Our Licensed Spiritual Practitioners are here to support you in times of challenge, in times of celebration, and in every moment in between
Practitioners have spent years studying Science of Mind principles and have also passed written and oral exams. They are licensed by the Centers of Spiritual Living and support you as you take steps on your spiritual journey.
Practitioners are part of the ecclesiastical team at Heart & Soul. They work closely with the ministerial team to hold the high watch and are available to support members and congregants through affirmative prayer and practitioner sessions. Practitioners know the power of prayer. They pray without ceasing, offering laser prayer upon request and make themselves available to pray with members and congregants when the need arises. Practitioners also work closely with our Prayer & Care Village.
Practitioners also offer Practitioner Sessions, a one-on-one experience intended to support members and congregants with a specific life challenge or concern. Practitioner Sessions are perfect when life is feeling overwhelming, seems to be spinning out of control, and when gratitude is in order for a life blessing.
You can expect sessions to begin with prayer, be a sacred time to share “what is” and listen for divine guidance. Practitioner Sessions last between 60-90 minutes. If you would like to schedule a Practitioner Session, an email may easily be sent to them below and they will respond within 24-48 hours.
As Licensed Spiritual Practitioners, if during a private session they sense that someone is in danger, they must report it.
Our Practitioners are licensed by the Centers of Spiritual Living and support you as you take steps on your spiritual journey.
Heart & Soul Center of Light… It’s the way we pray.
Heart & Soul Licensed Spiritual Practitioners
Akanke is an executive and leadership certified coach on a mission to help close the gender gap in leadership roles and support women in claiming their power at work and in life. She works with leaders and teams in industries including technology, health and healthcare, law, finance, government, and philanthropy. Akanke is a certified professional and diversity coach and also holds certifications in change management. She is the founder of Claim Your Shero.
Akanke adopts a comprehensive approach in her coaching, engaging with her clients on a profound level that encompasses the entirety of their being—body, mind, spirit, and identities. Drawing from her rich background as a business owner, group facilitator, and spiritual practitioner, Akanke brings a distinctive perspective to transformational leadership coaching.
On a personal level, Akanke takes pride in being a devoted mother to two young adults. When she isn’t collaborating with clients, you’ll discover her immersed in her beloved spiritual practice of hiking, exploring museums or historic sites, and embarking on journeys to new destinations. Akanke earned her BFA in Advertising from the College of Art & Design in Columbus, Ohio.
“Where the mind goes, energy flows.”
Ernest Holmes’ quote, “Where the mind goes, energy flows,” is Akanke’s favorite. Holmes’ message resonates deeply with her in her client work and throughout her own life. She remembers during her very first Science of Mind class when she told the teaching minister how upset she was about an argument she’d had with a family member. She wanted to know how to best handle it. The minister’s advice was, “Focus on something else, something helpful.”
Honestly, the advice irritated Akanke but once she started to follow it, her life began to change in ways she never imagined possible. She sees this unfold time and again: our attention acts like a magnet, drawing energy—be it negative or positive—toward whatever, whomever, or wherever we focus it.
Brenda Grayson Shinault is a licensed Spiritual Practitioner Emerita at Heart & Soul Center of Light where she brings more than 22 years of practice in Science of Mind and other spiritual traditions. Brenda recently completed a chaplaincy internship in Highland Hospital’s Palliative Care Department. This internship is a part of the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) certificate program offered by the Spiritual Living Center for Education and Training in Colorado. At Highland Hospital, Brenda serves on an interdisciplinary care team. She ministers to people with cancer and other serious illnesses, as well as caregivers who may also experience spiritual distress.
In addition to her chaplaincy at Highland Hospital, Brenda has served as a volunteer chaplain at Hospice of the Central Coast and trained with Comfort Homesake Compassionate Care in Oakland. She holds a B.A. in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.S. in Broadcasting from the Boston University Graduate School of Public Communications.
