Prairiewoods would not exist without the thousands of inspired individuals who have given their time, talent and treasure to bring this place to life. Sisters, staff, volunteers and board members have created a legacy of love and on the land and in the lives of thousands of people.
Staff Members
Aaron Brewer
- abrewer@prairiewoods.org
Aaron serves as the Land Care Coordinator at Prairiewoods. A proponent of land stewardship and environmentalism, Aaron studied Parks and Natural Resources and Conservation Management at Upper Iowa University, leading to his involvement with Brucemore, Trees Forever, AmeriCorps and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Originally from Iowa City, Aaron lives in Cedar Rapids with his wife, Hannah, and daughter, Maribel. You’ll find Aaron outdoors most days, practicing his passion for gardening and managing the 67 acres of timber and prairie restoration projects. He welcomes volunteers and nature enthusiasts to join in caring for this wonderful land together and hopes you find great peace during your visit.
Ann Jackson, PBVM
- ajackson@prairiewoods.org
- 319-395-6700, ext. 203.
Sister Ann is Prairiewoods’ Spiritual Services Coordinator. Blending love of nature, literature, leadership and spirituality, Ann delights in listening with others to the energy of Spirit stirring creativity, passion, discernment and service. Newly certified as a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach, she is committed to mindful living and compassion, evolving consciousness, and personal and social transformation by bringing mindfulness to local and global communities. She enjoys offering spiritual direction and facilitation to individuals and groups.
Benjamin Ofuasia
- bofuasia@prairiewoods.org
Ben is the Culinary Artist at Prairiewoods and is responsible for helping to create many of the delicious meals guests enjoy while at Prairiewoods. Ben’s easy-going and friendly manner as he serves guests the meal he created helps everyone feel at ease.
Christine Kirpes
- ckirpes@prairiewoods.org
Christine, Prairiewoods’ Garden Coordinator, managed the Green Prairie Garden at Prairiewoods for ten seasons as part of Metro Catholic Outreach. Now she runs it as a member of the Prairiewoods staff. After earning two life science degrees, she ended up in Cedar Rapids in the early ‘90s. She became involved with Indian Creek Nature Center, volunteering as a naturalist off and on for 20 years. She was introduced to Prairiewoods in the early 2000s and enjoys hiking and taking advantage of various environmental and spiritual programs here. She, her husband and their three adult children love getting outside, especially visiting national parks together. Christine’s interests also include tending to her collection of houseplants, gardening, reading fiction, dancing, visiting new places, and almost any activity in or around water. Working with others in our food pantry garden has provided community, therapy, learning and joy to her and many others. Growing food for those facing food insecurity in a sustainable way is her attempt to do good in the world.
Erik Meggers
- emeggers@prairiewoods.org
Erik serves as Prairiewoods’ Maintenance Coordinator and helps keep the grounds and buildings in working order. Before coming to Prairiewoods, he was a mechanic, lawn-care technician and stay-at-home dad. He and his wife, Heather, have one son, Ian. Erik enjoys bicycling, gardening, fishing and hunting. He is a happy presence at Prairiewoods, always willing to handle any maintenance needs with a smile!
Hunter Curtis
- hcurtis@prairiewoods.org
Hunter serves as the Food Service Coordinator at Prairiewoods. Hunter dives into tasks with remarkable focus and has already implemented helpful systems with the tools and resources we already had in place!
Rev. Jean Sullivan
- jsullivan@prairiewoods.org
Jean serves as the Operations & Hospitality Director, welcoming groups that come to Prairiewoods to enjoy beautiful spaces, wonderful food and the great outdoors! With a bachelor’s degree in medical anthropology, a master of divinity degree and nearly three decades in ordained congregational ministry with the United Church of Christ, she has also explored the impact of stress and trauma on individuals and the community and how we build resilience. Jean lives in a 100-year-old home on the southeast side of Cedar Rapids with her husband and clergy colleague, Ed; her son, Buster; and her daughter, Cleo.
Julio Vera
- jvera@prairiewoods.org
Julio is the Massage Therapist at Prairiewoods and graduated from Carlson College of Massage Therapy in 2024. He specializes in therapeutic, deep tissue, muscle tension and relaxation massage. Born in Mexico, Julio is bilingual in English and Spanish. He recently moved to Iowa from New York City with his family who is local to the area. Julio is also a dance fitness instructor with a passion for helping others achieve their goals.
