Johnny is a native of Kentucky and a layperson who holds a Master of Engineering degree from the University of Louisville. Prior to joining the staff at The Upper Room in July 2010, Johnny spent twelve years as a specialist in product design and sustainable practices for Lexmark International. His personal search for a deeper connection to God carried him on a pilgrimage into the world of contemplative prayer and spiritual formation that eventually led him to leave his job in the corporate world to lead The Academy. His ministry is driven by a deep passion to help people awaken to and embrace the contemplative life for their own transformation and, ultimately, for the healing of the world.

Johnny studied at the Baptist Seminary of Kentucky and is a graduate of the Two-Year Academy for Spiritual Formation (Academy #25). He is a certified Myers-Briggs Practitioner, as well as a certified Pastoral Counseling Specialist through the AAPC. Johnny has also studied with Parker Palmer to become a Circles of Trust® facilitator for the Center for Courage & Renewal, and he has served as a retreat leader and spiritual director for various groups, including the Merton Institute for Contemplative Living. Johnny travels extensively for his work with The Academy, where he enjoys interacting and collaborating with top leaders and teachers of the spiritual life. He lives in Nashville, TN with his wife, Becky, and their two sons.

Claire hails from the dry plains of West Texas, and though she’s lived in Washington, D.C., Austin, TX, Louisiana, and now Nashville since 2013, she still claims Texas as her home. A graduate of Baylor University with a degree in English and Professional Writing, Claire began her career working at Sojourners magazine on Jim Wallis’ New York Times bestselling book tour for God’s Politics. From there, Claire worked in the nonprofit sustainable food world in Austin, Texas, and then made her way to Vanderbilt Divinity School where she earned a Master of Divinity degree and was ordained Alliance of Baptists clergy in 2011. Claire first experienced The Academy model through a Writing as Spiritual Practice clergy program in 2012 — an offshoot of The Academy, funded by a grant given to The Upper Room from the Lilly Endowment — and knew her soul had found a place to call home. In 2013, Claire began working with The Academy in the areas of interpretation, development, and communications, learning more deeply its mission of helping people connect with God, self, others, and creation for the sake of the world. As a pastor, spiritual leader, writer, teacher, poet, mother, spouse, certified yoga, dance, and movement instructor, and birth and postpartum doula, Claire turns to The Academy’s model of listening, learning, worshiping, and praying daily and is thankful for the sacred space it offers for rest and renewal, listening and love.

Since April 2008, Donna has filled an administrative role of the Academy office, assisting applicants and leadership teams for Two-Year and Five-Day Academies with the tools and information they need. A native Nashvillian, she offers a gracious welcome to everyone she encounters. Donna and her husband, Randy, have two daughters, a son-in-law, four granddaughters, and a grandson, all living locally.