Why Choose Sky Farm Center?

Deborah Jones is the Executive Director of Nine Gates Mystery School, a spiritual leader, and primary teacher of the Mystery School and related programs. She is also the Founder of Nine gates 11-day Graduate School.

Deborah has worked intensely with wisdom keepers around the world. Her spiritual initiations have taken her to Egypt, India, Greece, the Yucatan, and the Orient. Moreover, Deborah has devoted her professional life to supporting the fullness of life flowing through each and every human being. This is why she has been a board member of Sky Farm Center since its inception.   

Kath Gilliam joined Sky farm Center in October of 2011. She was invited to do so by Joan and Mary as Mary wanted to retire as the Business Manager. Kath came on board as Mary's replacement and then was asked to join the board nine months later. She was elected Secretary-Treasurer and has served in that capacity ever since. 

Kath came to Sky Farm Center with a C suite  management background. In addition, Kath has served as a hotline volunteer with her  community's Suicide Prevention Center and in the grief ministry for her local parish. Finally, Kath has partnered with Helen Palmer to bring Helen's teachings of the Enneagram to an online audience. 

Trained as a naturopathic physician and midwife, Beth Pimentel has been a facilitator and a guide to individuals and families navigating health challenges and life transitions. Between college and graduate school, Beth had the good fortune of living near her aunt, Mary, and Joan in Berkeley and, later, Washington State. She has been involved with Sky Farm Center since the beginning, consulting frequently with Joan over the years. Beth brings a wealth of experience in patient care, legislative advocacy, academia and administration to Sky Farm Center and is pleased to continue her association with the center in her capacity as a board member.  

Philip joined the board of Sky Farm Center in 2002. For seventeen years he was the Executive Director of the Center for Religion, Ethics and Social Policy at Cornell University. He also taught anthropology at Wells College, received his  doctorate from Cornel, and  served as the Executive Director of the Finger Lakes Land Trust in Ithaca, New York. As well, Philip was a Fulbright scholar doing conflict resolution work between the divided communities of Cyprus. This is where he met Joan and Mary in 1994, all three spiritual seekers. They have been friends ever since.  

Joan is one of the founders of Sky Farm Center. Along with Mary Hudak, her longtime business partner, Joan has dedicated her professional career to supporting others to enjoy the health and vitality of life in mind, body, and spirit. Joan's training to do so began as a Sister of St. Joseph of Crandolet in Oakland, California. It was in that religious community that Joan first learned those lessons. She continued to research the processes through the study of energetic frequencies with various recognized teachers and practitioners after leaving the order. Now almost forty years later, Joan has a developed a wealth of experience and protocols in service to those who are seeking the fullness of life in mind, body, and spirit.