Traci Arends is a spiritual director, educator, and 2022 graduate of Sacred Ground’s Spiritual Direction Training Program. She is the founder of She. Fully Alive., an organization dedicated to women’s whole-person health. Traci holds a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty University, where her research explored the transformational power of Ignatian Spirituality in spiritual direction formation. She brings decades of experience in higher education and adult learning, and her ministry is shaped by her own journey of healing and renewal. Completing the Camino de Santiago in 2023 deepened her love for solitude and contemplative reflection. A former Board member, Traci is grateful to begin this chapter with Sacred Ground. 

Holly Hoey Germann is a spiritual director, educator, and retreat facilitator with more than 30 years of experience accompanying people on their faith journey. Certified through the University of St. Catherine, she is dedicated to creating spaces for reflection, discernment, and deeper connection with the sacred.

She serves as a theology teacher and faith formation coordinator and is the founder of The Sacred Path, where she works with individuals and groups seeking greater meaning, balance, and spiritual depth. A Lasallian Spirituality Fellow and certified Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitator, Holly integrates contemplative and embodied practices into her work.

Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles in education and faith formation. An award-winning educator and published author, Holly is passionate about helping people live with intention, deepen their awareness of the sacred, and grow in compassion.

Rev. Dr. Johnson joined the Sacred Ground Spiritual Formation teaching staff in 2015-16 as an intern for the 1st year 2nd semester students. In 2016-17 Janet transitioned from intern to being a co-teacher of the 1st year 2nd semester class. Janet’s spiritual direction certification was completed through Sacred Ground in 2010.

Rev. Dr. Johnson is currently serving in her local church, Wayman African Methodist Episcopal Church (WAMEC) as the Assistant to the Senior Pastor and the Director of Christian Education.

Dr. Johnson volunteers with two nonprofits: From Death to Life and Child Evangelism Fellowship. In 2005 she took early retirement from General Mills as a Marketing Research Associate and went to work in the K-12 education arena until 2014 when she retired from Harvest Network of Schools as the Family Engagement Manager.

Education: BA in Business Administration from Metropolitan State University/1988, a Masters of Divinity with a Concentration in Christian Education from Bethel Theological Seminary/2001, and a Doctorate in Education Leadership from the University of St. Thomas/2015.

Susan Stabile is an experienced spiritual director and retreat director trained in the Ignatian tradition, who offers retreats and other programs of spiritual formation in parishes, retreat houses and other venues around the country. She teaches in the second year of Sacred Ground’s program for the training of spiritual directors and also trains people to direct the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. She is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the University of St. Thomas School of Law and an adjunct Instructor in Theology at St. Catherine’s University, where she co-directs a Lilly Grant secured by that university to bring contemplative practices to congregations and parishes. Susan previously served as Director of the University of St. Thomas’s Office for Spirituality, and is the author of numerous publications, including Growing in Love and Wisdom (Oxford University Press 2013).

Peter is a certified spiritual director, guides folks through the Ignatian Exercises, and is a retreat leader in the Twin Cities area. He holds a Master’s of Divinity degree from the University of St. Thomas, and a B.A. in Philosophy from St. John’s University in Minnesota. Peter retired in 2021 from his work as a high school theology teacher of 25 years at Cretin-Derham Hall high school in St. Paul. He has also taught graduate classes in Old Testament Theology, and Adolescent Psychology and Spirituality, and has co-authored a high school text book, Guarding the Fire: A Spiritual Guide for Young Men through Good Ground Press. Peter helps lead ministry discernment groups for the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, has three grown children, loves going on pilgrimages, and is a life-long runner.

Rev. Susan Engholm is a Lutheran pastor (ELCA) and spiritual director who delights in the sacred stories of others. After earning her Master’s of Divinity from Luther Seminary and a BA in psychology and religious studies from the University of Minnesota, Susan received her certification for spiritual direction in 2013. She has been walking alongside individuals as a spiritual companion ever since. Her pastoral ministry has spanned both the Twin Cities and the prairies of southwestern Minnesota, including meaningful time as a chaplain in addiction recovery.

At home, Susan is a joyful wife, step-mother, and grandmother. When she isn’t offering spiritual direction, you’ll likely find her wandering through nature or diving into a brand-new art project. Her husband likes to playfully point out that their storage room is currently a growing gallery of "creative possibilities" (otherwise known as a very impressive stack of art supplies!).

Sam is a husband and father of two who is deeply committed to serving leaders in ministry and spiritual life. Through spiritual direction, retreat leadership, writing, and individual and group reflection, he creates experiences that help lay and ordained leaders meet the challenges of ministry with wisdom, resilience, and renewed purpose. His work focuses on helping people rediscover the calling and giftedness at the heart of their leadership. Sam serves as Director of the Certificate in Spiritual Direction at Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary. He is also a CliftonStrengths coach and retreat leader. He co-founded Wood & Water Retreats and owns River Place Woodland Retreat, a family tree farm in southeast Minnesota. Sam received his training as a spiritual director through the Franciscan Spirituality Center and his training as a supervisor through Together in the Mystery.