Retreat Leaders

“Spirit in the Desert is welcoming retreaters again. In January 2020, Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, its Board of Directors, and staff, were still reeling from the sudden and unexpected death of its dynamic Executive Director, Richard Anderson, who had been leading the exciting growth of the Carefree, Arizona retreat center. The Board turned to Jennifer Braaten, Ed.D., of Sedona, Arizona to serve as Interim Executive Director with a portfolio of tasks including leading the search for a new…

Broadening the Reach of This Exceptional Place Doug Yock, M.D., was elected to the Board of Directors of Spirit in the Desertin 2018, bringing his leadership experience from healthcare to the retreatcenter. He graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Medical School andcompleted internship and residency at Stanford University and fellowship atthe University of California San Francisco. Prior to retirement, Dr. Yockpracticed neuroradiology at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis,where he directed Magnetic Resonance Imaging and led the development of the neuroscience…

Respect. Mr. Schoenbeck was elected as a member of Spirit in the Desert’s Board of Directors in 2018. He brings to the organization his experience as a senior corporate executive and business coach. His personal values of respect for customers and co-workers were integral to his success as an executive with major national companies; those values harmonize with Spirit in the Desert’s mission of welcoming hospitality for all retreat guests. Dave was one of the co-founders and the Senior Vice-President…

Involved from the Beginning Pastor Joel Bjerkestrand was appointed a member of Spirit in the Desert’s Board of Directors in April 2019, bringing thirty years of involved ecumenical experience with Phoenix area faith communities and civic organizations. He is a dynamic speaker, mediator, educator, and counselor, having served three Lutheran congregations in the Phoenix metro area, one as associate pastor and two as senior pastor. Since 2011 he has been on staff as visitation pastor at La Casa de Cristo…

Empowering Women Suki Kisling’s zeal for empowering women continues to find many opportunities. She lived in Las Vegas for 28 years where she opened her ownfinancial planning practice. Some of her clients were widows who were at aloss to manage finances. Some had never written a check or paid a householdbill. Suki was there for them with support and education. She said, “Teachingwomen to become independent became a passion. This passion combined withmy Christian faith became the focus of a…

An International Perspective Julie Yates has managed commercial real estate properties in the UnitedStates and London. After living and working in London for fifteen years,Julie and her husband Steve moved back to Arizona in 2015 and becamere-acquainted with Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center. She said, “Weloved living in London and experiencing the perspective of aninternational community.” In 1993, the Lutheran Church was given facilities and land in Carefreethat had been the International Restaurant and the Adobe Inn. Julie,because of…