“I Rest in Thee”
One of Brenda’s favorite songs is “I Rest in Thee” by Rickie Byars Beckwith where these lyrics can be found: My destiny has been fulfilled by you, filled by you, oh God. My search is over and I rest in thee. My search is over, and I rest in thee. These beautiful lyrics resonate with Brenda’s declaration of freedom from belief in separation and fear. Brenda’s spiritual practice embraces the “allness” of God/Spirit/Life, and allows her to rest in assurance of divine wisdom, love, and guidance.
Carole Lannigan Johnson became a Licensed Practitioner in 1996 and served at East Bay Church of Religious Science in Oakland, California. In 2016, she became a Licensed Practitioner Emerita. She currently serves on the Prayer & Care team at Heart & Soul.
For several years, Carole led grief support groups and facilitated conflict resolution workshops. In 1981, she co-founded The Equity Institute, a national non-profit established to assist organizations in eliminating racism, sexism, homophobia, and antisemitism. Before an inclusive DEI model existed, Equity Institute was one of the very first national organizations to address these issues in public schools and other national non-profits. More than 5,000 non-profit leaders have completed their training programs. Today, Carole continues her executive coaching and leadership development practice with senior global leaders in the biotech industry.
Carole continued her advocacy for young people on issues of racism and homophobia as an executive producer of the award-winning film-curriculum, Sticks, Stones and Stereotypes/Palos, Piedras, Y Estereotipos. The film has been used in more than 5,000 schools throughout the United States, Central America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Carole is a non-practicing attorney and former project director in the United States Federal Desegregation Centers Program.
“You are far greater than you know, and all is well.”
One of Carole’s favorite quotes is “You are far greater than you know, and all is well.” She loves this quote and often references it with clients as it is a good reminder of how powerful God is – in each one of us.
Damali is an artist, writer, mindfulness practitioner, facilitator, and emerging filmmaker who is guided by three values: love, liberation, and compassion. She began telling stories on film in 2014 and launched her YouTube channel, @freedomnarratives, in 2019. Over the last several years, Damali has talked to dozens of people about activism, racial equity, belonging, mindfulness, and de-colonial scholarship.
Damali’s life and work are grounded in spiritual practices that began at Heart & Soul Center of Light. This grounding carried her into her work as a leader in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). From 2021 – 2023, Damali worked as Director of DEI at the California Institute for Integral Studies (CIIS) in San Francisco. In that role, she created DEIB programming and events and moderated transformative conversations with influential social change activists including Rhonda Magee, Monica Guzman, Yung Pueblo, and Tricia Hersey. Damali is currently Director of DEIB at LifeLong Medical Care in Berkeley, CA.
Damali is a licensed practitioner and prayer facilitator. She also leads the Imagining Justice Collective, dances with Praise Groove, is a member of the Website Circle, and has acted in Summer School productions for the last several years.
“We need more light about each other.”
One of Damali’s favorite quotes comes from Malcolm X, el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz – “We need more light about each other. Light creates understanding, understanding creates love, love creates patience, and patience creates unity.” She loves this quote because it speaks to the ways we can create a more just and loving world. If we see more light in one another, we can begin to see our shared humanity.
A member of Heart & Soul since 2010, Felicia (aka “Dr. Love”) serves as co-lead of the Practitioner Core and the Prayer and Care Village. She delights in ministering through music as a member of Heartsong and the Ensemble.
Felicia uses a unique integration of her professional and spiritual backgrounds to inspire organizations, leaders, and individuals to go beyond the ordinary to achieve successful business and personal relationships. As an organizational change management consultant, she brings clarity, insight, and strategy to support organizational transformation that integrates business imperatives with human competencies and needs. Felicia also facilitates global personal growth workshops that focus on Love.
In her private practice, Felicia has supported thousands of clients around the world in 1-1 coaching, counseling and group work in areas including executive coaching, career development, women’s empowerment, communication, and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Currently a lecturer and leadership coach at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, Felicia’s educational focus is on integrating light, love, and consciousness into the leadership instincts of emerging business leaders.
A Michigan native, Felicia earned her B.S. in psychology and M.A. and Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Michigan State University.
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5 is one of Felicia’s favorite verses, and also that of her mother, and was regularly shared in their home as they prayed over meals. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.” It speaks to trusting beyond what she can see, beyond what has been, and releases her from having to know and trying to figure it out. It is a guide forward to Felicia’s higher living.
