Introduction from ACPE's New Director of Member Engagement

Good day, dear colleagues,

I'm pleased to introduce myself as ACPE's new Director of Member Engagement, working remotely from New Orleans, LA. My role encompasses four key areas: creation and maintenance of the Hubs in collaboration with Communities of Practice, recruitment and retention of membership, professional development for membership, and maintenance of member processes.

Throughout the application process, I was asked whether I was ready to "stop being an Educator." While I understood the question, I see this transition not as leaving education behind, but as expanding my focus. I bring the skills of an ACPE Certified Educator and Board Certified Chaplain, along with an entrepreneurial spirit that needed more room to breathe. Thank you to the leadership team for providing this spacious opportunity for my creative lungs to develop and grow.

My perspective on ACPE has been shaped by my experience as a chaplain and educator, my work on the Professional Well-Being Committee and Anti-Bias Work Group task forces, association listening sessions, and our collective reflection on changes over the past decade. This is our moment to move from reflection to action, reclaiming what was lost while building upon our solid foundation.

ACPE has been a well of goodness in my professional journey, teaching me to act with intention and integrity while demonstrating the power of community that honors every member's perspective. My hope is that ACPE will continue serving as a professional home for those practicing spiritually oriented compassion, justice, and relational education long after we all retire.

My work is guided by three core values: curiosity, kindness, and creativity (man, I really wish kindness started with a C!). These principles, enlivened by the clinical method of learning, will shape how I approach this role and our work together.

I'm particularly excited about the recruiting element of my role, focusing not only on educators and certification aspirants, but also on our clinical practitioners, spiritual care professionals, psychotherapists, pastoral counselors, and all others who call ACPE home. The future is one of adaptation and innovation—let's get creative in expanding our vision of what this life-changing association can do and be for the world.

Two immediate action items as I begin this important work:

1. Hub Proposal Reflection Session: I'm inviting all Communities of Practice to send one representative, preferably the convener, to a Hub Proposal Reflection Session on Friday, August 8th, at noon EST. I'll be emailing CoP conveners directly with this invitation. This session will allow us to explore the hub model together, review an initial proposal, and gather your input before sharing an overview with the full membership.

2. Community of Practice Engagement: If you're not currently active in a CoP, I encourage you to explore our database and join one that aligns with your interests. With nearly 100 CoPs meeting throughout the week, there are numerous opportunities for professional connection and growth.

What's Next

I'm committed to doing this work collaboratively with Communities of Practice, leadership committees, and commissions. Over the coming weeks, I'll be sharing more about how we can work together effectively and how we can all practice professional well-being in our current climate.

I see each of you as a valuable member of an association I dearly love. I was 23 when I first entered CPE, and it changed my life, as I know it has changed so many others. We need each other now more than ever.