Meet our collaborators…
Megan Shelly (she/her)
Hi! I’m Megan! I’m based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with my best trail partner, Ben, and our three (sometimes reluctantly) outdoor-loving kids. We camp, hike, bike, run, paddle, backpack and wander all over the country. Most of our trail miles, peaks, and starry nights are logged in the northeast and western states. During the work-and-school-from-home phase of the pandemic we needed to get out of the house as often as possible, and found ourselves hiking the 300-mile section of the North Country Trail in Pennsylvania almost every weekend for the next ten months — an experience that honed both our trekking skills and our trail names! For the last 20+ years my education, training and vocational paths have traversed a variety of leadership terrain, including small groups, retreats, mentoring, team leadership, non-profit boards, ministry, environmental consulting, and road trip planning, all of which have converged to what is becoming the be•wilder project.
Graduate: The Phoenix Center for Spiritual Direction Apprentice Training Program (April 2024)
Certificate: Wilderness First Aid (True North Wilderness Survival School, June 2023)
John Creasy (he/him)
John is the primary collaborator with be•wilder for large group contemplative backpacking trips. He is the creator of the Wild Indigo Guild, a new project that meets at the intersection of Permaculture farming & teaching, climate action & consulting, and contemplative backpacking. John is a founding pastor of the Open Door Presbyterian Church, the founder and Director of Garfield Community Farm, and lead musician with the band This Side of Eve.
Dr. Dave Janvier (he/him)
Dave is a Licensed Professional Counselor, holding a Doctorate degree in Spiritual Direction and Formation. He is a certified sex therapist and certified clinical trauma professional, and has developed the SIIMDA Soul Care holistic model. Viewing this work as missional and spiritually formative, he has integrated psychology and counseling modalities with theology and spiritual formation. Dave thrives leading healing retreats where he is honored to witness healing and freedom to those suffering from significant wounding and trauma.
For more about Dave please visit: https://www.siimdasoulcare.com/about
Heather List (she/her)
Heather is an environmental compliance consultant in Pittsburgh, where she has spent the last fifteen years studying, working, gardening (with sporadic success), composting, laughing, hiking and running, and otherwise putting down roots. In 2023 she completed a Thru-Hike of the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine and loved every minute of it (www.heathertreks.com). She believes that we all have beautiful stories to tell, and experiencing nature has a way of giving us answers to the questions we dare to ask ourselves.
Katie Robb Sewall (she/her)
Katie is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a private practice in Pittsburgh. She works with individuals on issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, relationships, and life transitions. However, her favorite job is being a mom to her twin toddlers. Katie likes deep conversations, coffee, reality tv, and walks in the woods. She is honored to walk alongside people on their paths of healing and self-understanding.
Johanna Collins (she/her)
Johanna was born in NYC. Her dad took her and her siblings to the great local parks to mess around but also to the Catskills, Adirondacks and Appalachian Mountains to hike and camp. Keeping connected to nature has always felt important to her, whatever the means- could be gardening, running, biking or simply standing still with the sun shining on her face. So grateful for the earth, it thrills her to protect and enjoy it with others!
Kelly is a local artist who taps into our innate connection with the natural world to create work that is an intermingled reflection of landscapes within and without. For each project, Kelly thoughtfully forages plants to create botanical palettes that imbue both formal beauty and conceptual depth. In addition to plant-based dyes, she also incorporates sustainable or rescued textiles in her work. With over 15 years of experience as a sustainable clothing designer, Kelly has a deep affection for natural fibers and the warmth they radiate. She looks forward to sharing her deep well of knowledge and passion for creating color with plants through teaching and collaboration.
Kelly Lane (she/her)
We think these folks are doing some really cool things around Pittsburgh. Check them out!
wild indigo guild - experiencing nature, designing restoration
outdoor inclusion coalition - advocacy
larkspur design - natural and botanical art
understory - locally sourced natural wreaths & kits
stefanie zito - fiber, natural, permaculture art
kelly lane - fine art, natural media
englehardtdesigns - fine art & murals
philoxenia life - retreats in pittsburgh & ikaria
dave janvier - healing retreats and counseling