Staff & Leaders (Page 5)

Staff & Leaders (Page 5)

Meet the Spirit in the Desert staff and board of directors. We are here to serve you. Please contact any one of us if you have a question or concern.

Lead Facilitator, Healing of Memories
Lori Rubenstein is retreat leader for Healing of Memories at Spirit in the Desert

Lori Rubenstein

After starting her career as a successful family law attorney, Lori Rubenstein, JD, PCC, came to the understanding that the well-being of divorced families was clearly not the task of the legal system. She realized that she was like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole as a divorce attorney. Instead, she chose to follow her own mission – empowering people to heal from their relationship wounds, eventually becoming a certified coach. While seeking that goal, she learned…
Retreat Leader

Dr. Robin B. Dilley

Dr. Robin B. Dilley is an Arizona Licensed Psychologist, Author, Speaker, and Advanced Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitator.  Arizona Labyrinth Connections is the newest arm of her psychotherapy and spiritual consulting practice and she is excited to share the transformational power of the Labyrinth with you. She offers themed workshops, such as the Wizard of Oz or Lesson’s from the Miller’s Daughter, while specializing in cancer and healing workshops for body, soul and spirit.  Dr. Dilley will also create workshops for your specific…
Retreat Leader

Phyllis Strupp

Phyllis T. Strupp, MBA, is an award-winning author and brain training expert who lives in Carefree, AZ. Her passion is to educate audiences on how brains and lives can get better with age through the power of neuroplasticity. She earned a “Brain Research in Education” Certificate from the University of Washington in Seattle in 2009. She served on the faculty of the Episcopal Church’s CREDO Clergy Wellness Program from 2005-2011. Her background includes an MBA in finance from Columbia University and a 30-year…
Retreat Leader

Mary Delaney, PhD

Mary Delaney, Ph.D. is a licensed Psychologist with over 30 years of experience as a Psychotherapist in private practice. She is a practical intuitive specializing in teaching clients how to listen to and apply their intuition and inner guidance. Mary has taught graduate classes at Arizona State University, been published in the Journal of Psychotherapy, and lectured nationally on a variety of topics which focus on healing the body, mind and spirit. She is co-author of the children’s book “Moose,…
Retreat Leader

Julia Lambert Fogg, PhD

Rev. Dr. Julia Lambert Fogg is Professor in the Religion Department. She specializes in the New Testament, first century Christianity, theologies from the margins, border crossing narratives, and cross-cultural reading practices. Named Professor of the Year by CLU class of 2008, she led the Religion department for 7 years as Chair (2009-2016). In her teaching she focuses on developing innovative, immersive and relational pedagogical methods, particularly for experiential and transformational learning with students. Dr. Fogg utilizes immersion and service learning…
Retreat Leader

Beth Sikora, PhD

Beth is a licensed professional counselor and a Veriditas trained labyrinth facilitator. By utilizing a combination of spiritual traditions and experiential spiritual and therapeutic techniques we will work together during retreats on what is stopping you from making your life what you want it to be now … and in the future. I will be with you in your process — whether it is working to improve an experience of depression or anxiety, walking with you as a spiritual companion,…
Retreat Leader – Artist

Paul Oman

Paul Oman, artist and pastor, shares his Drawn to the Word artistic ministry with audiences ecumenically across the country.  He served as a science teacher, then Lutheran pastor when, in 2011, he took up work as an artistic pastor full-time.  Paul seeks to give new vision to God’s Word by using the process of painting to captivate audiences in our visually oriented culture.  Painting and drawing have been a part of Paul’s life since childhood.  Receiving national & international recognition…
Retreat Leader

Cyndy Warnier

Cyndy Warnier has worn many hats in her life, paramedic, dental hygienist, music/worship leader, author, and National Parks chaplain. Recently retired from Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, she and her husband Al are now full-time RV’ers and camp hosts, which provides Cyndy opportunities for outdoor ministry. In her spare time, she creates retreats of all kinds, including adult VBS programs and limited hospice chaplaincy. Cyndy loves teaching and reaching people with the love God and love for one another, including…
Retreat Leader
Jim LaDoux is leader of the Leading Well Learning Retreat at Spirit in the Desert

Jim LaDoux

With a breadth of experience coaching literally ALL kinds of congregations that flows out of his master’s degree in organizational development and strategic planning, Jim is masterful at helping leaders like you and organizations like yours. He’s also one of the most interested listeners you will ever meet. Jim cares deeply about helping your congregation move from the surface to Vibrant Faith. He is the author of “Surface to Soul,” a coaching workbook, and tends that movement on surfacetosoul.org, our coaching…
Retreat Leader

Dr. David Tiede

Dr. David Tiede earned the B.A. degree from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., in 1962, attended Princeton Theological Seminary in 1962-63 and received the B.D. degree from Luther Seminary in 1966. He earned the Ph.D. degree from Harvard University in 1971. His service as President of Luther Seminary has given him opportunities to sustain his New Testament scholarship, especially in Luke and Acts, and to draw upon these resources in his leadership in theological education. His books, articles, and lectures focus…