Jonathan grew up in the Wausau, WI area and on the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians Reservation. The gentle woods of the Christine Center feel like home.

Jonathan has a rich history of leading nonprofits and working with universities, foundations, and boards. He is grateful the mystery of life has led him to be part of the Christine Center community. 

Before the Christine Center, Jonathan served as Executive Director of the Higher Education Video Game Alliance (HEVGA), an international association for professors and college students studying interactive media. During his time with HEVGA, the organization became a global leader through strategic partnerships with foundations, nonprofits, governing bodies, and a strong network of members.

Jonathan received a BS in Sociology from UW–Madison and an MSW from the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on nonprofit management, systems, and leadership. 

His spiritual background is rooted in Zen Buddhism, the Mohican Native American tradition, and Christianity. 

His orientation towards community is deeply influenced by Buddhist monastic practice, especially the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, who emphasizes that collective peace is possible by returning to the present moment through mindfulness. 

Jonathan’s leadership style begins with a gentle smile. Embodying deep spiritual practice in his daily life is the greatest gift he can offer as a leader. 

When not living at the Christine Center, he lives in Milwaukee with his partner, Spencer, and their two adorable cats. 

Jonathan loves to explore the grounds of the Christine Center, whether that is walking on the trails, pondering on a bench, or sitting (and singing!) by the fire. He would love it if you joined him.

Valerie is a dedicated leader from Northern Minnesota who feels most at home among the trees and forests of the Midwest. She finds her solace in the tranquility of nature alongside her beloved companion, Charlotte. Her deep commitment to the Christine Center began in 2014 when she first encountered this spiritual sanctuary on a personal retreat. Her journey of involvement began immediately as a volunteer and, as her dedication to our community grew, flourished into a full-time leadership role in 2019.

Valerie’s academic journey includes a B.S. in Psychology from St. Mary’s University and an M.A. in Servant Leadership from Viterbo University, emphasizing her commitment to personal and communal growth.

Grounded in her passion for inner exploration and self-realization, Valerie embraces the transformative teachings of the Diamond Approach. She finds inspiration in literature, writing, and the soothing embrace of nature. Valerie is dedicated to collaboratively nurturing and safeguarding the Christine Center’s role as a spiritual sanctuary for personal growth, introspection, and meaningful connections. Her leadership style combines professional acumen with a warm, empathetic spirit, and she is committed to cultivating a haven for ALL who seek inner transformation and genuine connections.

Melissa Thielman grew up among the 10,000 lakes of Minnesota and now can glimpse a view of the Mississippi river from her living room in Trempealeau, WI.  She was introduced to the Christine Center and the Diamond Approach in 2012 and fell in love with both – spiritual home and spiritual path.  Her working life has been as a medical Social Worker, involved in various direct service and leadership positions. In Madison, WI, she helped develop and implement an innovative health care program designed to promote independence for persons with physical disabilities and chronic illness. She later became a social worker and then grief counselor in hospice care, and most recently worked in a dialysis setting.  Prior to joining the Diamond Approach, she had a long interest in yoga, qigong, and Buddhist teachings, and participated in retreats by Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hahn.  She also practiced Nonviolent Communication, where she met her partner, Wade.   Melissa is currently Volunteer Coordinator and Bookkeeper for the Christine Center

Candie grew up in Osseo Wisconsin, raised by her grandmother who taught her patience, kindness, and the value in a good meal. She is a dynamic professional with a passion for hospitality, serving, and experience. With 6 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry, Candie excels in providing a meal balanced with nutrition and indulgence. She first got into cooking with her grandmother, Cheryl, early in life making cookies, krumkrake, tatertot hotdish, and taco calzones. Cheryl helped teach her that every meal can be made with all the right stuff but unless it’s made with love, the food will never serve you.  

Known for cookies, her cats, and her easy-going presence, she brings a unique blend of enthusiasm and benevolence to every project. Outside of work, she enjoys playing with her gaggle of cats, watching her favorite show Big Brother, and caring for her collection of house plants! She dreams to one day live on the Christine Center campus  and her goals for the kitchen are to one day have a year-round greenhouse, elevated compost abilities, and all-around inclusive meals to culture, diets, and experience. She thanks you for your kindness as she settles in her new role!

Love and blessings.

Growing up in West Bend, Wisconsin, Eric developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors, finding it to be a place for spiritual exploration and rejuvenation. His passion for contemplation has been nurtured in the beautiful woodlands surrounding The Christine Center and his residence adjacent to its grounds.

With a strong background in the hospitality industry as a Chef, Eric brings a unique blend of creativity, dedication and service to the center. His journey here began as a maintenance and groundskeeper and has flourished into a full-time leadership role due to his unwavering commitment and contributions.

When not working, Eric is a mycology enthusiast who became fascinated by the healing properties of mushrooms. As a Dharma friend to the Liberation Prison Project, he extends his compassion and support to incarcerated individuals on their spiritual journey. At home, Eric also enjoys the antics of his beloved cat Bucky who can be spotted safeguarding the property.

Sister Johanna Seubert, FSPA is a spiritual director and retreat facilitator at the Christine Center. She is experienced in guiding and accompanying others in their spiritual unfoldment, and assists them in clarifying their own spiritual process. She welcomes people as they are and helps them take the next step to their unique spiritual development. As a Diamond Approach teacher Johanna has additional training and experience in guiding individual students to discover the innate beauty and depth of their true nature.

Sister Henrita is a spiritual director who participated in a program in spiritual direction at the Center for Spirituality and Justice in New York. Henrita’s desire at that time was to offer spiritual direction to people who were homeless and did not have the basic necessities for a comfortable life. That desire was short-lived because her congregation asked her to go to Rome. Since she has been at the Christine Center, she welcomes the opportunity to offer spiritual guidance to others with a particular emphasis on compassion and loving kindness.

