Seminary
Faculty
Our faculty is one of the most experienced educational staff in Interfaith/Interspiritual Education.
Seminary Co-Directors
Rev. Leslie Reambeault, Seminary Co-Director
Leslie Reambeault, LCSW is an ordained Interspiritual Minister of the One Spirit Class of 2012. Her cornerstone tradition is Roman Catholicism with a Jesuit bent; and, throughout her life she has taken training and practiced in many other traditions, especially the indigenous, earth-based paths of North America, eco-spirituality and she is a teacher in the consciousness-expanding Light Body School. She continues to walk the emerging path and practice of Interspirituality. Leslie has been a Dean in the Seminary in both First and Second Years. Her interests are wide-ranging and currently teachings in prayer, end of life and grief have taken center stage. Moving into Seminary partnership with Co-Director Rev. Melissa Stewart has been joyful and filled with the surprise of deepening kinship. Rev. Leslie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice for more than 20 year; she uses an integrated approach of the physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual parts of clients who are adversely impacted by trauma (personal, interpersonal, ancestral, cultural). Since moving to New Mexico in May 2016, after many decades in Chicago, she became certified in working with first responders (police, sheriff, firefighters, EMTs and flight medics) and their families, and is a member of the Red Cross Disaster Mental Health team. Recently, Leslie has completed the End of Life Doula training with INELDA and the Art of Dying Course at One Spirit. Rev. Leslie is the President of the Board of Woman Within, International, an organization of more than 35 years, with about 14,000 participants worldwide. The aim of Woman Within is women’s empowerment, reclaiming personal power and the building of inclusive community. Leslie worked at AT&T for 30 years in an array of management assignments from recruitment to operations, engineering, finance, sales, marketing, and process improvement. She is indebted to the many teachers there who supported her development and encouraged her as she worked with a small group to secure the rights of LGBTQ and two-spirited employees in gaining health care and retirement rights for their same sex domestic partners, long before legal marriage was even a faint gleam in the eye. Leslie lives with her wife, the Rev. Carol Nolden, and their miniature poodle, Lahli, right outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico (not new, not Mexico).>
Rev. Melissa Stewart, Seminary Co-Director
Rev. Melissa Stewart is deeply honored and humbled to be stepping into the Co-Directorship of the One Spirit Interfaith/Interspiritual Seminary. She is dedicated to the mind and heart-expanding learning, spiritual grounding, and evolving social consciousness that One Spirit nurtures in its students, alumni, and faculty. Melissa is delighted to be embarking on this journey with Rev. Leslie Reambeault and is excited to guide and support students as they discover the new shape of their emerging or evolving ministries. Melissa has been part of the One Spirit Community since 2008 when she started on her path to ‘formal’ ministry. After completing the seminary program and becoming ordained in 2010, Melissa volunteered as a Deans’ Assistant, which she did for several years before she had the opportunity to become a Second Year Dean in the program. She completed the Emergence Leadership Academy (ELA) in 2020, a program that was briefly offered at One Spirit just as the COVID-19 pandemic began. Melissa has been a clinical social worker for over thirty years, working primarily with people who have cancer. Since her ordination, Melissa has infused spirituality into her social work practice. She has been an advocate for tending to the spiritual needs of patients and their families/chosen families and the spiritual needs of professional caregivers in the healthcare system who often suffer from compassion fatigue or burnout. Melissa also has training in Gestalt Psychotherapy, Reiki, Hypnosis, and Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Ministry. Melissa is committed to responding soul-fully to the conditions and crises of the moment, in service of the larger goal of establishing a just and peaceful world. She believes in loving-kindness as a guiding principle and is, therefore, devoted to cultivating a socially aware, antiracist, and anti- oppressive ministry and helping others do the same, wherever they find themselves. Melissa is a mystic in awe of the Ultimate Mystery. She is a lover of music and poetry, and these are both part of her spiritual practice. Melissa lives in New York City with her wife, Maribel, and their very special (high-maintenance) kitty, MoMo Baby Kat.
