Trustees

Michelle O'Rourke RN MA has a background in palliative care nursing and pastoral ministry.  Her interest in Nouwen grew from thesis work she had published by Orbis in 2009 titled Befriending Death:  Henri Nouwen and a Spirituality of Dying.  She later published Healthy Caregiving:  Perspectives for Caring Professionals in the Company of Henri J.M. Nouwen, Novalis 2020. 

Prior to retiring, Michelle helped to design, build and open the 10-bed Chatham-Kent Hospice.  She lives in Chatham Ontario and has been a Trustee since 2022.  Her website is www.selahresources.ca

Resa Quinn Pearson is a retired marketing and sales consultant and agency leader with 30+ years focusing on high technology and healthcare clients. Resa earned an M.A. in Pastoral Ministry with a focus on Spirituality from Santa Clara University,and has been associated with the Henri Nouwen Society Board and the Trust since 2007. Resa co-facilitates an online contemplative prayer group, curates and maintains www.spiritabounds.com, and lives with her husband in Laguna Beach, California.

Lauretta Santarossa was Director of Sales and Marketing for Novalis, Canada’s premier Catholic publisher, for 25 years. Her background includes writing, editing, educational programming, and contributing to publications that explore themes related to faith and culture. She is the author of a book on Mary Gardens, Bring Flowers of the Fairest, and has led pilgrimage tours to Italy. Lauretta is a graduate of St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto, and has a degree in Literature and Religious Studies. She first encountered Nouwen’s work as a member of Madonna House, in Combermere, Ontario, in the 1970s. She lives in Toronto.

Sarah Wilke is an experienced publisher, educator, and nonprofit executive who lives in Nashville, Tennessee. She spent many years in missionary ministry and formerly served as Publisher of The Upper Room, also holding senior leadership roles within The United Methodist Church. Sarah is a co-founder of Project Transformation and serves on several boards, including on the executive board of the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. Her career encompasses organizational leadership, program and board development, and work with global networks engaged in education and community development.