Sister Gabriele Uhlein is a skilled facilitator and retreat guide dedicated to the recovery of the Christian mystical tradition and the honoring of intuition and creativity in spiritual deepening.

She is known for her Franciscan approach to contemplative ecological consciousness and her workshops are grounded in the wisdom of the Christian mystics as well as contemporary spiritual thought both East and West

Her mandala making and intuitive painting sessions are creative personal growth opportunities and she also offers individual intuition training and creativity coaching sessions.

In 1983 Gabriele authored a small book: Meditations with Hildegard of Bingen. She has been sharing her love of Hildegard ever since. Every September she hosts a Hildegard Fest at the Christine Center.

In 2014, Rosalie retired from the Franciscan Spirituality Center in La Crosse, WI. She served for 13 years as the liaison to business, facilitator, coordinator of the Servant Leadership program, program coordinator, retreat director and spiritual mentor. Prior to her time with FSC, Rosalie had her own practice as an organizational development consultant. Since 2012, Rosalie has been an FSPA Affiliate and in that role was co-chair of the FSPA 2018 Assembly Planning Committee. In addition, Rosalie participated in the FPSA/Affiliate Homelessness Initiative Committee, which was instrumental in establishing the Franciscan Hospitality House & supporting the Coulee Collaborative to End Homelessness. Rosalie lives with her husband Stan in the country and travels when she can to visit four beautiful granddaughters.

Linda is recognized as an influential leader in organizational development with an extensive background and experience in business, management, public relations, fundraising, strategic planning, and communications.  Her career began at one of Wisconsin’s largest utilities located in Milwaukee.  Her passion for launching new initiatives has taken her to roles with a start-up medical device organization, VibeTech, Inc.; and a wide range of non-profit organizations across the state including the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice, Love in the Name of Christ, and UW-Sheboygan Foundation, most recently.   Linda has served in a leadership role at the Christine Center for over a decade – first on the Capital Campaign Team for the Chapel wing addition; followed by two terms on the Board and ongoing Chair of the Donor Development Committee, and now a third Board cycle at a time of strategic transition building the future business model.  

Vicki Whitledge is a Professor at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in the mathematics department. She has a PhD in Applied Mathematics. Her main mathematical interest is in using mathematics to answer people’s questions to help with decision making in the real world. Topics of applications she has worked on have varied widely from biology and environmental questions to funding scholarships to business applications. In her teaching, her goal is to assist people who are afraid of math or who do not think they are “good” at it to succeed where they did not think they could. She participated in the Christine Center’s three-year Spiritual Deepening for Global Transformation program and believes that the Christine Center is a jewel to be treasured and nurtured. She plays crystal singing bowls and she designed and installed a mown triple-spiral labyrinth on her property.

Kris received a BSE and MSE in Special Education from UW-Whitewater and spent 22 years in the School District of Janesville teaching and leading District Special Education and Staff Development efforts, and teaching classes at UW-Whitewater. She received a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from UW-Madison, taught Educational Leadership at Ball State University and retired as a Professor Emerita from Cardinal Stritch University in Doctoral Leadership Studies in 2013. In 2003 Kris participated in the Franciscan Pilgrimage Program to Assisi and Rome, which led to establishing a partnership with Pieve International School in Umbria coordinating Leadership, Learning and Service retreats and Italian Cultural Immersion tours. For the past 35 years, she has served as a consultant/facilitator for Organizational Change and collaborated, presented and published nationally and internationally with colleagues related to building and sustaining Professional Learning Communities, building Leadership Capacity, and studying effective Leadership in High Needs Schools. Kris is active in the Mindfulness Community of Milwaukee and Christine Center retreats and programs.

Sara Neall is a retired elementary school teacher with extensive experience in curriculum development. In 2011 she moved from Canada to the US and began to study yoga and Buddhist meditation. For 8 years she taught gentle and restorative yoga classes across the city of Milwaukee. She is a student of early Buddhist text and insight meditation. She has been coming to The Christine Center regularly since 2017. Currently she works with Sister Henrita writing about compassion on The Circle of Compassion blog they share. She loves walking, reading and traveling.

Dr. Paul Norton teaches mindfulness in a variety of settings, including schools, prisons, and for various groups at Milwaukee Mindfulness Center. He is certified to teach Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction, as well as various other modes of meditation and awareness practice. He is the guiding instructor and one of the founding members of the Mindfulness Community of Milwaukee. The Community was founded as a nonprofit in 1998. He is a core member of the Order of Interbeing, an organization founded by Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese monk, that is devoted to supporting mindfulness practice.
He was a pediatrician who has worked extensively with Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin since beginning his residency in 1978, up to his retirement from clinical practice in 2016. Most of his work was in general pediatrics, but the last 10 years was devoted exclusively to developmental behavioral pediatrics. He has lived in Wisconsin since 1974 and has two adult children. He is presently learning Spanish and improving guitar skills. He is available to counsel on matters relating to mindfulness at paul.norton@milwaukeemindfulness.com

Henry, a native of Germany, came to the United States in 1959 and eventually began his own Tool and Die business in West Bend, WI. He is married to Paula Eisenhower and they have four adult sons and six grandchildren and one great grandchild. As a member of the Board, he brings with him a background in business and in various religious traditions, including Christianity, Masonry and Science of Mind. He is also a devotee of Mother Meera who resides in Germany. In 1998 he became a member of Metta Trust, a community of privately owned lands and dwellings adjacent to the Christine Center. He has built dome home on his land so he is here often. He has served on the board for many years and was given the title of Board Member Emeritus.