SDI's 2025 Annual Report
Spiritual Direction:
Healing the World
Celebrating 35 Years
of Spiritual Directors International
May 2025
“Spiritual Direction: Healing the World is the theme for this year’s annual report. For 35 years, SDI has been – and continues to be – committed to offering a sacred and safer space for all those who journey with us as we seek to create a world filled with grace, compassion, love, and deep listening.
The 2025 report highlights the many ways in which we are intentionally living into our commitment.”
-Westina Matthews, Chair, Board of Directors
“Spiritual Direction and Companionship heals. A healing that does not distinguish between companion and companioned, faith traditions, spiritual orientations, inner and outer, far or near. Because it is rooted in the common spiritual ground in which every being and every thing resides, however we choose to name it, and even when we decide not to name it at all. And this healing is always desperately needed. There is no higher calling! Few things are as beautiful as this SDI community that holds this candle lit, no matter what.“
-Rev. SeiFu Singh-Molares, SDI Executive Director
Vision and Mission
SDI Vision
To foster spiritual direction and spiritual companionship as a healing presence in the world, through our learning communities and offerings.
SDI Mission
Cultivating the Practices of Deep Listening and Spiritual Presence Across All Faith Traditions, Spiritual Orientations, and Beliefs.
To learn more about the ways SDI is living out its Vision and Mission, and how you can contribute to our ongoing work, please continue reading below.
An Invitation
In these times, we as the SDI Board want to reaffirm our commitment to offering and creating spaces of radical inclusion, hospitality, and belonging. We believe that affirming and celebrating our diverse identities is a core practice of spiritual companioning. When we are not all at the table, all of us are diminished. When we are present, our diversity is a strength of our community.
We also want to extend an invitation to the SDI community to lean into our roles as spiritual companions for our communities in this season. We believe that through our gift of accompaniment we have an important role in providing care and support to our communities as a healing presence in the world. It’s important to engage in our work collaboratively and SDI will continue to offer spaces and opportunities for us to connect and care for one another.
"When we are not all at the table, all of us are diminished."
SDI Membership joins you to a global contemplative movement, one contributing to peace, justice, and living in right relationship with all living beings. Your membership supports networking opportunities, publications, educational programming, outreach, and more.
SDI Membership has many benefits and we continue to increase the value proposition of the annual cost.
A SNAPSHOT OF MEMBER DEMOGRAPHICS, 2025
SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS AND ORIENTATIONS
“I am constantly enriched by the variety, diversity, and multiplicity of the SDI Community. I am grateful for the opportunity to break bread with my many colleagues in this wonderful organization.”
-anonymous SDI Member
Community Gatherings
Our global community of spiritual directors and companions is a sacred treasure and a balm for a hurting world.
Because community is more critical now than ever, SDI is reaffirming our commitment to healing, innovative, and unifying programming for our members.
As we walk this journey together, we seek to build a global network of spiritual healers—a community where we can share experiences, wisdom, and resources. By coming together, we strengthen our collective ability to guide and companion others in their search for meaning.
“The LGBTQ+ gathering sessions are always deeply affirming spaces where I feel seen—not just for my work as a spiritual director, but for my whole self. It is healing to share and listen in community, and I always leave with a renewed sense of purpose and belonging.”
– Group Attendee
Putting the "I" in International
SDI has identified global outreach as a top strategic priority moving forward. We are dramatically increasing our educational offerings from around the globe, as well as our international community groups.
Please join us in growing and celebrating our international diversity!
“I am so gratified to see how much intention and care SDI is now placing on increasing its global network. Thank you!!”
Anonymous Participant
Our spiritual Journeys and Pilgrimages excel at helping directors and companions to discover special places. These are truly exceptional trips filled with inspiration and enrichment. We believe in seeing the world in intricately unique ways, and we want to share our knowledge and passion for travel and spirituality with all spiritual directors and companions. Every SDI Journey is led by seasoned spiritual companions who are experienced in the local landscape, history, and custom.
“There were so many synchronicities for all of us, before, during, and after this experience. It has been wonderful and I will continue to choose Journeys with SDI.”
– Journey Participant
SDI publishes a rich variety of publications to nourish your spiritual direction and companionship practices. This includes Presence, Connections, Listen, and SDI Press books, all written by spiritual directors and companions offering their wisdom, experience, and insight.
Presence Journal, SDI’s Flagship Publication, is published in print and on the web.
Listen is a free outreach publication to assist all spiritual travelers in the search for everyday encounters with the Divine.
Connections Newsletter is a members-only publication which offers a round-table forum where members of SDI tell stories about their experiences as spiritual directors, companions and wayfarers on the journey.
SDI publishes books to nourish your spiritual direction and companionship practices. Written by spiritual directors and companions offering their wisdom, experiences, and insights, our books are sure to inspire.
WEBINARS AND COURSES
SDI’s education offerings provide many opportunities for spiritual companions to grow in wisdom, deepen their practice, and stay renewed in their calling. Through webinars and courses led by experienced teachers, our global community comes together for learning, reflection, and connection—essential nourishment for the journey.
During 2024-2025 we’ve run many enriching online offerings, including:
35 Years of Outstanding Leaders from the SDI community
WITH Gratitude to SDI's LEADERS
We acknowledge below with deep gratitude all Current and Previous Council and Board Members of SDI (asterisk * denotes former Chair). Locations noted from time of Board/Council Participation.
