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Meet the Team
Leadership Team
The leadership team is responsible for actualizing the mission and vision of The Studion, as well as teaching and supervising students.
Heather Cowie:
Heather is a co-founder and facilitator of The Studion School for Spiritual Direction. She completed her training in spiritual direction in 2004 and has been meeting with people as a spiritual director for over 20 years. Since completing The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius through the 40-day retreat at Loyola House, Heather has cultivated a special interest in Ignatian spirituality. She directs 8-day Ignatian retreats, as well as accompanying people through the full Spiritual Exercises in daily life. With her kindness, insight, and empathy, Heather accompanies, with grace, those seeking to deepen their faith and connection to God. When she is not directing and facilitating, Heather spends time with family and friends drinking coffee, preparing and enjoying good food, and talking about books. She also loves to work with her hands to make things that are useful and beautiful.
Ron Klok:
Ron sees himself as an ordinary human being who has gained a wide range of experience working with a wide-range of people in a variety of real-life settings---as a pastor in congregational ministry, a foreman on high pressure construction sites, a retreat director for contemplative silent retreats, and currently as a professional counselling therapist for individuals and couples (ronklok.com). Ron's love for spiritual life began in the early 1990s, and his interest in the intersection of psychology and Christian spirituality found fruition in his research project and workshop: Monk Therapy: Ancient Spiritual Practices and Modern-Day Mental Health.
Ron has been providing spiritual direction since 2005. Co-founder of The Studion, Ron serves on The Studion Leadership Team and is one of the main facilitators. His main hobby is having fun.
Julianne Gilchrist:
Before completing her spiritual direction training with The Studion in 2018, Julianne served as a campus minister at The King’s University. Journeying with university students as they grappled with questions of faith is one of the things that prompted her to become a director. As a spiritual director, she particularly loves group direction and working with people in ministry. She is an engaging speaker and preaches regularly at her church. When teaching at The Studion, Julianne enjoys topics that intersect contemporary culture and spirituality. She loves good books, walks with her dog in the river valley, and outdoor adventures with her husband and three kids.
Ministry Team
We have a fabulous ministry team to ensure your experience at The Studion is the best it can be.
Shirley Bakker
Practicum Coordinator
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Shirley is passionate about creating opportunities for people to experience spiritual direction. As the Practicum Coordinator, she gets to do just that! She recruits volunteers to receive spiritual direction, matches them with our student directors, and ensures the practicum runs smoothly. If you are interested in being a practicum volunteer, connect with Shirley. (email with hyperlink: moc.liamg%40mucitcarpnoiduts)
Pamela Ukrainetz
Group Facilitator
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Pamela completed her spiritual direction training in 2021 and now has a spiritual direction practice in Lethbridge, AB. When she’s at The Studion, she supervises practice sessions and theological reflection paper groups, offering support and feedback to students.
Brenda Frezell
Intern
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Brenda is working toward a Masters of Leadership & Ministry at Ambrose University. We are glad to have her share her skills and learning with The Studion for her internship.
Retreat Directors
This team of directors meets one-on-one with our students during the silent retreats. We couldn’t ask for a better group.
Ann Khuen
Pauline Klok
Rod Peterson
Brenda Frezell
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