The Transforming Center is communities of men and women journeying together in the presence of Christ for the purpose of spiritual transformation so we can discern and do the will of God. The board of directors for the Transforming Center is a prayerfully chosen community for discernment, meeting regularly to listen to God as they provide directional leadership for the vision and mission of the Transforming Center.
Every board member has completed one or more of the two-year Transforming Community® experiences and is committed to an ongoing process of transformation that is shaped by a covenant commitment to the Transforming Center Guiding Values and Principles.
Board of Directors/Community for Leadership Discernment
Dr. Ruth Haley Barton
Transforming Center Founder
Ruth has been a student, practitioner, and thought leader in the area of Christian spirituality and formation for over 20 years. A seasoned spiritual director, teacher, and retreat leader, Ruth was trained at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation and the Loyola University Chicago Institute for Pastoral Studies and holds a doctor of divinity from Northern Seminary. She has served on the pastoral staff of several churches and is the author of numerous books and resources on the spiritual life.
Tony Frank (TC15)
World Vision - Regional Director, Northeast
Tony is a non-profit leader with over 25 years of experience raising funds for child-focused organizations that combat the root causes of poverty. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Tony’s heart for global issues eventually brought him to WorldVision, where he leads a team that raises funds for projects around the globe. Building lasting relationships with a variety of influential individuals and families has been the focus of Tony’s work and that of his team. Tony and his wife Lisa have been married 30 years and have two sons, Isaac (25) and Caleb (22). Tony enjoys reading, music and drawing, occasionally plays the drums, and together with Lisa they love to travel.
Rev. Dr. David Hughes (TC3)
Resident Theologian and Academic Liaison
David has served in many roles in the Transforming Center, including board member and executive director. Although he has officially retired, David continues to represent the Transforming Center as an ambassador and as our resident theologian. With a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Philosophy from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, David continues to oversee our academic partnerships, field difficult questions and connect with our key partners. Previously, he spent 36 years in ordained pastoral ministry—22 of which were spent at First Baptist Church of Winston-Salem, NC.
Billie Peterson (TC14)
Spirtual Director, Retired CPA
Billie is a CPA in tax accounting and has recently joined the Transforming Center board as our treasurer. A devoted mother and grandmother, it was her desire to become a healthier version of herself that lead her to join a Transforming Community (TC14) when a particularly difficult season provided the needed impetus for growth. In addition to her finance and accounting expertise, she brings her training in spiritual direction along with her desire to listen deeply and be present with the true Director to her participation on the board of the Transforming Center.
Past board members actively engaged in the Transforming Center ministry
Rev. Dr. Phaedra D. Blocker (TC8)
Founder and President for the Center for Clergy & Congregational Wellness
Phaedra is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to move toward wholeness and actualize their potential as agents of change and shalom in the world. She is Founder and President of the Center for Clergy & Congregational Wellness, a nonprofit organization that empowers ministry leaders to facilitate health and wholeness in themselves, their ministry contexts, and their adjacent communities. In addition, she serves as Affiliate Professor in Leadership & Formation at Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University, and teaches in the University's Marriage and Family Therapy Doctoral program. Phaedra holds a Master of Divinity from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Transformation from Northern Seminary in partnership with the Transforming Center.
Rev. Dr. Jonathan Taylor Haley (TC1)
Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, LaCrosse, Wisconsin
Jonathan holds a Master of Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Seminary. Through the ministry of the Transforming Center, he became aware of his deep desire to experience his body as God's gift to him, which he now does when swimming, biking, or running. He is a 17-time Ironman. Jonathan has been with the Transforming Center since its very first retreat.
William H. Marquard (TC6)
Managing Director, Deloitte Consulting LLP
Bill advises global companies on business strategy and has a guiding role in manager leadership development at Deloitte. As an executive, he embraces TC’s philosophy that “the best thing we bring to our leadership is our own transforming selves,” incorporating the rhythm of four TC retreat communities into his transformation journey. Bill earned a BA in Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame; an MBA from Case Western Reserve University; and was an adjunct professor of Finance at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.
Rev. B.J. Woodworth (TC5)
Spiritual Director, Coach and Retreat Leader
BJ has served in the PC(USA) for the last 28 years as a pastor, teacher and spiritual guide to university students and young adults. For 17 years he was founding pastor of The Open Door, a missional community in Pittsburgh, PA, and now serves part time at East Liberty Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh as Director of Spiritual Life Ministries and Taize Minister. He is a graduate of Westminster College and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. B.J. is married to Katrina and has four children.