1990-2005
Janet Ruffing, RSM
Lucy Abbott Tucker
Donald Schell
Mary Ann Scofield, RSM
Gerald May
John H. Mostyn, DMin
Queens Village, NY, USA
Ron DelBene, MDiv
Huntsville, AL, USA
Miriam Frey, MA
Waterloo, ON, USA
Ron DelBene MDiv
Huntsville, AL, USA
Ann Dwyer, MA
New Rochelle, NY, USA
LaDare Cox, MA
Wellington, OH, USA
Carol Marozzi, MA
Marriotsville, MD, USA
Joann Nesser, DMin
Lino Lakes, MN, USA
Robert Gardenhire III, DMin
Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Sandra Lommasson, MA
Davis, CA, USA
Gordon Self, MDiv
Winnipeg, MB, Canada
James M. Keegan, SJ, MDiv
Louisville, KY, USA
Carol Ludwig, MA
Vero Beach, FL, USA
Cathy Murtha, DW, MA
Bloomfield, CT, USA
Barbara Eve Breitman
Philadelphia, PA, USA
Christine Head, RSCJ
London, United Kingdom
David Liedl, TOR
Minneapolis, MN, USA
2006-2015
Terrence J. Moran, CSSR
Stirling, NJ, USA
Susan B. Loretta, MA
Miami, CA, USA
Christopher McCauley
Los Angeles, CA
Jinks (Jennifer) Hoffmann
Toronto, ON, Canada
Sally Taylor
Saintfield Co Down, Ireland
Daniel Robinson, PharmD
Gainesville, FL, USA
Therese Taylor-Stinson
Silver Spring, MD, USA
Kristen Hobby, MASD
Dingley Village, Australia
Kathleen McAlpin, RS*
Springfield, PA, USA
Bruce C. Calvin, MDiv
Washington, DC, USA
Jung Eun Sophia Park
Alameda, CA, USA
Ravi Verma*
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Wendie Bernstein Lash, MS
Redwood City, CA, USA
John Pollard, MA
Toronto, ON, Canada
2016-2024
Cynthia Bailey Manns, DMin*
Eden Prairie, MN, USA
Nita Ng
Bukit Mertajam, Malaysia
Bernadette Miles, MAppSci
Melbourne, Australia
Sean Murphy, MFA
Taos, NM, USA
Leslie Keener, CDP
Melbourne, KY, USA
Eric Massanari, Mdiv
Newton, KS, USA
Dr. Janice Lundy, MDiv
Traverse City, MI, USA
Rabbi Myriam Klotz
Bala Cynwyd, PA, USA
Jennie Isbell Shinn
West Tisbury, MA, USA
Agnes Hermans
Whangarei, New Zealand
Joel Kushner, Psy.D.
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Cindy Lee, PhD
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Wanjiku J. Mwangi, MDiv, SD
Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa
Westina Matthews, PhD*
Savannah, GA, USA
Stephen Rivet
Grand Ledge, MI, USA
Karen Simms-Tolson
Louisville, KY, USA
Joan Alexander
Lloydminster, SA, Canada
Kate Keefe
Oxfordshire, UK
Rev. SeiFu Singh-Molares
Seattle, WA, USA
Current Wisdom Circle Members
From time to time, a Wisdom Circle has been convened to provide additional support to the Board and the Executive Director. In preparation for the celebration of SDI’s 35th anniversary, we sought the wisdom from SDI’s leaders over the past decade.
“Jimi Hendrix said, ‘When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.’ From its very beginnings Spiritual Directors International members have been meeting with others in a stance of love, a reflection of the way each person is loved and cherished. This is our sacred call and ministry.”
-Lucy Abbott Tucker, Co-Founder and past Chair of SDI
SDI STAFF
Ann Lancaster
Creative Services & Technical Coordinator
Ryan Hinson
Membership Services Manager
Alizabeth Rasmussen
Operations Assistant
Judy Moi-Hoffman
Membership Assistant
Seicho Sydney Roth
Editorial and Communities Coordinator
Reggie Dirnberger
Member Support, Advertising
Pegge Erkeneff
Presence Media Review Editor
Jennifer (Jinks) Hoffmann
Poetry Editor
Ravi Verma
DEIJB & Affinity Group Consultant
Heather Gordon
Finance, Bookkeeping
Valerie Pickens, CPA
Finance, CPA
Coleman Scroggins
Attorney
Cyndy Brown
Major Gifts, Fundraising, Giving
2024 / 2025 CONFERENCES
2024
2025
“SDI conferences are marvelous and visionary gatherings, some of the best I’ve attended! SDI does a remarkable job with its conferences, somehow communicating faith and hope in the face of despair, and bringing light into the deep, deep darkness we’re facing at this current moment of crisis on planet Earth.”
– Conference Attendee
SDI FINANCIALS
As a membership organization, we are extremely grateful to our members for their generous support. SDI has aligned our financial practices with our vision, mission and values as we obtain, manage and spend our funds. This in turn supports our community with educational programs, enrichment opportunities, and expanding affinity group engagement. We continue with our scholarship model to provide access so that finances are not a barrier to participation.
The following Condensed Financial Graphs shown below were derived from the independently reviewed financial statements of SDI for the year ended June 30, 2024. These graphs do not include all disclosures normally included in the organization’s financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The complete financial statements, including statements of functional expenses, cash flows, footnote disclosures and the report of our independent accountants, (YFS) Your Financial Solution, CPA, are available for review upon request.
Click each graphic below for a larger version.
The work of sdi is possible only
because of people like you!
Please join us in celebrating SDI’s 35th Anniversary by contributing $35.00, a more generous donation, or whatever you can, so that we may continue to offer low or no cost offerings and gatherings. Our goal is 100 percent membership participation as a visible demonstration to the world that SDI welcomes all spiritual directors, companions, or explorers who are committed to being a healing presence in the world.