Leslie Schwarting
- lschwarting@prairiewoods.org
Leslie Schwarting is a full-time spiritual director and retreat/program facilitator at Prairiewoods. As a wife, mother of three adult women and former hospital executive, Leslie’s journey has led her to profound joy in serving this ministry. Her extensive corporate background, which includes leading large teams, strategic planning, project management and business development, as well as her spiritual direction training, have uniquely prepared her for this role. She finds great fulfillment in supporting others as they seek to deepen their connection to the Divine, themselves and others, and is deeply empathetic to their personal and spiritual growth. Evening appointments available: Email Leslie directly.
Leslie Wright
- lwright@prairiewoods.org
Leslie W serves as Prairiewoods’ Executive Director and holds a certificate in spirituality and community, a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in human development. She has worked as a buyer, business analyst, grantmaker and nonprofit consultant, as well as serving as adjunct faculty at Mount Mercy University. Since the early 2000s, Prairiewoods and its programs have shaped her spiritual journey and offered sanctuary. Leslie loves to garden; spend time with her husband, Jason, and kids, Grant, Casey and son-in-law, Scott; and herd her three dogs.
Logan Pratt
- lpratt@prairiewoods.org
Logan serves as Prariewoods’ Communications Coordinator, where he leads the organization’s marketing efforts including social media, e-mail marketing, newsletter, and graphic design efforts. Born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Logan is also involved in the local theatre and improv scene and serves as a Speech Coach at Kennedy High School.
Lucille Winnike, FSPA
- lwinnike@prairiewoods.org
Sister Lucille is one of the original board members of Prairiewoods and ministers as a retreat director and spiritual director. Earlier ministries include teaching and administration in Catholic schools, as well as administration within her community. Lucille has a master’s degree in mathematics from Notre Dame University, where she later did further studies in spirituality and interned as a spiritual director. She says, “Many persons who come here experience the richness and healing powers of Prairiewoods itself, of Mother Earth, of God. It is my privilege to meet with some of those people.”
Mariah Andrews
- mandrews@prairiewoods.org
Mariah serves as Prairiewoods’ Food Service Director, leading a collaborative kitchen rooted in sustainability, seasonal ingredients and spiritual alignment. She believes food is more than fuel—it heals, nurtures and unites us. Mariah brings more than a decade of experience in food innovation, plant-based cooking and community-building. Before joining Prairiewoods, she co-founded The Plantiful Pantry, a plant-based café and meal subscription service focused on creating vibrant, locally sourced dishes—like Wicked Dill Pickle Soup and Mexican Street Taco Bowl. She lives in Mount Vernon with her husband, Christian, and is the proud mom of two grown children, Sophia and Gus. Outside the kitchen, she’s a cookbook author, certified yoga teacher and voracious reader. She’s passionate about creating spaces where food brings people together in meaningful, joyful ways.
Matthew Gurnsey
- mgurnsey@prairiewoods.org
Matthew Gurnsey, Prairiewoods’ Development Director, brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in hospitality management, nonprofit program development, and community engagement. His background includes strategic planning, donor relations, and event coordination, as well as decades as a professional musician sharing Celtic traditions through story and song. Since joining Prairiewoods, Matthew has found deep resonance with its mission of Earth care, spiritual growth, and community connection. He lives in Marion with his wife, and their Siberian Husky, and enjoys spending time in nature, restoring vintage projects, and nurturing relationships that strengthen both spirit and community.
Matthieu Tourenne
- mtourenne@prairiewoods.org
Matthieu is the Lead Culinary Artist here at Prairiewoods and comes to Prairiewoods with years of experience in the culinary field. He is especially excited about the challenge of using foods from our garden!
Nancy Hoffman, FSPA
- nhoffman@fspa.org
Sister Nancy is one of six foundresses of Prairiewoods. She provides therapeutic massage, healing touch, tai chi, and a variety of programs on eco-spirituality and holistic health. Nancy has a bachelor’s degree in education, has a master’s degree in theology, is a trained spiritual director and is a licensed massage therapist. She is a life-long learner, treasuring all that the land (and its plants and animals), the Prairiewoods staff and our guests teach her.
Nancy Schrimper
- nschrimper@prairiewoods.org
Nancy, Prairiewoods’ office supervisor, has been a welcoming presence here at Prairiewoods since 2011. She serves on the Ecumenical Community Center Foundation Board of Directors, one of the many nonprofit organizations that she is passionate about. Nancy has two grown kids, Megan and Nate, and son-in-law, Tucker. She enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dog, thrift shopping and baking.
Robert Hogg
- rhogg@prairiewoods.org
Robert, the program assistant at Prairiewoods, has a passion for nature and people and is excited to be part of a community embracing our interconnectedness. He has studied biology and worked at multiple national parks and wildlife refuges on restoration and research projects. When he isn’t greeting people in the main office and helping with all the amazing programming here, Robert enjoys running, spending time with family, and finding fun events and parks around the area.