Minister Cherri’s spiritual practice is informed by Black and ancestral traditions, the wisdom of interrelatedness, grassroots organizing, and spiritual and social justice thought partners. She has made academic and pastoral presentations on improving racial disparities at the intersections of economic justice, and public safety. In 2021, she was a guest speaker at the Othering and Belonging Institute conference in Berkeley –– one of the largest annual conferences for progressive political activists and leaders.
Minister Cherri has written several pieces, including a popular Op-Ed called “Uber bought itself a law.” She has also shared numerous opinions on workers’ rights on local and major media networks. In 2020, she was given the Discount Legacy Award, which nationally recognized her as an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and contributed significantly to the United States’ low-wage workers’ rights movements.
Growing up in Virginia, Minister Cherri was raised in the Black Prophetic Tradition. She earned her Master of Divinity from the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) – Berkeley School of Theology (BST) in 2017, where she is now a promising doctoral candidate. A good troublemaker, she identifies as a Black Queer woman.
“Treat and move your feet”
One of Minister Cherri’s favorite Science of Mind principles is “Treat and move your feet” which references our practice of prayer. This phrase points to the spiritual imperative to stand for bold policies that address the most effective strategies to solve violent crime while simultaneously prioritizing the investment in policies that address poverty. We must treat and move our feet, yielding to our spiritual compass to embody a greater understanding that our lives are linked as it makes clear our connection, oneness, and common humanity.
At the forefront of all of this, community outreach is a commitment to our own wholeness that involves action around solidarity building. Together, we must forge new possibilities that stop the violence, heal our souls, and reimagine safer communities. Come and join her in treating and moving our feet, calling in love through our willingness to learn new things and act on new insights.
Nancy Marmolejo is a soulful explorer with a spiritual journey that kicked off during high school when she discovered cosmic consciousness in a comparative religion class. Feeling there was more beyond her traditional religious upbringing, Nancy set out on a quest for spiritual knowledge, delving into the rich tapestry of her Mexican indigenous roots and spending numerous years immersed in the teachings of Science of Mind.
Her spiritual odyssey, seasoned by decades of study and experience, has uniquely equipped her to guide others on their healing paths. Her prayer style can be described as grounding, earthy, and intuitive, creating a supportive space for individuals navigating grief, uncertainty, and the discovery of their “sacred YES.”
In her professional life, Nancy is a sought after leadership consultant and trainer. Infusing her practitioner consciousness into her work, she guides organizations in areas such as emotional intelligence, interpersonal communication, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Nancy holds a Masters Degree in Multicultural Education and several professional certifications. In her personal life she’s a Mom, a plant and music lover, and explorer of Bay Area hiking trails.
“There is nothing to be healed, only truth to be revealed.”
Nancy’s favorite quote – “There is nothing to be healed, only truth to be revealed.” – reminds her that we are already whole, perfect and complete.
Pat Reynolds has been a licensed practitioner since 2019 and has been committed to Science of Mind teaching for more than 40 years.
Pat’s professional career has been in the fields of social work, public health and philanthropic grant making. She has completed degrees in social welfare at the University of California, Berkeley; social work at the University of Chicago; and public health at Harvard University. Most recently, she completed a residency preparing her to serve as a chaplain.
Born in Topeka, Kansas, Pat moved to San Francisco as a child. She has lived in a number of cities around the country including Denver, Boston, and Chicago. She is a mother and grandmother and her family are very important to her. Pat enjoys reading, art, travel and jazz music and is one of the organizers of an aging gracefully group for women.
At Heart & Soul, Pat is active in the Welcome Circle and the Prayer & Care Village where she helps facilitate after service in-person and Wednesday morning online laser prayer. She also offers practitioner sessions to people in the community. A lifelong learner, Pat continues to take spiritual development courses at Heart & Soul and other Science of Mind churches.
“I never limit myself to what is probable.”