Seminary 1st-Year Deans
Rev. Nathan DeMay, 1st-Year Dean
Rev. Nathan DeMay is an ordained Interfaith Interspiritual minister and graduate of OneSpirit Seminary in New York City. He is also a certified Church Executive and has a certificate from the University of Vermont Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate program. He is multilingual and holds a BS in International Business from Illinois State University. Having been enchanted by the natural world his entire life, he loves animals and the environment. He is the current Treasurer of Creation Spirituality Communities. Nathan offers ministerial services to anyone needing them in the metro-Atlanta area. He lives in Atlanta with his husband, Rob and their wonderful rescue beagles Charlie and Piper.
Rev. Ali’a B. Edwards , 1st-Year Dean
Reverend Ali’a B. Edwards is a grateful and proud 2012 graduate of the One Spirit Interfaith Seminary. She is overjoyed to be a ‘newbie’ Dean with the honor of holding sacred space for the incoming Class of 2024. She is the mother of one young adult son who is the brightest light and greatest teacher in her life. Ali’a is a hospice chaplain in Northeast Louisiana and an airport chaplain in Atlanta. She is a humanist interspiritual minister and a student and practitioner of Buddhism, cherishing her spiritual practices. Ali’a is curious, playful and adventurous. She adores her family and friends. Ali’a is an artist in love with life, determined to relish Life as it unfolds. In the powerful and multigenerational tradition of her matrilineal lineage, she is a praying woman. Ali’a is the writer and designer of several self-guided spiritual tools and journals. She is the spiritual leader of Rosewood Monastery, the contemplative respite and discernment enclave she founded in the Deep South.
Rev. John Harrington, 1st-Year Dean
Rev. John Harrington is a certified transformational coach, Qigong healing practitioner, ordained interspiritual minister (One Spirit class of 2021), and adoring father. He has a strong calling to be of service and support all life to thrive. As a lifelong learner and spiritual seeker, John has immersed himself in many cultures, spiritual paths, and approaches to personal transformational throughout the world. Some of the most life changing include spiritual journeys in South America, extended mediation retreats in India, working with Lion Shamans in South Africa and Zimbabwe, and communing with nature wherever possible. All these experiences continue to inform and expand his relationship with Spirit. John is guided by his deep commitment to listen to Spirit and act with Love. He aspires to help humans remember our own sacredness within nature and shift from a “power over paradigm” to a “power with” focus. He lives in the mountains outside Boulder, CO with his wife Cristina (One Spirit class of 2017), infant daughter Joy, and beloved “Angel dawggie”.>
Rev. Rachel Hollander, 1st-Year Dean
Rev Rachel Hollander is a speaker, teacher, writer, performer, podcaster, singer/song-writer, officiate, performance interpreter, and full-time minister. She was born into a musical theatre family and has been performing since the age of 4. She has shared her music and message across the country from Cleveland to New York City to San Francisco to Boise, Idaho and – for several years – while living in Anchorage, Alaska. Rev Rachel was ordained at One Spirit as an InterFaith/InterSpiritual minister in 2009 and received her graduate degree in Theological and Pastoral Studies in 2022. To learn about about her book, podcast, and more, please visit her website at: https://www.revrachelhollander.com/
Rev. Dr. Salome Raheim, 1st-Year Dean
Rev. Dr. Salome Raheim is an Interfaith Interspiritual Minister and 1st Year Dean at One Spirit Interfaith Seminary. She is a leadership and spiritual coach and an organizational consultant and trainer. She is passionate about actualizing the depths of human potential for caring, compassion, connection, healing, and justice. She has more than 40 years of experience in higher education, is Dean Emeritus at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work, and Professor Emeritus at the University at Albany—SUNY School of Social Welfare. Among her areas of expertise are promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEI&B), addressing implicit bias, and implementing practices in organizations to foster wellbeing. During her career, she has led two schools of social work (University of Connecticut and University of Iowa) in organization-wide, multi-year change initiatives to increase DEI&B. Rev. Dr. Raheim’s commitment to creating more just and healthy organizations has taken her across the United States and to four continents to deliver presentations and provide training and consultation to schools, universities, nonprofit organizations, governmental organizations, and businesses. Recent clients include Georgetown University; Office of the County Executive and Department of Children, Youth and Families, Albany, NY; Liberty Healthcare Corporation; National Association of Social Workers; and LiveWell Dementia Specialists in Connecticut. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Rev. Dr. Raheim received ordination from One Spirit (www.1Spirit.org), holds the PhD in Communication Studies from the University of Iowa, MSW from Catholic University of America, MA in Integrative Health and Healing from The Graduate Institute, and BSW from Bowie State University, a historically black college. She is a certified mindfulness and chair yoga instructor.