Trace Harshman
- tharshman@prairiewoods.org
Trace, Prairiewoods’ housekeeper, has 20 years of experience in residential and commercial cleaning. She has an adult son and enjoys spending time with her family. Trace also likes to go out to eat and watch movies.
Board Members
Bev Buhr
Bev and her wife Carin moved to Cedar Rapids in 2023 after living in Wisconsin for most of their lives. Bev has worked a variety of jobs including microbiologist, firefighter-paramedic, and Nurse Practitioner. Currently, Bev volunteers at Prairiewoods on the land crew, the Corner Store run by Matthew 25, Peoples Church Unitarian Universalist, Miracles in Motion (therapeutic horseback riding), and the Rodale Midwest Organic Farm in Marion, IA. Their spirituality calls Bev to live her deeply held values of centering love and embodying justice, equity, transformation, pluralism, interdependence, and generosity. Bev enjoys projects, being outdoors, moving her body, singing, and reading.
Cara Matteson
Cara is a native Iowan, growing up in southeast Iowa. She has had the privilege of establishing a career in something she loves: water! She has worked in various water sectors and locations over the years and is currently the Sustainability Director with Linn County. Outside of work she is a mother and enjoys being active outdoors. She has always felt peace with being in nature, which has also aided in deepening her spiritual growth. She is active in her church through various activities and continues to be humbled as a youth leader. Prairiewoods holds a special place in her heart as she has truly experienced it as a place of transformation.
Claire Sagers
Claire is the Director of Alumni Engagement at Coe College, with previous experience in adult education and health and wellness. She and her husband, Ben, are native Cedar Rapidians who enjoy being involved in their community and supporting local organizations. As a Linn County master gardener, she has a deep love and appreciation for nature, and her favorite thing about Prairiewoods is the intersection of faith, nature and wellness. She enjoys serving the organization on the board and sharing her passion for those areas with others.
Greg Barnett
Greg is a retired software engineer with a passion for renewable energy. He helped design his net-zero house. The solar panels on his roof provide more electricity than his all-electric house and electric vehicles consume. He uses his passion for reducing his carbon footprint to further the mission of Prairiewoods to reduce our environmental impact and for all of Creation. He lives with his wife and two adorable cats. They have two grown children and two grandsons.
Hether Stauffacher
Hether is a Vice President RE-Consumer Support Manager at Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust, where she has been for almost two decades, and has 24 years of banking experience. Through her growth through CRBT and moving into a leadership role, Hether was seeking to join a board that was a good fit to her core beliefs. Hether has her 200-hour yoga teaching certificate and is always looking for opportunities to connect with the environment and those who are like-minded in the community. After doing some research and visiting with some outside and some within Prairiewoods, this opportunity felt like a great experience for Hether to continue her own personal growth as well as the future growth of Prairiewoods.
Marin Noska
Marin first found Prairiewoods while serving in Green Iowa AmeriCorps, where she helped remove invasive plant species and cleaned up tree debris after the derecho. She now works as a housing case manager at Willis Dady Homeless Services and is excited to put her passion for the environment to work here at Prairiewoods.
Marie DesJarlais, FSPA
Sister Marie is the director of Global Awareness through Experience (GATE) and GATE Charitable Giving, a nonprofit through Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA). She has been a part of the Prairiewoods board since 2019. She says, “I believe in the mission and vision of Prairiewoods. They serve as a beacon of hope in our world through education and living the value of science and eco-spirituality for transformation.” She serves as our liaison with FSPA.
Peter Correll
Peter is a father, husband and designer working in residential remodeling in Iowa City. He has lectured for Iowa State University’s architecture department, worked as a carpenter, practiced architecture, started a furniture design/build studio and recently returned to residential remodeling. He is a LEED-accredited professional who is interested in the evolution of sustainable, renewable, and regenerative design and built environments. Peter enjoys serving the evolving mission of Prairiewoods.
Rev. Rose Blank
As a retired United Methodist clergy, Rose’s life’s work has always included the area of spiritual formation. Prairiewoods has been such an important part of her spiritual journey, and this opportunity gives her a chance to support the ongoing mission of being a place of transformation for others.
