Faculty

The Faculty of Davidson Centre for the Professions is comprised of experienced experts in the fields of pastoral and clinical counseling, spiritual direction, professional coaching, and physical and nutritional wellness. They have a deep passion for their areas of expertise, and value the opportunity to work with participants in this unique program structure. They are drawn from a wide regional area and represent the best in their professions.

Consultants, Counselors, & Professional Coaches

John V. Arey, Jr., DMin

  • North Carolina Fee-based Practicing Pastoral Counselor
  • Former Executive Director, Sanctuary Counseling Group
  • Fellow, American Association of Pastoral Counselors
  • Diplomate, American Psychology Association
  • Retired Elder, Western North Carolina Annual Conference, UMC
  • Certified Eriksonian Hypnotherapist, Certified in EMDR
  • BA, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
  • MDiv, Duke Divinity School
  • DMin, Southern Methodist University

Cate Buckner, LCSW

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  • University Psychological Associates, Charlotte, NC
  • Certified Clinical Trauma Professional
  • MCSW, Michigan State University
  • BA Psychology and Religion, Kalamazoo College

Alix Felsing, MSOD

  • Executive Coach Certification, Queens University of Charlotte
  • Teacher, Business Communication, Queens University of Charlotte
  • Certified in WorkPlace Big Five personality profile, DISC
  • Expertise in resilience, career derailment, journaling
  • BA Journalism, Michigan State University
  • MS Organizational Development, Queens University of Charlotte

Eddie Ingram, MDiv, MSW, LCSW

  • Pastoral Psychotherapist/Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  • Spirit Song Counseling Group
  • Spiritual Director
  • Ordained Elder, Western North Carolina Conference, United Methodist Church
  • BS from Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
  • MDiv from Candler School of Theology, Emory University
  • MSW from Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC

Alexandra Kaval, MS PCC

  • Grace Space Christian Coaching, LLC
  • Professional Certified Coach, International Coaching Federation
  • Certified Professional Life Coach, Christian Coach Institute 
  • Master Certified Coach, Certified Group Coach, Certified Laser Coach, World Coach Institute
  • BA Psychology & Honors, Villanova University
  • MS Human Resource Development, Villanova University
  • Hogan assessment certified, experience facilitating DiSC, StrengthsFinder, EQ-i, MBTI workshops

Mary Perkins Kinken, DMin

  • Perk of Art Wellness, LLC
  • North Carolina Fee-Based Practicing Pastoral Counselor
  • Eagala Certified Equine Specialist
  • BS Centre College of Kentucky
  • MDiv Duke Divinity School
  • DMin Graduate Theological Foundation

Tom H. O’Neal, MDiv

  • Diplomate, American Association of Pastoral Counselors
  • Licensed Professional Counselor, Retired
  • Former Clinical Director, Davidson Clergy Center
  • BA Furman University
  • MA Wake Forest University
  • MDiv Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Cynthia Pierce, MS, LPC

  • Former Director, CareNet Counseling of Statesville and Lake Norman
  • Licensed LPC, North Carolina
  • Member, American Association of Pastoral Counselors
  • MS Loyola University, Pastoral Counseling
  • Wesley Theological Seminary, Graduate Theological Studies

Rick Schilling, MDiv, MSW

  • Pastor, Teacher, Counselor
  • Ordained Elder, Western North Carolina Conference, United Methodist Church
  • BA from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte
  • MDiv from Duke University
  • MSW from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Katherine Sherrill, MA, LCMHCA, MT-BC

  • Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate
  • Board Certified Music Therapist
  • Pastoral Psychotherapist at Sanctuary Counseling Group
  • Provisional Deacon, Western North Carolina Conference, UMC
  • Advanced Certificate in Self Psychology and Religion
  • Trained in Brainspotting
  • MA Pastoral Care and Counseling, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Sem.
  • BM Music Therapy, Appalachian State University

Katie M. Stankiewicz, CPC, Eli-MP

  • Willow Equine, Inc.
  • Advanced Certified Eagala Equine Specialist
  • Sacred Money Archetypes Certified Coach
  • 48 Hr Business Breakthru Certified Coach & Trainer
  • iPEC Certified Professional Coach (CPC)
  • Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner (ELI-MP)
  • Certified Professional Coach, International Coaches Federation
  • Reiki 2 Practitioner

