The Thread Interfaith Seminary Board
Rev. Dr. Jackie Jenkins
Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Jenkins is an organizational psychologist, evolutionary executive coach, and ordained interspiritual minister. She is the founder and CEO of Earthseed, a learning sanctuary and sacred movement for visionary leaders who are ready to lead with courage, heal what’s hidden, and co-create a more just, inclusive, and spiritually grounded world.
With over 20 years of experience, Jackie has served as a trusted guide to leaders and institutions navigating deep change—including the United Way of New York City, Luminary Labs, The New School, Oregon Consumer Justice, Progyny, Seeding Justice, Google and the NBA. She is also a professor of social-organizational psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University, where she teaches leadership, executive coaching, and intercultural competence.
Jackie holds advanced degrees from Princeton, Stanford, and Columbia University, is a certified professional coach, and received her ordination from One Spirit Interfaith Seminary. Her scholarship explores systems psychodynamics, social identity, and spiritually-integrated change leadership. She is the co-author of X-Ray Vision at Work: A Research Tool for Uncovering Systems Psychodynamics to Advance Organizational Change.
Through Earthseed, she integrates cutting-edge social science with timeless spiritual wisdom to help leaders move beyond surface-level solutions and embody a sacred, healing-centered approach to leadership. Her work is grounded in the belief that meaningful transformation—organizational or societal—begins within.
Min. Dr. Don Ajené Wilcoxson
Minister Dr. Don-Ajené Wilcoxson, founder of Potentiality, is a Holistic Advisor, educator, speaker, and contemplative practitioner whose work integrates Spiritual Intelligence, Spiritual Emotional Intelligence, Depth Psychology, and Emotional Intelligence into a grounded path toward wholeness.
Drawing from decades of experience in higher education, spiritual formation, and human development, he accompanies individuals through personal and professional crossroads where deeper questions of meaning, purpose, identity, and alignment begin to emerge.
A Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Dr. Don-Ajené’s approach is informed by Jungian psychology, Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy, contemplative practice, and Interspiritual wisdom traditions. Rather than offering quick answers or rigid formulas, he creates reflective spaces where individuals can listen more honestly to themselves and begin building lives that feel more whole, grounded, and soul-led.
Rev. Dr. Melissa Stewart
Rev. Dr. Melissa Stewart is an Interfaith/Interspiritual educator, facilitator, and psychotherapist. Melissa has over 30 years of experience as an oncology social worker at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and nearly 20 years ordained in ministry. Melissa approaches life experiences as sacred opportunities for growth, healing, and transformation, and is committed to affirming and anti-oppressive practice in all of her endeavors. Melissa embraces an Interspiritual sensibility that honors ancient and emerging threads of spiritual experience and practice. She engages in deeply related interpersonal connections, rooted in care and presence. It is a profound sense of interconnection that fuels Melissa's desire to build and strengthen spiritually grounded networks, which led to co-founding The Thread Interfaith Seminary in July 2025, where she continues to serve as Spiritual Director. Melissa lives in Madison, Wisconsin, with her wife.
Rev. Dr. Curtis Jefferson
Rev. Dr. Curtis Jefferson is an ordained Interfaith/Interspiritual minister, certified meditation teacher, Usui Reiki master, and professional educator. He is a co-founder of The Thread Interfaith Seminary and perpetual student of nature. As a lifelong musician, Curtis infuses music and movement as core elements of his spiritual practice, including daily chanting and body prayer. He holds a doctorate degree in education from Northeastern University, where his research focused on the process and experience of identity formation during professional training. Originally from North Dakota, Curtis lives just north of Seattle, Washington, with members of his chosen family (including his playful and loving rescue pup, Fin).
Rev. David Didio
David Didio is an ordained Interspiritual minister and spiritual companion whose ministry is rooted in contemplative listening, the creative process, and the practice of accompanying others on their life journey.
A devoted student of A Course in Miracles, his work is informed by various meditation modalities, contemplative practice, interspiritual wisdom, and a lifelong commitment to exploring the many ways the sacred is revealed in everyday life. He creates welcoming spaces where people can slow down, listen deeply, and discern the quiet movements of the heart with openness, curiosity, and compassion.
Before entering ministry, David spent many years in the design profession and nonprofit leadership. Those experiences shaped his understanding that creativity is far more than artistic expression—it is a way of seeing, paying attention, and responding to what is waiting to emerge. They also affirmed his belief that the spiritual life is itself a creative act, inviting each of us to participate consciously in the ongoing work of becoming more fully who we are created to be.
Whether through silence, conversation, story, music, or the arts, David believes the creative process can awaken wonder, deepen awareness, and reveal the sacred woven throughout ordinary life. This conviction forms the heart of his ministry and informs the way he accompanies others with presence, compassion, and deep respect for each person's unique path.
He is the author of God Is...An Exploration of the Divine Through the Art of Children.
Katie Swartz
Katie Swartz has always been curious about what helps people become more fully themselves, especially during seasons of change and uncertainty. Her path has taken her from 18 years in technology leadership to training in mental health counseling, neurobiology, and contemplative practice, and ultimately to her work as an executive coach and relationship strategist. In 2018, she founded Be Meditation to bring mindfulness into corporations, schools, and communities.
She is deeply grateful to be part of The Thread’s vision and this community. Its commitment to helping people become a presence of love in the world resonates deeply with her. She hopes to contribute her experience in leadership, relationships, and organizational growth to help this vision take root and grow sustainably, while honoring the wisdom, care, and spirit at its heart.