Beverly Prestwood-Taylor
Beverly has honed her passion for facilitating dialogue through her academic training at Eastern Mennonite University and Hartford Seminary, and through her work in prisons, churches, community groups and on college campuses. She continues to investigate the relationship between traumatized communities and conflict and is exploring healing processes enabling the transformation of conflicted relationships.
In her work with congregations and communities, she inspires groups to see beyond the problems to the possibilities, and coaches them in developing concrete skills and structures for cultivating healthy relationships. In 1979, she received a B.A. in geology from Bucknell University. In 1983, she completed her Masters of Divinity from Boston University School of Theology and is ordained in the United Church of Christ. Schooled in Community Conflict Mediation and Training through Plowshares Institute in Hartford, CT., and in Appreciative Inquiry and Trauma Healing through Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va., she was awarded her Doctor of Ministry with distinction from Hartford Seminary, focusing on trauma healing and conflict transformation. Back to top
Karen Nell Smith
Karen Nell Smith is a highly skilled facilitator with over 25 years of experience who specializes in moving groups through situations of conflict to productive outcomes and creative opportunities. Her strengths lie in working with groups to articulate and understand issues, establish healthy dialogue, gain consensus, set goals, and develop strategies that move the group to action with a new understanding of organizational leadership, communication, and collaboration. A management consultant since 1981, Karen Nell has focused her corporate work on professional service organizations, particularly in law, real estate, and finance.
Karen Nell has been serving churches since 1993. In 2001, Karen Nell co-created "Walking in the Way," a program of conflict transformation and peace-building for communities of faith throughout New England. She is founding member of Roots of Shalom, LLC, a consulting organization providing congregations assistance in times of turmoil or transition.
Karen Nell received her undergraduate degree from Mary Washington College, holds a Master of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School, and has received a certificate in mediation and conflict transformation from the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center. Currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Hartford Seminary with an emphasis on conflict transformation and interfaith dialogue, she is also a member of the Seminary’s Building Abrahamic Partnerships facilitation team. She is ordained in the United Church of Christ presently serving the Congregational Church of Christ, UCC, in North Leominster, MA. Back to top
Missy Puliafico
Missy is building the infrastructure for the Institute, drawing on her recognized accomplishments in implementing operational systems, managing change and fostering continual improvement in her 25 years experience as an operations executive. While her corporate skills are useful to the Institute, her passion is in cultivating the best in people and organizations. To that end Missy is engaged in the exploration of Appreciative Inquiry and its application to organizations and communities of all types with the goal of integrating those principles into future program offerings at the Institute.
Missy and her husband Paul have renovated the Brookfield Inn which serves as the base of operation for the Brookfield Institute. The Inn was built in 1768 and was an active establishment until the 1950s when it began to decline. Over the past twenty years Paul and Missy have worked to restore and rehabilitate the building and look forward to fully opening the Inn in 2008.
In 1988 Missy earned an MBA from Anna Maria College. She has over 25 years experience working for a large contract research organization specializing in operations and organizational development. Back to top
Gretchen Mollins
With a rich and diverse background in healthcare and education, Gretchen summarizes the philosophy of her healing practice, True Potentials, with the motto, “Life is short…YOUR life is precious.” Operating with the core belief that every human being possesses shining potential, she intuitively and compassionately coaches adults and children to connect with their innate beauty and worth.
As a graduate of the Stillpoint School of Integrative Life Healing in Walpole, N.H., Gretchen combines her expertise in intuitive perception, energy diagnosis and spiritual coaching with her 26 years of experience as a Registered Dietitian. She provides personalized energy evaluations and healing plans for a variety of conditions including anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, body image issues, reproductive imbalances, breast cancer, heart disease, and ADHD. Healing plans may include guided visualizations, nutrition therapy, simple yoga, sound therapy, healing touch, prayer and creative expression. Angel Healing/Life Coaching sessions are also available to anyone seeking general guidance and support for their life.
In addition to being a Certified Intuitive Healer through the Stillpoint School of Integrative Life Healing, Gretchen is a Registered Dietitian through the American Dietetic Association, having graduated with a B.S. in Nutrition from Framingham State College. She is also a licensed interfaith minister with the Universal Brotherhood Movement, Inc, and holds certification as a Child Meditation Facilitator and Angel Healing Practitioner. She holds an Educator’s License with the Massachusetts Department of Education for Health and Family Consumer Sciences. Back to top
Our Board of Directors:
Karen Nell Smith - President
Principal consultant Roots of Shalom, LLC, conflict transformation facilitation and training to communities of faith; Pastor, Congregational Church of Christ, Leominster, MA.
Kathleen Hardie - Vice President
Executive Director, Valuing Our Children, a non-profit family support organization serving the North Quabbin
region of MA.
Missy Puliafico - Secretary
Director of Educational Affairs, UMass Medical School, Worcester, MA; Owner/operator, The Brookfield Inn, Brookfield, MA.
Joan Walker - Treasurer
Town accountant for the town of Charlton, MA.
Joe Stenger - Director
Co-Director of the Rural Health Scholars program; Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, UMass Medical School, Worcester, MA: and practicing physician at the Barre Family Health Center, Barre, MA.
Kathryn White - Director
Episcopal rector, Woodstock, CT.
Bruce Prestwood-Taylor - Director
Pastor, 2nd Congregational Church, Palmer, MA.
Gretchen Mollins - Director
Registered dietician and licensed family consumer science teacher. Quaboag Regional School district; Sole proprietor, True Potentials holistic healing practice.
Doug Walker - Lawyer
Private practice, Ware, MA.
