2026 Speakers

(she/her)
is a poet, writer, and a member of the Grapevine Poets, a Binghamton-based workshop collective. Sharon’s poetry has appeared in the literary journals Collateral and Silver Birch Press, among others. She is a certified end-of-life celebrant and ritualist. She attends SUNY Empire State University, working to finish her long-delayed bachelor’s degree. She retired in 2015 as executive director of the Broome County Arts Council, following a 40-year career in broadcast journalism, including 9 years as a senior editor at NPR News in Washington, D. C. Sharon served on the White House staff during the Carter Administration. She sang professionally with American bands in the Far East where her daughter, Samarra, was born during the closing years of the Vietnam War. Sharon’s honors include a New York State Commendation Award from State Senator Lea Webb, a Society of Professional Journalists Award, and a Case Media Fellowship at Harvard Divinity School, among many others. Sharon lives in Whitney Point with her husband, fine art photographer J. W. Johnston, and their rescue cat Miss Kitty.

(she/her)
is a 500hr E-RYT graduate of Yoga Body Institute. Kristina holds many certifications in the health and wellness industry including AFPA certified Holistic Nutritionist and Wellness Coach. Health and wellness became her passion in 2007 when she found out she was pregnant with her daughter Nora. Immediately after her first set of vinyasas she knew she underestimated the power of yoga. The connection to self, body, and mind threw her for a loop! She knew this was what was missing in her wellness journey. She decided to put everything she had into creating that for others. In March of 2020 she graduated 200hr yoga teacher training just as the world got shut down for the Covid-19 pandemic. As things started to open back up she started offering donation based yoga outdoors on the village green in Windsor. In October 2022 Kristina completed her 300hr yoga teacher training at YBI. Three months later Kristina found a space perfect for bringing yoga to the Windsor and surrounding communities. You can find Kristina and her faithful companion Stuart at Our Yoga Space and Holistic Nutrition in Windsor. She can also be found at Yoga Body Shop teaching, practicing, or leading workshops. Kristina continues to grow and learn. She hopes to see you on your mat where she strives to spread her vast knowledge and love for the yogic life!

(she/her)
Beth Jones serves as the executive director of Deep Green Journey, the nonprofit she founded in 2018 with a vision to heal humanity through creative connections with the natural world. An ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church and a Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, she brings more than 25 years of experience leading retreats, workshops, and hiking and backpacking excursions throughout Pennsylvania and beyond.

Throughout the year, Deep Green Journey offers healing pathways into nature through Forest Therapy Walks, Backpacking Trips, and Retreat and Workshop opportunities. Each program is designed to help individuals and organizations discover extraordinary possibilities in life, faith, and relationships through restorative connection with the natural world—with a special commitment to creating access for those who face physical or emotional barriers to experiencing the wild.

(he/him)
is an author, educator, and spiritual companion. He has written more than a dozen books published by Anamchara Books, including Water from an Ancient Well; has led workshops in Ireland, the UK, and throughout the US; and has shared his insights on podcasts and webinars. He taught comparative religion at the college level and has led churches in five different denominations. Currently, he lives in the Western Finger Lakes of New York State with his wife Marsha and their cat Bunty, where he also enjoys time with his granddaughter, hiking, fountain pens, fantasy fiction, and historic-themed craft projects. With his wife Marsha and other companions-on-the-way, Kenneth has been shaped by blister-making, soul-renewing pilgrimages in Spain and Scotland. He is available for in-person or online events; contact him at kennethmcintosh.com.

(she/her)
is a bodyworker, movement guide, and creative spirit who believes movement can reconnect us to ourselves, to each other, and to something bigger. As a Licensed Massage Therapist and movement teacher, Danielle blends influences from yoga, Pilates, somatic practices, and dance to help people rediscover the wisdom already living in their bodies.

When not creating movement spaces, you’ll likely find Danielle traveling, lingering in good coffee shops with friends, making pottery, walking the beach, or hanging out with her dog Charlie. Danielle is also a proud mom to daughter Alison and a lifelong believer that when we move together, we remember who we are.

(she/her)
is the spiritual leader of Church in the Wild, an eco-spiritual community. She is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church but in 2019, felt the Spirit’s call to plant an eco-spiritual community for those who, like her, feel closest to the Divine in Nature. Corey earned her Masters in Divinity from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School and now lives with her spouse, their 2 kids and 2 dogs in Windsor, NY.

Corey will be leading our opening and closing circles, weaving music, wisdom, poetry, and Earth-centered meditation into a shared time of worship to book-end our time together.

(she/her)
is an author and the managing editor of Anamchara Books. She wrote the modern translation of the writings of Julian of Norwich (All Shall Be Well, Anamchara Books), as well as many educational and inspirational books for various publishers. She is also a regular contributor to US Catholic magazine, where she frequently writes about gender and social justice issues. She has been a frequent speaker at retreats and workshops, and with the help of Christine McNally, she will be leading a shamanic Journey Circle at our Wild Roots gathering.

Ellyn feels closest to Spirit when she's in the woods, surrounded by green, and she considers her two dogs and her cat to be beloved companions on her spiritual journey. She lives in Central New York State with her husband and is the mother of three adult children and the delighted grandmother of a preschooler.

(she/her)
is a shamanic practitioner and teacher whose work is rooted in ecospirituality—helping people reconnect with physical and spiritual well-being through Nature. Grounded in her ancestral Celtic Earth-based lineage, she is also a Forest Bathing Guide and Reiki Master Teacher. Christine lives in Connecticut, where she balances her spiritual work with a career in higher education. Learn more at Daily Shaman.

Christine will be joining us  in spirit this year through the Journey Circle practice she gave Ellyn Sanna to lead. It's a gentle invitation to explore both the inner and spiritual worlds and return with insights for daily life. Though a family commitment is keeping her from attending in person, we’re grateful to share her gifts with the Wild Roots community. You can see her daily offerings on her DailyShaman page on Facebook, and her new book will be available for purchase at the retreat.