I was introduced to spiritual direction in 2000 when I stumbled across the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius. I remember leaving my first spiritual direction session thinking how wonderful it would be to be able to do the work of spiritual direction – but I wasn’t a nun or a priest so who would come to me. Twenty-two years later, spiritual direction and spiritual formation are my full-time work. Currently I work with Marlene Marburg at Kardia Formation P/L where we offer companionship of empowerment for women and men through spiritual direction, Spiritual Exercises, supervision, and various programs for personal and leadership development.
My passion is the integration of spiritual direction with leadership and organisational development which was the topic of my PhD research and my recently published book Strengthening Spirit-Releasing Potential: Spiritual Direction for Leadership and Organisational Development. My current research project is with teachers to evaluate the influence spiritual direction can have on teacher wellbeing, resilience, and identity.
Favourite Scripture: John 10:10, I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full.
Favourite Book: “Urgings of the Heart: A Spirituality of Integration” by Wilkie Au and Noreen Cannon.
Favourite Movie: “The Sound of Music” (I remember when I was 7 year old, seeing that for the first time and thinking to myself how amazing it is that God values mothers as much as God values nuns!)
Memorable Moment: Seeing my first glacier on a cruise around the Norwegian Fiords. Breathtaking and awesome.