Pat’s favorite quote is by Rev. Deborah Johnson and says, “I never limit myself to what is probable. I acknowledge facts without allowing them to define the potential of the Divine.” This quote is important to Pat because it reminds her that appearances and circumstances never reveal what is possible in God.
Robyn is a seasoned professional who has seamlessly navigated various fields, leaving an indelible mark on her journey. With a career that spans from her impactful tenure at Essence Magazine to the backstage orchestration of New York Fashion Week, Robyn has proven her versatility and expertise.
Robyn’s unwavering self-belief has been the driving force behind her accomplishments. Whether it was completing a business management degree in the aftermath of 9/11, running marathons for charitable causes, or authoring a book at the age of 50, Robyn’s confidence in her abilities has propelled her to success. Her journey included a feature article in the New York Times, a testament to her dream of becoming a writer, yet she knows there is more ahead.
After attending her first Centers for Spiritual Living (CSL) workshop in 2010 at Mile High Church in Denver, Colorado, Robyn felt a new dream and in July 2023 she became a Licensed Spiritual Practitioner (RScP) at Heart & Soul. This experience is further evidence of Robyn’s trust in Divine Spirit and her belief that anything is possible if you dare to put your dream into motion.
“Have the will to be well, to be happy, and to live in joy.”
Robyn says that she knew she was on the right path when her favorite quote from Ernest Holmes was revealed to her – “Have the will to be well, to be happy, and to live in joy.” As social media’s self-proclaimed “Goddess of Joy”, Robyn has spent the last 12 years teaching clients and students about choosing joy and the other choices they can make to create a life of joy, or as she says, “create a life that rocks!”
Chaplain Roeber’, as he is known in his spiritual community, has studied Science of Mind principles for more than 25 years and received Emeritus Licensed Practitioner status after 20 years of service. His long-term goal is to continue his spiritual practice and to obtain his ecclesiastical endorsement from the Centers for Spiritual Living.
Roeber’ is a founding member of Heart & Soul, serves as a co-Lead of our Prayer & Care Village, and is a former member of our Board of Trustees. He graciously and generously offers spiritual guidance and support when needed or requested.
In 2019 and 2022 respectively, Roeber’ completed his clinical pastoral education training and internship and currently serves as a staff Chaplain at Highland Hospital. He performs memorial services, facilitates classes, workshops, and seminars to assist individuals, families, and hospital staff during times of challenge, change, and transition. Roeber’ has also supported incarcerated youth in the Rites of Passage program at the Alameda County probation department.
Roeber’ was known as the “The Praying Tax Man” in the business community prior to his retirement. He enjoys being still in the giving and receiving of prayer, playing golf, smooth jazz, and outdoor walks in nature.
“Be still and know”
“Be still and know” is Roeber’s favorite quote. In the very moment of his initial visit to the East Bay Church of Religious Science in 1995, this message resonated with him and encouraged him into and through his immediate life challenges and continues to inspire and support him today.
Ron embarked on his transformative journey into the Science of Mind in 2000, drawn by an invitation to the East Bay Church of Religious Science in Oakland, CA. Entering the sanctuary, an immediate connection resonated within him, and he recognized it as his spiritual home. A licensed Spiritual Practitioner since 2009, Ron is an indispensable part of Heart & Soul. As a founding member and co-lead of the Heart & Soul Practitioner Core, he plays a vital role in fostering spiritual community and growth. Ron is also the co-lead of the Website Team and manages the many aspects of HSCL’s IT needs.
Dedicated to his life purpose, Ron serves as a spiritual coach, teacher, and revealer of Truth. At the heart of his practice lies a commitment to being a healing presence, always invoking peace and harmony. As a spiritual coach, Ron provides safe and sacred space, guiding clients through a transformative experience. Using spiritual principles, prayer, meditation, journaling, and affirmations, he helps individuals explore and replace thoughts and beliefs that no longer serve them, aligning with Spirit’s highest vision for their lives.
Ron holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree from the Zicklin School of Business from Baruch College in New York.
“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me.”
