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, MDiv
- 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
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Professional Certified Coach, International Coaching Federation
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Certified Professional Life Coach, Christian Coach Institute
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Master Certified Coach, Certified Group Coach, Certified Laser Coach, World Coach Institute
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BA Psychology & Honors, Villanova University
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MS Human Resource Development, Villanova University
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Hogan assessment certified, experience facilitating DiSC, StrengthsFinder, EQ-i, MBTI workshops
Mary Perkins Kinken, DMin, MDiv
- 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
John McGill, MDiv, DMin
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Founder and Lead Trainer for WeDoEQ, LLC
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Ordained Elder, Western North Carolina Conference, United Methodist Church
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BA from Asbury University
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MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary
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DMin from United Theological Seminary
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
Susan MacDonald Roddey, D.Min.
- North Carolina Fee-Based Practicing Pastoral Counselor
- Pastoral psychotherapist at Counseling Center at Charlotte
- Former Executive Director of Presbyterian Samaritan Counseling Center in Charlotte (now called Presby Psych)
- Served as pastoral staff, a chaplain and on the Committee on Ministry in the Presbytery of Charlotte
- Member of Association of Clinical Pastoral Education
- Trained in EMDR and Internal Family Systems therapies
- Davidson College, B.A.
- Princeton Theological Seminary, M.Div.
- Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA, D.Min.
Rick Schilling, MDiv, MSW
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Pastor, Teacher, Counselor
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Ordained Elder, Western North Carolina Conference, United Methodist Church
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BA from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte
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MDiv from Duke University
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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
Suzanne Dornsmith, MDiv
- Ordained Elder, United Methodist Church
- Spiritual Director trained through School of Spiritual Direction Beyond Borders
- Certified Stephen Ministry Leader
- M.Div. Duke Divinity School
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, D.Min
- 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)
Robert C. Spach, D.Min
- Spiritual Director (Certificate in Spiritual Direction, Columbia Theological Seminary)
- Ordained Presbyterian Minister (PCUSA)
- Chaplain of Davidson College (1993 – 2023), Retired
- A.B. Davidson College
- M.A. University of Virginia
- M.Div. Princeton Theological Seminary
- D.Min. Columbia Theological Seminary
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
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Yoga, Meditation & Breathwork Instructor
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Licensed Health & Nutrition Coach
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Master’s in Health Communications
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200 Yoga Teacher Training
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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
- 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
- Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Davidson Centre for the Professions
- Chair, Professional Renewal Initiative
- BA Centre College of Kentucky