2nd-Year Deans
Rev. David Didio, 2nd-Year Dean
Rev. David Didio has called One Spirit his spiritual home since 2009, when he enrolled in the seminary program. He was ordained an Interfaith/Interspiritual minister in 2011. He has been a student of A Course in Miracles for four decades, and practices various meditation techniques as well as mind/body therapies. He has enjoyed an extensive career in the design industries, holding executive positions with major international brands, as well as the not-for- profit organization DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation for AIDS) where he was influential in expanding the organization’s outreach through over seventeen chapters across the country. After commencement, he offered his pro-bono services to One Spirit as a member of the core team of alumnae, deans and staff that led the process of developing the Mission, Vision and Values statements. David creates bespoke rituals and ceremonies, and offers spiritual mentoring and companionship to individuals and couples, based on the sacred philosophy of Anam Cara. He volunteers at God’s Love, We Deliver and continues to further his spiritual education through One Spirit’s various workshops and offerings. He has completed his Shamanic reiki training at the master level, and has published his first book, God Is…an exploration of the Divine through the art of children. David is deeply committed to healing the illusion of separation through the practice of forgiveness, and feels very blessed to be a part of the diverse One Spirit community.
Rev. Kyndra Frazier, 2nd-Year Dean
Rev. Kyndra Frazier holds a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology, Emory University, a Master of Social Work from Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from North Carolina A&T State University. Rev. Kyndra was ordained in 2012 by the Alliance of Baptists, a group that separated from the Southern Baptist Conference over the treatment of LGBTQ+ people. Kyndra's spiritual journey began in earnest at age 14, bringing her to a solidly interspiritual place with multiple "belongings," from Protestant Christianity to Buddhism to Ifa. Rev. Kyndra has a lineage of pastors and she has been both a pastor and is a psychotherapist. She is an adjunct professor in the School of Social Work at Columbia University. Kyndra has a long list of presentations to religious and social service organizations and has written for both professional and lay publications. Among several other awards and accomplishments, Rev. Kyndra was recognized by the Root 100 as one of the Most Influential African-Americans in 2020 for breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations in the field of mental health. Kyndra is currently the CEO of KYND Consulting Inc., a mental health and wellness boutique that supports individuals, couples, and organizations in thriving through therapeutic services, spiritual direction, and trauma-informed trainings. Kyndra believes in the necessity of creating spaces for intentional rest and holistic wellness, and is also the CEO for Selah R&R, Inc. a boutique hotel resort and conference center located right outside of Atlanta, GA, projected to open its doors the Summer of 2026. It is Rev. Kyndra's heart's desire to contribute to the thriving of the LGBTQ+ community within the African Diaspora. She is currently the Co-Producer and Co-Director of A Love Supreme: Black, Queer, and Christian in the South, a life-giving docuseries featuring 8 Black families who are struggling to reconcile the religious bigotry they learned from the pulpit with the immense love they have for their lesbian, gay, bi, queer, and trans identified family members. Currently, Rev. Kyndra lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Rev. Dr. Sushmita Mukherjee, 2nd-Year Dean
Rev. Dr. Sushmita Mukherjee, (she/her/hers), Based in New York City, on indigenous Lenape land, https://www.on-seeing.com/ Sushmita’s vocation straddles cutting edge biomedical research technology, and a spirituality imbued with magic and wonder. Her psyche thrives at the interface of image, imagination and creative innovation. Sushmita’s spiritual work draws on Eastern and Western myths, Earth-based traditions, Taoism, Sufism, and Perennial Philosophy. Her work is deeply influenced by the teachings of Carl Jung and James Hillman, and the creative perspectives of poets and writers, too many to name. Some of her specific interests include myths, dreams, poetry and art (especially fractal, mandala and abstract art), altar building, guided visualizations, chanting and vocalization, and practices of Interspiritual Companioning, Jungian-influenced Dreamwork, SoulCollage® and ChakradanceTM. Sushmita is deeply committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in all fields of engagement.