One of Ron’s favorite “go to” scriptures is from Psalms 138:8, “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me.” For him it is a simple reminder that, regardless of what is going on in his life, he can trust in Spirit to work things out for the highest and best; not just for him but for everyone. It allows him to let go of the “how” and focus on the “what.”
Scott serves as Managing Director of Brakeley Search and conducts leadership searches on behalf of their clients. A nonprofit professional for more than 30 years, Scott has achieved consistent success and measurable results in building high performing teams, budgeting and financial analysis, problem-solving, and creativity. Additionally, he has served as both staff and consultant to many nonprofits.
Scott has held the position of executive director for the Friends of San Francisco Public Library and recently Chief Advancement Officer for the Parkinson’s Institute and Clinical Center. He holds the Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE) credential, the highest available for fundraisers, and is one of 116 people in North America to achieve this distinction. He has been honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Aloha and Silicon Valley chapters as an outstanding fundraising professional.
Scott’s favorite contemplative question is:
What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?
This quote has long inspired Scott to move beyond fear of failure and to know even if he fails, he will have learned something more than if he hadn’t attempted anything. And he might wildly succeed!
A member of Heart & Soul Center of Light since 2018, Scott became a licensed practitioner (RScP) in July 2023. Scott holds a MPA from Golden Gate University in San Francisco and a BA from Washington University in St. Louis. Among his hobbies are food preserving (making pickles and jams) and comic book collecting.
Suzzette Celeste is a spiritual adept who has been a student of Universal Spiritual Principles for more than 30 years. She is a Heart & Soul Center of Light (HSCL), founding member and Adult Education Director. Suzzette is active in Ignite and Imagining Justice .
Suzzette’s gifts include BE-ING skilled in collaboration, a spiritual counselor and coach, culture keeper, educator and trainer, and a transformational change agent. She brings deep and rich spiritual knowledge to those with whom she interacts and is a skilled communicator. Her professional and lived experience is the foundation of her ability to incorporate diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into leadership change. Through this she invites and encourages changes in mind and then behavior that work toward creating a world that works for everyone. Her heart’s desire is to deepen her spiritual faith by practicing universal spiritual living principles, and for expanded health and well-being and prosperity consciousness.
Suzzette is a light-bearer, affirmative prayer warrior, and wisdom keeper whose intention is to embody the qualities of Spirit as … Life, Truth, Intelligence, Abundance, and Principle.
“Be still and know that I am God”
Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God”, is a favorite of Suzzette’s. This scripture is a Truth Principle and Practice, that is powerful, simple, directive, and simultaneously soothing. It brings her a deeper sense of spiritual recognition, unification with the Divine Intelligence, and peace. Stillness is that meditative inner place that provides her with a deeper sense of and access to calm, her center, reflection, and possibilities for Divine guidance. Stillness supports her in accessing Spirit as her.
She loves that this scripture is both an affirmation and an affirmative prayer. It recognizes One Life and unifies humanity with the One Life, providing a practice of what to do and sharing the outcome when done.
When she is still and willing, she aligns with and recognize her unity, power, and presence as Spirit.
As an embracing life coach and Licensed Spiritual Practitioner for more than 15 years, Tendai has empowered and advocated for women. Through her programs and projects, she supports, challenges, and uplifts women to discover who they are, step into their power, give their gift, and live on purpose. Her creed is “I never give up on you.”
The creator of an Embracing Your Life course, Tendai has collaborated with women around the world on her 5 PowerFull Women Project (5PW). She has spoken at women’s leadership conferences nationally and internationally on the topic of women and power and is the author of What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do.
Tendai believes music is the glue that brings people together. She enjoys smooth jazz, Latin music and oldies but goodies. Raised in southern California, she has traveled to several countries.
Tendai is a mother of 4 children, 2 having made their transition, and grandmother of 2 fabulous grands and 3 extended family grands. She received a Master of Public Health from Emory University’s School of Public Health and a BS in Nutrition from California State University, Long Beach.
“Count it as a blessing.”
Her favorite quote is, “count it as a blessing.” Her mother always says that when Tendai feels hurt, overlooked, or things just are going the way she thinks they should. It reminds Tendai to change her thinking and perspective about a situation to see the blessing in it.