LEADERSHIP

GTW Conveners

We are blessed at Gather the Women with the gift of brilliant leadership; women who lead from a place of deep service. We are grateful for their creativity, their expansive vision, and their integrity. Gather the Women relies upon the effective power of circle principles for leadership of our grassroots global movement.

Our Conveners make up our Board of Directors

If you are interested in applying for a Convener position with Gather the Women Global Matrix, please download and complete this form and email it to matrixconvener@gatherthewomen.org

Janelle Turley: Matrix Convener

I am excited to step into the role of the next Matrix Convener, to carry the Vision forward. My journey is deeply rooted in my passion for the Divine Feminine and a burning desire to help shift the paradigm toward something more balanced, loving, and awakened. Life is all about embracing the wild joy and fun that comes with growth and transformation, and I feel incredibly blessed to be on this path, guiding myself and others to remember what has been forgotten and listen to our intuition and guides. Whether through sacred practices, creative expression, or moments of deep connection with others, I am all in when it comes to co-creating a world where love, wisdom, and empowerment reign.

On top of all of this, I’m also a mother to two amazing kids—my son, who is 13, and daughter, 10. My daughter shares in this journey with me, joining circles and embracing her own connection to the Divine Feminine and the magic that exists in the world around us. Watching her grow in this space brings me so much joy and inspiration. I believe that the energy we create together, as a family and community, is transformative, and I’m here for all of it—the wild fun, the deep love, and the soul-nourishing joy that each new day brings.

Laura Santino: Secretary Convener

As an introvert person, talking about my myself has always been a struggle. I challenge myself to be personable and patient with people and volunteering for causes that are close to my heart. Some of my hobbies include scrapbooking, cross stitch and reading, enjoying NASCAR, and being near the beach.

My husband Anthony and I have been married since 2007 and are the parents to an older Lhasa Apso named Mitzy. In my former life I was a paralegal and a direct-sales consultant. Now I am a Registrar of Voters for my town and an officer in my husband’s IT business.

As a newer member to Gather the Women, I have already met many new sisters who have allowed me to spread my wings and feel connected through stories, family life, and sharing openly and honestly in a safe environment that is rather hard to come by. The feeling of support and safety is refreshing. For many years I volunteered with a women’s organization but when I needed a new direction in my life, GTW and Ms. Janelle came into my world at the perfect time – I began to believe in signs again. From the first moment joining a circle I felt a peace come over me – something that I have been missing for a long time, and I hope to share that “glow within me” with others.

Debra (Debbie) King: Treasurer Convener

Debbie King, Treasurer Convener, Bio Photo

We get to know each other through our stories. Let me introduce myself with a modification of a phrase I recently read on Instagram: I am chasing enlightenment, but mostly I’m chasing my own tail! And around and around and around I go. 😊

It is difficult for me to talk about myself. The easy thing to say is, “I’m retired”, “I’m a mom”, “I’m a ___ (fill in the blank). But those hats I wear don’t really represent who I am and who I want to be. The truth is, I am an earthly pilgrim with celestial aspirations, learning the language of the universe, one experience at a time. And honestly, most of those experiences have been wonderful and some have been really tough! I’m sure you understand!

The best way to describe myself is this: I have a balance of opposites in me. I am both introverted and extroverted, creative and analytical, strong and sensitive, compassionate and tough, nonconformist and structured. I have many identities: a mom, a daughter, a wife, an aunt, a niece, a friend, and more. But at my core, I am a soul enjoying this adventure called earth, which is mostly wonderful and sometimes really hard.

I could share many stories from my Book of Life with you, but what I want to say now, is that our stories are how we connect with each other. When we tell our stories and speak our truths, we inspire others. By being open and honest with other women, we reveal our true selves and can invite them to do the same. In doing so, we have created a safe space for them to be themselves with us. This is what Gather the Women is to me: a safe place for me and other women to come together in circle in a space where we can be ourselves without judgment or criticism. My love language is to serve and help others, so I am ready to lend a hand when someone needs me or when I can use my skills to make a difference. This is why I’ve joined the GTW Leadership Circle. I can't wait to meet you!

Lisa Schmidt: USA Circle Coordinator Convener

I live with my husband and two college-aged children in Michigan. Previously, I worked as a nurse and a health educator. I found that work to be rewarding and it filled my life with purpose and meaning. Now I find myself on a new path as I enter the “second act” of my life. One of the most powerful things I have ever experienced is having deep, spiritual conversations with other women in circle. The energy, connection, and sisterhood fills my soul. When I first found GTW, I immediately felt at home. I had attended the Virtual Annual Gathering, and although I had not previously met the women I was in circle with, I felt a bond with them. Afterwards, I knew I wanted to be a part of GTW and help further its mission of transformation at a personal, societal, and planetary level. I look forward to welcoming new sisters to GTW and helping them to connect with others in circle where they may find a safe space to be deeply heard and held.

Nadine (Nay) Bell: Communications & Marketing Convener

I came to Gather the Women through a friend. In 2018 I attended the Canadian GTW Retreat in Ontario and have never looked back. I could be myself, felt heard, and was held and supported. I knew then that I wanted to get involved but didn't know how. I filled out the volunteer survey and jumped into the Communications and Marketing (C&M) Circle to use my knowledge of social media, publications, and design. I have worked in healthcare communications for the last 24 years and when I volunteered, it has been in public relations/communications. I have also volunteered as Stage Manager/Producer in Community Theatre and enjoy singing karaoke and women's Barbershop. I am a widow and live with my companion, a chocolate labradoodle named Rosie. I am humbled and grateful to be part of GTW and look forward to sharing and promoting this organization with more women around the world.

Judith Hurley Prosser: Circle Convener

Since the age of 4, when she learned she couldn’t be in cub scouts because she was a girl, Judith has been a feminist, working to empower herself and other women as equals in our culture.

In the Fall of 2002 she received an email from Marilyn Nyborg, a co-founder of Gather the Women, inviting her to attend a circle to see what needed to be done to Gather the Women in Nevada County, California. She heard the call then, and 22 years, hundreds of circles, and seven Annual Gatherings later, she is still being called.

Judith had the honor of being the USA Circle Coordinator Convener for a little over a year in 2020-2021. In that timeframe she became one of the lead Fire Tenders for Circle Conversations and continues in that position today, as well as being a Fire Tender for the C&M newsletter circle.

Returning to the Convener Circle is a homecoming for Judith. Her vast experience in circle and leadership in GTW, her vision of empowerment for all women, her many connections with GTW’s circle leaders, and her desire to be a catalyst for change make her the perfect person to be a liaison between the Conveners and the women attending circles. She looks forward to visiting your circles soon.

GATHER THE WOMEN

GTW Covenant of Leadership

The Covenant was developed by the GTW Conveners’ Circle to describe the core principles and practices which will guide our work together.

We will dedicate ourselves to the belief that each of us is enough right now.
We will create containers that practice the form and principles of Circle, with a focus on shared leadership, shared responsibility, and shared deep listening, while evoking spirit.
We will be honest and share what is true about our thoughts and feelings.
We will aspire to be impeccable with our words, to do our very best, to take nothing for granted, and to suspend our assumptions.
We will serve holistically – mind, body, spirit, and heart.
We will show gratitude and affirm each other and each woman who participates in GTW.
We will offer freely the abilities and skills that we possess and serve from a place of shared competency.
We will serve as a global example of inclusivity, interdependence, and diversity – valuing, appreciating, and honoring all expressions of humanity and spirituality.
We will dedicate ourselves to showing up fully and passionately in our readiness to serve.
Our greatest value will be creating a place where all women can gather with the assurance their gifts will be honored.