity, and the dynamic relationship of God's Presence.

Lisa Moore is the founder and CEO of Moore Possibilities Consulting based in Memphis, TN. She is driven by her unyielding belief in the inherent goodness and brilliance of every human being. She is passionate about creating spaces and experiences for individuals and groups to tap into their heart, soul, and being to unleash their unique gifts and talents. She loves walking alongside others as they seek greater connection, meaning and purpose by providing leadership coaching, spiritual direction, swimming instruction or keynote speeches.

Lisa’s 37+ year professional journey has included various leadership roles. She is active in her community including Co-creator of bachelor’s in education, youth development major at University of Memphis, Co-creator of Common Ground: Conversations on Race-Communities in Action city-wide initiative, leader in community advocacy for environmental health with efforts to block both a landfill and an oil pipeline. Lisa is a graduate of Memphis State and Concordia University with a bachelor's and master’s in education, the Companioning Center’s Spiritual Direction certification program, Leadership Memphis Executive Class of 2003, and is a certified water safety instructor. 

Jean Nevills' desire for God has led to adventures in contemplative wisdom and solitude, as well as mission adventures as far away as Ethiopia, South Korea, and China. Marriage and mothering, a family business, and community life are the natural arenas for ongoing spiritual transformation, spiritual practices, and living life with God in a Jesus way.

Paul has spent his adult life serving in local church ministry, including as a worship leader and elder. His faith journey has been marked by seasons of grief and disappointment, as well as times of true peace and goodness. He has found that doubt and hard questions are welcome on the journey with Jesus.

Catherine “Katie” Skurja is the founder and director of Imago Dei Ministries. Her greatest passion is to accompany people in the journey of discovering who they are in their Imago Dei (image of God). Deeply rooted in and dedicated to Trinitarian principles, the ministry’s purpose is to help people everywhere engage in a Christ-centered healing process that transforms relationships with God, self, and others.