Louis B. Reed, DMin – Counselor Emeritus

  • North Carolina Certified Pastoral Counselor
  • Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
  • BA Texas Wesleyan University
  • MDiv Southern Methodist University
  • DMin Emory University

Leesa Sluder, MA – Former Interim Director, Davidson Clergy Center

  • Founder and President, Triple Bottom Line Consulting LLC
  • Financial Advisor, Earth Equity Advisors
  • Coach Certification, NC State University, Business Coach Institute
  • Health Coach, Duke Divinity School Clergy Health Initiative
  • BS University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
  • MA Counseling Psychology, Pacifica Graduate Institute

Spiritual Directors

Dianne Lawhorn, MDiv

  • Graduate, Shalem Institute
  • Certified Stephen Ministry Leader
  • Certified Prepare-Enrich Counselor
  • Ordained Elder, United Methodist Church
  • MDiv Asbury Theological Seminary
  • Associate Pastor of Education and Family, Davidson United Methodist Church

Jan E. Lorah

  • Certificate of Spiritual Direction, Haden Institute
  • Member, Spiritual Directors International
  • Ordained Elder, Presbyterian Church USA
  • BA University of North Carolina, Charlotte
  • Certificate of Theological Studies, Virginia Theological Seminary
  • Musician

Stephen R. Nickle, D.Min

  • Ordained Presbyterian Minister, PC(USA)
  • M.Div and D.Min from Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA
  • College Chaplain for 31 years in Georgia, Tennessee and Texas
  • Chaplaincy in congregational, hospital and hospice settings

Jody Seymour, DMin

  • Certified Enneagram Instructor
  • Retired United Methodist Pastor
  • Former Chair of the Order of Elders
  • Retreat leader, Author
  • BA Greensboro College
  • MDiv Duke Divinity School
  • DMin Graduate Theological Foundation (Spiritual Direction)

Fitness Trainers & Nutritionists

Stephanie Byers, CPT

  • Certified Personal Trainer, American Council on Exercise
  • Foundations of Strength and Conditioning Instructor
  • YMCA Health Coach
  • Fitness Specialist, YMCA
  • BS Stockton State College

Travis Chilcot

  • Owner, Nutrition Healthworks
  • Sports Nutrition Certification
  • Former ACE Personal Trainer Certification
  • Nutrition and Meal Planning Consultant
  • BS Western North Carolina University, Nutrition and Dietetics

Sunny Hubler

  • Yoga, Meditation & Breathwork Instructor
  • Licensed Health & Nutrition Coach
  • Master’s in Health Communications
  • 200 Yoga Teacher Training
  • Yoga Certifications in Yin & Trauma Informed Yoga
  • QC Exclusive Magazine, Editor

Mary Kennedy

  • Co-Owner Melting Point Hot Yoga, Huntersville, NC
  • 200 Yoga Teacher Training Carolina Yoga
  • 500 Yoga Teacher Training Urban Bliss
  • Business Administration Loyola Marymount, CA

Mekenzie Riley

  • Registered Dietitian, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • CrossFit Level 2 Trainer Certification
  • Five Time CrossFit Games competitor
  • Masters of Science in Dietetics, Eastern Illinois University
  • Bachelors of Science in Dietetics, Eastern Illinois University

Administration & Development

Suzanne D. Schilling, Executive Director

[email protected]

  • Suzanne Schilling Coaching, LLC
  • Member International Coaching Federation (PCC)
  • iPEC Certified Professional Coach (CPC)
  • Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner (ELI-MP)
  • Core Dynamics focus on Transition and Well-Being
  • BS Business, San Jose State University
  • Certification in Process Management, UNC, Charlotte, NC

George W. Jacobs, Director Emeritus

[email protected]

  • Co-Founder, Davidson Centre for the Professions
  • Ordained Presbyterian Minister
  • Co-Director, Fund for Professional Excellence at The Foundation for the Carolinas
  • BA Centre College of Kentucky
  • MDiv Princeton Theological Seminary
  • PhD (ABD) University of South Carolina

Gordon R. Jacobs, Managing Director Emeritus

[email protected]

  • Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Davidson Centre for the Professions
  • Chair, Professional Renewal Initiative
  • BA Centre College of Kentucky

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