Roselyn Heil, FSPA
Sister Roselyn is the pastoral associate at St. Mary’s Church in Odanah, Wisconsin, Indian Reservation, and a spiritual director. Most important in being there is creating safe space for being an energy of healing presence. She has deep roots in the Care of Earth, as she grew up on a small dairy farm and worked in God’s cathedrals as an interpretive ranger in the national parks for twelve years around the country from the Florida Everglades to Yellowstone to Point Reyes National Seashore north of San Francisco. She also fought forest fires in Glacier National Park. Being involved in her FSPA community’s eco-spirituality committee since 2004 and participating in workshops at Prairiewoods has offered her root connections in the cathedral of Prairiewoods. As John Muir so powerfully said back in 1869 in his Papers, “When we try to pick out anything by itself we find that it is bound fast by a thousand invisible cords that cannot be broken, to everything in the universe.” Back in the national parks, she could only quote John Muir. But she knows Jesus said it long before: We are all One in the Body of Christ. Roselyn says, “I honor the opportunity to saunter on the land of Prairiewoods to nourish the radiance of the Body of Christ.”
Shannon Evans
Shannon Evans O’Brien is the spirituality and culture editor at the National Catholic Reporter who makes her home in Ames, IA with her five incredible kids. She has authored several books, including The Mystics Would Like a Word, Feminist Prayers for My Daughter, and Rewilding Motherhood – some of which she wrote inside a Prairiewoods hermitage! In her free time Shannon enjoys yoga, thrifting, laughing with her kids, and undertaking overly ambitious creative projects around the house. She is passionate about the need for communal spiritual spaces that feel safe and accessible to all.
Founders
The land now known as Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center was purchased by Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA) of La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1962 as a farm. Twenty-seven acres of this land were rented for crop production. Woods covered the remaining land, where hills and a small creek sheltered many forms of wildlife.
In 1988 members of the Central Region of FSPA gathered to consider future purposes for this land. Using the theme Ecology—the Farm, the members focused on environmental issues in relationship to the land they held in trust. Following this meeting, the 27 acres formerly tilled were placed in a Federal Land Program and prairie grasses were planted where corn and soybeans once grew.
Another step toward the creation of Prairiewoods was taken in 1991 when Paula Gonzales, SC, was invited to address the sisters on the topic of The Dream of the Earth. This dynamic speaker brought new awareness to the need to preserve sacred spaces and to raise ecological issues to a new prominence in the concerns of the Franciscan community.
These gatherings of Central Region members around issues of care for Earth led to a decisive meeting in the fall of 1992. At this meeting, the Sisters called on one of their own members, Cecilia Corcoran, FSPA, to address the topic of Redeem the Time: Our Eucharistic Task. In her creative and moving address, Sister Cecilia recalled the history of the land now called Prairiewoods and challenged the Central Region to move toward a major commitment toward preserving Earth’s fragile environment through the creation of a spiritual and educational center.
Six sisters were chosen to bring this dream into being: Sr. Betty Daugherty, Sr. Joanne Moeller, Sr. Joann Gehling, Sr. Nancy Hoffman, Sr. Maryam Gossling and Sr. Therese Pedretti. The six sisters guided the design, construction and early operation of Prairiewoods. They set the stage for all that has happened since.
Landmark Dates
Important dates in the history of Prairiewoods include:
May 7, 1995
Groundbreaking
July 5, 1996
First Guests and first silent directed retreat
September 28–29, 1996
Open House
October 4, 1996
Dedication on St. Francis Day
Oct. 1997
First Franciscan Fest (became Blessing of the Animals)
1998
First Prairie stomp to collect seeds
Solar hot water system installed at the Guest House
First Operating board formed
1999
First environmental educator hired
Hermitages open for guests
2001
Labyrinth installed
Iowa Energy Expo hosted at Prairiewoods in partnership with I-Renew
2002
Endowment fund established
Root Cellar built
2003
First Spirituality in the 21st Century event held
First full time director begins work
Founders Grove created with grants from Alliant Energy and Trees Forever
First Day of Self Renewal
2004
Recognized by Trees Forever
First Holiday Bazaar
First Garden Party
2005
US Department of Energy recognition for solar projects
2006
10 year anniversary celebration
2007
Prairiewoods sponsors Interfaith Dialogue
2008
Immigration traveling exhibit
Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life (SEEL) program launched
2009
First solar array installed near garden
2010
I-Renew Education Center built
2011
Sweat lodge built and first ceremony offered
2012
First hoop house installed with grant money from GCRCF and Rockwell Collins
LEED Gold Certification
2013
Prairiewoods honored by US Green Building Council at the CBJ Green Symposium
2014
St. John’s Bible exhibit at Prairiewoods
2015
First Sweetgrass Flute Festival
First Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program offering
2016
20th Anniversary
Rooted and Growing Campaign
2017
Your Other Lunch Option (YOLO) program begins
2018
First Rock Mandala classes offered
2019
Conservation Easement completed
2020
COVID 19
First Development coordinator hired
Derecho destroys over 1,000 trees
2021
25th Anniversary
2025
Partnered with Medquarter to bring SP21C speaker
Expanded solar
2026
30th Anniversary