Rev. Claudia Ruth Kohn, 2nd-Year Dean
Rev Claudia Ruth Kohn is a chaplain in a busy city hospital in Brooklyn, New York, and a dean at One Spirit Interfaith Seminary. She is married and the mother of four, now grown, children; during their growing years the family lived in London and in Hong Kong. While in London, Claudia gained a Masters Degree in English Literature and Poetry; while in Hong Kong she taught English as a Second Language in economically-deprived areas of the city. After 20 years abroad, the family moved to NYC, where Claudia was a docent at the Statue of Liberty, manager of a soup kitchen on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, and a hospice volunteer with Visiting Nurse Services of NY. After completing seminary and being ordained, she trained to be a chaplain at three city hospitals, culminating in a residency at Brooklyn Methodist Hospital during the COVID pandemic. Currently she works in Kings County Hospital as a chaplain, supporting patients in their health challenges. To address burnout and stress among staff, she has developed programs which offer meditation, reiki and counseling to medical teams throughout the week. Claudia loves being a Second-Year Seminary Dean, helping students move confidently into their own ministry.
Rev. Dr. Diane Rooney, 2nd-Year Dean
Rev. Dr. Diane Rooney, is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine (DOM), licensed acupuncturist, reiki master, licensed massage therapist, board certified herbologist, certified aromatherapist, and nationally certified reflexologist. She is ordained as an interspiritual minister graduating in 2014 and is now a second-year dean at One Spirit Interfaith Seminary. She holds a Doctorate of Ministry in Taoism and Self-Healing Practices from New York Theological Seminary Diane has a background in working in Pediatric Oncology/Hematology providing acupuncture and integrative healthcare to patients and their families as well as the staff at both St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in New Jersey and New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. Before moving to Santa Fe, NM, Diane had been a senior faculty member at Tri-State college of Acupuncture for 17 years and served as a full professor at Southwest College of Acupuncture in Santa Fe, NM for two years. Diane has traveled to other countries such as Guatemala, South Africa and India to bring acupuncture, massage, reiki and reflexology to those communities who would not otherwise has access to these practices. She has her own private acupuncture practice in both Santa Fe and New York City. She is also an independent teacher holding workshops and classes on Eastern studies and healing techniques across the United States. She holds the 2014 award for Worldwide Leader in Health Care, Top Integrative Acupuncturist. She is co-author to many books and research articles on the effectiveness of Chinese Medicine. Her passion, in addition to studying and practicing Taoism is teaching self-healing techniques which include qi gong, breathwork, meditation, visualization, reiki, chakra healing, mental color therapy and internal alchemy.
One Spirit’s Chaplain
Rev. Martha Dewing
Rev. Martha Dewing was ordained by One Spirit in 2006. She has served as a member of the admissions team, coordinator of the mentoring program, and as a second year deans’ assistant before becoming a first year dean. She began her career as an elementary school teacher in New York and abroad and subsequently published and edited Children’s Video Report, a newsletter about children and media. Martha worked for several years with the Caring Circle, a family bereavement program in Westchester County. She served on the board at Miriam’s Well, a teaching facility in upstate New York whose mission is to offer transformational experiences that initiate and sustain conscious spiritual evolution toward peaceful coexistence. Her undergraduate degree is from New York University and she holds a master’s degree from Harvard University. Of the many spiritual practices that she engages throughout the day, the two primary ones are mantra meditation twice a day, every day, without fail, and a heartfelt practice of gratitude from morning to night.
